François-Philippe Champagne is expected to meet with finance and banking officials in China this week as he leads a trade diversification mission. Beijing will reportedly send its own delegation to Canada later this year to explore investment opportunities. (The Globe and Mail)

Talking point: Prime Minister Mark Carney met several executives from the banking and financial services sectors on his own trip to Beijing in January, according to the response to an order paper question submitted by Conservative MP Ned Kuruc. The prime minister spoke about “trade and investment” with Liao Lin, chair of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and “discussed international financial and monetary systems” with central bank governor Pan Gongsheng. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly met Lisa Xia, president and CEO of Bank of Montreal (China) and Chris Taves, head of Asia for BMO Capital Markets. She also met with Fabio Fontainha, head of wealth and asset management for Manulife in Asia and his colleague Yan Hai, head of regulatory and public affairs.