Premier Eby Strengthens Trade and Investment Opportunities for B.C. in China

Key Points:
How did Premier David Eby’s trade mission to China strengthen British Columbia’s trade relationships and create opportunities for future economic collaboration? Premier David Eby’s trade mission to China strengthened key commercial relationships, promoted British Columbia’s competitive strengths and identified new opportunities to support economic growth and trade diversification.

• The mission reinforced British Columbia’s commitment to long-term engagement with China, B.C.’s second-largest export market and an important partner for trade, investment and tourism.
• Meetings with government and industry leaders in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou highlighted opportunities to expand collaboration in energy, technology, agrifood, forestry and tourism.
• The mission demonstrated the value of sustained relationship-building and British Columbia’s on-the-ground presence in China. Trade and Invest BC representatives played a key role by helping businesses and investors access opportunities, market intelligence and strategic connections.

British Columbia (B.C.) expanded opportunities for businesses, workers and communities through a trade mission to China led by Premier David Eby. The mission advances key partnerships and supported the province’s efforts to diversify trade and grow exports beyond the United States.

From June 27 to July 3, 2026, Premier Eby travelled to Beijing, Shanghai where he was met by Minister Mike Farnworth who then continued the mission in Guangzhou. The Premier and minister met with government leaders, industry representatives and investors. The mission highlighted British Columbia’s strengths in forestry, energy, technology, agriculture and tourism while reinforcing the province’s commitment to long-term engagement with one of its most important international markets.

China remains B.C.’s second-largest trading partner and export market, representing nearly $11 billion in goods exports in 2025 . As global economic uncertainty continues and businesses seek to diversify markets, the mission provided an opportunity to deepen relationships, identify new areas for collaboration and support economic growth throughout the province.

Building on Long-Term Relationships

Throughout the mission, Chinese government and business leaders emphasized the importance of sustained engagement and regular dialogue. Discussions reinforced the value of B.C.’s established presence in China through Trade and Invest BC representatives in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, as well as the province’s broader network of trade and investment offices across key international markets.

Chinese counterparts expressed strong interest in expanding practical economic cooperation with B.C. and identified opportunities for deeper collaboration across a range of sectors. Many participants noted a positive view of Canada and encouraged greater provincial engagement to strengthen commercial relationships and create new pathways for investment and trade.

Advancing Opportunities Across Key Sectors

The mission generated productive discussions in sectors that align closely with British Columbia’s economic strengths and global competitiveness.

In clean energy, Chinese stakeholders signalled continued interest in reliable, long-term partnerships. As a leading producer of natural gas and clean energy solutions, B.C. is well positioned to support growing international demand while advancing responsible economic development and energy security.

Technology emerged as another area of significant opportunity. Discussions with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and technology companies highlighted growing interest in international collaboration. With modern electric vehicles increasingly driven by advanced software and digital systems, B.C.’s technology ecosystem is well positioned to contribute expertise in software development, innovation and clean-tech solutions.

The mission also reinforced opportunities for B.C.’s forestry sector. While discussions identified evolving construction preferences in China, demand remains strong for traditional forest products, including logs, lumber and other wood products. B.C. continues to be recognized globally for its expertise in sustainable forest management and high-quality wood products.

Agriculture and food production remain important drivers of trade between B.C. and China. Consumers across China continue to value premium B.C. products, including seafood, cherries, pork and specialty food products, creating opportunities for exporters to expand market reach and strengthen supply relationships.

The mission also reinforced opportunities for B.C.’s tourism sector. Building on Canada’s Approved Destination Status and growing interest among Chinese travellers, the delegation promoted British Columbia as a world-class destination for tourism in partnership with Destination B.C.. Renowned for its natural beauty, year-round experiences and strong global connectivity, B.C. continues to attract international visitors seeking premium travel experiences, creating opportunities to grow visitation, strengthen tourism businesses and support communities throughout the province.

Supporting B.C.’s Trade Diversification Goals

The mission supports the Province’s Look West strategy and broader Trade Diversification Strategy, which aims to strengthen economic resilience by expanding trade and investment relationships in global markets. Through continued engagement in Asia and other regions, British Columbia is creating opportunities for businesses to reach new customers, attract investment and grow exports.
This mission demonstrated the value of showing up, building connections and creating pathways for future growth in sectors where B.C. is a global leader. As global trade continues to evolve, the province remains focused on strengthening partnerships that support businesses, create jobs and position British Columbia for long-term economic success.

Trade and Invest BC: Connecting People, Markets and Opportunities

Trade and Invest BC’s global network of trade and investment representatives help connect international businesses and investors with opportunities across British Columbia. With teams based in key markets, including China, Trade and Invest BC provides market intelligence, local expertise and strategic introductions that help companies explore investment opportunities, build partnerships and expand into new markets.

To learn more about trade and investment opportunities in British Columbia, follow Trade and Invest BC on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X for updates and insights from our global network.