Canada’s potential as a destination for foreign investment is a “hidden secret,” according to the founding partner of one of China’s leading venture capital funds. 

Wang Chaoyong, chairman and CEO of ChinaEquity Group, says his recent trip to Canada has been “eye opening” -- especially when it comes to Canada’s potential in the technology sector. “Most of my peers in China are very knowledgeable about Silicon Valley, about Israel, but not much about Canada,” Wang told BNN in an interview. 

Wang is part of a delegation of Chinese business tycoons visiting Canada this week to meet with political and business leaders. The China Entrepreneur Club is sometimes dubbed “China’s Billionaires’ Club” and counts Alibaba founder Jack Ma among its members.

The group is hoping to deepen ties between Canada and China, and the visit is taking place just weeks after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang exchanged high-level visits. 

Wang identified Canada’s technology sector as one that’s ripe for greater cooperation with Chinese investors.  “In China we have the advantage of mass scale of consumers,” he said. “You have leading technology, leading brands and first-class management.”

Canada and China have been exploring the possibility of a free-trade deal – a move that Wang believes could usher in a “golden era’” for trade between the two countries. 

“We like Canada because of political stability, very abundant resources and a lot of talent. … We believe Canada will give us very good investment choices.”