HKETO and HKTB host Lunar New Year reception in Toronto

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) jointly held a Lunar New Year reception in Toronto tonight (February 18, Toronto time) to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.

     In her welcoming remarks, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Miss Kathy Chan, told the guests that Hong Kong continues to thrive as Asia’s world city under the “one country, two systems” arrangement.

     “Hong Kong has been rated as the freest economy in the world for 22 consecutive years by the US Heritage Foundation. In addition, the International Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook 2015 ranks the city as the world's second most competitive economy,” she said.

     “We topped the global initial public offerings market last year and we continue to be the world's leading offshore Renminbi hub,” she added.

     Turning to Hong Kong-Canada relations, Miss Chan said that economic and trade ties between the two places continue to flourish. The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, attended the “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong” campaign organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Toronto in June last year to promote the "super-connector" role of Hong Kong between Mainland China and the rest of the world . The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, also visited Toronto and Vancouver earlier this month and signed the Hong Kong-Canada Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to foster bilateral investment.

     Miss Chan encouraged Canadian people to go to Hong Kong for employment and investment. In particular, she said that a new pilot scheme has been implemented since May 2015 to attract professionals and entrepreneurs who are the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents to pursue careers in Hong Kong.

     She noted that, apart from being an ideal place for business, Hong Kong has more to offer. Presenting well-selected photographs, Miss Chan showed the audience that Hong Kong is an amazing tourist destination with a wide variety of cuisine choices, beautiful countryside areas, a vibrant arts scene, rich culture and heritage, and superb connectivity. Hong Kong also has an exciting calendar of major events every year, she said.

     Miss Chan described  Hong Kong's appeal as a culinary paradise. Giving credit to the city's food variety, the Michelin Guide has for the first time included street food in its selection of the best dining destinations in its 2016 edition. The annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival held in autumn next to Victoria Harbour has become a signature event.

     Hong Kong is also exceptionally green and has a rich biodiversity, she said. There are 24 country parks and 22 special areas created for the purpose of nature conservation, as well as an extensive network of hiking trails that are just steps away from the city centre. Tourists can also join tours to visit unique and spectacular geological landscapes formed millions of years ago in the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China, which has been a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network since 2011.

     Turning to arts and culture, Miss Chan said that Hong Kong boasts many large-scale arts and film festivals that have won international acclaim, as well as performances by renowned artists and groups from around the world throughout the year. “The West Kowloon Cultural District, which is one of the largest cultural projects in the world, will establish a new vibrant cultural quarter located on a dramatic harbourfront site in the heart of Hong Kong,” she added.

     Hong Kong is also a place of rich heritage with 111 declared monuments, Miss Chan pointed out.  “It is the Government’s policy to encourage non-profit organisations to revitalise government-owned historic buildings to give them a new lease of life whilst bringing benefits to the public. Many have won UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation including the Savannah College of Art and Design Hong Kong (the former North Kowloon Magistracy) and the Tai O Heritage Hotel (the former Tai O Police Station). The Asia Society Hong Kong Center, occupying the revitalised former  Explosives Magazine complex, has won an Institute Honor Award for Architecture from the American Institute of Architects.

     Speaking on connectivity, Miss Chan said that Hong Kong is a Wi-Fi smart city with the fastest broadband download speed in the world. Hong Kong is also a transport hub, she added. Hong Kong International Airport was named Airport of the Year at the Air Transport World Airline Industry Achievement Awards 2016 by the long-established aviation magazine Air Transport World. The airport's Midfield Concourse came into operation in December 2015, adding capability to handle more passengers. The local mass transit system also has a new Island Line extension, which came into full operation in 2015.

     At the end of her remarks, Miss Chan outlined several mega events to be held later this year, including the Hong Kong  Sevens rugby tournament, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival and the Hong Kong Cyclothon, as well as the Hong Kong ePrix motorsport event  that will  make its debut . She encouraged Canadian friends to come, feel and enjoy the city’s dynamism.

     More than 100 guests, among them government officials, representatives from the business community, academics and the media, joined the reception.