On June 7, 2026, Consul General Mme. Zhao Liying published a byline article titled Seizing New Opportunities Under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Building a Mutually Beneficial Future for China and Canada on the SaskToday. The full text is as follows:

In early 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Carney paid a successful visit to China. During the visit, the two nations issued a joint statement, signed a series of important cooperation documents, and reached broad consensus on advancing the China-Canada new strategic partnership. This year also marks the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. As China continues to pursue modernization through high-quality development, new opportunities are emerging for deeper mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Canada, bringing fresh momentum and new prospects for Saskatchewan’s, and Western Canada’s, economic growth.

I. China–Canada Economic and Trade Relations Are Built on Mutual Benefit and Shared Prosperity

China and Canada have highly complementary economies and distinct resource advantages. In 2025, bilateral trade between the two countries reached CAD 124.763 billion. China has long been Canada’s second-largest trading partner and remains a key export market for Saskatchewan’s major agricultural and resource products, including canola, peas, wheat, and potash.

Like all international partnerships, China–Canada relations have experienced periods of fluctuation, which at times affected bilateral trade and created economic pressure for Saskatchewan. In September 2025, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe led a delegation to China, becoming the first Canadian premier to visit China in many years. The visit played an important role in stabilizing and improving bilateral relations. Following Premier Moe’s return to China alongside Prime Minister Carney in January 2026, trade disputes between the two sides were appropriately addressed. Since then, Saskatchewan’s agricultural exports to China have shown strong signs of recovery and sustained growth.

II. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan Creates New Opportunities for Cooperation

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan places strong emphasis on green, high-quality development and a higher level of opening-up, creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Canada. For Saskatchewan in particular, the opportunities presented by the Plan are both practical and significant.

China’s continued focus on food security is expected to generate stable and growing demand for Saskatchewan’s key agricultural exports, including canola, peas, and wheat. At the same time, China’s commitment to green and low-carbon development creates broad potential for cooperation with Saskatchewan in areas such as nuclear energy, hydrogen energy, and wind power.

In addition, China’s increasing demand for agricultural inputs such as potash will directly benefit Saskatchewan’s potash industry. As Premier Scott Moe has noted, Saskatchewan’s three major strengths—food, fuel, and fertilizer—align closely with China’s development priorities, highlighting the tremendous potential for future cooperation between the two sides.

III. Deepening Two-Way Investment to Build a Stable and Long-Term Partnership

Expanding two-way investment is essential to moving beyond short-term trade fluctuations and building a resilient, long-term partnership between China and Canada. Recent surveys indicate that 68% of Canadian companies operating in China plan to expand their presence in the Chinese market over the next five years.

We welcome Saskatchewan businesses to invest in China and share in the long-term opportunities created by China’s continued economic growth and opening-up. At the 2025 China International Import Expo, a business delegation led by the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership held extensive discussions with Chinese companies on potential cooperation in areas such as agricultural processing and clean energy.

Looking ahead, Chinese companies are also well positioned to increase investment in Saskatchewan in sectors including value-added agricultural processing, mineral resource development, and infrastructure construction. Such cooperation would support Saskatchewan’s economic diversification and industrial upgrading while creating additional jobs and development opportunities for local communities.

IV. Strengthening People-to-People Exchanges to Reinforce the Foundation of Bilateral Cooperation

The longstanding friendship and people-to-people ties between China and Canada have long served as an important bridge and source of vitality in bilateral relations. Expanding two-way exchanges in culture, education, tourism, and sister-province and sister-city partnerships will not only deepen mutual understanding and trust between our peoples, but also strengthen solid foundation and public support for expanded trade, investment and economic cooperation.

Saskatchewan is home to leading institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. Over the years, the two sides have maintained close cooperation in areas including student exchanges and agricultural research talent development, helping foster lasting personal connections and professional networks between China and Canada.

This deep-rooted mutual trust and cultural understanding serve as a stabilizing force for broader economic cooperation, supporting long-term collaboration in sectors such as energy and mineral resources, agriculture, and green technologies. More importantly, these exchanges help ensure that the benefits of bilateral cooperation are shared more broadly and meaningfully among the people of both countries.