PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND APEC LEADERS' MEETING IN BANGKOK, THAILAND AND VISIT CHINA AND INDIA

October 14, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that he will attend the Eleventh Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 20-21, 2003. He will then pay officials visits to both China (October 21-24) and India (October 24-25).

"APEC economies have been working hard together to facilitate the rapid movement of legitimate goods, capital and people while enhancing security against terrorist threats," said the Prime Minister. "In the last year, Canada has played a leadership role in providing technical assistance and training to developing APEC members in trade negotiation and the implementation of effective counter terrorism measures."

In Bangkok, leaders will assess progress on their October 2002 Leaders' Statement on Counter-Terrorism and Growth and determine a future course of collective action. They will also explore how to best support the World Trade Organization's Doha Development Agenda following the Ministerial meeting held in Cancun, and focus on improving trade facilitation, transparency standards and promoting small and medium enterprise and micro-enterprise. In addition, they will address non traditional threats to member economies, including SARS, and consider ways to make APEC more streamlined and effective.

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham will precede the Prime Minister in Bangkok, where they will attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting, October 17-18, 2003.

In Beijing, the Prime Minister will meet with Premier Wen Jiabao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin and members of the Canada-China Business Council. Discussions will focus on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including commercial relations between the two countries, climate change co-operation, human rights, development and regional security. Near Shanghai, the Prime Minister will visit the Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Company to participate in a ceremony marking the completion of two Canadian CANDU nuclear reactors that will provide energy to the heart of the Yangtze Delta River region, one of the fastest growing areas in China.

"Canada and China enjoy a mature prosperous relationship that is enhanced by exceptionally strong commercial and people to people ties," said the Prime Minister. "On this visit I will endeavour to further strengthen and diversify our relations, particularly in the areas of clean energy production and environmental co-operation, fields in which Canada is a world leader."

In New Delhi, the Prime Minister will meet with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well as members of the Canadian and Indian business community. Discussions will focus on how the two countries can further expand their current political and economic relationship as well as on regional security issues. The Prime Minister will also visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar before travelling to Chandigarh to visit the site of the new Canadian Consulate General.

"On this visit, I look forward to further defining a new era in Canada-India relations," said the Prime Minister. "Enhanced representation, such as the new Consulate General in Chandigarh, and increased high level visits are part of Canada's overall strategy to expand the relationship."

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