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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