Rideau Hall, Wednesday, May 21, 2014

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this presentation of letters of credence.

These letters do more than simply solidify your new roles in Canada; they are a symbol of good faith between our nations, a sign that we will work together toward stronger countries and a better, fairer, more just world.

I have presided over many of these ceremonies, and have met and spoken with ambassadors from all around the world, and I am always fascinated by the individuals who occupy these roles.

Both of you here with us today are not just diplomats. You are a father and a mother. You have diverse interests, and I have no doubt that you will find like-minded people here with whom to share them.

Canadians, after all, are as diverse as the country itself. So I invite you both to learn as much about this country as you can.

Ambassador Luo, your background in the foreign service and in academia will serve you well in Canada. In terms of diplomacy, you will find Canadians across the country who are open to discussing the ways in which our two countries can work together. I also urge you to discover our world-class post-secondary institutions, some of which, as you know, have close ties with schools in China.

In fact, our two countries have much to celebrate, as we collaborate in numerous spheres to our mutual benefit. Last year, I had the privilege of undertaking a State visit to China, where I saw the strength of our bilateral relations first-hand. In addition, there are well over one million Canadians of Chinese origin, and we are grateful for their contributions to society. I am certain that you will find many people in the Chinese-Canadian community who are excited about your arrival. 

High Commissioner Micallef, your career path has taken several turns, but you have always worked to better the people of Malta’s quality of life. Your concern for the well-being of others will certainly resonate with the many Canadians who are working to strengthen our communities. Although you will not be living in Canada, I hope that you will travel across our country, and learn about our people and history.

After all, Malta and Canada do share many similarities. We work together in a variety of organizations, including the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Our shared values are reinforced by the estimated 50 000 Canadians of Maltese origin, as well as our burgeoning trade relationship. There is great potential for us to do more together, and I look forward to exploring these possibilities with you.

Once again, I would like to welcome both of you to Canada, and I wish you the very best of luck in your new roles.

Thank you.