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The Hong Kong Wushu Delegation was met with a rousing reception in Calgary today (February 4, Calgary time) when it started its 10-day visit to promote closer Hong Kong-Alberta ties.
Led by the Permanent Secretary for the Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee, the 30-member delegation - the biggest Hong Kong cultural group organised by the Hong Kong Government to visit Canada in recent years - arrived yesterday afternoon amid warm greetings by representatives of the Calgary community despite the cold weather conditions.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) of the HKSAR Government, delegation members are tasked with spreading the "Relaunch Hong Kong" message as Hong Kong's Goodwill Ambassadors and to update Canadians on Hong Kong's revival after the SARS challenge last year.
Accompanied by the HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, the delegation started the day by visiting the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens Association. Team members met more than 100 elderly Chinese and Calgary citizens of varying ages for demonstrations and lessons on the basic skills of tai chi and experience sharing about the benefits of physical exercise at a workshop session.
The itinerary next took the delegation to the Calgary Mayor's office for a courtesy call on Mayor Dave Bronconnier.
In honour of Permanent Secretary Shelley Lee and the Hong Kong Wushu Delegation, Mayor Bronconnier hosted an official reception and met with delegation members to convey to them his best wishes on behalf of the City Government of Calgary.
In response, Ms Shelley Lee thanked Mayor Bronconnier for the hospitality and warm welcome given to the Hong Kong delegation.
Updating the Calgary Mayor about Hong Kong, she said: "Hong Kong is back to normal after SARS and is now as vibrant as ever. After a difficult time, our economy is now experiencing a rebound, with unemployment falling, deflation easing and the property market stabilising.
"With the introduction of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with Mainland China and the individual visits of Mainlanders to Hong Kong, business in Hong Kong has revived and tourists are flocking in, boosting sales and consumer confidence. We have experienced a new buoyancy in our city and this will provide a launch pad for closer and stronger collaboration between Calgary and Hong Kong in both social and economic ties."
Both Ms Lee and Mayor Bronconnier hoped that the visit of the Wushu delegation would further strengthen the already close relationship between Calgary and Hong Kong and would encourage future exchanges in sports and culture.
Members of the delegation met with representatives of local martial arts organisations at a reception later in the afternoon.
They will call on the Alberta provincial government and join the HKETO in launching the annual Hong Kong Promotion in Calgary at Chinook Centre tomorrow.
The Hong Kong Wushu Delegation's visit to Calgary and Edmonton is fully supported by the Fairchild Media Group, the Edmonton Scotia Bank, the Wing Kei Nursing Home, Bethany Care Centre, United Way of Calgary and the University of Alberta's School of Business.
The "Hong Kong-Alberta Wushu Spectacular" promotion is sponsored by Eikowada Performance Outwear System, Hutchison Harbour Ring and Kappa.
Ends/Thursday, February 5, 2004
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