Roundtable: Exploring the Evolving Landscape in the Greater China Markets
Roundtable: Exploring the Evolving Landscape in the Greater China Markets
Address:
Edmonton Global, Suite 2205 – 10020 100 St. NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 0N3
About the Speakers:
ZHAO Liying
Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary
ZHAO Liying assumed her duties as Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary in January 2023. Ms. ZHAO is a career diplomat and has served in the Chinese diplomatic missions in Greece, Canada, Croatia and Egypt.
L. Philippe Rheault
Director
The China Institute at the University of Alberta
L. Philippe Rheault takes on the leadership of The China Institute following a 25-year career in the Canadian diplomatic service, where he mainly focused on China and East Asia. He has been posted to the region six times: to Beijing, Taipei, Chongqing (twice), Mongolia, and Guangzhou. Notably, he has headed two of Canada’s four missions in Mainland China, as Canada’s first Consul General to the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing (2012-2017) and most recently as the Consul General of Canada for South China, based in Guangzhou (Canton) (2019 to 2023). Over the course of the last two and a half decades, he has had the opportunity to witness first-hand China’s extraordinary rise, as well as most of the key milestones marking the evolution of Canada-China relations.
Mr. Rheault’s extensive network spans China, Canada, and beyond, and he has over the years provided advice and support to a wide cross-section of top leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society. He looks forward to deploying his experience, networks, and leadership skills in the service of the China Institute, with a view to continuing to enhance its profile, relevancy, and impact. He also looks forward to playing a role in deepening understanding of China at the University of Alberta itself and also within the broader Albertan and Canadian community. Mr. Rheault holds degrees in Philosophy, Political Science, and Law, all from McGill University. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at China Southwest University, is a member of the Québec bar, and is professionally fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, and French.
Lotta Ygartua
Regional Director, Western Canada
Canada China Business Council
As Regional Director of Western Canada, Lotta Ygartua is responsible for building the CCBC membership base throughout the region by connecting Canadian and Chinese businesses, promoting Canada-China bilateral trade, organizing events and supporting the delivery of member services. Ms. Ygartua has over 10 years of marketing experience in the technology, marketing research, communications and art sectors. Prior to joining the CCBC, she was Marketing Manager at the China-Britain Business Council based in the UK, promoting trade and business with China and organizing high-calibre events involving the Chinese Premier and the Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Ms. Ygartua spent several years living in China, where she studied and worked for a local company that developed products for the Chinese market. Ms. Ygartua studied Mandarin at the University of Nanjing and Nanjing Normal University. She holds a BA in Chinese and BSc in Social and Economic Geography from Uppsala University, Sweden.
