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The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada, Mr Donald Tong, yesterday (Tuesday, June 30) hosted two major receptions in Toronto and Vancouver to celebrate the first anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

About 1,200 wellwishers attended the two receptions at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto and the Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver.

During the receptions, a special message from the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, was played on giant screens at both venues.

Mr Tung said that during the past year the SAR had experienced many challenges, chief amongst the unexpected was the financial crisis in Asia. "Nonetheless, I am confident Hong Kong has the strengths to ride out the storm with our established institutions of free market, rule of law, prudent fiscal management and robust regulatory systems," he said.

Mr Tong, in his welcoming remarks at the receptions, reiterated Mr Tung's message of confidence in the SAR's ability to recover from the economic downturn. He said with the support of the motherland the territory would recover in future.

The anniversary celebrations in Canada first kicked off in Toronto during the afternoon. Among the dignitaries were Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Ianno; Ontario's Education Minister, Mr David Johnson; Mayor of Toronto, Mr Mel Lastman; the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto, Mr Zhou Xingbao; and Ontario's Police Commissioner, Mr David Boothby.

Later in the evening at the Vancouver reception, Mr Tong was joined by hundreds of prominent VIPs, including the Secretary of State for Asia Pacific, Mr Raymond Chan; Premier of British Columbia, Mr Glen Clark; Mayor of Vancouver, Mr Philip Owen; Mayor of Richmond, Mr Greg Halsey-Brandt; and Consul General of China in Vancouver, Mr Song Youming.

On Thursday (July 2), Mr Tong will host a reception to mark the anniversary in Calgary where more than 300 guests, including Senator Hayes; Minister of Education, Mr Gary Mar; and Mayor Al Duerr, will be attending.

Apart from the receptions to mark the anniversary, the HKETO is holding three photo exhibitions at various major locations in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

The one-month long exhibitions will highlight Hong Kong SAR's smooth transition under the "One country, two systems" principle, its achievements as an economic powerhouse in the region and the vibrancy of the metropolis. Photographs of the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok will also be prominently displayed.

End/Wednesday, July 1, 1998

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