By the time most Chinese children reach middle school, they would have read, recited and memorized the eulogy of Canadian doctor Norman Bethune.

Known for his time spent alongside Mao Zedong and the Eighth Route Army treating wounded soldiers in the hills of Shaanxi province during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Bethune helped bring the earliest forms of blood transfusion technology to China.

His dedication to the cause earned him hero status in the formative years of modern China and spurred Mao to write In Memory of Norman Bethune, an essay still found in elementary textbooks throughout China.

Seventy-six years on, one of Bethune's descendants is once again trying to help build a positive link from Canada to China - this time in support of China's economic rise.

On a 10-day tour of China, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Angus Bethune Robertson, whose grandmother was a first cousin of the famous doctor, is leading a delegation of executives from 18 companies to establish business ties and promote overseas investment.

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Aimed at building on a previous visit in 2010, the group is the largest Vancouver-led delegation to visit China, Robertson said.

"As China builds cities at a record pace, I think it's important to offer many services and products and innovations to Chinese cities and companies," he said.

"I think these companies all offer compelling partnerships with Chinese businesses and investors."

Keen on sticking to the present, Robertson said his legendary heritage has been more of a talking point than a selling point during his visit.

"Bringing it full circle, I'd like to think we continue to build on that connection between Canada and China," he said.