China Fisheries and Seafood Expo held in Qingdao

The geoduck clam, a typical Canadian seafood, is displayed at the 20th China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, which was held from Nov 4 to 6 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province. [Photo by Hu Qing/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 20th China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, Asia's largest seafood event, was held from Wednesday to Friday in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province.

With 80,000 square meters of exhibit space, the three-day event attracted more than 1,300 exhibitors from 46 countries and regions across the world.

Various kinds of seafood at the Canada pavilion, including lobster, geoduck clams, shrimp, crab and salmon, were highlights of the event. Among the approximately 100 participants from 11 associations in relevant industries and 53 companies, the group from Canada was one of largest exhibitors at the expo.

Dave Murphy, minister (commercial) of Canada's embassy in China, introduces Canadian lobster at the 20th China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, which was held from Nov 4 to 6 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province. [Photo by Hu Qing/chinadaily.com.cn]

"Canadian seafood is high-quality and produced in safe and clean waters," Dave Murphy, minister (commercial) of Canada's embassy in China, said.

"The size of Canadian seafood is also favorable for the Chinese habit of consuming the seafood," said Murphy, who was glad to see Chinese consumers were interested in the country's food.

Take Canadian lobsters for example. They are famousfor freshness, high quality and good flavor. "More than half of Atlantic lobster with a hard shell, both raw and processed, is supplied by Canada," Murphy said.

The lobster has become a global ambassador for the country and is a well-known specialty for Canadian export, added Murphy.

According to Global Trade Atlas data from Global Trade Information Services, the export value of lobster from Canada to China hit $69 million in 2014, an increase of 69 percent from the previous year.

Murphy added that the North America country emphasizes sustainable development in seafood products, which can guarantee a long term supply for the Chinese market. Another country, Chile, also had a big group at the expo. "Chile's salmon is very popular with Chinese consumers and the country ranked within the top three of all countries in terms of export volume of salmon to China," said Andreas Pierotic, minister counselor for economic and commercial affairs with Chile's embassy in China.

"But Chilean seafood ranked seventh last year among the most consumed imported seafood products in China," Pierotic said. "We will take advantage of the free trade agreement between China and Chile and continue to tap the potential of the Chinese market."

"Our goal is to become the first or the second largest sea food exporter in China in five years," he added.