Canada China Business Council (CCBC)

[SOLD OUT] Unlocking Greater Bay Area Business Opportunities (Toronto)
2025-09-09 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Bennett Jones LLP, 3400 One First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1A4, Canada
On September 9, 2025, the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) will host an event in Toronto exploring business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), one of China’s most dynamic and high-potential economic regions.
The GBA includes two Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao, and nine municipalities in Guangdong Province, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan. Home to 87 million people and a GDP of approximately RMB 14 trillion (USD 2.06 trillion), the region contributes around 11% of China’s national GDP and accounts for roughly 37% of the country’s total exports. With world-class infrastructure, including three of the world’s ten busiest container ports and five international airports, the GBA is a major centre for advanced manufacturing, innovation, and trade.
Within this dynamic landscape, Hong Kong plays a strategic role as a bridge between international markets and mainland China. Its established position as a global financial centre, foundation in English Common Law, and exceptional regional connectivity make it a natural launch point for Canadian businesses looking to access the broader GBA.
The Canada China Business Council is honoured to have Mr. Callan Anderson, CEO of Hong Kong Corporate Services Group, share his insights on doing business in the Greater Bay Area and the strategic advantages Hong Kong offers to Canadian companies.
As Co-Host of this event, Mr. Wang Wenlong, Head of Treasury of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada), ICBC (Canada), will provide an overview of the cross-border RMB products and services offered to Canadian corporate clients engaged in business with the GBA. His remarks will focus on how these solutions will support the business needs of Canadian enterprises operating in the region.
Mr. Gavin Yeung, Acting Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto; Mr. Ian Michael, CCBC Board Director and Partner at Bennett Jones LLP; and Mr. Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director & COO of CCBC, will also deliver remarks and share their insights.

Tickets:
CCBC Members: Free
Non-Members: $100 + tax
Capacity is limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to CCBC members.
Dress Code: Business Attire
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Payment is non-refundable unless the Canada China Business Council cancels the event.
Address: Bennett Jones (3400 One First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1A4 Canada)
Agenda:
3:00–3:30 PM EDT: Registration
3:30–4:35 PM EDT: Presentations
4:35–5:00 PM EDT: Networking

Featuring Speakers

Callan Anderson
CEO
Hong Kong Corporate Services Group
Callan Anderson has lived and worked in Hong Kong for over 25 years and will discuss how Canadian businesses can grasp the burgeoning consumer base and unique attributes of the GBA, while using Hong Kong as an extension of your Canadian business. With over 300,000 Canadians living and working in Hong Kong, Callan will explain why this city is still vital for Canadian enterprise and why it benefits from the most important double tax treaties that support your business market expansion into Asia.

Mr. Wang Wenlong
Head of Treasury
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada)
Mr. WANG Wenlong brings over 12 years of extensive experience within the ICBC Group. Prior to current role, he held key positions at the ICBC International Trade Processing Center and ICBC Mexico, where he was actively involved in financial markets, international trade finance, and financial institutions business. He also serves as the business lead for the Toronto RMB Clearing Bank, playing a pivotal role in promoting the internationalization of the Renminbi in the region. With a strong background in global banking operations, Mr. Wang Wenlong has developed deep expertise in cross-border financial services and treasury management.

Mr. Gavin Yeung
Acting Director
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto
Mr. Gavin Yeung is the Acting Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO(Toronto)). HKETO(Toronto) is the official representative of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in Canada. Its mandate is to foster closer ties between Hong Kong and Canada, with a particular focus on economic and trade relationships.
Gavin joined the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in 2017 as a member of the Administrative Officer Grade. Before joining the HKETO(Toronto) in December 2024, Gavin had worked in various bureaux and departments, including the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Development Bureau and the Home Affairs Department.
Gavin received his Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Hong Kong.

