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Dreeshen promoting partnerships with China, Mongolia during state visit

Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen is part of a group of parliamentarians and prominent Canadian Chinese business leaders taking part

Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen is part of a group of parliamentarians and prominent Canadian Chinese business leaders taking part in state visits to China and Mongolia this week.

Governor General David Johnston and his wife, Sharon, are leading the visits, at the request of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“Our mission will further develop the numerous partnerships that Canada has developed with both countries, particularly in strategies promoting commerce, innovation, prosperity and education,” said Dreeshen.

While in Shanghai, the delegation will speak with Canadian university students studying in China and witness the signing of an agreement between the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine on the establishment of a strategic partnership in medical education and training.

At Nanjing University, the group will participate in a discussion with prominent Chinese and Canadian panelists. And in Chengdu, the delegation will meet with Sichuan University officials, which will be followed by a panel discussion focusing on education and new technologies.

“As a former educator and a member of the Post-Secondary Education Caucus, I am looking forward to our discussions with Chinese university officials and Canadian students who are studying in China,” said Dreeshen. “We will be visiting three universities in three different regions, which should provide us with a broad understanding of higher education in China.”

The delegation will attend the Canada Chinese Business Council’s 35th annual general meeting and policy conference in Beijing, which brings together business leaders from across Canada and China, and focuses on progress made in the bilateral economic relationship.

“Last year, China became Canada’s second largest export market after the U.S., so it is important that we foster our bilateral trade relationship so that Canadian exporters can thrive in the Chinese market,” said Dreeshen. “We will continue to promote not just Canadian economic interests but also our values, including the promotion of human rights,” he added.

Dreeshen indicated he’s also looking forward to attending the State Great Khural (Mongolian Parliament) to meet with women parliamentarians who are taking on a stronger leadership role in their country.

The delegation will promote Canada’s investment interests at both a business networking breakfast with Canadian business leaders and during an education roundtable with Canadian institutions and Mongolian stakeholders, ahead of the first-ever Canadian Education Fair in Mongolia.

Dreeshen was in the People’s Republic of China from Oct. 16-24 and then went to Mongolia today (Thursday) before returning to Canada Saturday.