Trudeau arrives in China for first official visit
Posted Aug 30, 2016 05:15:38 AM.
Last Updated Aug 30, 2016 05:20:40 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in China early today to begin his first official visit there.
His visit comes more than four decades after his father first began paving the way to improved Canada-Chinese relations in the 1970’s.
Trudeau, who travelling with wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and seven-year-old daughter Ella-Grace, said last week that he hopes his visit provides the opportunity to “reset” the relationship between the two countries.
China’s ambassador (Luo Zhaohui) also said last week that China sees the dawn of a new Trudeau era in Canada as a “new opportunity” to strengthen ties between the two countries.
China hasn’t forgotten how Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, was among the first western leaders to recognize “new China” when he established diplomatic ties in 1970, later becoming the first Canadian PM to travel there in 1973.
Trudeau’s visit is scheduled to include meetings with China’s president (Xi Jinping) and premier (Li Keqiang), who is scheduled to visit to Canada in late September.
Trudeau’s itinerary is packed with business-related meetings. as well as the G-20 leaders’ summit.
Between today and September 7th, Trudeau will make stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong.
