Ontario Tourism Bureau and Ottawa Tourism Bureau jointed efforts to host a farewell banquet for the inaugural Chinese tourists group on August 23. Chinese ambassador of Canada Lan Lijun, Congress Secretary-General Pierre, CEO of Ontario Tourism Bureau, Mayor of Ottawa and insiders from local tourism bureaus and the industry attended the banquet.

At the banquet, CEO of Ontario Tourism Bureau, Mayor of Ottawa, Congress Secretary-General Pierre, Chinese ambassador of Canada Lan Lijun and Vice Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Du Jiang delivered speeches in succession. Leader of the inaugural group & Vice Chairman of CNTA Du Jiang said, “Since I set foot on Ontario and Ottawa, I’ve been thinking of two good friends of Chinese people. One is Doctor Bethune, who went all the way to China 72 years ago, and has moved generations of Chinese people with his great spirit of internationalism. He is a lasting hero and permanent friend on the mind of Chinese people. The other is the comedian Dashan (Mark Rowswell) who, widely known for his cross talk, is a window for many Chinese to learn more about Canada. Today, China and Canada are continuing their chapter of friendship. We have signed Memorandum of Understanding on Sino-Canadian Tourism Destination in brief, turning a new page of the history of Sino-Canadian tourism cooperation. Prime Minister Harper once told the media that the signing of Sino-Canadian Tourism Agreement will be warmly welcomed by Canadian people. During our stay in Canada, we have indeed felt the hospitality and friendliness of Canadian friends. ”

At the banquet, the Canadian side awarded tourists of the inaugural group certificates of traveling to Canada. After the banquet, Chinese ambassador of Canada Lan Lijun, CEO of Ontario Tourism Bureau took a group photo with the inaugural group of Chinese tourists to mark the occasion. The whole banquet was always filled with a friendly atmosphere between the two countries.