Canada-China relations had its ups and downs in 2014. But it would appear both Ottawa and Beijing are striving for a better year, with the launch of a large-scale cultural exchange that will dominate the agenda for the next year.

In an elaborate opening ceremony held at UBC’s Chan Centre last Monday, Chinese officials officially launched the 2015-2016 China-Canada Year of Cultural Exchanges. While the event had no shortage of political representation from both Ottawa and Beijing (chief among them Federal Minister of State for Seniors Alice Wong, B.C. Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat, and Chinese Deputy Culture Minister Ding Wei), the real focus was on the various upcoming exchanges — and what they could signify

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