Chronology of Relations between Canada and China since Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
(For additional information click on the date or other link)
2017
March 1, 2017. The Government of Canada asks the Canadian public and interested Canadian stakeholders to help define Canada’s interests in a possible Free Trade Agreement with China, and identify ways of maximizing the economic and social benefits of such agreement. Deadline for consultations is June 27, 2017.
http://www.international.gc.
December 15 to 19, 2016. Chinese navy fleet 546 arrived at Victoria Harbor for an official goodwill visit, which was the first visit by a Chinese navy fleet in ten years.
November 2016. Agriculture Minister MacAuley leads delegation ten day trip to China
September 21-24, 2016. Premier Li Keqiang visits Ottawa and meets with Prime Minister Pearson. Joint Statement.
September 15, 2016. China releases Kevin Garrett after two years in prison.
September 12, 2016. The first China-Canada High-Level National Security and the Rule of Law Dialogue held in Beijing. The two sides discussed combating terrorism, cybercrime, transnational organized crime, law enforcement and consular affairs.
August 31, 2016. Canada announces it will apply for membership in Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
August 30-September 6. Justin Trudeau visits Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong.
June 5, 2016 Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui writes article in Globe and Mail on Canada China relations and visit of Foreign Minister.
May 31-June 6, 2016 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Foreign Minister Dion and Prime Minister Trudeau to discuss trip to China in September.
February 25, 2016. Sixth Meeting of China-Canada Joint Committee on Science Technology and Innovation Cooperation in Ottawa. The two sides signed a series of important agreements, such as the China-Canada Joint Declaration on Clean Technology and the China-Canada Action Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation.
January 27, 2016. The Government of Canada and the Embassy of China co-host a reception and photo exhibit to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Speech by Global Affairs Minister Stephane Dion, Speech by Ambassador Luo Zhaohui Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also attended the event and spoke about the past and future of Canada China relations.
January 12, 2016, Vice Minister of Trade and Economic Affairs, Han Jun, visits Canada to discuss economic cooperation with Canada including possibilities for a Free Trade Agreement.
2015
November 17, 2015. In Manilla Foreign Minister Stephane Dion and Wang Li discuss ways to strengthen high-level exchanges between China and Canada.
November 15, 2015, First meeting of new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Xi Jinping at G20 summit in Turkey. Chinese President proposes long term, stable, strategic partnership with Canada. Press release
September 29, 2015. Launch of regular scheduled flight service from Montreal to Beijing.
August 5, 2015, The Fourth China-Canada Cultural Dialogue was held in Toronto. Among the participants was a Patron of the Canada-China Friendship Society, Hon. Sheila Copps, former Deputy Prime Minister and Heritage Minister. The Cultural Dialogue was jointly organised by the Canadian Fund for International Understanding through Culture (Can4Culture), the Canada-China Economic Growth Alliance (CCEGA) and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Nearly 200 participants from the cultural and business communities of the two countries attended including those from China’s Central Academy of Fine Arts, Huawei and Greenland Group, and Canada’s Manulife Group and RBC Royal Bank. The Dialogue programme also included an “East Meets West” gala evening and an exhibition of Chinese calligraphy & painting and Bohai Mohe Embroidery of China’s Heilongjiang Province.
June 30, 2015. Signing of an MOU on charter flight cooperation between Ottawa Tourism and Guangdong Nanhu International Travel Service Co. Ltd.
April 20, 2015 The 15th Political and Security Consultation between the Foreign Ministries of China and Canada is held in Beijing. Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui met with Assistant Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Susan Gregson of Canada.
March 23, 2015. Toronto becomes first RMB trading hub in North or South America
March 9, 2015. In accordance with the agreement whereby China would issue first ten year visas for Canadian business and tourist travel to China, the Embassy issues the first such 10 year visa
February 27, 2015. China joined Taiwan, Korea, Peru and Belarus in restricting imports of Canadian beef products because of concern over a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) found in Alberta.
