The Hon. Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada,
The Hon. Elinor Caplan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration,
H.E. Ambassador Balloch,
Mr. Li Xueyong, the visiting Deputy Minister of Science and Technology,
Senators, members of the Parliament,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,　
Today, we gather together to observe a day of great significance in the history of Sino-Canadian relationship. On Oct 13th thirty years ago, China and Canada established diplomatic relations. When we harvest the fruit of 30 years of development, we shall never forget those who leveled the ground and sowed the seeds of today’s luxuriant relationship. Two outstanding leaders, who made unique contributions to our bilateral relations and deserve our special tribute, are the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Premier Zhou Enlai. With their statesman vision and courage, they personally ushered in a new era of relations between our two countries, when people’s China was literally a taboo in North America and the rest of the western world. Without their historic decision, we would probably have waited another ten years or more to embrace this monumental moment. Of course, there are many more people, retired or incumbent, within or without the government, people from different walks of life in our two countries who have helped nurture this relationship from its infancy to adulthood. In the past thirty years, their relentless efforts have not only sustained a growing momentum in our relationship, but also injected vigor to it in every step of our way. We salute them for their contributions and commitment. I am extremely happy that some of them are here tonight. 　

Over the years, with concerted efforts of both sides, relations between China and Canada have developed smoothly. There has been a frequent exchange of visits among leaders of our two countries, which is highlighted by the visits to Canada of President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji, and Chairman Li Ruihuan, in recent years. Prime Minister Chretien has visited China three times since his assumption of office, and is expected to visit China again. During President Jiang’s visit, leaders of our two countries reached a consensus on the building of a cross-century comprehensive partnership of cooperation. Recent years have witnessed the blossoming of this multi-faceted relationship, ranging from increased contacts between our two legislative bodies to the signing of the historic agreement on China’s accession to the WTO, from Candu reactors to the cross-country tour of Chinese Jade Exhibition, from popular CIDA and IDRC projects to the first port visit by the Chinese navy vessels. All these accomplishments are not only the result of joint efforts by top leadership, but also an echo of wishes of the grassroots. Today, as we review our relationship, there is no reason that we should not feel proud of what we have done so far.

China and Canada are two great countries along the Pacific rim. We share the common interest in maintaining peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region and the world. Our two economies are complimentary to each other. Cooperation between our two countries has been extended to the multilateral dimension with enhanced coordination and regular consultations on major international issues. Though different in social system, level of economic development, cultural and historical background, China and Canada have no fundamental conflict of interests, but more common ground than divergence. To develop this mutually beneficial relationship is in the interest of our two peoples and governments.

As we are closing the last chapter of the 20th century, we are ready to explore new areas of cooperation and build upon what has already been achieved. The fact that China and Canada have succeeded in building a friendly relationship of cooperation in the last 30 years of the 20th century makes us all the more confident that we can build stronger and more dynamic relations as we enter the 21st century.　

Now, I’d like to invite you all to join me in a toast,

to the friendship between our two great nations,

to the health of President Jiang Zemin and Prime Minister Jean Chreien, and everyone present tonight.

Cheers. Thank you.