Representatives from the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver visited Nelson on Friday to meet with local dignitaries and Chinese residents.
It was Consul General Liu Fei’s first visit to the Queen City. The previous consul general, who she replaced this year, also came to Nelson once during his term.
“It’s important for me to come say hello to the Chinese communities across BC,” Fei said.
Her three-day tour of the interior of the province included stops in Kamloops, Vernon and Kelowna, with Nelson as the final stop.
While here, she had lunch on the patio of BiBo where she met with municipal politicians and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Selkirk College, Community Futures and Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism organization. Claus Schunke, the local Chinese historian who organized last year’s Chinatown week, also attended the lunch.
Acting mayor Paula Kiss said the conversation over lunch focused on ways to build Nelson’s relationship with people from China.
“She was interested in Nelson and our historic ties with China and spoke of sharing opportunities for travel and study to our area and economic trade with Canada in general,” Kiss said.
After the lunch, Fei visited the rock monument at the corner of Vernon and Hall streets that marks the former entry to Nelson’s Chinatown.
In the evening she attended an informal dinner hosted by the Chinese community at King’s Restaurant.
Fei acknowledged that her visit was brief, because of the number of cities she was visiting in one trip.
“I’ll be back for longer next time,” she said. “This is a nice place.”