On the evening of 22 June 2011, the grant inauguration ceremony for the Chinese Consulate General in Montreal was held in the Convention Center of Montreal, Canada. Song Tao, representative of the Chinese government and China's Vice Foreign Minister, Deepak Obhrai, representative of Canada's federal government and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Peter McGovern, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Zhang Junsai, China's Ambassador to Canada, Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec, Gerald Tremblay, Mayor of Montreal, and other officials attended the ceremony and delivered warm speeches. There were more than 400 participants attending the event including officials from Canada's federal, provincial and municipal governments, friends from different communities, representatives of overseas Chinese and representatives of Chinese students studying in Canada. The ceremony was moderated by Zhao Jiangping, the first Consul General of China to Montreal.

Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao Attends
the Inauguration of China's Consulate General in Montreal

Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao, representing the Chinese government, extended warm congratulations upon the inauguration of the Consulate General in Montreal. He spoke highly of Sino-Canadian bilateral relations. He said since President Hu's visit to Canada in 2010, bilateral cooperation has been showing an all-dimensional, multi-tiered and wide-ranging pattern. China and Canada are countries having important influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The two economies are highly complementary. The development of each other can bring important opportunities to the other. Strengthening exchanges and deepening cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the people. The inauguration of the Consulate General in Montreal has reflected the importance attached by China to developing the relations with Canada, Quebec and New Brunswick. He believed that the Consulate General will be a new bridge enhancing the understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two peoples. In his speech, Ambassador Zhang Junsai expressed the hope that the Consulate General could take active and solid measures to safeguard the rights and interests of Chinese citizens abroad and serve the overseas Chinese. Consul General Zhao Jiangping thanked the Canadian government at all levels and all the friends for their strong support to the preparation and construction of the Consulate General. He said the Consulate General will perform their duties earnestly and give full play the role of the Consulate General in communication, service and promotion.

A Group Photo of the Guests Attending the Inauguration Ceremony

Parliamentary Secretary Deepak Obhrai, Premier Jean Charest and Mayor Gerald Tremblay, representing the Canadian federal and local governments, extended warm congratulations on the inauguration of the Consulate General. They said that the inauguration of China's Consulate General in Montreal is an important historical moment for bilateral relations. The establishment of the Consulate General will facilitate the cooperation in various fields including trade, economy, culture and education, facilitate the personnel exchanges and bring bilateral relations to a new phase.

According to the agreement reached between China and Canada in March 2010, the consular districts of China's Consulate General in Montreal are Quebec and New Brunswick.

Before the inauguration ceremony, Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao met with Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec.

Guests Attending the Inauguration Ceremony