CARNEY’S TRADE TRIP TO CHINA BODES WELL FOR GRAVENHURST, ALGONQUIN PARK WITH TOURISM MOU

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — On and off Sino-Canadian relations are back on today with at least one immediate positive for Muskoka.

Among Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade deals announced today in his Beijing state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping is an optimistic reference to tourism, he said in an overnight government release Friday.

That bodes well for visitors to Gravenhurst’s National Historic Site museum for native son Dr. Norman Bethune — a still revered Canadian in China.

And for Algonquin Park, east of Huntsville, where many Chinese tourist proceed to each fall and Thanksgiving after stopping off first in the Gateway to Muskoka to pay their respects to the doctor who helped train Chinese war field doctors and died on the battlefield in an epic fight with China where he died and is enshrined.

Bethune House in Gravenhurst could see even more visitors as Canada and China signed an MOU promoting tourism between the two countries now on friendlier terms. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

Canada and China will also explore further opportunities for cultural exchanges and partnerships, including supporting museums, digital content creators, visual artists – to increase travel exchanges and cultural ties, says Ottawa.

Carney welcomed the agreement between Destination Canada and China Media Group to facilitate further outbound tourism to Canada, “especially as we prepare to co-host the FIFA World Cup 26 while meeting with Xi and the Premier of China Li Qiang.

The prime minister welcomed Xi’s commitment to introducing visa-free access for Canadians travelling to China, which builds on last fall’s commitment to make Canada a favoured-destination tourism country.

The announcement was one of several Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China on the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture.

Early reaction from the talks today included mixed reviews back home, which will see help for western provinces’ canola exports to China and up to 70,000 Chinese EV vehicles imported from China — the latter a negative according to Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

There was, however, no progress on western gas and oil energy sales to China, which some Canadians are calling for.

Chinese tourists love coloured leaves tours first in Gravenhurst then just northeast of Huntsville in Algonquin Park.

But Ottawa adds that Canada can also expect to see a resolution of many long-term trade obstacles for a range of important agricultural sectors, from beef to pet food.

During the short visit, Canada says it secured other new MOUs to reinforce cooperation on energy, combatting crime, cultural exchanges, wood products, and food safety and animal and plant health, which is says will strengthen both nations’ abilities to drive the global transition toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, expand investment, and create high-paying careers. These are where Canadian industries and workers stand to benefit.

People-to-people ties and cultural exchanges:

According to Canada, the two sides concurred that people-to-people ties are the foundation of the bilateral relationship and committed to fostering these ties to promote greater mutual understanding and cooperation.

The two sides decided to restart the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture. In addition they committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, education, arts, heritage, creative industries and to promoting legislative and sub-national exchanges.

They also consented to provide mutual support and convenience for media to work in each other’s countries, and provide greater convenience for two-way travel. The two sides concurred to provide facilitation for respective diplomatic premises.

“At its best, the Canada-China relationship has created massive opportunities for both our peoples,” the government says. “By leveraging our strengths and focusing on trade, energy, agri-food, and areas where we can make huge gains, we are forging a new strategic partnership that builds on the best of our past, reflects the world as it is today, and benefits the people of both our nations.”

ECONOMIC FACTS:

  • China is the second-largest single-country trading partner to Canada, totalling $118.9 billion in two-way merchandise trade in 2024.
  • Canadian merchandise exports to China were $30 billion, while merchandise imports were $88.9 billion.
A Canadian National Historic Site in Gravenhurst honours revered native son Dr. Norman Bethune who born here and is still revered in China for his humanitarian battlefield work where he died.

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