Thank you my friends.  Thank you Jack for that kind introduction and for welcoming us here to this beautiful city of Hangzhou. The last time I was here was… oh, about 25 years ago, and it’s nice to see it’s just as beautiful as it ever was.

It’s a pleasure to be here today amongst such great company, and an even greater pleasure to announce some terrific news for both Canada and for China.  As you know, my visit here has been about renewing the Canada-China partnership and about opening doors to even greater opportunities for both of our peoples.  I’m very happy to say that today’s agreement with Alibaba will do just that. 

I’m pleased to announce that Alibaba, the world’s biggest online shopping site, will be launching a Canadian pavilion/hub on their website.  Now I’ll spare you the tech rundown -- I can do it because you heard me on quantum computing – but essentially what this means will… there will be a digital hub directly connecting Canadian companies to over 400 million Chinese consumers.  The pavilion will clearly brand Canadian goods and services for Chinese consumers, while also promoting tourism to Canada and celebrating our vibrant culture.

I’m excited about this agreement for a number of reasons, chief among them being that, as of today, the online marketplace for Canadian-made products has increased in size and has become much easier to navigate.

Jack and I also agreed to work closely on a number of initiatives going forward, including the possible representative and commercial presidents… presence… of Alibaba in Canada.  Today’s partnership with Alibaba is good for Canadian businesses and for Canadian families.  By opening up this new market for Canadian goods and services, we’ll help strengthen local economies, create good quality jobs, and grow the middle class.

The partnership with Alibaba that we’ve announced today is good news for Canadian businesses and for Canadian families.  By opening up this market for Canadian goods and services, we’ll be helping to strengthen local economies, create good jobs and grow the middle class.

By developing partnerships with industry leaders and companies around the world, we’re ensuring that Canadians have the right connections and the right opportunities to succeed in a fast-changing global economy.  Whether you’re an established merchandiser from Quebec looking to break into a new market, or a first-time entrepreneur from B.C. with an innovative idea, this partnership with Alibaba will mean more money in the pockets of hardworking Canadians.

We know that the economic potential between our two countries is enormous, and this agreement is an important symbol of the more integrated commercial partnerships to come.  Together we can and we will renew and strengthen the Canada/China relationship for the benefit of all Canadians, and indeed, for the benefit of the world.

As we’ve seen time and time again, Canadians have much to offer the world.  This is going to help us connect with a world in which our products, our services, our know-how, our solutions, are going to make an even bigger impact as we move into the future.

Thank you all for being here today. 

Thank you very much, my friends.

(Applause)