Expanding Economic Horizons

By 250 News

 

Members of a delegation from China’s Guangdong Province say they are impressed with the preservation of Chinese heritage and history in the region, in particular, Barkerville. 

The  group  of four men  included reps from  that province’s  Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and  the Director of the  Guandong Society  of  the Overseas Chinese Studies, Mr, Wu xiaosheng.  He told a news conference at Prince George City Hall that touring Barkerville made him very proud, as many of the people who lived and worked in that gold rush town had come from Guandong Province.

While it is hoped this visit will further discussions for the exchange of cultural and economic opportunities, the Barkerville Trust is looking to broaden its available audience.  

Barkerville has just  revised its  website to include links in the Chinese language so people in China can actually visit the site  “We are looking  at everything we possible can” says Murry Krause,  Chair of the Barkerville Heritage Trust.  “We are also looking for opportunities for representatives of Barkerville to go to China to lecture in Universities and other places where people gather.”

The next step will be to ensure Canada becomes a designated “preferred tourism destination” for the Chinese.  That will mean there won’t be any need for temporary visas, and travel between the two countries will be simplified.  Currently the bulk of travel from China is limited to the lower mainland or heads on to Toronto in order to visit with relatives. 

Barkerville has been facing financial challenges of late as the Province has turned over operations to the Barkerville Trust.  Is there a possibility the Trust will look towards China for cash donations to preserve Barkerville?  That is possible, “The Barkerville Trust is very young” says Chair Murry Krause “We will be working with every opportunity and every option for looking at ocontributions to Barkerville to preserve it.  Our key concern is sustaining the integrity of Barkerville as a historical site, so that will be our challenge.”   

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