British Columbia’s Forests Ministry has recently inked a memorandum of understanding with China, focusing on advancing modern wood construction practices. This initiative aims to strengthen the provincial lumber industry by exploring new markets beyond the U.S. The five-year agreement involves collaboration between the British Columbia government, the Canadian federal Department of Natural Resources, and China’s housing and development ministry.
The memorandum outlines plans for cooperation in integrating modern wood construction methods into China’s urban renewal and rural revitalization strategies. It also emphasizes the exploration of sustainable approaches for green developments. According to Juliet Lu, a political ecologist and China expert at the University of British Columbia, this agreement signifies a positive step in fostering trade relations with China, particularly in the realm of processed lumber exports.
In the past, China heavily relied on carbon-intensive concrete and steel for its large-scale construction projects. However, the MOU sets the stage for expanded opportunities for British Columbia to supply processed lumber to support China’s evolving construction landscape. The agreement envisions the development of an industrial chain for wood construction, promoting exchanges and joint research on tall wood buildings and mass timber projects.
Lu highlighted the significance of previous agreements between British Columbia and China on wood-frame construction in 2010 and 2015. Notably, Chinese regulations have evolved to allow for the construction of larger wood buildings in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Haikou. The shift towards value-added products like engineered wood and mass timber is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the provincial forestry sector.
The Forests Minister of British Columbia, Ravi Parmar, emphasized that diversifying markets is crucial following the impact of U.S. tariffs on the forestry sector. Parmar highlighted ongoing efforts to explore new partnerships and enhance existing ones through trade missions to countries like Japan, South Korea, and India. The forestry industry in British Columbia has faced challenges due to global economic uncertainties, tariff pressures, and issues related to fiber accessibility.
The memorandum with China comes at a time when Prime Minister Mark Carney is leading a trade mission to the country, signifying a renewed focus on enhancing bilateral relations. Other agreements signed during the visit cover various sectors such as energy and food safety. Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson’s office noted that China ranked as the third-largest export market for Canadian wood products in 2024.
