Vancouver, B.C. Canada -- Many politicians, scholars and business leaders from China and Canada met Monday, July 3, 2017 at the Canada-China “One Belt, One Road” Economic forum to discuss opportunities and challenges brought by the “One Belt, One Road” initiative for China, Canada and the world.

The Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) Alumni Association of Canada hosted the forum, and organized by CAIFU magazine. The Canada China Business Council (CCBC), the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Vancouver Economic Commission served as co-hosts.

The forum came to a successful conclusion and won a lot of praise. "This is the best forum on the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative that I have ever participated,” said Teresa Wat, B.C. Minister of International Trade and minister responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism.

Acting Mayor of Vancouver Raymond Louie gave a welcome address, saying the relationship between Canada and China has never been stronger.

Liu Fei, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver, delivered an important speech before her departure. Consul General Liu pointed out that the “One Belt, One Road” is the new Silk Road in the 21st century. An opportunity provided by China for the world to deepen cooperation and achieve mutual benefits will yield win-win results, she added.

Because of its geographical location, policy support, cultural integration and people sharing common aspirations, Canada has natural DNA as a partner country of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Consul-General Liu added.
China is Canada’s second largest exporting market. The bilateral trade volume between China and Canada is now more than $85 billion CAD, bringing significant economic benefits to Canada.

“We hope that Canada will eliminate misunderstandings and trade barriers towards China and actively promote bilateral free trade,” Consul-General Liu said. “The prospects of cooperation between China and Canada are broad in terms of economy, education, culture and science.”

Dr. Xiang Bing, founding Dean and Professor of China business and globalization at CKGSB, delivered a keynote speech titled "Global Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities for Chinese Enterprises."

"I believe that from the infrastructure to the energy industry, from the insurance to the financial sector, the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative will surely bring more investment opportunities to Canada,” he said. “CKGSB has come all the way to Canada to host such a forum. We hope that through building such a platform of exchange and mutual learning for entrepreneurs in both countries, we can enhance their mutual trust and cooperation, and make tangible contributions to the further development of China-Canada relations.”

Talking about the major transformations facing the world today, Professor Xiang Bing pointed out that this may be the first time in human history that people are faced with many disruptive transformations simultaneously. The following areas are all experiencing or brewing transformations: science and technology innovations, economic development models, national governance systems, global trade and investment systems, global governance, geopolitics, climate change and sustainable development and inclusive growth, among others.

“In an era converged with multiple disruptive transformations, China and Canada should strengthen cross-regional cooperation and work shoulder to shoulder to address the challenges facing the world, so as to make today the best time in human history," he stressed.

Professor Xiang Bing pointed out that Chinese values and Western values are "harmoniously diversified," but people could "seek common ground while reserving differences." He hoped that China would be able to cultivate more innovative talents who start up business out of interests, ideals, responsibilities and the will to solve social problems, not just for " making a fortune. "

Qin Yucai, President of China’s “One Belt, One Road” Research Institute, elaborated on the “One Belt, One Road” initiative: it’s a new concept of globalization which aims to create “a road to peace, to prosperity, to openness, to innovation and to civilization.”

He pointed out that, as an export-oriented economy, Canada has great potential in trade with China in agriculture, mining, consumer goods, internet finance, energy, communications and environmental protection technology. The “One Belt, One Road” initiative is helpful for Canada to take the Asian market as a driving force and strengthen its international competitiveness, he added.

Qian Jiannong, Vice President of the Fosun Group which has carried out large-scale mergers and acquisitions in recent years around the world, delivered a speech titled "Fosun’s Layout and Strategy along ‘One Belt, One Road’ Routes’.”

He pointed out the Fosun Group’s acquisitions aim at wealth, good health and happiness, which center on their customers’ needs.

Stockwell Day, Vice Chairman of the Canada China Business Council, discussed the Wuxi High-Tech Industrial Park and Qingdao’s pharmaceutical industry as examples of China’s cooperation with Canada in his keynote speech titled "One Belt, One Road, and One Opportunity.”

He pointed out that the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative will bring huge investment opportunities of$5 trillion CAD. China and Canada share similar values, which have brought them closer. Day said he has taken a ride in Shanghai with Didi, China’s ride sharing service.
Stewart Beck, Chairman and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said in his speech that Canadian people are accepting economic globalization with a more open mindset. Asia Pacific Foundation’s survey data at the end of March 2017 showed that the proportion of interviewed Canadians support Canada's entry into a free trade agreement (FTA), with a year-on-year increase of 19 percent, compared with 2014.

In general, Canadians' understanding of China is not as comprehensive and deep as expected, he added. Canadian people are worried whether China's low-priced products would squeeze the local product market and whether an FTA is more favorable to China. In order to solve these doubts, the government should vigorously promote exchanges and understanding between the two countries in various fields. The exchanges and contacts between Canadians and the Chinese are the key to success.

Zhao Yingguang, President and CEO of Hstyle (also known as Handuyishe) and CKGSB alumnus, Ren Xiaoyan, CEO of Mama Capital Management Co., Ltd. and CKGSB alumnus, Jimmy Mitchell, Vice President, Business Development of AdvantageBC, and Yves Tiberghien, Executive President of the Chinese Affairs Committee of the University of British Columbia (UBC), entered into conversation on hot topics about the Chinese economy and the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. Dacheng Law Offices partner Shao Wei hosted the conversation.

As China's largest internet clothing brand operator, Zhao introduced Hstyle’s online data business and development of new algorithms.

Ren Xiaoyan, CEO of Mama Capital Management Co., Ltd., pointed out that internet finance is transforming from traditional finance in the first half to inclusive finance in the second half. Ren stressed that, facing the future, people should pay attention to consumption upgrades and China's progress in internet and data technology.

The forum is co-hosted by Xie Yafang, a famous hostess of Phoenix Satellite TV and CKGSB alumnus, and Jacqueline, a second-generation CKGSB student from Vancouver. More than 100 CKGSB elite alumni from China, Canada, the United States and other parts of the world met in Vancouver.

As one of the new-generation business schools around the world, host CKGSB gathered the top and most influential entrepreneur groups in China. As the only media of overseas Chinese which has entered into Western mainstream society, organizer CAIFU magazine worked together with CKGSB to make the forum a success.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a letter in praise of the forum’s important role in the economic and trade exchanges between China and Canada.