There is a new attraction in Ottawa and it calls Chinatown home.
The large royal arch marking the entrance to the downtown neighbourhood is the first of its kind to be built outside of China. It spans the width of Somerset street and is taller than some of the area's buildings.
Ottawa's Chinese community has been fighting to get the gateway for about 20 years.
"It's going to be a new landmark to give Ottawa another small new identity," said Grace Xin of the Chinatown business group.
But other people backing the $600,000 structure say it is about much more than identity and pride. It's expected to solidify a financial relationship between Ottawa and economic powerhouse Beijing.
"The arch is like a bridge that connects the two cities," said Sophie Chen of OCRI, "and a bridge that connects the Chinese business community and the Ottawa business community."
OCRI is an economic development corporation based in Ottawa. The group hosted a luncheon for 25 Beijing business people on Thursday before the arch's unveiling.
"The goal of the trip is to promote the friendship and the economic opportunities between Beijing and Ottawa," said Chinese businessman Bin Ma.
Ma is the vice-president of Tencent Inc., a Chinese equivalent to Yahoo with millions of users. He says the opportunities are great.
With a report from CTV's Stefan Keyes
