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China: tourism, PM’s visit
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December 3, 2009
Canada gets preferred destination status in China
China has given Canada preferred destination status, a move that is expected to pump millions of tourist dollars into the country’s tourism industry. The move, being hailed as a historic announcement for the industry, makes it easier for Chinese travelers to obtain visas to travel in Canada and allows Canada to actively market tourism in China. Peter Williams, director of SFU’s Centre for Tourism Policy and Research, calls the announcement an important breakthrough. “I’m excited about its potential implications, for British Columbia and for Canada, say Williams, who also chairs the British Columbia Tourism Research Advisory Council. It’s estimated that the annual rate of travel to Canada by Chinese tourists could rise as much as 50 per cent by 2015.
Peter Williams, 604.922.1954; peterw@sfu.ca
Thorny issue in China?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper may face a sensitive issue while in China this week – the fact that Lai Changxing, one of China’s most wanted men, continues to find refuge in Vancouver. Earlier this semester Lai spent three hours at SFU with a fourth-year Chinese history class taught by professor Jeremy Brown. The class had just read Inside the Red Mansion, a book about the “shady” ties between officials and business people in Xiamen, the place where Lai made millions then became embroiled in a corruption scandal. He fled to Vancouver nine years ago. China wants him returned but Lai doesn’t believe he would get a fair trial. Brown can shed some light on the man at the centre of the controversy and the impression he left on students. For an account of the visit see: http://www.thechinabeat.org/?p=975
Jeremy Brown, 778.782.4379 or 604.299.1282; jeremy_brown@sfu.ca
photo of Lai and Brown available upon request
China has given Canada preferred destination status, a move that is expected to pump millions of tourist dollars into the country’s tourism industry. The move, being hailed as a historic announcement for the industry, makes it easier for Chinese travelers to obtain visas to travel in Canada and allows Canada to actively market tourism in China. Peter Williams, director of SFU’s Centre for Tourism Policy and Research, calls the announcement an important breakthrough. “I’m excited about its potential implications, for British Columbia and for Canada, say Williams, who also chairs the British Columbia Tourism Research Advisory Council. It’s estimated that the annual rate of travel to Canada by Chinese tourists could rise as much as 50 per cent by 2015.
Peter Williams, 604.922.1954; peterw@sfu.ca
Thorny issue in China?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper may face a sensitive issue while in China this week – the fact that Lai Changxing, one of China’s most wanted men, continues to find refuge in Vancouver. Earlier this semester Lai spent three hours at SFU with a fourth-year Chinese history class taught by professor Jeremy Brown. The class had just read Inside the Red Mansion, a book about the “shady” ties between officials and business people in Xiamen, the place where Lai made millions then became embroiled in a corruption scandal. He fled to Vancouver nine years ago. China wants him returned but Lai doesn’t believe he would get a fair trial. Brown can shed some light on the man at the centre of the controversy and the impression he left on students. For an account of the visit see: http://www.thechinabeat.org/?p=975
Jeremy Brown, 778.782.4379 or 604.299.1282; jeremy_brown@sfu.ca
photo of Lai and Brown available upon request