February 5, 2015. Julia Garrett released on bail. Husband remains in custody on charges of spying. (See August 4, 2014)
January 11, 2015. Article in Globe and Mail , Building on a breakthrough in Canada-China relation by Ambassador Luo Zhaohui
2014
November 9, 2014, Prime Minister Harper meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
November 8, 2014, Canada and China sign numerous trade agreement including on on currency conversion that will facilitate trade using Canadian dollars instead of US currency. Prime Minister also meets with Premier Li Keqiang. The issue of two Canadians Kevin and Judy Garratt, detained for espionage was discussed but no resolution was announced.
November 6, 2014 Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrives in China for start of four day visit devoted to improving trade and other relations.
September 12, 2014 Canada announces that it has ratified the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). Text of Treaty. signed on September 8, 2012. It will come into effect on October 1, 2014.
September 1, 2014 Canadian delegation of parliamentarians meet with Zhang Ping, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
August 4, 2014
Two Canadians, Kevin and Julie Garratt, are detained and accused of stealing military and defence secrets. They were longtime residents of China living in Dandong, near the North Korean border. They were owners of Peter’s Coffee House and were former English teachers.
July 31, 2014
China’s foreign ministry accuses Canada of making irresponsible accusations lacking any credible evidence that Chinese hackers attacked a government computer network in Ottawa.
July 28-30, 2014
Foreign Minister John Baird visits China. Meets Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing to protest attempt by China-sponsored hackers to break into a National Research Council computer system in Ottawa
June 18, 2014
Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz visits China and concludes several agreements.
May 18-24, 2014
Trade Minister Ed Fast and a delegation of Canadian SMEs travel to Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. During the trip it is announced that four new trade offices will be opened in China.
February 27, 2014
In Beijing Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng meets with Minister of State Lynne Yelich.
2013
March 23, 2013
Prime Minister Stephen Harper personally greets Er Shun and Da Mao, two Pandas on loan from China for a period of ten years to be spent in Zoos in Toronto and Calgary.
April 7-12, 2013
Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade leads a Mission to China and Japan. Meets with Gao Hucheng, China’s newly appointed Minister of Commerce.
May 10, 2013
Lu Yongxiang, vice chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, meets both Speakers of Canada’s Parliament to discuss the improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries.
July 4, 2013,
State Councilor Yang Jiechi meets with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird in Zhongnanhai, Beijing. Minister Baird also met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi
October 9-18, 2013
Foreign Minister John Baird visits Chengdu and Chongqing, to meet with government officials and business leaders. Also holds talks in Shanghai from October 11 to 13 and in Beijing from October 16 to 18.
October 16-24, 2013
Governor General David Johnston state visit to China.
November 12-13, 2013
In Beijing Shen Yueyue, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), meets with a delegation from the Canada-China Parliamentary Association led by Senator Donald Neil Plett and Wai Young MP,
2012
February 7-11, 2012
Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits China. Several agreements signed and renewed.
in 2013 including
July 19, 2012
In Beijing Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Liu Tienan, head of China’s National Energy Administration sign a supplementary protocol to the 1994 Canada-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement that will help Canadian uranium companies increase their exports to China.
August 15, 2012
Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and China’s Minister of Commerce Chen Deming announce release of the Canada-China Economic Complementarities Study
September 9, 2012
Canada-China Investment Treaty is signed. Text of Treaty. Tabled in the House of Commons on September 26, 2013.
November 11, 2012
Canada-Hong Kong tax Treaty signed. Text of Treaty Comes into force on October 30, 2013.
2011
October 7-14, 2011
Trade Minister Ed Fast visits Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing and Qingdao to promote Canadian capabilities in target sectors such as aerospace, financial services, energy, advanced manufacturing, education, agri-food and natural resources.
2010
November 10-12, 2010
Conference on “Past and Future in China-Canada Relations” Co-hosted by the Institute of Asian Research and the Shanghai Institutes for International Relations, Shanghai China, Papers presented by Lu Congmin, Bernie Frolic, Mei Peng, Jack Austin, Gordon Houlden
June 2010
President Hu Jintao visits Canada for G20 meetings. Several agreements signed in 2010 including
June 30 – July 5, 2010
Governor General Michaëlle Jean visits China.
2009
April 11-18 2009
Trade Minister Stockwell day leads Trade Mission to Shenyang, Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai.
