On May 12, H.E. Lan Lijun, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada, entertained the Executive Committee of the Canada-China Legislative Association (CCLA) with a dinner at his official residence. Hon. Joseph Day, Senator, Mr. Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament, Co-Chairs of CCLA and Mr. Bob Dechert, Mr. Luc Malo, Ms Joyce Murray, Mr. Andrew Saxton, Mr. Bruce Stanton and Mr. Derek Lee, Members of Parliament and Vice-Chairs of CCLA attended the dinner. Mr. Yang Youming, Minister Counsellor was also present.

     Ambassador Lan highly praised the work that CCLA has done for years in strengthening the parliamentary exchanges between China and Canada and promoting all-round development of the bilateral relations, stated that the National People's Congress of China attaches great importance to and actively carries out exchanges and cooperation with the Parliament of Canada. Since the establishment of parliamentary exchange mechanism between the two countries, the two legislative associations have conducted fruitful exchanges which have enhanced mutual understanding and expanded consensus. Ambassador Lan expressed his hope that CCLA and parliamentarians present will continue to make contributions to the development of the Sino-Canada relations.

     Hon. Senator Day, and Mr. Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament expressed that all members of CCLA are committed to the friendly relations between Canada and China, and firmly believe that mutual understanding can be strengthened only through dialogues, cooperation can be enhanced only through exchanges. CCLA is willing to make unremitting efforts for the development of Canada-China relations.

     The two sides also exchanged views on the current Chinese economic situation, Canada-China relations, population policy, the exchange plan between China-Canada Legislative Association and CCLA and agriculture.