October 22, 2003
Beijing, China

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that Canada and China had reached 3 new agreements involving 6 specific initiatives. These will enhance greater co-operation on the environment, education, legislative practices, health and agriculture. The Prime Minister witnessed the signing of these agreements with President Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing, China.

"These new agreements are indicative of the multi-faceted relations that Canada and China share and wish to expand on," said Prime Minister Chrétien. "I am particularly pleased with the growing co-operation between both countries. These innovative agreements will continue to assist Canadians and Chinese to work together more closely and thereby further contribute to China's remarkable expansion."

The signing took place during an official visit to China by the Prime Minister from October 21-24.

Additional information on the agreements is attached.

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

This statement expresses the desire of the Canadian and Chinese Governments to expand and intensify bilateral efforts on climate change, including the development of new policies and technologies in a wide range of sectors including energy, transportation, agriculture, forestry, and environment.

Canada is already helping to build China's capacity for action on climate change by funding six projects, with a total value in excess of $18 million, through the Canada Climate Change Development Fund. The two countries also share scientific information on a broad range of climate change topics, including impacts and adaptation.

Renewal and redesign of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Canada-China Scholars Exchange Programme

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Canada-China Scholars Exchange Programme (CCSEP), Canada and China have agreed to renew and redesign this important people-to-people component of Canada's bilateral relationship with China. By increasing the monetary value of the scholarships and reducing the number of scholarships offered, Canada will advance the programme's goals by making it a more relevant and prestigious mechanism to exchange young leaders of tomorrow.

The Canadian International Development Agency and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) signed a letter of intent to facilitate development co-operation in the areas of legislative development, health, agriculture and the environment. CIDA and MOFCOM are currently engaged in development co-operation activities on the basis of CIDA`s Country Development Programming Framework for China, which emphasizes three principal areas of co-operation: equitable growth; environmental sustainability; and human rights, democratic development and good governance. Projects being considered within this framework include:

• Canada-China Legislative Cooperation Project

- This project will facilitate the sharing of Canadian experience and expertise with the National People's Congress of China in a broad range of legislative practices at the national, provincial and municipal levels.

• Western China Maternal & Child Health Project

- This project will improve the quality, accessibility and timely availability of essential Maternal and Child Health services to poor women and children in the western provinces of China. Building on Phase I of the recently-completed Maternal and Child Health Care Project in Yunnan province, the initiative will develop and implement a grassroots system supported by communities at the local level. Key objectives include: adapting appropriate training curriculum and approaches; improving the clinical skills of health workers at different levels of the system; enhancing capacity to use participatory monitoring and evaluation methodology; and strengthening the system for in-hospital delivery.

• Sustainable Agriculture Development Project, Phase II

- This project will improve land-management systems and practices in the Western provinces of China through the development of participatory and community-based management systems and processes, including farmer organizations.

• Yunnan Community Ecosystem Restoration

- This project will support Chinese government institutions and agencies in conducting training, research and outreach in ecosystem restoration, community development and poverty reduction. Project activities will focus on improving the quality and delivery of agro-forestry extension services, training and research, as well as improving the productivity and environmental management of slope-land in Yunnan province.