AS part of ongoing work to diversify trade, Premier David Eby is leading a trade mission to China to strengthen commercial ties with the province’s second-largest trading partner and explore new opportunities to support good-paying jobs for people in British Columbia’s forestry, energy, tourism and agriculture sectors.
“Because unjustified tariffs from the U.S. and gas price increases from the war in Iran are hurting B.C. businesses and families, we are prioritizing diverse relationships with multiple trading partners to support good jobs and protect people in B.C.,” said Eby on Tuesday. “China is the world’s second-largest economy and is our second-largest export market for B.C. goods and services. Encouraging tourism while selling more B.C. wood, agricultural products and energy will mean more money for families and more money to pay for the services British Columbians deserve.”
From June 27 until July 3, Eby will meet with government and business leaders in key cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to strengthen partnerships and create new opportunities for B.C. business.
China is B.C.’s second-largest export market and the second-biggest market for provincial agrifood exports. British Columbia and China share a longstanding partnership with collaboration across a range of areas from sustainable forest management to wood construction innovation and clean energy.
The mission builds on longstanding ties between British Columbia and China, including strong people-to-people and business-to-business ties and more than 30 years of a sister-province partnership between B.C. and Guangdong, first signed in 1995.
The Province is working on strengthening tourism ties with China by advocating for increased air connectivity, developing new travel routes and experiences, and welcoming more Chinese visitors to the province.
“British Columbia is Canada’s West Coast gateway to the world, offering strategic access to global markets through world-class ports, airports and infrastructure,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Through our Look West strategy, this trade mission to China will showcase B.C.’s strengths in forestry, energy, tourism and agriculture. By reducing our reliance on U.S. markets through diversified trade partnerships, we will create good jobs and prosperity for all British Columbians.”
The mission builds on B.C.’s trade-diversification strategy and is part of the Look West strategy, which sets the goal of doubling exports to non-U.S. markets over 10 years. Recent trade missions to Asia and Europe have showcased B.C.’s vast range of opportunities in life sciences, technology, agriculture, forestry, ocean science, sustainability and innovation.
What to know about trade with China
* B.C. is the most significant exporting province in Canada to China, with established trade linkages.
* In 2025, China was the second-largest destination for B.C. goods exports, with exports valued at nearly $11 billion, making up almost 20% of B.C.’s commodity exports.
* China’s consumers already enjoy a wide range of B.C.’s world-class agrifood products, from seafood and pork to cherries and chocolate.
* Transitioning to a low-carbon economy remains a priority for China. Canadian wood products can support China’s policy-driven momentum toward green, low-carbon and high-quality development.
* Within Canada, British Columbia is the second-largest producer of natural gas, and if viewed independently, B.C. is the world’s 12th-largest natural gas producer with substantial reserves that could allow the industry to expand further.
* In early 2023, the B.C. government launched the Trade Diversification Strategy to strengthen and expand the province’s trading base.
* The province benefits from a network of more than 50 trade and investment representatives in 14 key markets in North America, Europe and Asia.
* The network includes trade and investment representatives in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
