- Alberta Relations

This map is a generalized illustration only and is not intended to be used for reference purposes. The representation of political boundaries does not necessarily reflect the position of the Government of Alberta on international issues of recognition, sovereignty or jurisdiction.

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Capital: Beijing . The Chinese have one of the world’s oldest . From 2011-2015, Alberta’s annual exports to continuous civilizations, spanning some five China averaged $3.25 billion and included Population: 1.37 billion (2014) thousand years. acyclic alcohol, canola seed and oil, sulfur, Language: Standard Chinese, based on crude oil and hides and skins. northern Chinese (the Beijing dialect known as . In 2010, China hosted the World Expo in Mandarin) Shanghai. In August 2008, China hosted the . From 2011-2015, Alberta’s direct imports Summer Olympics in Beijing. In 2022, China from China averaged $2.83 billion and Government: One-party rule by Chinese Communist Party will host the Winter Olympics. included machinery, computer components, iron pipes and tubes, and a variety of Head of State: President XI Jinping (since RELATIONSHIP OVERVIEW consumer products. This figure does not March 2013) include goods sold in Alberta that arrived via . Alberta has had a sister province relationship distribution hubs in other provinces. Head of Government: Premier LI Keqiang with the northeastern Chinese province of (since March 2013) since 1981. ENERGY Currency: CAD $1 = 4.89 Yuan Renminbi (2015 average) . Edmonton is twinned with , . With the world’s largest population and a fast Heilongjiang’s capital city. Calgary is twinned GDP: US $10,352.5 billion (2014) growing economy, China is the world’s with in Heilongjiang province. largest energy consumer. GDP (PPP): US $18,153.8 billion (2014) . In the 1980s, the Alberta-China economic . China’s oil demand is expected to grow from GDP Per Capita (PPP): US $13,390 (2014) relationship expanded to include the sale of 9.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2013 to GDP Growth rate: 8.5 per cent (2010-2014 oil and gas equipment and services and a reach almost 16 million bpd by 2040 and average) number of non-grain agricultural products. surpass the U.S. to become the largest oil consumer by 2030. Inflation: 3.2 per cent (2010-2014 average) . The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)-Alberta Petroleum Centre (CAPC) in Key Industry Sectors: Mining and ore . China’s oil production is expected to decline processing; iron, steel, aluminum and other Beijing, which has been in operation since from 4.3 million bpd in 2013 to 3.4 million bpd metals; coal; machine building; armaments; 1989, promotes petroleum technology by 2040. textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; transfers, provides management and chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, technical training and fosters trade between . China is expected to import 75 per cent of its including footwear, toys and electronics; food China and Alberta. crude oil by 2035, according to the U.S. processing; transportation equipment, including Energy Information Administration. In 2012, automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships TRADE AND INVESTMENT and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, China imported nearly 50 per cent of its domestic crude oil requirements. commercial space launch vehicles and . China is Alberta’s second largest trading satellites. partner. This trading relationship has more Sources: Bank of Canada, Economist than tripled since 2003. Intelligence Unit, Economy Watch February 2016 | Input provided by Alberta Ministries of: Agriculture and Forestry; Education; Energy; Economic Development and Trade; Culture and Tourism; Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour; Advanced Education

