【Original Title】In Canada's "Energy Heart", Feel the New Momentum of Sino-Canadian Cooperation

By Lin Wei, Correspondent in Ottawa, This Paper

British Columbia and Alberta provinces are located in western Canada and are two provinces with the closest bilateral trade and energy cooperation with China. The northern regions of these two provinces are the most important distribution areas for the country's current national energy development key projects and also the location of the major Sino-Canadian energy trade route. Not long ago, we went here for an interview and research.

Kitimat Port (Photographed by Lin Wei)

Chief of the Kitimat Indigenous Tribe: Chinese Investment Brings a "Giant Leap"

"Our town is very beautiful, all buildings are no more than three stories high, coexisting harmoniously with ancient cedars and firs," said Moirin Nis, the newly elected chief of the Haisla Indigenous tribe, gazing at the fjord from the seaside of Kitimat, painting a picture of her hometown.

Kitimat, an industrial small town on the magnificent Pacific Coast of British Columbia, is somewhat unknown to Chinese readers. It is said that there has never been a Chinese journalist here before. However, since 2025, it has become increasingly connected with China. Canada is pushing massive natural gas exports to reduce its reliance on the United States, and China is an important target market.

Kitimat was born in the 1950s due to the construction of an aluminum smelter. To retain employees, the smelter specifically hired Clarence Stein, a renowned city planner in New York, to draw up a blueprint for the place. He designed it with the concept of a "garden city," effectively separating the industrial and residential areas, and reserving large expansion space.

Today, there are fewer than 10,000 residents here, mainly providing daily services for the tens of thousands of workers at several large enterprises in the area. Most of the workers are not permanent local residents but people from other places working in shifts. From the residential area, the distant mountains appear as if embracing the bay, the tranquil harbor, and the distant burning oil and gas flares. This low-density living pattern dotted with patches of forest still continues to be used by Canadian urban planners, laying the foundation for the long-term development of industrial cities.

Yet, behind this tranquility lay the long-standing difficulties and struggles of the indigenous community on the path of development.

Nis explained that their tribe, based on a matrilineal clan structure, still maintains traditional lifestyles such as hunting, picking berries, and fishing. They have long suffered from "intergenerational poverty." Now, the turning point comes with significant investment. Two large liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects are being developed within their territory. One of them, the Canada LNG project, involves Canada's first large-scale LNG export facility, which began operations on June 30, 2025, and currently processes 14 million tons of LNG annually, with the second phase capable of expanding to 28 million tons. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) holds a 15% stake in it, and the Haisla tribe is an indispensable important partner. Another project, the Cedar LNG project, is the world's first LNG export facility with majority indigenous ownership, with the Haisla tribe holding 50.1% shares, and it is expected to be completed and put into operation by 2028.

Chief Moirin Nis of the Haisla Tribe interviewed by this paper (photographed by Li Haitao)

Nis said, "For indigenous communities like the Haisla, it is difficult for us to raise funds for such projects, so we rely very much on partners like China Bank to provide initial funding support." She confidently stated, "This is a giant leap for our community, and I believe it will be the same for all of Canada."

In Canada, any project conducted on indigenous land must receive their approval. Chinese companies are commendable in handling relations with Canadian indigenous peoples. During the interview, local residents all expressed gratitude and welcomed Chinese investments, which can be felt as trust earned by Chinese companies in local operations.

Regarding his views on the Chinese market, Mayor Phil Gmuys of Kitimat expressed a positive and open attitude. "We are very pleased to see more investments from Chinese companies and banks," he emphasized. Canada has the strictest environmental, labor, and indigenous consultation laws in the world.

He praised the indigenous participation in the natural gas projects: "This is an innovative and forward-looking agreement. The Haisla tribe receives not only money, but also a certain proportion of capacity in the natural gas pipeline. This provides them with an industry that can train their own people and sustainably develop for decades. There is no doubt that cooperation with Chinese partners benefits all parties involved."

We launched the drone, and in the camera's view, the massive liquefaction facilities of the Canada LNG project and the Cedar LNG project across the narrow bay quietly lie in the mist of the fjord, with natural gas flares burning fiercely, illuminating the rugged coastline.

