By Yuling Chen, iChongqing News
“Catering is a walking business card. Taoranju, a famous restaurant chain in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, will bring Chinese dishes to the Belt and Road market,” said Yan Qi, chairperson of the Chongqing Taoranju Group at a local business discussion in Toronto, Canada, April 25, 2019.
Yan Qi, chairperson of Taoranju Group in Chongqing, China
From a five-table restaurant at the very beginning to several hundred restaurants in China, Taoranju Group, a leading company in China’s catering industry, owns not only restaurants but also real estate, ancient towns, hotels and production bases of raw food materials.
At the end of last year, Yan Qi told the media that she planned to open Taoranju restaurants in America and Canada during a Chongqing local discussion on the private economy. Her comments signaled the preparation for the rollout of the restaurant in the Canadian market. Before heading to Canada, she said, “Chongqing hotpot should be an active part of the national strategy of the Belt and Road Initiative, integrating enterprise and growth into national development." Yan Qi said her goal is to impress the world with Chinese flavors. "Chongqing hotpot symbolizes Chinese flavor in foreigners’ hearts." said Yan Qi adding that it is the Chongqing City Food Chamber of Commerce's responsibility to see that the world experiences hot pot.
“China is my home country and the place I live in Canada represents my second hometown," said Liu Dingzhuo, president of Toronto Chongqing Business Association, "I love both and share Yan's aspiration to impress the world by Chongqing dishes. We are willing to promote cultural exchanges and business development between China and Canada, and I hope friendships between the two countries are further enhanced.”
Ke Wenbin, Member of Provincial Parliament in Canada, introduced the investment environment in Ontario and said that he would vigorously promote cultural exchanges with China. Alan Ho, Councilman of Markham City elaborated on the business environment of Markham and sent a welcome letter and a gift on behalf of the city council. Sandra gave Mayor Frank Scarpitti’s regard and gifts to President Liu and Chairperson Yan.