Minister Ida Chong's Mission Journal Day 4 — November 22 Click photos for larger image. Minister's journal entry appears below   Minister Ida Chong and Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe at Vtron, a leading Chinese hi-tech enterprise engaged in hi-res digital display systems. The company is located in Guangdong Science City, Guangzhou. Meeting with Mr. Pan Shi Yang, Deputy Director General of the People's Government of Luogang District, Guangzhou and his senior staff.    Minister Chong presents My Pan Shi Yang, Deputy Director General of the People's Government of Luogang District, Guangzhou with a CD containing the BC-Asia Twinning Tool Kit and information about local government in British Columbia. British Columbia Pacific Gateway Park is a symbolic living monument to honour the long-standing friendship between the two sister provinces.   Minister Ida Chong presents Zhang Shuguang, President of the Shenzhen Association for Overseas Economic and Cultural Promotion, with a CD containing the BC-Asia Twinning Tool Kit and information about local government in British Columbia.

Journal entry for Nov.22

Today, we were invited to tour the most impressive and dynamic Guangzhou Development District, which is part of the golden triangle including Hong Kong and Macau. Divided into four organized zones, Economic and Technology, Hi-Tech Industry, Export processing and Free Trade, it efficiently and effectively contributes over US$10 billion annually to the GDP, a 20 percent increase over the previous year bringing it to #1 of all districts in China.

One of the companies is VTron, a leading Chinese high technology enterprise engaged in high resolution digital display systems. They presented us with a demonstration of technology which could be used for emergency management of wildfires, floods but as well has the potential to track crime statistics in various areas of cities. As Emergency Management BC will be looking to exchange information with their counterparts in Guangdong province, I will make sure they are aware of this company and its potential.

During a meeting with Mr. Pan Shi Yang, Deputy Director General of the People's Government of Luogang District (Guangzhou) and his senior staff, the themes of ecology, environmental protection and technology were foremost in their minds. The possible contribution of British Columbia's companies dominated the discussion and clearly confirms that our twinning/sister city relationships can play a vital role.

I was fortunate enough to be offered a tour of the British Columbia Pacific Gateway Park, a symbolic living monument to honour the long standing friendship between the two sister provinces. The Park is a partnership in which B.C.'s technical expertise with wood materials and construction is being combined with Guangzhou Garden Bureau's design expertise to create a unique first of its kind landscape environment.

I then met with Mr. Zhang Shuguang, President of the Shenzhen Association for Overseas Economic and Cultural Promotion, and some of his senior officials. Shenzhen was the first free economic zone created in China, and its prospects have prospered with its promise. I expressed interest, on behalf of British Columbia local governments, with the potential twinning opportunities Shenzhen has. I provided the President with a CD on local government in British Columbia. The CD included a copy of the BC Asia Twinning Toolkit.

The day concluded with the opening ceremony banquet for the 3rd annual Guangdong International Tourism and Culture Festival, with over 300 invited guests and dignitaries, most of whom were overseas Chinese once again, reaffirming our strong and longstanding historical and cultural relationship.