China's billionaires club of entrepreneurs embarks on cross-Canada tour

Tour follows Justin Trudeau's recent trip to China and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's stay in Canada

By Andy Blatchford, The Canadian Press Posted: Oct 16, 2016 5:00 PM ET Last Updated: Oct 16, 2016 5:00 PM ET

A group of powerful Chinese business leaders set off on an eight-day Canadian tour Sunday that will connect them with Canada's corporate and political elite, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

This will be the first visit to Canada by the exclusive China Entrepreneur Club — often referred to as the billionaires club. It's made up of 50 top Chinese firms that earn a combined $585 billion of annual gross income.

The group's swing across Canada comes as the bilateral relationship steams ahead at an increasing rate, with help from a Trudeau government that has shown more openness to the Asian superpower.

The tour will take place only a few weeks after an exchange of high-level official visits — Trudeau's recent trip to China which was followed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's stay in Canada.

During those meetings, Trudeau promoted his government's goal of broadening Canada's economic links with the Asian superpower. He made commitments that included the launch of exploratory talks on free trade with the world's second-biggest economy....ARTICLE CONTINUES at:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/china-billionaires-club-canada-tour-1.3807693