CCBC Hosts Prime Minister Carney and Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing
CCBC Hosts Prime Minister Carney and Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing
The Canada China Business Council (CCBC) was pleased to host the Canada-China Trade and Investment Banquet on January 16, 2026, in Beijing, marking the first official visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney to China. The banquet convened nearly 400 senior Canadian and Chinese government officials, business leaders, and key stakeholders for a networking reception and business dinner at an important juncture in the bilateral relationship.
During the evening, Prime Minister Carney and Vice Premier He Lifeng, the Guests of Honour, delivered keynote remarks. In his address, Prime Minister Carney emphasized that Canada and China are entering a “new era” and a “new chapter” in their bilateral relationship. He described this phase as one grounded in engagement that is realistic, respectful, and ambitious, underscoring the importance of building a partnership that reflects current global realities.
The Prime Minister also recognized the role of business leaders, educational institutions, and other stakeholders in sustaining dialogue and advancing cooperation between Canada and China. He highlighted the scale and significance of the bilateral economic relationship, noting China’s position as Canada’s second-largest trading partner and a major source of investment and employment across the country. Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada’s objective to deepen trade and investment ties with China, including a goal to increase Canadian exports to China by 50% by 2030.
In his remarks, Vice Premier He Lifeng noted that, based on the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, China and Canada should uphold mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly promote the steady, and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.
It was an honour for CCBC to host Prime Minister Carney, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and their ministerial delegations at the banquet in Beijing. CCBC stands ready to build on this momentum and to support the advancement of bilateral trade and investment in the years ahead. We welcome the agreements reached between the two governments, including the elimination and reduction of tariffs and counter-tariffs through a calibrated arrangement covering key Canadian agri-food products and Chinese electric vehicles.
Prime Minister Carney (left), Vice Premier He Lifeng (right)
CCBC also welcomes the signing of the Canada-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap, the revival of the Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue, the establishment of a Financial Working Group, and a Ministerial Energy Dialogue. These developments and the agreements signed during the visit, provide an important foundation for structured engagement and practical cooperation between Canada and China going forward.
CCBC Chair, Olivier Desmarais
CCBC President, Graham Shantz
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