British Columbia Premier David Eby returned early from a high-profile trade mission to China this week after the province secured a wide-ranging infrastructure funding agreement with the federal government. Despite the abbreviated schedule, Eby’s office released few specifics about the trip’s accomplishments, leaving questions about the mission’s effectiveness.
Mission Focus on Wood and LNG
The three-day trip, which included stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, had two primary objectives: expanding Chinese purchases of B.C. wood and convincing PetroChina to approve a final investment decision for the LNG Canada 2 project in Kitimat. The final investment decision is expected in September, but a global natural gas supply glut may complicate the plan, according to the premier’s office.
On June 29, Eby met with China’s Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ni Hong, to promote B.C. forestry and the benefits of using B.C. wood products in home construction. The following day, he held talks with “two major players in the energy market” to discuss B.C. LNG, though he declined to identify them.
Meetings with Chinese Companies
On the final day of the trip, Eby met with several companies, including Anhui Cahome Smart Co. and Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Co., which the premier’s office said have expressed interest in expanding into B.C. He also visited the East China Architectural Design and Research Institute to promote B.C. wood.
Transportation and Transit Minister Mike Farnworth attended a networking reception to promote B.C. products—including seafood, processed foods, beverages, and natural health products—to Chinese importers.
Eby’s Comments on Trade Relations
Speaking before the trip, Eby expressed hope to return to China with Prime Minister Mark Carney in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. “Ultimately, we would love to see China drop their remaining tariffs on areas like seafood that are impacting us and our producers here, and ensuring that we have open lines of communication for businesses that are working in China and vice versa, to make sure that we’re able to pursue any opportunities we can,” Eby said.
