Eby to Boost BC-China Business Ties

0:00On March 20th, here's the latest out of Canada. British Columbia premier David Eby, plans to lead a trade delegation to China, later this year, to boost business ties, especially in agriculture and energy sectors. This comes on the heels of Prime Minister Mark Carney's January visit, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and inked deals on electric vehicles. From China and Canadian Canola, Eby wants to send the same message he delivered on his earlier trip to India, highlighting British Columbia as a stable and predictable place for. Investment amid global uncertainty. China ranks as the province's second biggest export market in 2024, accounting for 15.6% of shipments, trailing only. The United States and nearly 53%, Japan follows with 10.4%, then South Korea at 6.6%, and India at 2.3%. The last British Columbia premiere to visit China was John Horgan back in 2018, during a broader tour that included South Korea and Japan.

1:03Now, with Canada-China relations warming amid shared trade frictions with the United States under President Donald Trump, this trip gains extra. Wait, it also ties into recent moves like BC Ferries, contracting a Chinese state-owned shipyard last June to build four large new Ferries, backed by a $1 billion loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. That fairy-deal drew criticism last summer since no Canadian firms bid, but Eby has pledged to partner with Ottawa and industry for future builds. Right here in British Columbia, keeping the momentum on local jobs and stronger trade links alive.