May 3, 2009
China bans all imports of Alberta pork after swine flu is found among pigs in that province.
May 2009
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon visits China Several agreements signed in 2009 including
June 18-29, 2009
The first China-Canada Health Policy Dialogue held in Ottawa. Dr. Chen Zhu, Minister of Health of the People’s Republic of China and Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health of Canada signed a Plan of Action for 2009-2011 for continued cooperation between the two countries on health issues of mutual and primary concern, including health policies and regulations, public health emergencies, health studies, healthy living style and surveillance.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi meet Prime Minister Harper in Ottawa.
July 12-21, 2009
Transport Minister John Baird visits China.
August 9-14, 2009
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty visits China .
August 31, 2009
Wu Bangguo meets with Canadian International Trade Minister Stockwell Day and Canada’s British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell.
December 2-6, 2009
Prime Minister Stephen Harper visit to China including Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Joint statement identifies four priority areas: governance (human rights, rule of law), trade and investment, energy and environment, health(public health and pandemics), Since then, education has been identified as the fifth pillar of the relationship.
2008
May 21-23, 2008
Minister of International Trade David Emerson visits China and hosts the Canada-China Trade and Logistics Development Forum. He also met with Ms. Ma Xiuhong, Vice-Minister of China’s
Ministry of Commerce for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Infrastructure Development.
September 3, 2008
Accused fraudster Deng Xinzhi is deported to China from Canada to face charges of fraud following years of China claiming Canada is a haven for Chinese criminals seeking refugee status.
2007
April 28-May 1, 2007
Foreign Minister Peter MacKay in Beijing. Meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
Agreements signed during 2007 include:
October 29, 2007
Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally meets with Dalai Lama in his office on Parliament Hill
Chinese Embassy protests meeting as interference in China’s internal affairs. A meeting of high-level Canadian and Chinese officials scheduled in Beijing is cancelled.
2006
June 22, 2006
Parliament confers honorary Canadian citizenship on the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader.
On the same day Prime Minister Harper offers an apology for the punitive head tax imposed on Chinese-Canadian immigrants between 1885 and 1923.
August 2006
Trial of a Muslim Canadian citizen, Huseyin Celil, charged with terrorism in China. Sentenced to 15 years in prison.
November 15, 2006
In an interview on CBC Prime Minister Harper declares he will not “sell out” important Canadian values in order to promote trade with China.
2005
January 18-25, 2005
Prime Minister Paul Martin leads a trade mission in China. It includes 280 Canadian companies. More than 100 agreements signed. Prime Minister addresses the China-Canada Business Council Dinner.
June 8, 2005
Canadian parliamentary delegation led by Senate Speaker Dan Hays meets with Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in the Great Hall of the People.
September 10, 2005
President Hu Jintao visits Canada. China andCanada agree on building a strategic partnership aimed at promoting the long-term and steady development of bilateral relations.Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Air Transport comes into effect on Sept 9
November 5, 2005
Notice of intent to conduct an Environmental Assessment of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement published in Canada Gazette.
2004
April 23, 2004
Prime Minister Paul Martin meets Dalai Lama in the private residence of Ottawa’s Roman Catholic archbishop indicating it was a meeting with a religious rather than a political leader.
2003
January 8-10, 2003
Minister of International Co-operation Susan Whelan visits China meets with Lu Fuyuan, vice-minister at China’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation signs agreements relating to the adaptation of small farmers to the global market, the reform of China’s prosecutor system, roads in western China and primary education capacity in western China.
June 23, 2003
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham visits China. Meets with Wen Jiabao and Li Zhaoxing
July 2003
Chinese Commerce Minister Lu Fuyuan, visits Canada
September 5-11 2003
John McCallum, Minister of National Defence visits China, meets the Chinese Minister of National Defence, General Cao Gangchuan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Li Zhaoxing. They discuss Canada-China defence relations, Asia-Pacific regional security, and Canada’s contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and to the international campaign against terrorism.
October 22-23 , 2003
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien visit to China, the two countries sign agreements to co-operate more closely on issues including trade, the environment and agriculture. Renewal of Scholar Exchange Program.
