Here is the text of the speech Prime Minister Stephen Harper was to give in Ottawa today marking 40 years of Canada-China relations:
Merci beaucoup.
Et merci, Mme Hughes, de votre aimable présentation.
Special thanks also to the sponsors of this commemoration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and China.
Ambassador Lan,
distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
J'ai beaucoup de souvenirs inoubliables de ma visite en Chine l'an dernier.
I have many unforgettable memories of my visit to China last year.
Looking back on a very busy and productive tour, two moments in Shanghai stand out in my mind.
My wife Laureen and I visited the Yu Market, and stopped in at a tea shop. (left)
We also took in a view of the city’s famously futuristic skyline. (below)
I was impressed by the contrast between those two things,between the traditional and the super-modern.
It is one of the many signs of China’s richness – its magnificent cultural heritage and its vast future potential!
L’anniversaire d’aujourd’hui commémore notre patrimoine et notre potentiel communs.
C’est l’occasion de célébrer non seulement quarante années de relations diplomatiques,mais également un partenariat qui prend de l’ampleur et un brillant avenirpour nos deux pays.
As you know we were delighted to host President Hu Jintao here in Ottawa in June, prior to Toronto’s G-20 Summit.
At the dinner in his honour, I noted that the friendship tree he planted at Rideau Hall five years ago is healthy and growing.
In the years since it was planted, we have made great progress in working together for the benefit of both countries.
Our government has madesome 30 ministerial-level visits to China,and there have been three such visits in recent weeks alone.
La Chine est devenuepour le Canada le deuxième partenaire d’échange de marchandises et le troisième marché d’exportation.
Canadian exports to China have grown by four billion dollars …
… and, ladies and gentlemen, our total two-way trade is now valued at almost 51 billion dollars!
L’année dernière à Beijing, le président Hu et moi-même avons assisté à la conclusion d’ententes sur les changements climatiques, les ressources minières,la cultureet l’éducation agricole.
Nous avons réussià ouvrir les marchés chinois au porc canadien.
And, I am especially pleased to say, Canada was granted Approved Destination Status …
… something Canadian governments had sought for more than a decade; a change which will give a huge boost to our Canadian tourism industry!
Le président Hu et moi-même avons signé aussicet été à Ottawa d’autres ententes sur le tourisme,la protection de l’environnement, l’économie d’énergie et l’application des lois.
Nous avons convenu de hausser à soixante milliards de dollars nos échanges bilatéraux d’ici 2015.
President Hu and I Were also able to announce that China has granted staged access to Canadian beef – a welcome and extremely important development for our industry!
In other words, In the context Of global economic developments, it is clear that the strategic partnership between Canada and China has never been more promising.
Our countries have both performed relatively well in the global recession, and we have been on the right sidein the crucial deliberations in the G-20 over the past two years.
Alors que le centre de gravité du monde économiquese déplace vers le Pacifique, nous sommes dans une position privilégiéepour coopérer afin de réaliserdes bénéfices mutuels.
As the structure Of the world economy changes,More and more, we are in a position to cooperate for our mutual benefit.
China needs a stable source of energy to fuel its continuing growth;
Canada is an emerging energy superpower.
Chinese companies look for the best places to do business;
Canada has low and falling tax rates, a low debt-to-GDP ratio, and an environment welcoming to foreign investment.
Chinese exporters seek fast and efficient access to North American markets;
Les ports canadiens de Vancouver et de Prince Rupert sont situés à deux et à trois jours de moins des principaux ports asiatiques, comme celui de Shanghai, que leurs rivaux américains.
And, ladies and gentlemen, Canada has committed more than a billion dollars to its Pacific coast trade infrastructure …
… We are providing the fastest way for Asian exporters to reach the heart of the North American marketplace!
The friendship between Canada and China has also grown in recent years in the context of a frank and respectful dialogue on the universal principles of human rights, and the rule of law.
Comme je l’ai dit l’année dernière à Shanghai,ce dialogue n’est pas un obstacle à la coopération économique.
En fait, selon notre expérience, les deux vont de pair; ils se renforcent mutuellement et consolidentles deux partenaires en retour.
Comme à tous les anniversaires, nous célébrons aujourd’hui nos réalisations et nous anticiponsles occasions à venir.
As you know, last week Ambassador Lan and Minister Bairdjoined civic and community leaders in opening the Chinatown Gateway here in Ottawa.
This beautiful structure, the newest monument in our nation’s capital, will remind us of our shared history.
As we celebrate this milestone,Let it also inspire us to move forward in friendship, for the good of our two great countries.
Merci beaucoup.
Thank you.
Sheh-Sheh.
