Edmonton Mayor Visits Tianjin to Chart New Path for Cooperation

A report from en.tj.gov.cn Apr. 13th, 2026：

Andrew Knack, mayor of Edmonton, led a delegation to Tianjin from April 7 to 9, marking his first official visit to the northern Chinese city. Impressed by Tianjin's scenic beauty and warm hospitality, Knack described the experience as both welcoming and inspiring.

Strolling along the Haihe River, he praised the city's charm and friendly atmosphere. He noted that growing opportunities in China-Canada relations make this an ideal time to strengthen city-level exchanges and build practical partnerships that benefit businesses and communities on both sides.

A key focus of the visit was the resumption of the Tianjin-Edmonton cargo route, previously suspended due to the pandemic. Both sides expressed strong interest in restoring the service and exploring future passenger flights. Knack emphasized that reopening the route would significantly improve logistics efficiency, enabling faster trade between North America and China while supporting e-commerce and business growth.

Green and low-carbon development also emerged as a major area of alignment. With Edmonton's strengths in clean energy and carbon capture complementing Tianjin's industrial development goals, both cities see strong potential for collaboration in the green economy and advanced manufacturing.

Beyond trade and industry, Knack highlighted the importance of cultural and educational exchanges. With Edmonton's vibrant Chinese community and institutions like the University of Alberta, he expressed hope for deeper cooperation in student exchanges and talent development.