B.C. Premier Eby heads to China on shortened trade mission starting today
Eby leaves June 27 for Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou but will cut the trip short two days to return by July 2. The mission focuses on LNG, tourism, wood, and agricultural exports.
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B.C. Premier David Eby departs Saturday, June 27, on his first trade mission to China, though the visit will be shortened at the federal government's request.
Eby will meet with government and business leaders in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. He will return to Canada by July 2 to potentially sign a memorandum of understanding on major provincial projects, the premier said Thursday.
The province is pitching B.C. as a tourist destination and a source for wood, agricultural products, and "clean energy" including liquefied natural gas. The trade mission is a response to U.S. tariffs; Eby said the goal is to reduce reliance on American markets by doubling exports to non-U.S. destinations by 2036.
China is one focus: PetroChina is a major investor in LNG Canada Phase 2. Eby said the province will seek an end to China's remaining tariffs on seafood and pursue open lines of communication for Canadian businesses operating in China. The premier's office cited commercial sensitivities for not disclosing a full public itinerary but said it intends to share daily updates at the end of each day.