A British Columbian (BC) trade mission to China has confirmed there is market potential for its products but says success will require patience, persistence and a lot of hard work.

BC forests minister Michael de Jong, who headed the 30-strong delegation, said: “If we want to be part of helping China build its future, we’ve got to start by building relationships with the growing number of business leaders and developers who are behind China’s mind-boggling economic growth.”

During the visit BC was invited to help plan and build a satellite community, signed a letter of intent towards a housing partnership and a memorandum aimed at simplifying wood shipments to China and visited the Beijing Olympic committee.

China is due to introduce a new wood-frame construction code early next year. The country had about 10 million housing starts last year – the largest number in the world – and demand is increasing for cost-effective, environmentally friendly and renewable construction materials.

&#8220If we want to be part of helping China build its future, we’ve got to start by building relationships with the growing number of business leaders and developers who are behind China’s mind-boggling economic growth.”

BC forests minister Michael de Jong.

This was BC’s first major international trade mission, part of a C$20m government commitment to promote wood products and forest practices worldwide. Canada hopes to gain market share to help it diversify from its traditional US market.