. Natural gas consumption increased by 13.9 12.1 million bpd in 2020, and 14.6 million bpd . China is the world's largest consumer, per cent year-on-year in 2013, making China in 2040. producer and importer of coal. More than half the world’s third-largest gas user. Natural gas the coal produced in the world is consumed in imports increased by 14 per cent at 53 billion . China’s top three oil companies have China and in the next two decades is expected cubic meters of natural gas and accounting for established offices in Calgary: China to consume more coal than the rest of the 31.6 per cent of the country’s total gas Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec world combined. consumption. Corp.), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and China's largest oil . Although coal makes up over two-thirds of . China is reported to have significant shale gas and gas producer and supplier, China National China's total energy consumption, China has potential - as much as 1115 Tcf of recoverable Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). led global investment in alternative energy resources. This potential supply of natural gas projects since 2010. China invested $264 . CNPC has a large upstream presence and, and oil lies within seven major basins located million in renewable energy in 2011. together with its affiliated company throughout the country. The basins that have PetroChina, accounts for 60 to 80 per cent of . China is the world’s largest producer of the greatest potential are the Tarim Basin, far China’s oil and gas output. hydroelectric power. The Three Gorges Dam, in the northwest, and the Sichuan Basin the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, located in central China. To date, most shale . In March 2012, PetroChina expressed interest became operational in 2008. gas exploration has been focused in the in building the $5.5 billion Northern Gateway Sichuan Basin, in part due to the geological pipeline, proposed by Calgary-based . Wind energy is the second leading renewable setting and, more importantly, the proximity to Enbridge. source for power generation in China, making market. the country the world’s second largest wind . In October 2011, Sinopec bought Calgary . The Chinese government has deemed that energy producer. based Daylight Energy Ltd. for $2.2 billion to shale gas will play an important part in the gain access to 174 million barrels of Canadian FORESTRY country’s energy supply mix and is hoping to oil, as well as shale gas reserves. achieve dramatic growth during the next six . In 2012, Forestry Division signed a years (annual production of 228 Bcf/yr by 2015 . In January 2011, Sinopec publicly announced Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with and 2.8 Tcf/yr by 2020). In order to achieve its intent to partner with Enbridge on the the Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry these targets, shale gas production will need Northern Gateway pipeline. University focused on expanding market and to be developed from both the State Owned oil technology opportunities for both parties. and gas companies (PetroChina, Sinopec and . In May 2010, Calgary’s Penn West Energy Yanchang Petroleum) as well as the second Trust formed a joint venture with China . China is Alberta’s third largest lumber export Round bid winners (mostly state owned utility Investment Corp. (CIC) to develop the Trust’s market and second largest pulp market, with companies). oil sands assets in the Peace River region. shipments valued at $223 million in 2013, and Penn West will contribute assets valued at is an emerging market for engineered wood . China’s gas production is expected to grow by approximately $1.8 billion to retain a 55 per products in non-traditional applications. more than 260 bcm from 2012 to reach 370 cent interest. bcm by 2040 with almost 80 per cent from . Forestry Division won the Best Booth award at unconventional resources. . In April 2010, ConocoPhillips announced an the Annual China International Forest agreement to sell its 9.03 per cent interest in Products Yiwu Fair in 2012. During the 2013 . The country’s largest and oldest oilfields are Calgary-based Syncrude for $4.65 billion to Yiwu Fair, Forestry Division made a located in the northeast. Xinjiang Province in subsidiaries of Sinopec. presentation, “Alberta’s Forest Resource and the northwest has also received significant Wood Products,” to delegates at the Zhejiang attention recently on resource development. . In February 2010, PetroChina completed its International Forestry Investment Promotion joint venture agreement with Athabasca Oil . China is expected to add 5.6 million bpd Meeting. Sands Corp. for $1.9 billion on the MacKay refining capacity by 2040 to the already River and Dover oil sands projects and in 2014 . In 2012, Forestry Division signed an MOU with existing 11.6 million bpd as well as increase PetroChina completed the takeover of Dover Jiangsu Provincial Bureau of Forestry, focused refinery runs from 9.4 million bpd in 2013, to oil sands project for an additional $1.18 billion.

