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Beijing, China, Thursday, July 13, 2017
I am pleased to be here at Beijing Hospital with all of you for this important Canada-China symposium on senior care. I would like to thank Dr. Wang for graciously hosting us today.
It is appropriate that we gather at this venue. The early roots of this institution as the Norman Bethune International Peace Hospital highlight the longstanding ties that exist between Canada and China in the sphere of health care.
Today, those ties continue in the form of two fruitful partnerships that we will see formalized this morning. First, Toronto-based Baycrest Health Sciences and Beijing Hospital will sign a memorandum of understanding.
Baycrest Health Sciences and Zhonghong Zhuoye Group will also sign a commercial agreement to partner on the development of an elder care facility in southern China.
Our ties are also reflected in this hospital’s collaboration with Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia on research and training for elder care.
Such projects point to Canada’s potential as a partner for China. Together, we can achieve great success in developing and implementing senior care solutions.
Similar to Canada’s, China’s population is aging fast, and we have much to gain by strengthening our existing partnerships and finding additional avenues for senior care co-operation.
Today’s symposium will centre on three important themes:
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What are the greatest opportunities for developing senior care services?
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What are the most serious obstacles to meeting the present and future needs of seniors?
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How can China and Canada best work together to seize opportunities and overcome obstacles?
These are important questions, and I’m pleased we will hear ideas and insights from such distinguished panelists this morning. Thank you, Dr. Zeng, Dr. Xin, Mr. Hong, and Mr. Perkins for lending your expert voices to this discussion.
Canada is known around the world for the importance it places on its health care system. It is a leader in innovative health care solutions, including the provision of senior care. I am pleased to note that our audience today includes a number of other Canadian health care providers and innovators.
Canadians are eager to share best practices and to learn from their counterparts, here at Beijing Hospital and across this great country.
There are so many opportunities for co-operations, including through investment and innovation partnerships in Canada.
We also want to encourage the use of Canadian talent, technology and expertise in Chinese health care and life sciences projects.
As governor general of Canada, I often speak of our desire to build a smart and caring nation, one that enters into dialogue and exchange with great nations such as China.
Together, our two nations can build smarter, more caring societies that work together to look after the needs of their aging populations.
This is a challenge but also an opportunity to help others and to deepen the partnership that exists between our two countries.
I am sure this discussion will be fruitful, and wish you the very best in your important work.
Thank you.