************************************************************
Over 400 guests, including leading politicians, business and community leaders attended a banquet Friday (June 22) evening in Montreal's Chinatown to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.
Organized by the Hong Kong-Canada Commercial & Exchange Development Association together with about 40 organizations in Montreal's Chinese community, the event was the biggest HKSAR 10th anniversary celebration in the province of Quebec. Among the VIPs were federal Member of Parliament Marcel Lussier, Member of Quebec's provincial assembly Ms Catherine Morissette, Mayor the City of Brossard Jean-Marc Pelletier, Montreal City Councillor Marcel Tremblay, and Mr Zhang Weidong Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic China.
In his remarks at the banquet, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada, Mr Bassanio So said, "In the past 10 years, the successful implementation of the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle in Hong Kong showcases the commitment of the Central People's Government to Hong Kong."
"Our administration, legislature, and judiciary are all independently run by the people of Hong Kong. 'Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong with high degree of autonomy' is not a catchphrase. It is a reality," he said.
The other speakers at the dinner all focused on Hong Kong's success story in the last 10 years in transforming itself into the world's leading financial centre. They also praised Hong Kong people's resilience to challenges.
Earlier in the day, the HKETO director visited the Mayor of Brossard and introduced to him four "youth ambassadors" from Hong Kong -- Ada Wong, Dennis Ngan, Mimi Tse, and Gladys Moon -- who came from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong.
He also attended a HKSAR 10th Anniversary reception at the City Hall of Montreal hosted by Councillor Tremblay on behalf of Mayor of Montreal.
Apart from the celebrations in Montreal, the HKETO is going to host to receptions in Vancouver and Toronto on June 26 and June 28 respectively to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China.
Ends/Saturday, June 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:02
NNNN
