Premier takes Chinese ambassador on a tour
Inuvik showcased for major market representative
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, September 24, 2015
INUVIK
Although Inuvik hosted Chinese tourists this past summer, last week's visitor was in a class of his own.
Transportation Minister Tom Beaulieu, left, Chinese Ambassador to Canada Luo Zhaohui and Premier Bob McLeod speak to reindeer herder Lloyd Binder at the Inuvik Greenhouse on Sept. 13. The Chinese ambassador was on a tour of Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk as part of his first official visit to the territory. - photo courtesy of the Government of the Northwest Territories.
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Chinese Ambassador to Canada Luo Zhaohui accompanied Premier Bob McLeod on a trip to the Delta Sept. 13, which included stops in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, before returning to Yellowknife the same day.
"China being the largest population in the world, it's a large market," McLeod said.
"There are a lot of products that we have that they want."
The ambassador's visit to the territory is the latest in a series of official visits between the two countries. McLeod said that he has been to China five times personally, both in his position as minister of Economic Development and Tourism and as premier leading a trade delegation. Along with being a major source of tourism for the territory, McLeod said China purchases 80 per cent of the fur produced here.
"As the Northwest Territories, we have tremendous products to offer," he said, citing oil, mineral and gas along with tourism. "We extended the invitation and we're pleased he accepted."
McLeod said the ambassador and his wife had been impressed with the wide expanses of the Delta, as well as the community of Inuvik itself.
McLeod said the ambassador asked about distances between Tuktoyaktuk and Alaska by sea, possibly in anticipation of shipping routes.
"For next steps, obviously we're going to continue to work together," he said.
"We're processing quite a number of business applicants from the Chinese community, and there's even a possibility of twinning the NWT with a province in China."
He also mentioned possibly increasing the quota of Chinese immigrants accepted to the NWT.
Mayor Jim McDonald said the ambassador's visit was the latest in a string of Chinese visits to the community, including at least one large group of tourists in August.
"There certainly has been attention from China," McDonald said.
"It's a great opportunity for the community and territory. It's a huge market there, and they certainly seem excited about coming here."
