On March 25th, Mr. Philippe Rheault, consul-general of Consulate General of Canada to Chongqing rushed to Chengdu to attend “Tasting Delicious Food” Canada Wine and Food Promotion Activity. The next day he would also attend the 92nd China Food and Drinks Fair and advertise for participating Canadian wineries. “I have calculated that last year I have been to Sichuan for 21 times in total. Approximately in every two weeks I would head to Sichuan.” Mr. Rheault said, “I am fond of Sichuan. I am always active to introduce Sichuan to more Canadian enterprises and people.”

      Sichuan people have changed their consuming habits 
 
      Journalist: How many times have Canadian enterprise attended CFDF? What are the characteristics of 92nd CFDF?
 
      Mr. Rheault: Canadian enterprises have attended CFDF for many times. Previously Canada Ambassador to China and Consulate General would support all kinds of wineries to attend CFDF. This is the first time that Canada Ambassador to China has prepared an exhibition platform and organized 13 famous wineries. Through CFDF, I feel that the wine markets and consumer habits of Sichuan have changed a lot. More and more consumers have the ability to purchase imported high quality food.

      Journalist: How does the trade investment go between Canada and Sichuan?
    
      Mr. Rheault: In trade the base number is still relatively small but the increasing growth is satisfactory, with over 30% in the past four to five years. Now, all people would see the good investment environment of Sichuan. Over 200 Fortune 500 Companies have been settled in Sichuan. Compared with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and so on, Sichuan is faced with more opportunities. I want more Canadians to be aware of this fact.
  An increasing number of Sichuan enterprises are also seeking for going global and view Canada as a good investment destination. I know that there are two Sichuan Chambers in Vancouver and Toronto with thousands of members. They help each other to dig business opportunities. If Sichuan sets a representative office in Canada, Sichuan would achieve more.

      Mature opportunity for Sichuan and Canada to cooperate in shale gas

      Journalist: What fields could be new growth points in the cooperation of Sichuan and Canada?
   
      Mr. Rheault: We find that the most complementary and potential fields include energy conservation, green building, agriculture, high technology and service.

      Journalist: I heard that you have been working on to strengthen cooperation in shale gas? Is that true?

      Mr. Rheault: Sichuan has rich shale gas resources and Canada is equipped with advanced technology in exploring and exploration of shale gas, which would be a potential cooperation field. Before that we have done a lot of supporting work, including holding relevant forums, promotions and so on to make Sichuan aware of the advanced technology. Therefore, it is time for us to cooperate with each other. 
  
      Actually, representatives from Alberta Province. Canada will arrive in Chengdu several days later. They have been working on some cooperation programs with Sichuan's enterprises. Bringing Canadian advanced technology to Sichuan and cooperating with Sichuan’s enterprises will be a perfect cooperation model.

      Hoping to establish Canada visa center in Chengdu

      Journalist: Since March, 2015, the validity of visas between Canada and China has been extended to 10 years. What do you think of this move?
  
      Mr. Rheault: I think both Chinese and overseas Chinese, as well as Canadian entrepreneurs, students, and visitors will benefit. I want to highlight that actually a year ago Canada has promoted multiple-entry visa with the validity of 10 years to Chinese. New visa policy would exert positive influence on bilateral relationship.

      Journalist: Will there be an obvious increase of people from Western China area to Canada?

      Mr. Rheault: Yes. We are always hoping an increasing of Chinese people to Canada. Every year the increasing number will be beyond our expectation. You can confirm this information to Sichuan Airlines. The flights from Chengdu to Vancouver are basically full. We open a Canada Visa Center in Chongqing. We hope that in the future we could also establish one visa center in Chengdu. Currently the visa approval rate is quite high. Approximately 95% of the applicants could get visa. 　
    
      Journalist: What activities will be held in Sichuan since 2015 and 2016 are China-Canada Cultural Exchange Years?

      Mr. Rheault: Every March is Canada Cultural Festival. Five or six Canadian writers will develop exchange activities in Chengdu in 2015. We also wish to have a larger scale of the Old Picture Exhibition of Canadian Missionaries. It is through these old pictures that we realize that Canadians have been involved Sichuan's development in the past 100 years, which indicates that we and Sichuan people are old friends.