Michael Chan, Canadian province's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. [Li Na/China Daily]

A report released by the Royal Bank of Canada, at the end of last year, says Ontario has the top ranking people related to the economy.

"How do we promote Ontario and how to create more jobs? We must diversify and trade globally. We have an advantage in trading with China," Michael added.

There are 650,000 people in Ontario who are originally from China. In the latest trade mission, one quarter of the total 38 companies involved, have Chinese backgrounds. Economic Development and Innovation Minister Brad Duguid was among the members of the trade mission.

Michael said the China's market is huge, with a lot of Canadian investments going there over the last several decades.

"Now, it's the trend that Chinese investments go to the world and get involved in the Western countries. It is so called ‘Li Shang Wang Lai' in Chinese.

"I think it is a good thing to enhance the better understanding of the cultures through trade. The more engagements you have, the more contacts you have; the more talking you have, the more meetings you have. Definitely, it will improve understanding of cultures and many other areas," he said.

With China's increasingly engaging the world, he said it is time for those who have some stereotype points of China to open up their eyes and face the reality, with sincerity and without being resentful.

"Don't always stay at home; go to China, create your own perception and idea in this global village. But, also (go) to other countries. We should realize this is a global village, otherwise, you will be outdated. We must engage other people," Michael said.

The new business contracts with China would boost the agricultural and food sector and they included everything from baby formula to ice wine and water research.

Niagara's Pillitteri Estates Winery and Canbest International Trading had signed an agreement worth $20 million over the next three years that will bring Canadian ice wine to China.

Both groups will jointly own and operate a number of wine shops in China and also sell Canadian ice wine to Chinese customers online.

During the trade mission, McGuinty also joined the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology to announce an agreement to jointly fund 12 new research projects focused on water, neuroscience, stem cells and hydrogen fuel cells.

He expressed his hope for continued co-operation as businesses in China and Ontario continue to work together in new partnerships that would benefit all.

Minister Duguid renewed an agreement with China's Investment Promotion Agency, paving the way for ministries to help companies in Ontario and in China seek new investors and explore opportunities in each market.

Such efforts will initially focus on a few key priorities, including the automotive, aerospace and environmental protection sectors.

In Shanghai, the Chinese-Canadian entrepreneurs behind Canadian Dairy manufacturing, a company that produces infant formula and skim milk powder, signed a number of distribution agreements with Chinese partners that could be worth over $450 million over the next five years.

Canada Cleantech Capital also announced the opening of a new research and development office in Ningbo. The project will draw over $1 million of investment from China and create 15 jobs within the next year.

Electrovaya announced it was entering into a development contract with China's Dongfeng Motor Group to supply battery systems for an electric vehicle program.

Toronto-based Menergy, a world leader in geo-thermal energy solutions, signed an agreement with China Yixing Industrial Park for Environmental Science & Technology, to expand the company's presence in China. The project will be worth $100 million over the next 10 years.

Canadian Dairy Manufacturing signed a five-year agreement with Huang Feng Milk Products of Hangzhou worth about $96 million to distribute its Ontario-made infant formula and skim milk powder products in the province of Zhejiang.

Canada CleanTech Capital, based in Markham, Ontario, combines expertise in science, engineering, architecture and finance to commercialize clean technologies and help build green cities. It signed an agreement worth over $3 million with Senboll Group of Shenzhen.

Toronto's Ecolo Odor Control announced its intention to enter into a joint venture with Puritek to build a manufacturing base that would also act as a head office for Ecolo in China's Nanjing, giving it a strong foothold in the Asian market.

During the visit, McGuinty also met with Taisheng Wind Power Equipment, which recently announced plans to manufacture wind towers in Thorold, Ontario. This $25 million investment is expected to create 150 jobs.

Michael and Duguid also took the opportunity to visit Bright Foods and Bao Steel to promote Ontario innovation in agri-foods and manufacturing.

During the visit, the Premier also had a productive meeting with Canadian Ambassador Guy Saint-Jacques and Rick Savone, Canada's Consul General to Shanghai to discuss his priorities for the mission.

The mission spent their first two days in Shanghai before moving on to Nanjing, Chengdu and Beijing.

McGuinty was quoted as saying during the visit that the mission was to build on the success of previous trade visits to China that had helped bring new investments and created thousands of jobs in Ontario.

At the Chinese People's Institute for Foreign Affairs, he spoke about how much change he had witnessed during his various visits to China as Ontario's Premier.

He also announced in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu, a new faculty exchange agreement between Western University in London, Ontario, and Nanjing University.

Nanjing University specializes in science, medicine, engineering and technology. The agreement will enhance collaboration in research and education and create a richer learning experience for students in China and Ontario, and help Westerners explore new opportunities in China.

Eastern Ontario's Trent University also announced it is working with the Nanjing University School of Environment in China to develop a joint institute that aims to become a global research leader in international environmental issues.

To strengthen Ontario's long-term economic prospects, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce also signed an agreement with the Jiangsu Chamber of International Commerce to help facilitate new partnerships between companies in Ontario and Jiangsu.