Mr. Ian Michael
Partner
Bennett Jones LLP
Board Director
Canada China Business Council
Ian Michael is a corporate partner at Bennett Jones LLP in Toronto. Mr. Michael’s practice is focused on corporate and securities law with an emphasis on mergers & acquisitions and infrastructure investments by private equity and strategic investors. He regularly works with international investors in connection with their Canadian investments and acquisitions, including extensively with China-based investors. Mr. Michael works with boards of directors, senior executives, and private equity investors in a range of industries including aviation, real estate, technology, and automotive.
Mr. Michael previously served as a member of the Securities Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). SAC provides advice to the Commission on a variety of matters, including legislative and policy initiatives and important capital markets trends, and is a former member of the Mergers & Acquisitions team at the OSC.
Mr. Michael has been recommended by The Legal 500 Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in the areas of Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, and Transport – Aviation, in addition to being noted by Lexpert as a leading infrastructure lawyer in Canada for his extensive work with aviation infrastructure consortia at most international airports in Canada. Mr. Michael has taught mergers & acquisitions for the advanced securities law program at Queen’s University, Western University, and the University of Windsor. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario.

Mr. Bijan Ahmadi
Executive Director & COO
Canada China Business Council
Bijan Ahmadi serves as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), overseeing the operations and activities of the Council across its seven chapters in Canada and China.
Before joining CCBC, he co-founded and served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) from 2018 to 2024. IPD is a non-partisan think tank operating in Canada and the United States, dedicated to fostering constructive engagement and interest-based thinking in international affairs.
During his tenure at IPD, Mr. Ahmadi launched the organization’s Asia research program in 2020 and its flagship annual conference, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum (IPSF), in Ottawa in 2021. Today, IPSF is recognized as Canada’s premier conference on the country’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. He was also the co-editor of Canada-China Brief, a biweekly policy newsletter providing the latest developments and expert insights on political and economic relations between Ottawa and Beijing.
In his work on China, Mr. Ahmadi has advised large corporations and SMEs on navigating Canada-China trade, policy, and regulatory developments. He has also spearheaded the publication of numerous research reports on China and Canada-China relations and led Track 2 diplomacy initiatives in collaboration with Chinese and American research institutions.
Mr. Ahmadi holds a Master’s degree in Global Diplomacy from SOAS University of London and a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. Before founding IPD, Mr. Ahmadi worked in strategy and management roles in the financial services and real estate sectors, where he honed his skills in organizational leadership and operational planning. He also served on the executive boards of several Canadian non-profits and NGOs, including the Toronto branch of the Canadian International Council.

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.

2025 HKCBA National Conference (Ottawa)
2025-09-12 08:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON, K1N 8S7
Discover New Business Horizons in Asia and Hong Kong at the 2025 HKCBA National Conference

Date: Friday September 12 8:00am – 2:00pm
Time: Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa

With the theme “Think Diversification, Think Asia, Think Hong Kong”, the half-day forum and business luncheon will welcome up to 200 participants. Hear directly from industry experts and thought leaders about the latest strategies for market diversification and the evolving opportunities in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region.
Reserve your tickets today:
https://ottawa.hkcba.com/events/2025-hkcba-national-conference

[SOLD OUT] Exploring Greater Bay Area Business Opportunities (Montreal)
2025-09-16 15:30 - 19:00 (America/Toronto) | Scotia Bank (2nd Floor), 1002 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 3L6, Canada
Join us for an exclusive event in Montreal exploring the dynamic potential of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), one of the world’s most ambitious economic zones. Home to over 87 million people and a GDP of approximately RMB 14 trillion (USD 2.06 trillion), the GBA offers Canadian businesses a thriving hub of innovation, finance, and trade.
The region features world-class infrastructure, including three of the world’s ten busiest container ports and five international airports. It is also a major centre for advanced manufacturing, innovation, and trade, contributing 11% of China’s national GDP and approximately 37% of its total exports.
At this event, our seasoned speakers will share their valuable firsthand experiences attending some of the most influential business events in China & Hong Kong, including:
CCBC Annual General Meeting (AGM)
CCBC’s annual flagship event, the AGM & Business Forum, has been a cornerstone of Canada-China business engagement for 47 years. Held this year in Beijing on November 3, 2025, the AGM brings together Canadian businesses, government representatives, and Chinese stakeholders to strengthen bilateral ties, advance policy dialogue, and create strategic opportunities for growth.
China International Import Expo (CIIE)
CIIE remains a premier platform for Canadian companies entering or expanding in China’s consumer market. Speakers will share how firms have used the expo to raise visibility and secure commercial opportunities.
Hong Kong Forum
This long-standing event highlights Hong Kong’s role as a global financial centre and gateway to the GBA. Participants gain access to the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, comprising 49 associations in 38 countries and regions.
Asian Financial Forum (AFF)
As Asia’s leading financial and investment forum, AFF brings together global finance leaders. Speakers will preview the 2026 edition and outline ways Canadian firms can engage with capital markets, investors, and international partners.

