The recent US tariff threat serves as a wake-up call for Canadian businesses. While many Canadian business leaders have long advocated for trade diversification, the convenience of US market access has often led to an overreliance on a single partner. As Canada’s second-largest trading partner, China continues to present a strong alternative for expanding trade opportunities. At the same time, an increasing number of Chinese companies are entering the Canadian market, offering high-quality, competitively priced products that are resonating with Canadian consumers. Now is the right time to strengthen trade between Canada and China.

Join us on April 16 as industry experts share insights on navigating Canada-China trade. Mr. LIU Linlin, Consul (Counsellor, Economic and Commercial), Chinese Consulate General in Toronto, will share insights on trade between Canada and China. Ms. Stephanie Kou, Partner and Director of Business Development, Monet Marketing Inc., will introduce RedNote, a leading social commerce platform in China and one of the world’s major platforms for discovering and sharing lifestyle content, product reviews, and shopping experiences. Ms. Joyce Jiang, CEO, Apex Logistics Canada, will discuss how businesses can use efficient supply chain solutions to navigate market challenges, improve trade efficiency, and reduce risks in cross-border trade.

Mr. Tim Walter, President and CEO of Walter’s ShoeCare Inc., a Canadian company with a 132-year history, will share their success in the shoe care market, their brand’s growth, and their valuable trade relationships with suppliers and business partners in China. Mr. Andrew Yui, Director, Canada, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (Canada), will provide strategic insights for Canadian companies looking to expand in Asia, highlighting key opportunities for leveraging Hong Kong as a gateway for trade with China and the broader Asian market. Additionally, Mr. Alex Liu, Executive Vice President, OTT Financial Group, and Mr. Jeff Zhang, Regional Director, Central Canada, Canada China Business Council (CCBC), will deliver remarks with important messages for the Canadian and Chinese business communities.

Discover strategies for expanding into China, overcoming trade challenges, and leveraging new opportunities in logistics, social commerce, and investment. Register now to gain expert insights and make new connections!

Tickets:
CCBC Members: Free; Non-Members: $100 + HST
Capacity is limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to CCBC members. Click here to register.

Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Payment is non-refundable unless the Canada China Business Council cancels the event.

Address:
OTT Financial Group
1123 Leslie Street
North York, Ontario
M3C 2K5
Free parking is available onsite

Agenda:
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm EDT: Registration and Networking
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EDT: Welcome Remarks, Keynote Speeches, Closing Remarks
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm EDT: Networking
4:30 pm EDT: Event Ends

Dress Code:
Business Formal

About the Speakers:

LIU Linlin
Consul (Counsellor, Economic and Commercial)
Chinese Consulate General in Toronto

Mr. LIU Linlin has had a distinguished career spanning over three decades in international trade, economic cooperation, and commercial diplomacy.

Since August 2022, Mr. Liu has served as Consul (Counsellor, Economic and Commercial) at the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto. Prior to this, from April 2017 to August 2022, he held the position of Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea. From October 2008 to April 2017, he served in various capacities at China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), and Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand from October 2005 to October 2008.

Mr. Liu’s extensive career also includes previous role at MOFCOM (2001-2005), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (1996-2000), and the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, where he served as Attaché and Third Secretary from 1992 to 1996. He began his career in 1988 at the Personnel Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Mr. Liu holds a Master of Business Economics and Finance from Curtin University of Technology, Australia (2002), a Graduate Diploma in International Economics from the University of Adelaide, Australia (1998), and a Bachelor of Economics from the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade (1988), where he majored in Foreign Trade English.

Andrew Yui
Director, Canada
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)

Andrew Yui was appointed Director, Canada, of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in July 1993. HKTDC is Hong Kong’s statutory body responsible for the promotion of international trade (imports and exports) in merchandise, services and technologies, via the Hong Kong platform. The Council works through a network of 51 offices worldwide. The HKTDC Branch Office in Canada, based in Toronto, is established to encourage and assist Canadian companies to diversify their business to Asia through Hong Kong. To facilitate the efforts of Canadian companies to ‘think Asia, think Hong Kong,’ HKTDC Toronto Office has joined forces with like-minded multiplier partners like HKCBA, HKETO (Toronto), IHK (Canada), CCBC, and many others in organizing sector-specific Canadian missions to Hong Kong international trade fairs and conferences.

