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Remarks by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on
the Occasion of a Completion Ceremony
October 23, 2003
Haiyan (China)
Thank you for your kind introduction and for your warm welcome, Mr.
Vice-Premier. I am very pleased to be back in Haiyan and to join with you today
to celebrate the successful completion of the Qinshan III Project – China's
first CANDU nuclear power station.
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Third Qinshan
Nuclear Power Company and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited for their outstanding
achievement in this project. The successful completion of the Qinshan III CANDU
Power Station reflects the hard work of thousands of Chinese and Canadians
working together.
The Project was not only completed on budget, but also ahead of schedule –
thanks to the innovative construction method employed by our Chinese partner. In
just 54 months from start to completion, the Qinshan III is finished and now
safely generating more than 1400 megawatts of clean, economical and reliable
electricity to the robust Yangtze River Delta region.
This would not have happened without the commitment of Canada and China to
work together, to solve problems together, to learn together, and to meet
together China's vast energy needs. Today is clearly a celebration of the
benefits of cooperation.
Canada takes pride in its world class expertise in nuclear plant technology
and leadership in uranium production. Our cooperation in the peaceful
application of advanced nuclear technology is off to a very good start with the
successful completion of the Qinshan Power Station and Canada is keen to see
this relationship grow and prosper.
As you know, Canada and China established diplomatic relations 33 years ago
and these relations have been strengthened by many shared projects such as the
Qinshan III. Cooperative projects benefit both our countries and encourage us to
explore more opportunities to work together.
I believe that together, we can expand on our partnership and I look forward
with great anticipation to seeing a promising future unfold for both our
nations.
Thank you very much.
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