NOTE TO EDITORS:

Premier Roger Grimes will participate in a news conference Thursday to sign a memorandum of understanding between Newfoundland and Labrador and Zhejiang Province of China. It will mark the first time for a Canadian province to formally sign such an agreement with Zhejiang.

Dejiang Zhang, Party Secretary, Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, will sign the MOU on behalf of Zhejiang.

The news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, April 12, at the Fairmont Hotel, Salons C and D. Translation services will be provided, and interpreters will be available for media wishing to interview members of the delegation from Zhejiang.

The intent of the MOU is to broaden and strengthen cooperation between the two jurisdictions, particularly in areas of education, fisheries, aquaculture and general economic development.

Media contact:

Carl Cooper Office of the Premier (709) 729-3564
Josephine Cheeseman Industry, Trade and Rural Development (709) 729-4570
Tansy Mundon Intergovernmental Affairs (709) 729-1341

2001 04 11                                      11:15 a.m.