British Columbia and China
China is the second largest consumer economy in the world and is the world’s largest exporter. Through China’s involvement with the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and conversations surrounding its involvement with the CPTPP, China and B.C. can further solidify their well-established and diverse economic relationship.
Trade & Investment Highlights
- In 2021, Mainland China was the second largest destination for B.C. exports.
- Canada and China are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO agreements facilitate trade in goods, services and intellectual property.
- In addition to the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, both countries have discussed a potential Canada-China Free Trade Agreement.
- China’s market has strong consumer goods demand with high spending on discretionary goods.
China at a Glance
Monetary figures are in USD
Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters
Aerospace
Aerospace is one of the emerging industries in China’s 14th five-year plan. With plans to accelerate the construction of airport infrastructure, opportunities exist in pilot training, advanced manufacturing and maintenance technologies of general aviation aircraft for Chinese private-owned aviation companies.
Agrifood & Agritech
Chinese consumer demand is creating opportunities for imported seafood and meat, pet food, plant-based proteins, nutritious packaged foods and products for the children, baby and maternity industry.
Cleantech
China is targeting peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by the year 2060. The country is actively seeking cooperation opportunities in advanced technologies, specifically in green hydrogen production, transportation and storage as well as fuel cell technologies – a high growth sector in British Columbia. There are opportunities in the fields of advanced environmental protection technologies with applications in mining, oil and gas along with carbon capture, utilization and storage.
ICT
China’s digital economy has been rapidly expanding in recent years and is now the world’s second largest ICT market. ICT opportunities for B.C. companies involve online payment, Internet of Things, cloud computing, health IT, VR/AR, big data and artificial intelligence.
Forestry
China continues to promote low carbon development with a focus on green urban development/building and prefabricated building. With increased urbanization coinciding with growing consumer wealth in China, there is increased demand for new housing, furnishings and mass timber projects. B.C. export opportunities involve building materials, design services and architectural services for recreational and urban planning projects.
Life Sciences
China has the world’s second largest healthcare market, with a high importance placed on the life sciences sector. There is space for B.C. companies to support China in medical technology and digital health, senior care and rehabilitation services and natural health products. Additionally, there are investment opportunities in biopharmaceuticals.
China Top Industries (2017-2021)
Trade & Investment Resources
For B.C. Businesses
For International Businesses
News and Stories
How We Help
- Assist in commercial location identification and site selection.
- Provide information on transportation infrastructure and logistics gateways.
- Offer introductions to sector associations, industries and provide cluster insight.
- Facilitate understanding and solutions for talent, skilled workforce and labour mobility
- Facilitate engagement with professional advisors on legal, compliance and tax matters
- Help navigating and offering referrals within government agencies on First Nations, business and regulatory processes.
- Identify high potential investment opportunities and offer industry insight.
- Introductions to sector associations and local industry contacts.
- Introductions to companies seeking investments to expand.
- Provide knowledge on local innovation hubs and connections to entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Introductions to local venture capital networks.
- Assist in navigating government export programs and financial supports.
- Advice and coaching in international expansion and exporter development.
- Support Team BC missions and trade events.
- Match buyers and sellers in local and foreign markets.
- Provide insight on trade agreements and barriers.
- Introductions to trade representatives in foreign markets.
- Market entry assistance in international markets.
Trade & Investment Offices in China
Beijing
Our representative’s extensive networks in China and strong connections to British Columbia help businesses capitalize on shared business opportunities.
Beijing Office:
Embassy of Canada
19 Dongzhimen Outer St
Chaoyang Beijing, China
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:
Senior Manager, China
Managing Director, BC China Office
Senior Commercial Officer, Beijing
Commercial Officer
– Mining
– LNG
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.
Guangzhou
Our representative’s extensive networks in China and strong connections to British Columbia help businesses capitalize on shared business opportunities.
Guangzhou Office:
Consulate General of Canada
26/F, TaiKoo Hui Tower 1,
385 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou,
Guangdong 510620, China
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries
Senior Manager, China
Managing Director, BC China Office
Senior Commercial Officer, Guangzhou
Senior Commercial Officer, Guangzhou
Commercial Officer, Guangzhou
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.
Shanghai
Our representative’s extensive networks in China and strong connections to British Columbia help businesses capitalize on shared business opportunities.
Shanghai Office:
Consulate General of Canada
ECO City Building, 8th floor,
1788 Nanjing Xi Lu,
Shanghai, 200040, China
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:
Senior Manager, China
Managing Director, BC China Office
Senior Commercial Officer
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.
Chongqing
Our representative’s extensive networks in China and strong connections to British Columbia help businesses capitalize on shared business opportunities.
Chongqing Office:
Room 1705, Metropolitan Tower
Wu Yi Lu, Yu Zhong District
Chongqing 400010, China
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:
Senior Manager, China
Senior Commercial Officer
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.