More air connections

Mar believes that another way to increase Chinese investment in Calgary/Alberta real estate is to expand air connections with China. Right now Hainan Airlines offers direct service between Calgary and Beijing.

"The Chinese are starting to look beyond Vancouver and Toronto," said Yin. "Calgary and Alberta are on their radar in part because of rising prices in those cities."

Another company that is involved in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) wants Mar to secure additional supplies of elk antlers and ginseng which are used in TCM.

Yin was born and raised in Guangzhouand then moved to Canada to obtain her MBA from the University of Calgary. She discussed pitching Calgary to potential Chinese investors.

"The Chinese are very practical but they need to see the opportunity here first. If they don't see it they won't come," she said.

As for building the Panda Passage, Alberta is putting up C$10 million while Calgary is contributing C$8.15 million from its share of the province's municipal sustainability funding.

In addition to strengthening ties with China, according to the CBC, Ricardo Miranda, Alberta's minister of Culture and Tourism, said it could create $50 million in spinoff benefits for the province.

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