on expanding market and technology . Alberta is currently exploring opportunities to . In July 2011, China agreed to grant Canada opportunities for both parties. collaborate with China in priority areas continued market access for canola seed. identified in China's 12th Five-Year Plan China had previously imposed restrictions on . Forestry Division has co-sponsored five (2011-2015). canola seed imports in 2009 due to blackleg successful Softwood Lumber Grading fungus concerns. In 2012, a MOU was signed Seminars in Ningbo, Dongguan, Hefei, Xiamen . An agreement between China’s State Key supporting research that is expected to and Shunde aimed at educating lumber buyers Labs and the University of Alberta (U of A) has provide long-term stability for Canadian canola and users in China on the grade facilitated co-operation in nano-technology products. characteristics of Western Canadian SPF research; sustainable environmental . In March 2011, China removed its maximum lumber in order to assist them in ordering the technology and development; and joint limit for selenium in imported food, which was most appropriate product for their needs, research in health, energy, the environment, a major constraint to using Canadian and thereby enhancing Alberta’s brand reputation. and information and communication Alberta pulses in products such as pea flour technology. . Forestry Division continues to stimulate market and snack food. diversification in Asia for Alberta’s forest . In January 2014, Alberta Innovation and . In March 2011, China agreed to a protocol to products by collaborating with Chinese Advanced Education renewed its MOU allow the import of Canadian alfalfa hay. partners, CanadaWood, FPInnovations, agreements with the Department of Science Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF), . The agri-food sector is a major focus for and Technology, Zhejiang Province and the Alberta’s market development initiatives in Tolko Industries, Ainsworth Engineered and Science and Technology Commission of China. Opportunities exist in agricultural other Alberta companies. Shanghai Municipality to facilitate collaboration consulting services, food safety technology, in industrial research and development. . Forestry Division has developed productive livestock genetics, seeds and forage products, grains and oilseeds, raw hides and skins, relationships with two major Chinese wood . From 2010-2015, Alberta had an agreement product companies, Dehua (Tubao) and with China’s Ministry of Science and equipment, high quality beef, processed canola and other food products. Dongshun, who see Ainsworth’s brand new Technology to encourage scientific and facility in High Level as a key supplier of OSB. technological co-operation and research EDUCATION exchange. . Forestry Division has formed a strategic . From 2010 to 2014, 5,108 foreign students partnership with Nanjing Forestry University, . From 2006-2010, Alberta signed six regional from China were issued a permit to study in College of Furniture Industry to promote agreements with China’s provincial and Alberta. Alberta’s OSB in China, and co-sponsored the municipal governments, including Zhejiang, very first “Alberta Cup” OSB Furniture Creative Shanghai, Heilongjiang, Shaanxi, Guangdong . In July 2013, 19 students (ages 14-18) from Design Competition in 2014. and Shenzhen to promote science and across Alberta participated in the Student technology collaboration in priority sectors. Summer Camp in China, hosted by Alberta’s TOURISM sister province of Heilongjiang and the Council AGRICULTURE . In 2013, Alberta received 59,000 overnight of Chinese Language International (Hanban). visitors from China accounting for $35 million . China is Alberta's second largest market for . In 2012, a formal International Education in tourism expenditures. agri-food exports, valued at $1.3 billion in 2014 Exchange Program with The International (a decrease of 12.35 per cent from 2013). In . In 2010, Canada received “Approved School in Macao was launched. This 2014, Canada’s agri-food exports to China reciprocal program provides Alberta and Destination Status” (ADS) from the were valued at approximately $4.8 billion. Government of China, making it easier for Macao students with the unique opportunity to Alberta accounted for nearly 30 per cent of this pursue their Alberta high school studies for Chinese citizens to visit Canada and for the total. Canadian tourism industry to promote Canada one semester in Macao and one semester in to China. . Top Alberta agri-food exports in 2014 included Alberta. canola seed ($782 million), raw hides and . In 2012, Alberta’s Ministry of Innovation and . It is anticipated that Chinese visitation to skins ($202 million), canola oil ($125 million), Advanced Education entered into a three year Alberta will double over the next five years due barley ($77 million) and beef ($39 million). program called Globalink to