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NLIS 1
April 12, 2001
(Executive Council)

 

Chinese Province and Newfoundland and Labrador sign Memorandum of Understanding 

Zhejiang Province of the Peoples' Republic of China and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in St. John's. The memorandum was signed by Premier Roger Grimes and Party Secretary Zhang Dejiang of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. 

"This memorandum of understanding is designed to strengthen cooperation between the two jurisdictions in the areas of education, culture, fisheries, aquaculture and general economic development," said Premier Grimes. "I believe this memorandum will signify the start of an era of mutually beneficial cooperation between our two provinces."

Party Secretary Zhang is part of an eight-person trade mission visiting St. John's today. Members of the mission will meet with local government officials, business people, and receive a tour of Memorial University.

The province of Zhejiang has established formal economic relations with 76 states, provinces and regions in 21 countries including Indiana and New Jersey. Newfoundland and Labrador is the first Canadian province to enter into such a relationship with Zhejiang. This MOU stems from a meeting between Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and former Premier Brian Tobin in April 1999.

"This is an historic step for our two provinces," says Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. "China is a growing economic player in the international arena and I believe a sharing of knowledge and experience can be of great benefit to both our provinces. This memorandum of understanding should also lead to greater trade between our two jurisdictions."

"This MOU will provide an opportunity for fisheries development initiatives which would benefit both Canada and China. I look forward to increased cooperation on market development for such things as seal and related products," said Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. 

"I welcome this opportunity to develop a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between our two provinces," says Tom Lush, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs. "The MOU being signed today marks a significant event in the history of our province, with Newfoundland and Labrador being the first Canadian province to enter into an MOU with Zhejiang."

"This MOU provides our two provinces with a mechanism to share knowledge in key areas, such as post-secondary educational practices," says Sandra C. Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. "The MOU also gives our province an incredible opportunity to build on our post-secondary education marketing efforts, to encourage more international students to study at our quality institutions and to develop joint ventures in research and development."

Newfoundland and Labrador and Zhejiang will meet formally every two years to assess progress of initiatives undertaken through the MOU and to discuss new areas of cooperation that may be beneficial. The meetings will alternate between Newfoundland and Labrador and Zhejiang.

Photo #1: Secretary Zhang and Premier Grimes complete the signing of a memorandum of understanding, the first between a Chinese and a Canadian Province. (April 12, 2001)

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

 

____________________________

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN: 

THE GOVERNMENT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, PROVINCE OF CANADA

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF ZHEJIANG PROVINCE,
PEOPLES' REPUBLIC OF CHINA

(hereinafter referred to collectively as "the Parties")

WHEREAS the Parties are willing to further promote the friendly relationship and trust that exists between the peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador and Zhejiang Province;

AND WHEREAS the Parties are also willing to strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation in targeted fields of education, culture, fisheries and aquaculture, and other economic areas on the basis of mutual benefit between two Provinces;

AND WHEREAS the Parties believe that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as "MOU") will broaden and strengthen the friendly relations, which is useful to the establishment of Friendship Province (Sister Province) relations in the future;

THEREFORE the Parties have entered into the following understanding through friendly discussions:

1. The Parties shall promote the mutual visits by senior government 
and business leaders of both sides and further develop and strengthen 
the exchanges and cooperation in the areas of education, culture, 
fisheries and aquaculture as well as other economic development.

2. The Parties will seek to identify specific opportunities for mutually
beneficial cooperation in the areas of education, fisheries and 
aquaculture and general economic development. 

3. The parties will try their best to provide necessary assistance in 
the arrangement of mutual exchanges and cooperation mentioned 
above. Each Party will be responsible for its own costs related to 
these exchanges.

4. To enhance the relations between the Parties, the Department of 
Foreign Affairs of Zhejiang Provincial People's Government and 
the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development of the 
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are assigned as the 
liaison offices of the Parties.

5. The Parties agree to meet every two years to evaluate the progress
of initiatives taken pursuant to this MOU and to discuss new areas 
of cooperation that may be beneficial. The meetings will alternate
between Newfoundland and Labrador and Zhejiang Province, 
which will be organized by the liaison offices of the Parties.

6. Either of the Parties may terminate this MOU by providing the 
other party with a notice of termination. The MOU will expire 
six months after a notice of termination is received.

7. This MOU will be subject to the laws and regulations of 
Newfoundland and Labrador and Zhejiang Province.

8. Any matter involving the interpretation or implementation of 
this MOU will be addressed only by consultation between the 
parties.

9. This MOU is written both in Chinese and English. Both versions 
are equally effective and authentic.

Signed on this 12th day of APRIL, 2001 at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

For the Government of                                             For the People's Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador                                     Province Zhejiang Province
____________________                                         ____________________
Premier                                                                     Party Secretary

 

ZHEJIANG PROVINCE DELEGATION

ZHANG, Dejiang   Party Secretary
Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China
PAN, Yun    President, Zhejiang University
CAI, Shun Director General - Foreign Affairs Department of the Peoples' Government of Zhejiang Province
ZHONG, Shann Director General - Foreign Trade &Economic Cooperation Bureau of Zhejiang Province
ZHAO, Guang-jun Director - Division of the Secretariate of the Peoples Government of Zhejiang Province
LU, Guohao (George) Director - Foreign Affairs Department of the Peoples' Government of Zhejiang Province
ZHANG, Zhicheng Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board of Directors Sino Place Group
QI, Zhongqiang     General Manager - Zhejiang Trading Corporation (based in New York)


2001 04 12                                         10:15 a.m.


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