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Premier Wade MacLauchlan met last week in Ottawa with His Excellency, Mr. Luo Baoming, Secretary of Hainan Provincial Committee of the CPC and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hainan Provincial People's Congress. The two discussed the ongoing success of the 15-year sister province relationship between Prince Edward Island and Hainan Province and explored ways to further strengthen ties. After the meeting, they signed a renewed MOU of Cooperation, agreeing to enhance work in the areas of education, tourism, renewable energy, economic development and the promotion of trade between the two jurisdictions.

The signing of the renewed MOU demonstrates the importance of the relationship between the two sister provinces, says Premier Wade MacLauchlan.

“We have much in common with Hainan,” said Premier MacLauchlan. “Hainan and PEI are the smallest provinces in our respective countries, and our strong partnership allows us to think big as we look to increase our profiles globally. Enhancing cooperation with Hainan is part of our ongoing commitment to growth and increased trade with China, which is now the world’s second largest economy. I am particularly encouraged by the opportunities in the areas of education and tourism, as well as new markets for PEI food products.”

Party Chief Luo of Hainan expressed his appreciation to meet with his long-time friend Premier MacLauchlan in Ottawa during his visit to Canada. “The renewed sister province agreement will extend and enhance the cooperation between Hainan and the Province of Prince Edward Island. This represents a new chapter for the long and deep sisterhood relationship between Hainan and PEI, and it will also facilitate strengthened bilateral relationship between Canada and China," said Mr. Luo.

In 2001, Prince Edward Island and the Province of Hainan, People’s Republic of China entered into a friendship province agreement to promote cooperation in areas such as education, electronic commerce, telecommunications, agricultural development and tourism. Since that time, there has been an ongoing and active relationship between the two provinces. In 2012, the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries awarded the two provinces the Friendship City Award.

Tourism, trade and business partnerships between China and Prince Edward Island are growing significantly. Last week, COWS Creamery (China), the exclusive partner in China of COWS Inc. of Prince Edward Island, announced a strategic partnership with Yintai Group to introduce COWS stores into Yintai Group’s high-end shopping centres. They are also working to co-develop e-commerce platforms and projects across China. The City of Summerside signed a Memorandum of Intent with China Gold Fortune to invest in a manufacturing facility for LED street lights and smart meters that will create 26 new jobs in Prince Edward Island.

With more than an half a million Chinese visitors coming to Canada annually, PEI has experienced an increase in Chinese visitors to the province, and is working to grow that number. Overall trade is increasing and China now represents PEI’s tenth largest trading partner, approaching $15 million annually, with lobster remaining a leading export. Over $6 million worth of PEI lobster - totaling over one million pounds- was shipped to China in 2015.