Looking for a follow up from their Chinese adventure

Prince George officials are hoping that the recent trip to China by Team Northern BC, will soon bear some results, as they hope to see some delegations making a trip to Prince George in the near future.

That's the optimistic tone that the President of Initiatives Prince George is putting on the trip by thirty officials (including Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond) which took place in June.

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See Podunkian articles here, here and here.

So far, there hasn't been much to fly the flag on as far as feedback from the journey goes, but from Prince George they are feeling that it will eventually prove to be a positive experience for the Northern city.

Opinion 250 in Prince George featured a follow up on the excursion and what officials hope is to come from it.

Still Hope For More Trade Agreements with China

Opinion 250

July 20, 2008

Prince George, B.C. – The trade mission to Beijing, China is expected to produce more opportunities, soon.

Tim McEwan, President of Initiatives Prince George, says discussions continue to bring delegations from China, “We are still in the planning stages, there may be delegations coming as early as next week however we may know more by the end of summer with regards to a couple of things we are working on.”

Mayor Colin Kinsley says he and Councilor Don Zurowski expect to see an MOU signed soon with the Chinese Logistics and Procurement Association. "We are finalizing a formal agreement with them to work with them" Kinsley also says he knows of two Chinese business people who plan to come to Prince George in late August or early September.

Zurowski says its all about diversification of our markets "We won't diversify our markets just because we want to, we will diversify our markets because we have worked at it."

Team Northern BC went to Beijing, China last month to promote investment opportunities throughout the region.

The thirty person team included representatives from community, business, First Nations, education and agency representatives from Prince Rupert, Terrace, Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, Fraser-Fort George Regional District, Prince George, Mackenzie, Lheidli T’enneh and Fort St. John.

Zurowski says selling the transportation prospects to the Chinese received a positive response " It is a green corridor, it takes less fossil fuel to move freight along the 54th parallel than the 49th."

He remains very optimistic that this mission will bear fruit "We will get what we worked for."

The long march to trade links with China

"Tax payers also need to understand that when trying to do business with China it’s a marathon, not a sprint" -- Beijing based English language journalist Trevor Metz, updating British Columbians on the pace of progress when it comes to trade with China.

As the Northern British Columbia trading crew wrapped up their visit to the Orient this weekend, caution is the word that is being relayed from observers of the Chinese scene when it comes to expectations on trade relations. In a posted article on the Opinion 250 website, Trevor Metz a former Prince George journalist now working in China, put a politician friendly spin on the various delegations that have crossed the Pacific in quest of relationship building with the Chinese.

With Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley leading a delegation of politicians, First Nations leaders and businessmen to China, including Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond the temptation might be to ask what may come of the last week of meetings and photo opportunities within the sight of Tienanmen Square.

According to Metz, it will take a bit of time for these exchanges to bear fruit, providing a quote that won't be particularly welcome to the taxpayers of either Prince George or Prince Rupert.
"If the citizens of Prince George were expecting immediate returns on their tax dollars from these trips to China then they should prepare themselves for disappointment..."

Not exactly what those citizens might want to hear, after they sit back and examine whether these junkets actually pay off over any length of time.

Indeed the current Canadian and BC Pavilion in Beijing, where much of our travellers would have spent some time is reportedly having a wee bit of a problem packing them in. As it seems that Chinese residents and business interests are less than enthused at the idea of having to pay to learn more about the folks on the Eastern side of the Pacific. The Globe and Mail reports that the six million dollar structure, is attracting less than 200 visitors a day, well below what they had hoped would drop in for a chat. A number that is probably about what a local mayor could find on a normal day on a downtown street in BC one would think...

The cost to attend the pavilion was required due to it's location in a historic part of Tienanmen Square, but while everyone raves about its design from the outside, few are taking the time to head on in and learn more.

So while the locals may hope that our recent efforts will have Chinese executives flooding the North and northwest eager to invest and create jobs, it seems that it's a much lengthier process for the road to prosperity and trade.

Earlier in the week, Opinion 250 had details on the Northern BC day at the Canada-BC Pavilion, explaining what was planned for the day of discovery for both our travelling clan and the locals that were there for the show.

We're hopeful for a full report from the Mayor upon his return, eager to share of many of the mysteries of the Far East and how they may soon impact our daily lives.