State Visit to China - Day 5

Upon his arrival at Huaxi Campus in Chengdu, His Excellency participated in a bilateral meeting with Sichuan University officials and presidents from key universities in southwest China. The meeting focused on Canada’s strong commitment to building prosperous and lasting relationships with southwest China, especially with regard to the education sector.

Her Excellency visited a local orphanage managed by International SOS Children’s Village, in Chengdu, which has been receiving support from Canadian individuals and organizations. SOS Children’s Villages is an international NGO that advocates for children’s rights and interests. The Chengdu chapter was established in 1997, by the Chengdu Government and SOS Children’s Villages.

Canadian delegate Dana Fox, Founder and Vice Chair, ClevrU Corporation, also participated in the discussion.

The speech was followed by a discussion with Canadian and Chinese panellists on education, innovation and prosperity.

His Excellency delivered an address before academics and 200 Sichuan University students on Canada and China’s progress in learning and innovating together, as well as the importance of continued collaboration.

Official photo of His Excellency with the Canadian delegation and Sichuan University officials.

The Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, shared his views and ideas on the theme.

Mr. Xie Heping, President of Sichuan University, attended the meeting that took place on October 22, 2013.

The WCIF is an international exposition supported by China’s central and provincial governments as a platform for investment promotion and trade co-operation.

The exposition featured a segment on Mongolia, where Their Excellencies will soon undertake a State visit from October 24 to 26, 2013.

Their Excellencies attended the opening reception of the 14th Western China International Fair (WCIF), along with Chinese officials and other international leaders.

In honour of her visit, one of the family members played a musical piece.

During her visit, she also met a family, visited their home and had the chance to talk with them about their daily life.

Her Excellency attended calligraphy lessons.

Adopting a family-centered orphan care methodology, each village regroups orphans into families composed of one substitute mother and seven to nine children under the age of 14.

After touring the village’s facilities, she joined children in their classrooms during taekwondo practice.

Sichuan University is the most prestigious post-secondary institution in Sichuan province. 2010 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the West China Medical Centre at Sichuan University, as well as Canada’s long and fruitful relationship with Sichuan and southwestern China. Ties to the university remain strong today with partnerships with Western University, the University of Prince Edward Island, and the University of Ottawa.