A display screen featuring the logo of the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2025 in Beijing's Xicheng district on October 28, 2025. Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

China remains Canada's second-largest trading partner and continues to be a key market for Canadian companies, David Perez-Des Rosiers, chief representative of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) Beijing, said in an interview with the Global Times, indicating the continuous commitment of Canadian businesses to Chinese market.

He made these remarks while attending the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2025, held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday. It was his first time at the forum, which he saw as a valuable opportunity to stay informed on the latest policies and developments shaping China's financial sector - one of many areas Canadian businesses are exploring.

"Many of our members have operated in China for decades, and they recognize the positive impact of China's ongoing financial opening. We've observed encouraging efforts to facilitate cross-border transactions and enhance financial connectivity," said Perez-Des Rosiers.

This year, Perez-Des Rosiers said that he has been particularly interested in discussions around cross-border investment ecosystems, financial innovation, and sustainable finance — "all of which present meaningful opportunities for collaboration between Canadian and Chinese companies."

China remains Canada's second-largest trading partner and continues to be a key market for Canadian businesses, said the Canadian business representative. In the first half of 2025, China sustained its position as one of Canada's top trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching CAD 64.2 billion, reflecting a robust 9 percent year-over-year increase, said Perez-Des Rosiers, citing statistics from the Canadian government. He said this trade development "underscores the strong complementarity between our two economies."

David Perez-Des Rosiers, chief representative of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) Beijing Photo: Courtesy of David Perez-Des Rosiers

"We see significant room for cooperation in the services sector, as well as in trade related to commodities, consumer goods, and advanced manufacturing," said the Canadian business representative.

Moreover, CCBC's membership spans more than 20 sectors, which illustrates the breadth of opportunities to further expand trade and collaboration between Canada and China, said Perez-Des Rosiers.