Premier David Eby advances B.C.–China co-operation on sustainable wood construction
Premier David Eby’s visit to China formed part of British Columbia’s broader mission to diversify and strengthen markets for B.C. forest products and sustainable building solutions. Through engagements in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, the mission reinforced co-operation across the wood value chain—from policy development and industry adoption to commercial applications and market opportunities.
The mission began in Beijing with a meeting between Premier Eby and Deputy Minister Song Youchun, China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD). The discussions built on the Memorandum of Understanding on Modern Wood Construction Co-operation, signed earlier this year during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China.
As a key signatory to the agreement, British Columbia continues to play a central role in supporting co-operation on modern wood construction between Canada and China. The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm the shared commitment established through the MOU and to discuss its implementation. As China advances green development, urban renewal, rural revitalization, and high-quality housing initiatives, British Columbia’s experience in sustainable forestry and wood construction provides a solid foundation for continued collaboration.
The next stage of the mission focused on industry engagement and innovation. In Shanghai, Premier Eby participated in Building the Future with Wood: Canada-China Forum on Innovative Design for Modern Wood Structures, hosted in partnership with Canada Wood and East China Architectural Design Institute Co. Ltd. (ECADI)—one of China’s most influential design organizations.
The forum brought together architects, engineers, academics, and industry representatives to exchange knowledge on mass timber innovation, sustainable building technologies, and the use of Canadian wood products in modern wood construction.
The event highlighted ongoing collaboration between ECADI and Canada Wood, including research on tall wood buildings and the Xi’an Taikoo Li development, which incorporates Canadian mass timber products. By connecting Canadian expertise directly with design professionals responsible for specifying building materials and systems, the forum helped strengthen technical co-operation and support the broader adoption of wood-based construction solutions in China.
The final stage of the mission emphasized opportunities beyond the construction sector. In Guangdong Province, the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit and Government House Leader, led the British Columbia delegation in a visit to Hongyuan Home (Royal Saunas), one of the world’s leading sauna manufacturers and a major user of Canadian western hemlock, which is distinguished for its stability, appearance, and performance in high-temperature environments.
The visit highlighted the growing role of wood in premium consumer products and wellness applications, where material quality, durability, and sustainability are increasingly important. It also demonstrated how sustainable forestry resources from B.C. contribute to innovative consumer products and advanced manufacturing in international markets. Discussions with Hongyuan provided an opportunity to explore the continued use of B.C. wood products in value-added manufacturing.
Together, these engagements reflected co-operation between British Columbia and China across policy development, building design, construction, and value-added manufacturing. The mission brought together government partners, design institutions, industry organizations, and manufacturers involved in advancing wood construction and expanding the use of B.C. wood products in China.