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Alberta’s NDP government values Chinese investment in the oilpatch despite the party’s past concerns over foreign control of the energy industry, Premier Rachel Notley said Friday.

Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd will arrive in Shanghai Saturday to begin a seven-day trade mission to China to encourage investment in the energy industry.

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In opposition, the NDP raised concerns over Chinese investment and opposed moves such as the China National Offshore Oil Company’s $15.1 billion takeover of Nexen in 2012,with then-party leader Brian Mason saying the “increasing amount of foreign ownership in the oilsands is disturbing.”

The issue also arose on the federal campaign trail this week, with NDP Leader Tom Mulcair saying that under Conservative Leader Stephen Harper “we’ve sold out control of our oil and gas sector to China.”

But Notley told reporters following a Calgary Chamber of Commerce luncheon that relationships must be forged between Alberta and Chinese businesses.