China’s “Two Sessions” are the annual plenary meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Consultative Conference that gather delegates from across the country to discuss and approve national priorities. They also see the unveiling of the government’s policy agenda and annual targets for GDP growth, inflation, and employment. Understanding the outcomes of the “Two Sessions” is critical to gauging government policy, the major issues that concern Chinese leaders, and the development objectives that have been set. Join us on April 3 in Montreal to hear Mr. DAI Yuming, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Montreal, brief Canada China Business Council (CCBC) and Canada China Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) members on the details of the recently-concluded 2024 Two Sessions.

After Consul General Dai’s remarks, we will delve into a compelling discussion about the forthcoming edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. Dr. DENG Jun, President and CEO, Bank of China (Canada), will deliver a speech on CIIE that will be followed by a panel discussion on opportunities for Canadian companies at CIIE, featuring Lory Wang, CEO, Arctica Food Group Canada Inc.; Ponora Ang, Partner, Co-Leader Asia-Pacific Group, Fasken, and David Perez-Des Rosiers, Director, Quebec Chapter, CCBC. The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Counsel, DS Lawyers Canada LLP, and Dr. Philippe Wang, Founder and President of the Canadian Chinese Entrepreneurs Council, will also deliver remarks.

Consul General Dai and Dr. DENG Jun’s speeches will be available through Zoom for those outside of Montreal, click here for zoom livestream registration.

Time:
Registration: 4:00 pm EDT
Remarks, Panel Discussion, and Networking: 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm EDT

Address:
Fasken
800 Square Victoria, 35th Floor
Montreal, Quebec

Tickets:
Free of charge. Please confirm your presence by email to David Perez-Des Rosiers, Director, Quebec Chapter, at perez.dr@ccbc.com.

Livestream:
Speeches from Consul General Dai, Dr. DENG Jun, and the Honorable Martin Cauchon will be available via livestream. Please register here to watch the livestream via Zoom.

About the Speakers:

Mr. DAI Yuming
Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Montreal

Mr. DAI Yuming has held the position of the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Montreal since December 2022.

Since 1992, he held various positions in the Department of African Affairs, Department of Personnel and Department of Policy Planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and served several terms at the Chinese Embassies in Liberia, the United States, Sierra Leone, Namibia, and Israel. He was also Deputy Mayor of Sanya City, Hainan Province, from 2016 to 2019.

Ponora Ang
Partner, Co-Leader Asia-Pacific Group
Fasken

Ponora Ang is a partner at Fasken and the Co-Leader of the Asia Pacific Group of the firm.

He is a manufacturing and product liability lawyer. In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Ang is well known to companies in the Asia-Pacific region for his legal and strategic advice regarding investment and implementation projects in Canada. He advises businesses from China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia in different industries for their operations in Canada.

Mr. Ang counsels and represents clients in the areas of real estate, product liability, manufacturing, sale and leasing, insurance and franchise law. He is regularly asked to represent the interests of manufacturers, producers, distributors and sellers in the automotive, medical, security and aviation industries. In addition, he regularly advises state-owned enterprises, private companies and individuals from Asia seeking to expand their business activities in Canada in a variety of industries.

He also received YBAM’s Lawyer of the Year 2010 award in civil and commercial litigation. Mr. Ang was also recognized in the prestigious Lexpert Rising Star 2021 / Top 40 Under 40 in Canada list for his legal expertise. In addition, in 2023, he was awarded the Medal of the National Assembly of Québec in honour of his numerous engagements for the society over the years.

Mr. Ang continued to be also involved in a number of committees and boards of directors in Québec, both in business and trade associations as well as for charitable organizations. In addition to his professional practice and community involvement, he is also a caregiver whose daily life was the subject of a documentary by ICI Radio-Canada in 2022.

The Honourable Martin Cauchon, P.C., LL.M., ICD.D, Ad. E.
Counsel
DS Lawyers Canada LLP

Martin Cauchon has had a distinguished career. First elected as a Member of Parliament in October 1993, he has held many positions in the Government of Canada. He has served as Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec), Minister of National Revenue, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. In 2013, he was an official candidate in the leadership race of the Liberal Party of Canada. From 2015 to 2019, he was also a shareholder and Executive Chairman of Groupe Capitales Médias, which gave him a better understanding of the challenges facing the print media in a digital world.

Mr. Cauchon’s unparalleled experience in government and the private sector has given him a deep understanding of a wide range of issues. As counsel at DS Lawyers Canada, he advises companies on the various issues facing the knowledge economy and the globalization of markets, taking into account geopolitical factors. Mr. Cauchon also facilitates the creation of partnerships at the provincial, national, and international levels.

Having established relationships with several counterparts in China, Mr. Cauchon has acquired a good knowledge of that market, which allows him to intervene in projects that are related to the Canada-China relationship.