provide to the ADS. China is Alberta’s top export market for canola scholarships for undergraduate Chinese seed, canola oil, and raw hides and skins, and students to pursue research in Alberta during . According to the World Tourism Organization, the second largest for barley. China will become one of the top three the summer. . During Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s outbound tourism markets in the world by Minister Ritz mission to China in June 2014, . Alberta’s close educational relations with 2020, producing some 100 million outbound two protocols were signed with China: one to China have resulted in the development of tourists annually. secure access for timothy hay and the other to Alberta Education’s Strategic Framework with . Travel Alberta maintains a tourism marketing modernize the live swine export protocol. China (2011), which guides and encourages office in Beijing. China also formally agreed to work with engagement of local school jurisdictions with Canadian officials towards access for bone-in counterparts in China. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY beef derived from animals less than 30 months of age as well as access for live cattle. . In 2008, the Chinese Language Council . China is an emerging science and technology International (Hanban) opened a Confucius market for Alberta. Alberta and China have . In 2013, Alberta renewed a five-year Institute in Edmonton. The establishment of a several science and technology agreements agreement with China’s Ministry of Agriculture Confucius Institute in Calgary is also designed to enhance research and to strengthen and expand the scope of co- underway. development co-operation in the areas of operation in the agricultural sector. information and communications technology, . In February 2012, China agreed to resume . Since 2007, Alberta teachers and education life sciences, environmental technologies, imports of Canadian bovine tallow. administrators have participated in study tours advanced materials, energy-related in China. technologies and hi-tech agriculture.

. In 2005, Alberta participated in a mission to allowing students to earn undergraduate dual . In September 2015, senior educational leaders Beijing as part of the First World Conference degrees or combined undergraduate and from several Technical and Vocational on Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. masters’ degrees. One module of the Global Institutions across China visited Bow Valley The resulting relationship with the Office of the Energy MBA (GEMBA) of Haskayne School of College, Olds College and SAIT as Chinese Language Council International has Business is facilitated through partnership with participants through the Vocational Education led to the development of a Chinese visiting the China University of Petroleum – Beijing. Leadership Training (VELT) program. VELT is teacher program. a five-year partnership that allows Colleges . NAIT has been involved in program linkages and Institutes Canada (CICan) and a major . Established in 1982, Alberta’s Chinese-English involving dual diplomas/degrees in Harbin, Chinese international educational association bilingual program is the first in North America, Tianjin and Xin Xiang and short-term training to work together to support China’s reform of with approximately 2,500 students enrolled in in Guangxi, and Guangdong its Institute of Technology system. programs offered in Edmonton Public Schools provinces as well as building relationships to and the Calgary Board of Education. In total, support off-shore delivery and customized . Athabasca University has signed a MOU with 15 schools in Alberta offer Mandarin bilingual training with colleges, universities and Beijing Normal University for academic and programs. polytechnics. research partnership, and over 15 faculty and research student exchanges have taken place . Eleven of Alberta’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 . The U of A has very close ties with China in during 2010-2015 under the auspices of (K-12) schools have twinning relationships joint education and research projects and Athabasca University's NSERC Industrial with their respective counterparts in China. international student mobility. There are at Research Chair in Adaptivity and least 95 collaborative agreements with China, Personalization in Informatics. . China is the top source country and fastest among which there are 25 at the institutional growing for international students entering level with Chinese universities and research . Concordia University of Edmonton has Alberta’s K-12 system. It currently represents institutes, 45 at the faculty level, and 25 with partnerships with Capital Normal University, 40 per cent of international students attending Chinese government agencies and Beijing; Foshan University; Shenzhen K-12 schools in Alberta. companies. University and Qilu Normal University, Jinan.