Date & Time: September 16, 2025, 3:30 PM – 7 PM EDT
Location: Scotia Bank (2nd Floor), 1002 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3L6

Floor: 2nd floor can be accessed via the elevator closest to the security desk
After branch hours, the entrance to the building will be on Metcalfe Street
Indoor parking is available on Metcalfe Street for $20 ($10 after 5 PM)
Public transportation: the underground passageway from Peel metro station is accessible from the Sherbrooke/Centre Mont-Royal exit.

Event Agenda:
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Registration & Networking
4:00 PM – 5:15 PM: Opening Remarks, Keynote Speech, Featured Panel
5:15 PM – 5:30 PM: Q&A
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Networking Session
Tickets:

CCBC & HKCBA Members: Free
Non-Members: $50 + tax

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

Learn more about Scotia Wealth Management
Featured Speakers:

Callan Anderson
CEO of HKCSG
Member of HKCBA National Advisory Board and Ottawa Board of Directors
With 25 years of experience in Hong Kong’s corporate services sector, Callan has guided countless organisations from Europe, Australia, Canada, the UK, and Asia in establishing and expanding their presence in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

The Honorable Martin Cauchon, c.p., Ad.E.
Counsel at DS Lawyers
Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board of CCBC

Cindy Ho
Partner at DS Lawyers
Immediate Past Chair of HKCBA National and Co-President of HKCBA Montreal
Honorary Secretary of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide

Claire Zhang
Director of Canada China Business Council, Quebec Chapter

Drew Dorweiler
Managing Director and Valuation Practice Leader at Dartmouth Partners Limited
Co-President of HKCBA Montreal

Eric Cardinal
VP M&A Club
Member of HKCBA Montreal Board of Directors

Yujing Liu
Global Vice President of Commercial Excellence at Solmax

Participants can discover how these platforms can open doors for Canadian businesses in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond.
The event will conclude with a networking cocktail, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with business peers, thought leaders, and future partners within the CCBC and HKCBA communities to foster broader exchanges.
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.

Sourcing from China – Navigating the Canton Fair (Webinar)
2025-09-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Zoom Webinar
The Canada China Business Council (CCBC) invites you to join an informative webinar on Sourcing from China – Navigating the Canton Fair, widely known as China’s No. 1 Trade Fair and the world’s largest trade exhibition. The Canton Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of international buyers and brings together more than 30,000 exhibitors, including high-tech innovators and established brand leaders.
Webinar Date: September 18th, 2025
Event Time (Shown in Different Time Zones):

British Columbia:
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Prairies:
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM MDT
Ontario & Quebec:
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
Atlantic Canada:
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ADT

The upcoming 138th Canton Fair will be held in Guangzhou in October–November 2025, showcasing a wide variety of products ranging from advanced manufacturing and new energy vehicles to home furnishings, health, fashion, and lifestyle goods etc.
This webinar will provide practical guidance on:

Why Canadian businesses should attend the Canton Fair?
What buyers can expect to find at the Canton Fair?
How can CCBC support Canadian participants in the process?

This webinar will provide Canadian companies from coast to coast with first-hand insights on how to navigate the Fair, identify the right partners, and maximize sourcing opportunities.
Don’t miss this chance to learn how the Canton Fair can open doors for your business in China. Register today to secure your spot. Click to Register for the Webinar.
Featured Speakers:

James Prescott
Vice President, Global Sourcing & Merchandise Procurement
Canadian Tire Corporation
James is the VP, Global Sourcing & Merchandise Procurement for Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC). In this role, he leads enterprise Global Sourcing & Merchandise Procurement for CTC retail banners including Canadian Tire Retail, Mark’s, and SportChek. Across dozens of categories, with a network of over 1800 global vendors, shipping from over 40 different ports around the world, James oversees billions in annual direct-source merchandise purchases for CTC. Accountable for cost of goods management, product stewardship, responsible sourcing, vendor audit, and quality assurance, James leads diverse teams driving impactful results here in Canada, in China and across South-East Asia. With over 25 years experience doing business across North America, Asia and Europe, James has an extensive experience and understanding of global supply chains.
Prior to his role leading a Global Sourcing team for CTC, one of Canada’s most respected companies, in 2014, James and his business partner sold their Langley, British Columbia based wholesale sporting goods business to CTC. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Econ) from the University of British Columbia.