December 10-12, 2003
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo visits Canada
2002
March 23-30, 2002
Tian Jiyun, the vice-Chairman of the National People’s Congress of China, visit to Canada aimed at promoting cooperation between the Canadian and Chinese Parliaments, as well as fostering trade and economic relations.
March 30, 2002
In Beijing the Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (and former Premier, Li Peng meets with Speaker of the House of Commons, Peter Milliken and a delegation of Canadian parliamentarians.
2001
February 7-17, 2001
Team Canada trade delegation to China led by Prime Minister Chrétien. It is the largest trade mission in Canadian history, up to that time and includes nearly 600 participants, with eight provincial premiers and three territorial leaders. On February 11 Premier Zhu Rongji and Prime Minister Jean Chretien meet in Beijing . The following documents were signed or renewed:
The Memorandum of Understanding on the Program of Exchanges of scholars between China and Canada;
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Energy between the State Development Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the Department of Natural Resources of Canada;
Letters of Intent on Sino-Canadian Programs for Developing Cooperation in the Fields of Environmental and Climatic Changes, Judicial Reform, Large-scale Development of Western China and Accession to the World Trade Organization
In 2001 other agreements signed with the the Hong Kong Administrative Region on film and television production, internet learning, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and workplace and environmental co-operation.
2000
May 2000
LI Ruihuan, Chairman of the National Committee of CPPCC, visited Canada at the invitation of Senate Speaker Gil Molgat.
June 2000
Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada visits China. on 15th anniversary of assistance program for legal reform.
1999
April 13-20, 1999
Premier Zhu Rongji makes a week-long visit to Canada. The two sides signed the Environmental Cooperation Action Plan, A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Combating Crime and three Protocols on Quarantine and Health Requirements. Premier Zhu also delivered a speech at dinner hosted by the Canada-China Business Council.
October 1999
Jia Qinglin, Member of the Political Bureau of China and Secretary of Beijing Municipal Party Committee of the Communist Party of China, visited Canada.
December 19, 1999
Raymond Chen, Secretary of State for Asia Pacific of Canada, attends the handing over ceremony of Macao on behalf of the Canadian Government.
1998
January 1998
Chen Junsheng and Madame Peng Peiyun, State Councilors of China, visited Canada.
September 1998
Tang Jiaxun, Foreign Minister of China, visited Canada.
October 1998
LI Tieying, Member of the Political Bureau and President of the Academy of Social Sciences of China, visited Canada.
November 19-22 1998
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien visits China after attending the APEC Informal Leadership Meeting. Framework Statement on Environmental Cooperation Geared to the 21st Century between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Canada. Also visit to Gansu.
1997
April 1997
Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, visited China. Agreement on Marine Transport between China and Canada signed on April 4.
April 14, 1997
Canada ends co-sponsoring of human rights resolutions on China at the United Nations. Announces bilateral approach to human rights initiatives
July 1997
Lloyd Axworthy visits China to observe the handing over ceremony of Hong Kong.
November 26-28 1997
Jiang Zemin, President of China, pays a state visit to Canada after attending the APEC Informal Leadership Meeting in Vancouver. This was the first visit to Canada by the President of China since 1985. During the visit the two sides agreed to build the 21st century-oriented China-Canada partnership of all-round cooperation. They also signed many agreements during the visit: the Consular Agreement between the two governments, the MOU of Cooperation in Tourism between the National Bureau of Tourism of China and the Tourism Committee of Canada, and three MOUs on development aid.
1996
April 1996
Qiao Shi, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, visited Canada.
September 19, 1996
Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister of China, visited Canada. Letters Exchanged on Retaining the Consulate-General by Canada in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
October 1996
Gildas L. Molgat, Speaker of the Senate of Canada, visited China.
November, 1996
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien makes a brief visit to Shanghai to attend a Canada-China Business Council meeting. Mr. Chrétien and Premier Li Peng sign an agreement for China to purchase two Canadian-designed nuclear reactors.
November 26, 1996
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) signs a contract with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) for the sale of two CANDU-6 reactors .
1995
October, 1995
Premier Li Peng visits Canada on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. He attends the annual meeting of the Canada-China Business Council.