Prince George City Chinese Mayor: "Hope Chinese Enterprises Can Set Up Factories Here"

Rupert's House is not far from Kitimat. This port is one of the deepest ice-free ports in North America and one of the closest ports to Asia in North America. Goods from China are unloaded here and then transported by rail through Prince George City, south to Calgary, and further to the U.S. market. Canada's coal and other bulk commodities "go the opposite way" and export to the Chinese market. In future plans, Canadian crude oil pipelines and power lines will pass through this area, becoming the true "artery" of Sino-Canadian trade.

Starting from Rupert's House, along the No. 16 Highway winding eastward, the window outside is the beautiful Skins River and endless forests. Sometimes, you may encounter the unique freight trains of North America, slowly moving with hundreds of carriages. At a viewing platform on the Skins River, we saw the spectacular sight of fish swimming upstream against the current.

After driving 650 kilometers, we moved east to reach the first "big city," Prince George City.

Prince George City has a population of less than 100,000, but it is not only an important hub of the Pacific Railway, but also an important air freight hub near Asia in North America, known as the "northern capital of British Columbia."

Mayor Yu Xingyou of Prince George City is confident about its geographical advantages because the city is located at the core of the trade corridor, connecting the energy production areas in the east and the Pacific Ocean exit in the west. In addition to the land hub, this Chinese mayor also has a vision for an aviation hub, specifically choosing to be interviewed at the entrance of the city's international airport.

Mayor Yu Xingyou of Prince George City interviewed by this paper (photographed by Li Haitao)

"The shortest flight from Harbin, China to Chicago, USA passes right over our city," said Yu Xingyou.

He proposed a grand vision: "I hope that in ten years, our population can double, reaching 200,000 to 250,000 people. Our international airport develops into the most important technical stop for cargo flights between Asia and America, becoming a freight logistics center connecting Asia and America." He introduced that Prince George City Airport is actively seeking to establish sister airport relationships with Chinese freight hub airports to realize this vision.

In Yu Xingyou's view, this local development blueprint actually aligns with Canada's broader national strategic needs. He believes that Canada should actively carry out economic cooperation in multiple regions, establish close trade relations with diverse partners such as Asia, Europe, and Africa, rather than solely relying on the traditional American market.

Yu Xingyou gave a high evaluation of the speed and scale of China's economic development, calling it a "historical event unprecedented in human history," and believes that this fundamentally changed the world order. Having visited China multiple times, he said, "As a coastal city, we must learn how to cooperate with this great economic power."

He specifically listed several fields where he hopes for cooperation with China: "I very much hope that an electric vehicle manufacturer can set up a factory here. We have abundant electricity, water, and renewable energy. I also greatly appreciate the 'modular housing' technology of the Chinese construction industry and hope they can set up factories here to help Canada solve the housing crisis."

Alberta Province Indigenous Leader: "We Have a Good Relationship with Chinese Oil Companies"

After crossing the majestic Rocky Mountains from British Columbia to Alberta, the terrain suddenly opens up, and we arrived at Canada's "energy heart." Unlike the ruggedness of the west coast, here presents a vast and powerful plain beauty. Under the high and clear sky, the vast black soil stretches infinitely towards the horizon. This is the third largest oil sands reserve in the world, accounting for nearly 80% of Canada's total production. Standing on this land, one can feel the energy surging deep underground, the power that supports Canada's economy and maintains the energy link across the ocean.

At the border between the northern forests and oil sands areas of the Athabasca region, a story of energy cooperation has been ongoing for many years.

In 2011, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) completed the acquisition of Canadian company Nexen, fully taking over the Long Lake oil sands project.

Several years ago, a wildfire swept through this area. When we arrived at the oil field, burned tree trunks were still visible, but new trees had already grown. This seems to reflect the situation of the Long Lake project itself - not only is it the largest overseas acquisition by a Chinese enterprise to date, but it is also a huge test of technology and patience.

