Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne (centre back) joins deputy director general of Shanghai Foreign Affairs office Zhou Yanjun (to Wynne's right) after an MOU signing ceremony between Ontario and Shanghai on Nov 9 in Shanghai. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Deals, MOUs signed on full range of sectors

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne began her second trade mission to China in Nanjing on Nov 6 by announcing $1.2 billion in new agreements.

Menergy Corporation, based in Markham, Ontario, signed four agreements with Chinese companies valued at an estimated $1.1 billion and that will create 80 new jobs in Ontario.

The new contracts include commitments to develop a large data platform with the Jiangsu Branch of China Telecom valued at $10 million, a $300 million regional centralized energy station in China with China Energy Conservation & Environmental Protection Group, the design and installation of a $200 million geothermal project in China with Gome Group and cooperation with Shenzhen Das Intellitech to invest $600 million in a regional energy station.

"My second mission to China is already yielding impressive results for the people and businesses of Ontario," said Wynne. "Today's estimated $1.2 billion in agreements will generate jobs and investments in our province, and the new MOUs in postsecondary education between Ontario and Jiangsu will help our educational institutions share information and work together on new discoveries."

Wynne also joined the Jiangsu-Ontario University Presidents' Alliance in announcing multiple new MOUs that will help Ontario and Jiangsu postsecondary institutions work together.

While in Nanjing, Premier Wynne and the Ontario science and technology delegation participated in the 4th Global R&D Summit to showcase Ontario's strong culture of innovation and discuss how the regions can collaborate on future science and technology projects.

"This strong start to the China mission is testament to the strength and diversity of Ontario's economy," said Brad Duguid, Ontario's minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure. "We have a broad range of companies that are both experts in their field and adept at building international partnerships."

Wynne and members of Ontario's delegation met with Chinese companies and research organizations in Shanghai on Nov 9 to sign new agreements valued at more than $500 million.

There Wing On New Group Canada Inc and Heysroad Technology, ZTE Corp signed a $210 million agreement to import food and Canadian nutritional products into China. Shanghai Zhengda Investment Development Co also signed a $50 million agreement with Wing On New Group Canada to establish an exhibition centre in China and import Canadian produce.

"China is Ontario's second-largest trading partner and the agreements reached in Shanghai are a testament to the strength of our partnership," said Michael Chan, minister of citizenship, immigration and international trade. "This business mission is an excellent opportunity to continue building mutually beneficial government and business relationships that lead to new jobs and investment for our province."

Wynne also met with the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region CY Leung on Nov 10 in Hong Kong, Ontario's third-largest export market.

On Nov 13, Premier Kathleen Wynne concluded her second mission to China in Beijing, where 38 new agreements valued at $750 million were signed by delegates. This brings the estimated total value of agreements from the mission to $2.5 billion. The agreements are expected to create 1,700 jobs in Ontario.