1994
April 1994
Ramon J. Hnatyshyn , Governor General of Canada, visits China. Opening of Trade Office in Guangdong Province.
April 1994
Zou Jiahua, Vice Premier of China, visited Canada.
July 29, 1994
Treaty between the People’s Republic of China and Canada on Judicial Assistance in Criminal Cases, signed. Text of treaty.
November 4-18, 1994
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien makes first Team Canada trade visit to China, bringing nearly 500 political and business executives. Agreement signed November 7, 1994 on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. led to the eventual sale in 1996 of two CANDU reactors.
1993
March 25-29, 1993
Minister of Constitutional Affairs Joe Clark visits China to discuss economic issues and human rights.
May 1993
Zhu Rongji, Vice Premier of China visits Canada.
1992
January 7, 1992
Three Canadian Members of Parliament, Beryl Gaffney, Svend Robinson and Geoff Scott are expelled from China during official visit after meeting relatives of dissidents and trying to organize a public protest.
April 1992
Five day trade Mission led by Trade Minister Michael Wilson marks the restoration of normal government to government relations following Tiananmen. Canada promises to support China’s membership in the GATT.
1989
May 1989
Wan Li, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, headed a NPC delegation to Canada. It was the very first visit to Canada by the Chairman of NPC of China. Chairman Wan Li met and held talks with the Governor General and with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
June 4, 1989
Canada recall’s Ambassador Earl Drake in protest over use of Army against protesters in Tiananmen Square on June 3-4.
June 5, 1989
House of Commons unanimously condemns action of Chinese government in Tiananmen protests
June 30, 1989
Ministerial Statement by Secretary of State for External Affairs, Joe Clark following event in Tiananmen Square. Existing links by governments, industry and academics to be preserved as much as possible. New initiatives to focus on people to people relations. Programs which might benefit the current policies of the government of China to be avoided. Export Development Corporation Loans to China are approved later in the year.
1988
May 1988
Tian Jiyun, Vice Premier of the State Council of China visited Canada
November 4, 1988
Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Exchanges between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Canada signed.
1987
March 1987
Governor General Jeanne Sauvé visits China and meet with President LI Xiannian of China.
April 1987
Guy Charbonneau , Speaker of the Senate, and John Fraser, Speaker of the House of Commons, head a Canadian parliamentary delegation to China. President LI Xiannian and Chairman Peng Zhen of the Standing Committee of NPC met with them .
May 1987
Yang Shangkun, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, headed a Chinese Government delegation to Canada and met with Prime Minister Mulroney and Foreign Minister Clark.
1986
March 1986
Department of External Affairs helps to put together a consortium of public and private companies (SNC Group, Acres International, Lavalin, Hydro Quebec and BC Power) to participate in studies of the Three Gorges Hydro project.
May 9-12, 1986
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney visits China. He offers a five year, 350 million line of credit to support Chinese purchases of Canadian goods. The two sides sign an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.
Canadian International Development Assistance Programme for China double to 200 million dollars
May 1986
Yao Yilin, Vice Premier of the State Council of China, visits Canada.
1985
July 1985
LI Xiannian, President of China, makes a state visit to Canada, the first one by the President of China to Canada since establishment of diplomatic relations .Two agreements signed. One to renew existing Canada-China Trade Agreement and the other to establish a consultative committee on agricultural production.
1984
January 16-23, 1984
Zhao Zhiyang, Premier of the State Council of China pays an official visit to Canada and becomes the first Chinese leader to address the Canadian Parliament on January 17, 1984. Agreement between China and Canada on the Protection of Investment insures Canadian investors against losses from war, revolution, expropriation or inability to repatriate profits.
April 1984
Maurice Riel, Speaker of the Senate, and Lloyd Francis, Speaker of the House of Commons, head a Canadian parliamentary delegation to China.
1983
October 5, 1983
Wu Xueqian, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, visite Canada. The two sides sign the General Agreement on Development Cooperation between China and Canada. It covered such areas as agriculture and forestry, energy, communications, education, communication, environmental protection, tapping human resources, structural reform and aiding the poor.
