**********************************************************
As a highlight of the Hong Kong Week in Calgary, the Chinatown Street Festival was opened today (August 26, Calgary Time) by the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada, Mr Bassanio So, and other dignitaries.
Addressing at the opening ceremony, Mr So thanked the city of Calgary proclaiming this week as the Hong Kong Week to recognise the vibrant culture and thriving spirit of Hong Kong, Asia's world city. He also took the opportunity to briefly update the dignitaries and guests the latest economic development in Hong Kong.
Mr So said despite a series of challenges including the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s and the SARS outbreak in 2003, Hong Kong has survived well and the recent economic indicators are impressive.
"Our real GDP grew by 8.6% in 2004 and 7.3% in 2005. Hong Kong economy, after an exceptionally strong growth of 8.0% in the first quarter, grew by 5.2% in the second quarter of 2006. This marked the eleventh consecutive quarter that GDP growth exceeded the average trend growth of 3.9% in the past ten years," he said.
As in other areas, Mr So told the guests that Hong Kong's stock market now ranks second in Asia and eighth in the world in terms of market capitalisation. Hong Kong, as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, growth on the total visitor arrivals in the first seven month of this year has reached 14.38 million, representing 10.3% on last year.
Also officiating at today's opening were Chinese Consul General in Calgary, Mr Song Xizhu; Solicitor General of Alberta, the Hon Harvey Cenaiko; and Calgary's Deputy Police Chief, Mr Peter Davison.
Held annually, the Calgary Chinatown Street Festival offers an array of live entertainment, cultural activities, and culinary delights. The stage performances, night market and "Chopstick Challenge" were among the well-received activities in the day-long festival in the heart of Calgary's Chinatown.
In just six years, the festival has become a tradition in Calgary. Supported by the HKETO, the festival this year featured a "Hong Kong – Asia's world city" photo exhibition, and a Hong Kong heritage display. A five-part TV documentary "The Hong Kong Connection – Canada and the New China", co-produced by Rogers OMNI Television and the HKETO, was also screened at the Chinatown festival. The well-received documentary focuses on Canada's contributions to the economic development of both Hong Kong and China; Hong Kong's position as one of the world's leading economic and business centres, and its booming tourism and entertainment business.
Ends/Sunday, August 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:19
NNNN
