PREMIER TURNS SOD AT GUANGDONG-BC PACIFIC GATEWAY PARK

GUANGZHOU – Premier Gordon Campbell helped celebrate British Columbia’s special relationship with its sister province in China by turning the sod today on the Guangdong-British Columbia Pacific Gateway Park, which will also serve as a showcase for outdoor wood products from B.C.

“No part of China shares as many economic and personal ties to British Columbia as Guangdong province, which has provided more immigrants to our province than any other part of China,” said Campbell. “In fact, Guangdong province has declared November 25 as B.C. day – a great honour for British Columbia.”

As the Garden capital of China, Guangzhou is the ideal location for B.C. to showcase the durability of our outdoor wood products such as pressure-treated Hemlock, SPF and Western Red Cedar, and tap into new markets,” continued Campbell.

Campbell also opened the Chung Ai Photographic Society Exhibition, a show of 130 photographs of British Columbia created by B.C. photographers.

“This display of talent by B.C. photographers will show off our province and help promote British Columbia as a tourism destination. The Chung Ai Photographic Society is doing its part to strengthen the cultural ties between our provinces,” said Campbell. “Our province had the great honour of hosting a similar exhibit of Guangdong photography in October 2006 during the visit of Governor Huang Huahua and his delegation.”

Much of the visit to Guangdong is about extending the cultural ties with British Columbia. Campbell is also attending the opening ceremonies of the Guangdong International Tourism and Culture Festival, an event attended by 60,000 people and likely viewed by 95 million. British Columbia performers at the event include Whistler vocalist/songwriter Ali Milner, Delta’s country/folk music group The Higgins Family, and 12 youth dancers from across B.C.

Tomorrow – B.C. Day in Guangdong – the Premier will run in the Guangzhou Terry Fox Run, visit the city of Jiangmen, and attend a cultural performance by Guangdong Sister Provinces/States.

Campbell is in Guangdong as part of a mission to Japan and China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to promote British Columbia as Canada’s Pacific Gateway. This is his third mission to Asia, following visits to China and India in 2003, and China and Japan in 2001.