Trade Mission to China led by the Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Denis Coderre

CHINA

Now more than ever, China has to be on the agenda of every ambitious business. Whilst the West has been in the economic doldrums, China surpassed the United States to be, now, the first largest economy in the world. In 2015, the real growth of the Chinese GDP is 6.8% while the one of the global GDP is 3.5%.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was proposed by the government of China in 2013 and launched in October 2014. This is an international financial institution focused on supporting infrastructure construction. The articles of agreement are expected to enter into force and the AIIB to be fully established by the end of this year 2015. This bank is supported by 33 other countries from Asia and Oceania and 17 non-regional countries.
In 2011, China was the second largest trading partner of Québec after the United States, with total trade worth $10.192 billion. The Québec exports to China were $2.432 billion, making China the second largest customer of Québec. Imports from China were $7.760 billion, also placing China in second place.

BEIJING

Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. It is one of the most populous cities in the world. With a population of over 21 million, Beijing is the second largest city in China by urban population after Shanghai. It is the political, cultural, and educational center of the nation. Beijing has the second busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic.
Beijing is one of the four autonomous municipalities (with Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing). Beijing enjoys similar economic and administrative autonomy as a province. The private sector in Beijing has developed very rapidly. At the end of 2013, there were about 673 thousands of private companies, compared to 151 thousands in 2002.

SHANGHAI

Shanghai is the largest city in China and it is China’s leading business hub. Shanghai’s GDP accounts are approximately 25% of China’s total GDP. Major industries include metallurgy, machine-building, shipbuilding, chemicals and electronics.
With a population of over 23 million, Shanghai is widely regarded as the centre of finance, trade and communications in China.
As one of the world’s busiest ports, Shanghai is a major destination for foreign corporate headquarters, fuelling demand for a highly educated and modernized workforce. Since 2005, Shanghai has ranked first of the world's busiest cargo ports throughout, handling a total of 560 million tons of cargo in 2007. Shanghai container traffic has surpassed Hong Kong to become the second busiest port in the world, behind Singapore. Shanghai has recorded a double-digit growth for 15 consecutive years since 1992. In 2008, Shanghai's nominal GDP posted a 9.7% growth to 1.37 trillion Yuan.
Industrial zones in Shanghai include:

• Shanghai Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone
• Jinqiao Export Economic Processing Zone
• Minhang Economic and Technological Development Zone
• Shanghai Caohejing High and New Technological Development Zone

HONG KONG (officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

Hong Kong is one of the two special administrative regions under the "one country, two systems" policy. As a result, Hong Kong is largely self-governing, has its own currency, legal and political systems, a high degree of autonomy in all areas except foreign affairs and defence. Hong Kong is one of the world's leading financial capitals, a major business and cultural hub, and maintains a highly developed capitalist economy. Its identity as a cosmopolitan centre where east meets west is reflected in its cuisine, cinema, music and traditions, and although the population is predominantly Chinese, residents and expatriates of other ethnicities form a significant segment of society.
The Government of Hong Kong plays a passive role in the financial industry, mostly leaving the direction of the economy to market forces and the private sector. Under the official policy of positive non-interventionism, Hong Kong is often cited as an example of laissez-faire capitalism.

Hong Kong is the world's eleventh largest trading entity with the total value of imports and exports exceeding its gross domestic product. Much of Hong Kong's exports consist of re-exports, which are products made outside of the territory, especially in mainland China, and distributed via Hong Kong. Even before the 1997 handover, Hong Kong had established extensive trade and investment ties with mainland China, and its autonomous status now enables it to serve as a point of entry for investment flowing into the mainland. Hong Kong's largest export markets are mainland China, the United States, the European Union, ASEAN and Japan.