Canada has pointers on Winter Olympics

China can learn from Canada's successful experience in 2010 as it prepares for the 2022 Winter Olympics, a Hebei province official said.

Zhao Zhidong, deputy director of the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Hebei province, made the comments at a meeting between a delegation from Hebei and the Canadian government in Ottawa last week.

Canada successfully hosted the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. The 2022 Winter Olympics will be centered in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, the main venue for snow projects.

"We hope to learn from Canada's successful experience of running the Olympics, and provide comprehensive support in the training of young athletes, athletes, trainers, staff, the development of sports tourism and the cultivation of the ice and snow industry," said Zhao.

John McCallum, Canadian ambassador to China, visited Hebei last month. The two sides have conducted an in-depth exchange in the sectors of ice and snow industry development, air pollution control and ecological environmental protection.

Roxanne Hammel, director of Sports Canada, said that Canada is a powerhouse in winter sports.

"Not only do Canadians achieve great fame overseas, but [winter sports are] a lifestyle for all Canadians," Hammel said.

Shawn Steil, executive director of the China Division, Global Affairs Canada, said that the three central themes of Canada's relationship with China are clean growth, environmental protection and winter sports.

The demands of environmental protection technology for Hebei mainly focus on clean energy, water treatment, soil remediation and ecological restoration. Canada is well known for its strength in research and technology on environmental protection.

"Therefore Canada and China have a great cooperation opportunity and development potential in the fields of clean energy, pollution control, environmental improvement and ecological restoration," said Steil, adding that China is Canada's third-largest clean tech destination.

Rod Lever, lead of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, introduced Canada's Clean Growth Hub to the delegation, saying that the hub brings together Canadian clean growth companies with the government to support the research, development and adoption of clean technologies through investment and promotion.

A Canada China Technology, Experts and Innovation Forum was hosted before the meeting by the Canada China Trade Innovation Alliance. Six agreements were reached between the two sides in air and water remediation, waste treatment and biogas production.

"Being remembered by Chinese as a hero of the Anti-Japanese War, Dr Norman Bethune had a deep link with Hebei, where he worked and is buried," Zhao added.

Bethune, a native of Ontario, treated soldiers and villagers during the war.

Contact the writer at renali@chinadailyusa.com