At the Long Lake oil field, we experienced the staff canteen. We thought there would be various Chinese dishes to choose from, but the canteen mostly had foreign workers, and the buffet only had Western food. Surprisingly, the canteen chef asked us if we wanted a bowl of oil-spiced noodles when he saw our Chinese faces. Except for this bowl of noodles, I almost felt that this was a Chinese enterprise. The diversity and localization of employees were completely the same as other local companies.

Exterior of the Long Lake Oil Field (Photographed by Li Haitao)

Creating local jobs is the most direct contribution of Chinese enterprises to Canadian society. Not only CNOOC's Long Lake oil field, but according to Lisa Ritchie, Human Resources Director of CNPC Canada Company, nearly 90% of the company's 200 employees come from the local community.

Mike McLean, Human Resources Manager of the China Bank of Canada, also said that their company usually has more than 90% local employees.

For Rachel Fiers, a recent graduate of biotechnology, her experience at China Inspection and Certification Group Canada Company laid a solid foundation for her career. "This is my first job, and everyone here is very helpful," she said. "This job allowed me to understand both Chinese and Canadian industry regulations, and the technical knowledge and practical experience I learned will benefit me for life."

Additionally, incorporating indigenous people into the company's supply chain system has become a standard practice for Chinese enterprises. Especially in oil companies, oil fields, pipelines, and service roads along the way are on indigenous lands. While indigenous people accept the pioneers who came from afar, they also take on responsibilities such as material supply, short-distance transportation, winter snow removal, environmental monitoring, safety patrols, and fire rescue.

We interviewed two indigenous leaders in Alberta. Loretta Vawdrey, Chairperson of the Mekong Metis Tribal Council, said, "We maintain an open attitude because of our good relationship with Chinese oil companies. They bring value to our business and community."

The CEO of the tribal commercial group, Crystal Young, sees even further: "Our goal is mutual success, ensuring that the community can thrive culturally, socially, and economically."

At the end of the interview, a black bear wandering freely in the Long Lake oil field left a deep impression on me. The people in the factory did not drive it away, but accepted its presence. Here, there seems to be no boundary between industry and nature, just as integration is the best way to achieve economic and trade relations.

Under the Ice, Show the Resilience of Mutual Integration Between the Two Countries

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau recently visited China, which many media interpreted as a "breakthrough journey" for bilateral relations. In fact, beneath the ice, the Sino-Canadian trade and economic "ecosystem" has always shown resilience and vitality.

Chinese enterprises integrating into the local environment not only means deepening the Canadian market but also building a bridge for two-way interaction between Chinese and Canadian enterprises. For many years, series of exhibitions such as the "China International Import Expo Promotion Meeting," the "China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo Promotion Meeting," and the "China Import and Export Commodities Fair (Canton Fair)" have helped Canadian companies establish trade links with Chinese companies, introducing Canadian companies into the global value chain.

Beyond the commercial scope, the deepest connection is cultural integration. In recent years, the presence of Chinese enterprises has increasingly appeared in Canadian sports and cultural stages, from intense competition fields to elegant concert halls. In the national sport of ice hockey in Canada, Midea Group sponsored the Professional Women's Hockey League. In the hall of art, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra held the Lunar New Year Concert for two consecutive years, receiving strong sponsorship from the China Bank of Canada.

According to data from Harris Poll in July 2025, most Canadian companies hope to expand trade with China, nearly half of the companies believe that Chinese investment has a positive impact on Canada's economy, and express willingness to cooperate with Chinese counterparts to make products and services easier for Canadians to accept. A latest public opinion survey released by Ipsos Group on January 9 showed that over half of Canadians support strengthening Sino-Canadian trade relations.

Against the backdrop of globalization facing headwinds and the rise of protectionism, we see that the story of Chinese enterprises in Canada has long gone beyond the narrative of simple investment, telling a "symbiotic relationship" of mutual respect, deep integration, and common growth. We believe that as China and Canada move towards each other, this mutually beneficial "symbiotic relationship" will become more prosperous and flourishing. (Contributing writers: Li Haitao)

Published in Reference News, January 22, 2026, Page 10

Editor Zhang Yiyu

Original: toutiao.com/article/7598023242884727359/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.