Ghiz defends China trade mission

P.E.I. needs to look to more exports, Premier Robert Ghiz says in defending his trade mission to Beijing.

Ghiz is one of five premiers taking part in a trade delegation in China this week. He concedes some may criticize the time and expense of the trip, but argues it's important because the province needs to focus on developing new export markets.

"I'm sure I'm going to go back to my own province and people are going to say, 'What were you doing for a week in China? You were having a good time or something like that.' You know probably we've gotten three to five hours sleep at night. It is non-stop, meeting with officials, helping out our delegates," said Ghiz.

"I see the future in being in the export industry. We cannot be reliant on our own population within either Prince Edward Island or Canada. We need to look outwardly."

Ghiz is hoping to develop more export opportunities in fisheries, agriculture and educational programs for his province, and that the trip will encourage more Chinese people to consider immigrating to the Island.