By The Canadian Press

Canola Exports Among Issues for Trudeau to Discuss During Trip to China

Aug 30, 2016 | 6:35 AM

OTTAWA –  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in China early today to begin his first official visit there.

His visit comes ,ore than four decades after his father first began paving the way to improved Canada-Chinese relations in the 1970’s.

Trudeau, who travelling with wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and seven-year-old daughter Ella-Grace, said last week that he hopes his visit provides the opportunity to “reset” the relationship between the two countries.

China’s ambassador (Luo Zhaohui) also said last week that China sees the dawn of a new Trudeau era in Canada as a “new opportunity” to strengthen ties between the two countries.

China hasn’t forgotten how Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, was among the first western leaders to recognize “new China” when he established diplomatic ties in 1970, later becoming the first Canadian P-M to travel there in 1973.

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Trudeau’s visit is scheduled to include meetings with China’s president (Xi Jinping) and premier (Li Keqiang), who is scheduled to visit to Canada in late September.

Trudeau’s itinerary is packed with business-related meetings. as well as the G-20 leaders’ summit.

Between today and September 7th, Trudeau will make stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong.

Trudeau is expected to address a dispute over Canadian canola exports during his trip to China.

Canada and China are locked in a dispute over the amount of foreign material — such as other crops and weeds — found in Canadian canola exports to China. While experts contend there is no issue with our canola, China wants the foreign material cut in half for new shipments.

Canada’s international trade minister Chrystia Freeland is travelling with the prime minister.

Freeland says she knows how important oilseed is because she grew up on a canola farm, where her father is preparing for this year’s harvest