Joyce Jiang
Founder and CEO
Apex Logistics Canada

Joyce Jiang is an experienced entrepreneur in the field of international logistics and supply chain management. As the founder of Apex Logistics Canada, she built the company from the ground up after immigrating to Canada. In just 10 years, she transformed APEX into a leading player in the national logistics sector, has played a key role in elevating industry standards and facilitating seamless trade between Canada and global markets.

Guided by the philosophy of “Optimizing Logistics, Connecting the World,” Ms. Jiang has consistently broken barriers across languages, industries, and borders. Her relentless drive for innovation and excellence has earned her recognition as an industry trailblazer.

Prior to founding Apex Logistics Canada, Ms. Jiang held senior management positions in international five-star hospitality, DHL China, and Shanghai Media Group. Her extensive experience in international management and cross-cultural service has equipped her with a unique strategic vision for global business operations.

In 2024, Ms. Jiang was honoured with the Business Excellence Award – Resilience at the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) 46th Annual General Meeting, recognizing her outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to the industry.

Stephanie Kou
Partner and Director, Business Development
Monet Marketing Inc.

Stephanie Kou is the Partner & Business Development Director at Agency Monet Marketing, an officially authorized cross-border agency for RedNote (Xiaohongshu/小红书) in North America and a certified TikTok agency.

Monet Marketing is a full-service marketing agency with 11 years of experience in the North American market. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the company also has offices in Los Angeles, USA, and Vancouver, Canada. With extensive expertise, Monet Marketing specializes in developing and executing marketing strategies for Chinese companies expanding into the North American market. Additionally, the company is dedicated to serving as a bridge for Asian brands entering the North American market, as well as a key partner for major global brands looking to engage with North America’s Asian communities and local markets.

Notable clients include Holt Renfrew Canada, Audi Canada, Vaughan Mills, Royal Bank of Canada, Lark (飞书), Snowbeer (雪花啤酒), Laifen (莱芬吹风机), and other leading North American and international brands.

Tim Walter
President and CEO
Walter’s ShoeCare Inc.

Tim Walter is President, Chief Executive Officer and sole owner of E. F. Walter Group of Companies, including three family holdings and a majority ownership of Walter’s ShoeCare Inc. which descends directly from E. F. Walter Ltee., his family’s company, which was founded in 1893 by his great-grandfather at Montreal, Quebec.

Involved in the companies since April 1990, he became a member of the executive team in 1994 and has served as President and CEO since 2001. His primary focus and responsibilities through 2010 include business assessment, strategic planning, restructuring, consolidation, organization and business development of this now fourth-generation business—positioning it to pursue quantum growth.

Since 2010, he has led the divestiture of non-core business assets; the acquisition, development, and subsequent sale of his ThermaGreen Environmental business in 2018; and ongoing investment to grow Walter’s ShoeCare.

Having successfully navigated COVID-19 with an exceptional team, Walter’s ShoeCare is focused on strategic growth through the international expansion of operations and distribution.

In 2004, he was selected from candidates across Canada by KPMG and the Richard Ivey School of Business – University of Western Ontario to join an elite group of entrepreneurs. The Quantum Shift Institute for Entrepreneurship provides continual business training, leadership development, and a solid networking infrastructure to support the effective development of his business.

He is happily married for over 28 years and has two children, both of whom have completed university degrees and are independently developing their careers. He enjoys outdoor adventure sports, travel, music, and time with his family.

Alex Liu
Executive Vice President
OTT Financial Group

Alex Liu joined OTT in 2014, where he has assisted the founder in managing various business lines in Canada, the United States and Hong Kong, particularly the fintech business group, which provides payment processing, global settlement and credit card issuance services. Previously, Mr. Liu held various senior positions at Shenyin Wanguo Securities, one of the largest full-service investment dealers in China, where he worked for 20 years.

Jeff Zhang
Regional Director, Central Canada
Canada China Business Council

Jeff Zhang has over 20 years of international experience in private, public and non-profit organizations in a variety of sectors including E-commerce, oil and gas, retail, commercial real estate, education and financial services. Prior to joining CCBC, Mr. Zhang worked in establishment and operation management at a Sino-Foreign joint venture company and in strategic partnership management at a Fortune 500 multinational company. He also led and assisted a number of Canadian companies and educational institutions into China where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and branding establishment.

Mr. Zhang has an MBA in marketing and international business from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in Mandarin and English. He has also been a guest speaker at professional business associations in China and Canada.

Photography/Filming: By taking part in this event, you grant the Canada China Business Council full rights to use any images resulting from photography/video filming.