November 27-29, 1983
As part of his peace initiative calling for a disarmament conference among the five nuclear powers Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau visits China and held talks with Chinese leaders about the idea.
1981
Drought and flooding in Hubei and Hunan in the spring of 1981 occasioned a Canadian donation of $4 million in humanitarian relief, This was the signal for the actual beginning of CIDAs official aid program for China, though the MOU for the program was not officially announced by Secretary of State for External Affairs, Marc MacGuigan until August 1981 when he visited China. Signed agreement about settlement of private claims arising from expropriation of Canadian property in 1949. He also announces first development assistance program for China to provide training for Chinese in retail trade, mining, agriculture and manufacturing.
1980
Bo Yibo,Vice Premier of the State Council and one of the architects along with Deng Xiaoping of China’s transition to a market economy during the 1980s and 1990s made an official visit to Canada in August of 1980 for meetings with the Minister for Industry, Trade and Commerce Herb Grey and Minister of State for International Trade Ed Lumley. The Vice-Premier traveled across Canada with industry leaders and government officials and discussed the line of credit that had been extended a year earlier though not utilized because the Chinese were only interested if this was offered at a concessional interest rate. The Minister of Agriculture, Eugene Whelan, had made an official visit to China in September 1980 and had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of State Farm and Land Reclamation to promote the exchange of technical and scientific information and materials, as well as the exchange of technical personnel~managers, scientists, and trainees. These arrangements gave priority to the transfer of technology related to prairie grassland and beef cattle production on which Saskatchewan had taken the initiative. The Minister of State for International Trade also visited China, and he and his Chinese counterpart opened the seventh meeting of the Canada-China Joint Trade Committee in Beijing. Finally in September 1980, External Affairs Minister Marc MacGuigan met with Foreign Minister Huang Hua at the United Nations where he accepted an invitation to go to China the following summer, ostensibly to sign an MOU for a new bilateral assistance program. Agreement for Canada to open consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou and for China to open consulate in Vancouver. Agreement to send two immigration officers to China to help process some 5600 family reunification requests from 1973-1979.
1979
January 7-13, 1979
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, Jack Horner, leads a mission to China. He announced that a delegation of senior Chinese officials would be coming to Canada within the next few months to work out a long-term economic agreement establishing a framework for closer cooperation in a number of sectors, notably hydro electric power, telecommunications, grain handling, agriculture, mining, and gas and oil.
May 19, 1979
The Export Development Corporation provides China a $2 billion line of credit over three years to help Canadian companies secure export contracts
September 8-17 1979
First Canadian parliamentary delegation to visit China led by Senate Speaker Renaude Lapointe and House of Commons Speaker James Jerome.
October 19, 1979
Protocol on Economic Cooperation between Canada and China is signed.
1978
January 29 – February 4, 1978
External Affairs Minister Don Jamieson visits China to discuss various bilateral issues including family reunification and the promotion of cultural and scientific exchanges.
June 1978
Ji Pengfei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, headed a NPC delegation to Canada.
1976
July 1, 1976
Canada is censured by the International Olympic Committee for forbidding Taiwanese athletes to compete under the banner of Republic of China at the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal. Taiwan withdraws from the games.
1974
January 1974
Twelve member trade delegation from China visits Canada
November 17, 1974
Chinese Consulate in Vancouver opened. New Consul is Chen Liang
1973
June 11, 1973
Agreement on Civil Air Transport between Canada and China is signed. Text of agreement
October 10-16, 1973
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau becomes first Canadian prime minister to pay an official visit to the People’s Republic of China. Held talks with Premier Zhou Enlai and met Chairman Mao Zedong . An agreement providing for regular trade meetings between the two countries is signed and Military attachés are exchanged. Canada-China Scholar’s Exchange Program is established.
1972
August 15-24, 1972
Minister of Trade Mitchell Sharp leads a trade delegation to China and meets Premier Zhou Enlai
August 15-24, 1972
Chinese trade delegation travels to Ottawa and participates in the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto
August 21-September 2, 1972
Canada participates in Industrial Exhibition in Beijing. About 550 Canadians, involving a total of 219 companies and trade associations, set up displays for an estimated 250,000 visitors .
