The PM has dispatched her to China
Michaëlle Jean will spend her final Canada Day in the role of Governor General overseas in China, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Monday. As her five-year term comes to a close this year, she will make her first visit to the country in more than 15 years. The PMO said this visit will mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the People’s Republic of China. In the news release about the trip, the PMO added the visit “will highlight the strong bonds between our people and the importance of our relationship.” Jean plans to join Expo 2010 festivities in Shanghai, meet with Canadians and other visitors to the country, raise Canada’s flag, and tour the Canadian pavilion. She will also visit the province of Guangdong, which is home to the majority of Chinese immigrants to Canada. Her tour will finish in Sichuan, where the 2008 earthquake occurred and killed some 70,000 people.