After obtaining a law degree from the University of Ottawa, Mr. Cauchon became a member of the Quebec Bar in 1985 and completed a master degree in International Business Law in 1991, at the University of Exeter, in England. He was the 2004 recipient of the Equality Forum’s International Role Model Award. In 2015, he received the honorary distinction of “Advocatus emeritus” and “Le Mérite” from the Quebec Bar. He is also Vice Chair, Board of Directors of the Canada China Business Council and President of its Quebec Chapter. He also serves on the board of directors of several companies.

Dr. DENG Jun
President and CEO, Bank of China (Canada)
Principal Officer, Bank of China Toronto Branch

Dr. DENG Jun, President and CEO of Bank of China (Canada) and Principal Officer of Bank of China Toronto Branch, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Wuhan University and has played an integral role in the Bank of China Group since 1990. His journey within the Bank includes key positions that underscore his expertise.

In 2001, he served as General Manager of the Bank of China Wuhan ETD Branch, contributing significantly to the Bank’s growth. In 2006, he took on the role of Deputy Managing Director at Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Auto Finance Company Ltd., a joint venture between Bank of China Group Insurance Company Ltd., Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroen Automobile Company Ltd. and Banque PSA Finance.

In 2009, Dr. Deng was appointed Assistant General Manager at the Bank of China Limited Head Office Corporate Banking Group and in 2012, he became Country Head of Bank of China Limited – Manila Branch, showcasing his versatility on the international stage. Since October of the same year, he has been fulfilling his current roles, leading as President and CEO of Bank of China (Canada) and Principal Officer of Bank of China Toronto Branch.

Lory Wang
CEO
Arctica Food Group Canada Inc.

Lory Wang is a foodie and second-generation entrepreneur. After her studies in finance and accounting, and several years auditing SMEs, she decided to take the plunge. With the awakening of the Chinese market for imported goods and her love of food, she co-founded Arctica Food Group Canada in 2012. The group’s mission has always been to offer natural, healthy and delicious food, with a certain cachet, in which west meets east. Arctica Food became the pioneer and leading brand in Canadian wild sea cucumbers and established Quebec’s sea cucumber industry. Since the Chinese middle class clientele is open-minded but exposed to too many options, Arctica Food focuses on food education to build product recognition and brand loyalty. With her team, Ms. Wang continues to develop new food products that are nutritious and customized to the eating behaviours of the Chinese consumer, such as honey, soybeans, cooking oil, health supplements, etc. As a board member of Groupe Export Agroalimentaire, she wants to promote Quebec’s high-quality food products, sometimes even unknown locally, and encourage more people to export overseas and to build international relationships. Food brings us closer; let’s share it together!

Dr. Philippe Wang
Founder and President, Chidaca International Inc. 
Founder and President, Canadian Chinese Entrepreneurs Council

Since his arrival in Quebec over 30 years ago, Mr. Philippe Wang, a well-known and influential business leader, has been actively engaged in the community and business sector, particularly within the Sino-Canadian community. Over the years, Mr. Wang has founded and chaired several companies that have excellently demonstrated successful integration by balancing cultural differences and commercial success, while enjoying an outstanding reputation in their industry, both locally and internationally.

Mr. Wang is one of the earliest speakers and promoters in Quebec on economic and trade exchanges between Canada and China. As a leader, organizer, or advisor, he has successfully executed over fifty official events (delegations, conferences, and projects). Rich in experience and recognized for his expertise, he frequently participates in initiatives by governmental bodies and is sought after by private sector organizations. Additionally, mindful of his social responsibility, Mr. Wang is also the founding president of the Canada-China Entrepreneur Council (CCEC), an NGO that promotes Canada-China business, and the former founding president of the JiuDing Club Montreal, an NGO that provides scholarships for university studies.

David Perez-Des Rosiers
Director, Quebec Chapter
Canada China Business Council

As Director of the Quebec Chapter, David Perez-Des Rosiers is responsible for building the CCBC membership base throughout the province by connecting Canadian and Chinese businesses, promoting Canada-China bilateral trade, organizing events and supporting member service delivery. Mr. Perez-Des Rosiers has a diverse background with experience in marketing, consulting, research, and as a Parole Officer for the Correctional Service of Canada. Mr. Perez-Des Rosiers lived in China for five years, studying and working as a consultant for a Food & Beverage group. He was also the Special Representative to Mainland China for the Canada-China Forum, during which he was responsible for member recruitment, building exposure for the organization and creating initiatives in China.

He holds a Ph.D. in Global Studies from Shanghai University, during which he conducted research on Canada-China partnerships in high-tech. He also holds an M.Sc. in Criminology and a B.Sc. in Psychology.