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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) today (June 6, Canada time) received another 5,000 signatures from Canadian corporations and individuals in Vancouver pledging their support for healthcare professionals in Hong Kong and Canada in the fight against SARS.
This brought the total number of signatures collected in the signature campaigns organized in Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto to more than 11,500.
The latest batch of signatures was collected in a campaign initiated by the local alumni associations of four universities in Hong Kong and supported by the HKETO.
In recognition of the initiative and the community spirit of the four alumni associations, the Director of the HKETO, Mrs. Rosanna Ure, presented certificates of appreciation to the presidents of the four alumni associations at a brief ceremony held this morning. The recipients were the President of the Alumni Association of the University of Hong Kong in British Columbia, Mrs. Chow Wai Ping; the President of the Alumni Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (British Columbia), Mr. Tang Kam-chuen; the President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Western Canada) Association, Mr. Randy Chan; and the President of Hong Kong Baptist University Alumni Association of British Columbia, Mr. Oliver Chan.
"We truly appreciate the overwhelming support that the Canadian community has given to the SARS fighters in Hong Kong. We are happy to note that Hong Kong's SARS situation is now under control," said Mrs. Ure at the certificate presentation ceremony.
"The lifting of the travel advisories by the World Health Organization on May 23 and by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on June 4 further demonstrates that the international community has regained its confidence in Hong Kong and that Hong Kong is a safe place to travel. Life in Hong Kong, as a favoured international travel and investment destination, is returning to normal, " she added.
Mrs. Ure was in Vancouver as part of her visit to major Canadian cities to garner support for enhancing Hong Kong-Canada collaboration on medical research and business partnership.
During her visit to Vancouver, Mrs. Ure met with the President and CEO of Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Dr. Aubrey Tingle, to explore opportunities for future exchanges and cooperation between Vancouver and Hong Kong on medical research and experience sharing on SARS.
Mrs. Ure also hosted a dinner for the British Columbia Minister of Health Planning, the Honorable Sindi Hawkins during which she updated the Minister on the latest SARS situation in Hong Kong and explore co-operation opportunity between British Columbia and Hong Kong.
The HKETO Director also took time out to meet the Vancouver media and brief them of Hong Kong's efforts to rebuild the confidence of international community and measures to revitalize the Hong Kong economy.
She also outlined HKETO's plans to organize a series of large-scale promotional activities in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Quebec City, Ottawa and Montreal this year, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to relaunch Hong Kong.
End/Saturday, June 7, 2003
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