. Four schools in China have received Alberta . Cooperative projects between the U of A and CULTURE accreditation or pre-accreditation status, Chinese institutions include establishing Joint including the International School of Macao, Research Labs between U of A labs and . The Alberta Ballet, Ukrainian Shumka the Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial Chinese State Key Laboratories or National Dancers, Calgary’s Barrage musical International School of Hong Kong, the Laboratories through Ministry of Science and ensemble, and the Morningside Program of Canadian International High School in Technology China; providing education and Mount Royal College have participated in Guangzhou and the Canadian International training to students and scholars sponsored by touring performances in China. The Alberta School Mianyang. These international schools the China Scholarship Council; establishing Ballet and Shumka toured China in fall 2011. deliver Alberta’s K-12 curriculum (programs of the Sino-Canadian Energy and Environment COMMUNITY study, assessments, and learning and Research and Education Initiative (SCENERI) teaching resources) through Alberta with Tsinghua University; the SYSU-Alberta . Approximately 137,000 Albertans are of certificated teachers, and provide their Joint Research Lab for Biodiversity Chinese descent. students with the opportunity to graduate with Conservation with Sun Yet-san University; and an Alberta high school credential. the Food for Health Joint Research Centre . Between 2010 and 2014, 10,816 immigrants with Zhejiang University. The China Institute from China chose Alberta as their destination. . Alberta’s Ministry of Innovation and Advanced at the University of Alberta is dedicated to Approximately 54 per cent were economic Education supports Alberta students studying enhancing outstanding China-related teaching, immigrants. This includes principal applicants in China through the Campus Alberta Grant for research initiatives and interdisciplinary and their dependents. These economic International Learning made available through collaborations. immigrants were most commonly occupied as the province’s post-secondary institutions. university professors and lecturers, accounting . MacEwan University has five agreements with technicians and bookkeepers, and financial . Alberta’s post-secondary institutions are Chinese universities, colleges and education auditors and accountants. engaged in a wide range of formal bodies. relationships with Chinese post-secondary . From 2010 to 2014, 1,972 foreign workers . The Alberta Doctoral Awards for Chinese institutions and companies, and collectively from China were issued a permit to work in Students, launched in 2011 as a joint venture have over 60 formal ongoing agreements that Alberta. Approximately 18 per cent were of AITF, Enterprise and Advanced Education range in scope from student exchanges and issued open employment permits and the rest and the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and study tours, to research and articulation were most commonly occupied as home child Lethbridge, fund Chinese students for doctoral agreements, to delivery of off-shore education care providers, performers and cooks. and custom training. studies in Alberta. . The Government of Alberta has contributed . In 2007, an MOU on the Mutual Recognition of . The University of Calgary (U of C) partnered matching grants to Alberta organizations for Higher and Post-secondary Education was with the Kerui Group, an oil and gas service projects in China that have focused on signed between Alberta and China’s Ministry company, to establish a collaborative energy children, education, health and the of Education. research, education and training site in Beijing environment. in 2014. This “Global Research Initiative in . Mount Royal University has partnerships with Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources - . Alberta provided emergency funds to the Red Shanghai University of Finance and Beijing Site” is the first such facility in China for Cross Society relief efforts following the 2009 Economics (2001) and the Inner Mongolia a university anywhere in the world. typhoon. Department of Education, Hohhot (2007). The . The U of C has over 75 agreements (with 30+ Mount Royal Conservatory has partnerships . CKER-FM broadcasts across Alberta in many pending) with Chinese universities, authorities with the Beijing and Shanghai Conservatories different languages with daily programming in and corporations. In 2014, 15 articulation and has been co-delivering the Morningside both Mandarin and Cantonese. agreements with nine universities were signed, Music Bridge Program for over 15 years.

