Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director and COO of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), recently concluded a productive visit to Beijing and Shanghai. This was his second trip to China in just seven months since assuming the role in January, highlighting CCBC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships with our members, partners, and stakeholders in the region. Building on the consistent efforts of our China team, this visit reinforces the strong and proactive engagement we continue to foster on the ground.

 

During his visit, Mr. Ahmadi met with key industry associations, business leaders, senior Chinese government officials, and representatives from the Canadian Embassy in Beijing.

 

As part of the trip, Mr. Ahmadi and CCBC’s Beijing Chapter Director, David Perez-Des Rosiers, attended the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) and visited Canadian companies showcasing their products and technologies, as well as Chinese businesses operating in Canada.

 

On the sidelines of CISCE, Mr. Ahmadi delivered opening remarks at the Invest in Sichuan International Supply Chain Promotion Conference. In his remarks, he emphasized that while the Canada–China relationship has faced challenges in recent years, bilateral trade and investment have remained resilient and continue to grow. He noted that recent high-level engagements between Canadian and Chinese government officials signal renewed momentum for improving economic ties and offer promising opportunities for businesses on both sides.

 

While in Beijing, Mr. Ahmadi held constructive meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), and the Beijing office of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

 

He also engaged with key industry associations and business leaders, including the China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC), the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC), the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products (CFNA), and the leadership of the Boao Forum, to explore avenues for collaboration.

 

As part of the visit, the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a leading Chinese think tank, hosted a roundtable on the future of Canada–China business relations. The discussion brought together participants from CCBC member companies, China’s think tank community, the Canadian Embassy, and Chinese officials from MOFCOM. Participants expressed optimism that outstanding bilateral issues could be resolved to unlock new trade and investment opportunities. This engagement reflects CCBC’s commitment to fostering dialogue between the policy and think tank communities in both Canada and China, and to highlighting the importance of bilateral economic relations.

 

In Shanghai, Mr. Ahmadi met with several CCBC members to discuss the upcoming 47th Annual General Meeting, future business delegations, and participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE). He also chaired the Shanghai Advisory Council meeting, which convened executives from various sectors to exchange insights and align priorities.