1971
February 1, 1971
Arrival of Chinese chargé d’affaires in Ottawa and Canadian chargé d’affaires in Bejiing in anticipation of the opening of embassies in the two countries.
June 1971
R.E. Collins takes up position as Canada’s first Ambassador to China
June 25-July 4
Economic mission, headed by Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce Pepin visits China . The twenty-five-member delegation includes politicians, government officials, and businessmen. During the visit Mr Pepin and the delegation meet with Premier Zhou Enlai
July 23, 1971
Huang Hua becomes China’s first Ambassador to Canada.
October 25, 1971
People’s Republic of China admitted to the United Nations by a vote of 76-35. Taiwan withdraws.
1970
October 13, 1970
Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Canada.
Selected Milestones before establishment of diplomatic relations
November 1969
Motion to admit China to the United Nations is defeated. Canada abstains after many years of opposing admittance.
May 1969
Beginning of negotiations regarding recognition begin in Stockholm
February 10, 1969
In a major shift in Canadian foreign policy it is announced in the House of Commons by External Affairs Minister Mitchell Sharp that “our embassy in Stockholm has been instructed to get in touch with the Embassy of the people’s Republic of China in order to convey the Canadian proposal that talks concerning relations between the two countries be held at a mutually convenient time and place in the near future.”
November 15, 1968
Trade Minister Jean Luc Pepin announces sale of 58.5 million bushels of wheat worth about 115 million dollars under the terms of the 1965 long term agreement.
October 25, 1965
Mitchell Sharp announces a 3-5 year wheat deal with a minimum and maximum purchase ranging from 200 – 900 million dollars.
June – July 1965
Chinese delegation visits Canada for a month to study facilities for producing and shipping grain
December 4, 1963
Sale of wheat to China
August 1962
Chinese trade mission to Ottawa to discuss wheat purchase and to object to high duty on imports levied against chinese textiles
March 28, 1962
Sale of wheat to China in the amount of 75 million dollars
February 2, 1961
Minister of Agriculture Alvin Hamilton announces the biggest single grain sale in Canadian history: over the next 2½ years. China will buy 233.4 million bushels. of wheat and barley worth $362 million.
1960
Pierre Trudeau who would later become Prime Minister and Jacques Hebert a journalist alond with three other Canadians travel to China for 32 days in the midst of the Great Leap Forward. Trudeau and Hebert record their observations in a book entitled Two Innocents in China.
1947
Canada ends ban on Chinese immigration
1944
Canada establishes diplomatic relations with the Nationalist government, abrogates extraterritorial rights.
1938-1939
Canadian doctor Norman Bethune travelled to China and joined the Chinese Communists led by Mao Zedong. He performed emergency battlefield surgical opereations and established training for doctors, nurses and orderlies. Stationed with the Eighth Army in the midst of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Bethune cut his finger while operating on a soldier. He contracted blood poisoning and died of his wounds on November 12, 1939. His eulogy, written by Chairman Mao, was read and memorized by Chinese school children for decades after his death.
1926
Canada-China bilateral trade peaks at $27.3 million, entering a rapid decline thereafter.
1923
Canada ends Head Tax policy, replacing it with a ban on Asian immigration
1919
Canada’s five main Protestant Churches launch the “Forward Movement,” a fundraising effort followed by sending a large number of missionaries to China
1909
Deputy Minister of Labour Mackenzie King, who later became Prime Minister, arrives in Shanghai for International Opium Conference. Recognises China has the “right to a high place” in world affairs, and wishes to reach an immigration agreement.
China sends consul general to Ottawa
1906
Department of Trade and Commerce (DTC) opens office in Shanghai
1893
Sun Life Assurance opens an office in Shanghai. Changes its name in 1905 for Yung Ming, 永明, everlasting brightness. By the early 1930s, Canadian insurance companies controlled 90 % of life insurance business in China.
1889
Canadian Pacific Empress liners start mail delivery between China and Canada. The “All Red” route was serviced every three weeks, four in winter.
1754
Jesuits in New France trade in ginseng from China, importing up to $100,000 annually.