Omid Goharian
Managing Director
Magnovest Inc.
Omid Goharian is a trade and supply chain strategist and the Managing Director of Magnovest Inc., which he founded to drive sourcing, logistics, and growth initiatives in the construction and real estate sectors. With over 15 years of international experience, he has a proven track record in market development, brand launches, and cross-border operations. From 2012 to 2017 at GTC International, he managed more than 40,000 metric tons of commodities from China and South Korea, building expertise in high-volume global trade. Earlier, he served as the exclusive distributor of MihaBodytec in the Middle East and later as Supply Chain Manager at Arkfield Development, one of Ontario’s leading real estate groups. He holds a master’s in technology management and a bachelor’s in industrial engineering.

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.

Bijan Ahmadi
Executive Director and COO
Canada China Business Council
Bijan Ahmadi serves as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), overseeing the operations and activities of the Council across its seven chapters in Canada and China.
Before joining CCBC, he co-founded and served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) from 2018 to 2024. IPD is a non-partisan think tank operating in Canada and the United States, dedicated to fostering constructive engagement and interest-based thinking in international affairs.
During his tenure at IPD, Mr. Ahmadi launched the organization’s Asia research program in 2020 and its flagship annual conference, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum (IPSF), in Ottawa in 2021. Today, IPSF is recognized as Canada’s premier conference on the country’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. He was also the co-editor of Canada-China Brief, a biweekly policy newsletter providing the latest developments and expert insights on political and economic relations between Ottawa and Beijing.
In his work on China, Mr. Ahmadi has advised large corporations and SMEs on navigating Canada-China trade, policy, and regulatory developments. He has also spearheaded the publication of numerous research reports on China and Canada-China relations and led Track 2 diplomacy initiatives in collaboration with Chinese and American research institutions.
Mr. Ahmadi holds a Master’s degree in Global Diplomacy from SOAS University of London and a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. Before founding IPD, Mr. Ahmadi worked in strategy and management roles in the financial services and real estate sectors, where he honed his skills in organizational leadership and operational planning. He also served on the executive boards of several Canadian non-profits and NGOs, including the Toronto branch of the Canadian International Council.

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.

[SOLD OUT] 2025 Canadian Food Business Matchmaking Meeting (Shanghai)
2025-09-24 13:30 - 16:30 (Asia/Shanghai) | Bank of Communications, 350 Jiangning Road, Shanghai, China
The Canada China Business Council, in collaboration with Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Bank of Communications, invites you to a business exchange on September 24, 2025 in Shanghai. The program will feature presentations from leading Canadian companies in agri-food, seafood, agriculture technology, health products, and beverages, along with an overview of the Bank of Communications’ services and a dedicated Canada-China Business Matchmaking session. Participating businesses will gain opportunities to share their perspectives on the food industry, explore potential partnerships with industry peers, and build connections that strengthen bilateral trade and investment.
Time: September 24, 2025, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Address: Bank of Communications, 350 Jiangning Road, Shanghai
Agenda:
1:30-2:00: Registration
2:00-2:20: Speeches & Remarks
2:20-2:50: Introduction to Bank of Communications’ Foreign Exchange Services
2:50-3:20: Canadian Company Presentations

McCain Foods
Clearwater Seafood​
Hylife
Great Mountain Ginseng
Radouga Distilleries
CubicFarm Systems Corp.

3:20-3:50: Introduction of Bank of Communications Clients
3:50: Canada China Business Matchmaking
4:30: Closing
For inquiries, please contact Edward Dai, CCBC Regional Director for Atlantic Canada and Shanghai, at edward@ccbc.com.cn.
