Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay will be part of a delegation of mayors from around British Columbia traveling to China in May. The mayors, joined by some civic officials and business people, will be on a mission to forge tighter trade relationships. Clay will be the only representative of Port Moody.
Clay said the trip is an opportunity for some of the province’s smaller communities to increase cultural, education and trade exchanges with China. The group includes mayors from 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and the District of Wells. The mission is being organized by Al Richmond, the chair of the Cariboo Regional District, in partnership with James Wu of the Canada China City and Town Friendship Association.
“There’s a mutual understanding that they’re not the big kids on the block,” said Clay of the delegation. “They’re smaller communities that are involved with trade in and out of China.”
Clay said he’s already arranged for meetings with a hotel owner/operator in the city of Wuhan who is interested in expanding into Canada and an agricultural producer looking to increase their existing investment in Port Moody. He said more meetings will be added to his itinerary for the trip, which runs from May 14-28.
During the mission, the mayors will attend meetings, exchanges and receptions as well as visit municipal facilities in Guangdong Province, the cities of Shanwei, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Wuhan and Shanghai.
On Tuesday, Port Moody council approved Clay’s proposed travel expenses of $4,000 to cover airfare and accommodation be funded from the city’s Asia Pacific Twinning Relationships Reserve. Clay said most meals and activities in China are being sponsored by local governments and trade offices, and any incidental or personal expenses would come out of his own pocket.
The reserve was created in 2011 when the city received a $50,000 grant from the provincial government to help create twinning initiatives with Asian cities. The fund currently has a balance of $13,181.51. Port Moody has two friendship agreements in China, with the Tanggu District of Tianjin, that was created in 2005,and the Pinggu District of Beijing that was signed in 2007. In his report to council, Clay said the last time the city was officially represented on a trip to China was in 2009.
Councillor Zoe Royer said it’s important for Port Moody to be represented on this mission. In fact, she’d like all of council to go, but at their own expense.
“I think it would be invaluable,” said Royer. “We are a small community. I think it would really expand our horizons, open our eyes.”
But Clay said only he has been invited to join the delegation.