RECENT VISITS . October 2013: The Minister of Energy Beijing and Shanghai as part of the New West participated in a Calgary-China Investment Partnership with the Minister of Agriculture and . October 2015: The Minister of Energy led a Summit in Beijing and a Canada-China Energy Lands from British Columbia. joint industry-government delegation to and Environment Forum. He also signed an Shanghai and Beijing to deepen energy MOU with China’s National Energy . May 2010: The Premiers of Alberta, British relationships with Chinese government and Administration on sustainable energy Columbia and Saskatchewan led a joint trade industry decision makers. Outcomes of the development, which aims to strengthen energy mission to China to promote trade and mission included an expanded mandate for the trade and responsible development ties investment opportunities between Western 26-year-old CAPC, a deepened understanding between the two jurisdictions. Signaling the Canada and Asia. of the shared challenges currently faced by significance of the agreement to both China DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION Chinese and Canadian companies in Alberta’s and Canada, the signing took place in the energy sector, and a reinforced China-Alberta Great Hall of the People in the capital and was . The Chinese Ambassador to Canada in energy relationship with clear support from witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping Ottawa is His Excellency LUO Zhaohui. Alberta’s government. This mission also and Canadian Governor General David assisted Alberta industry players in Johnston. . The Chinese Consul General in Calgary is Mr. establishing relationships with senior decision WANG Xinping. makers, investors and manufacturers in China. . September 2013: The Premier of Alberta travelled to China to attend the World . Canada’s Ambassador to China based in . May 2014: The Minister of Agriculture and Economic Forum in Dalian and “Invest in Beijing is Mr. Guy Saint-Jacques. Rural Development led a mission to Asia, Alberta” seminars in Beijing and Shanghai. including a stop in Guangzhou. The purpose of She also delivered the keynote address at the . Alberta has three representative offices in the mission was to foster Alberta’s agricultural Canada-China Foreign Direct Investment mainland China, which are in Beijing trade development, investment attraction and Policy Forum, and visited Harbin, the capital of (established 1999 and co-located with the market advocacy in the region. Alberta’s twin sister province Heilongjiang. Canadian Embassy), in Shanghai (established . March 2014: The Minister of International and During this time, the International and 2010), and in Guangzhou (established in Intergovernmental Relations led a mission to Intergovernmental Relations’ Associate 2016). China to discuss opportunities related to Minister visited Xiamen, Suzhou, Guangzhou commerce, science and technology, and trade and Shunde, as well as attending the same and investment, as well as to provide opening Forum and seminars in Beijing and Shanghai. remarks at the Alberta-China Environmental Technology Workshops in Harbin and . May 2013: The Minister of Finance visited Chengdu. He also spoke at the China Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai to promote International Petroleum and Petrochemical investment in Alberta and to meet with Technology and Equipment Exhibition investors, financial institutions and business (CIPPE). leaders, as well as government officials.

. September 2012: The Premier and the . January 2014: The Minister of Jobs, Skills, Associate Minister of International and Training and Labour led a mission on behalf of Intergovernmental Relations led a trade and Innovation and Advanced Education to sign investment promotion mission to China and two MOUs and represent Alberta at the participated in the World Economic Forum in opening ceremonies of the Harbin Snow and Tianjin and Council of the Federation meeting Ice Festival. in Beijing. . January 2014: The ministry of Innovation and Advanced Education (in collaboration with . June 2012: The Premier and the Minister of Energy, International and Intergovernmental International and Intergovernmental Relations Relations and the Petroleum Services led a mission to Beijing, Tianjin and Hong Association of Canada) led a mission to Kong to expand economic, research, Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu and Hong Kong. educational and cultural opportunities between The purpose was to promote Canadian Alberta and China. expertise in unconventional resource . May 2012: The Minister of Education led a extraction, attract investment in this sector to mission to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macau Canada and learn about the progress for and South Korea to strengthen educational unconventional resources development in ties with Asia. China laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration in this area. . May 2011: The Minister of Treasury Board and . October 2013: The Minister of Municipal Enterprise led an investment mission to China Affairs visited China to attend the Shanghai including Harbin, to mark the 30th anniversary International Disaster Reduction and Security of the Alberta-Heilongjiang sister province Show, as well as to meet with members of the relationship. Government of Heilongjiang to discuss joint . October 2010: The Minister of Agriculture and projects relating to disaster management. Rural Development undertook a mission to

For more information, contact: Alberta Economic Development and Trade Phone: 780-427-6543 Fax: 780-427-0699 albertacanada.com international.alberta.ca