********************************************************
Hong Kong's dynamism as an international financial centre and a city of festivities will be showcased this Friday (March 26, Montrˆmal time) in an event called "Hong Kong Comes to Montrˆmal", to be held in the largest city of the province of Quebec.
The event, jointly presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), will comprise of an opening cultural performance and a display on Hong Kong's participation in the Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo) at Complexe Desjardins, one of Montrˆmal's most popular shopping centres; a luncheon with the travel industry and media at the Hyatt Regency Montrˆmal; and a concert at the Montrˆmal Chinese Community and Cultural Centre in the evening.
The opening ceremony, featuring lion dance by Sino Wushu Academy and performance by the Toronto Chinese Orchestra and Orient Dance Company, will be held at La Grande-Place of Complexe Desjardins at noon. The group of 50 musicians and dancers will again perform at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Chinatown at 7pm. Admission to these two activities is free and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Hong Kong Comes to Montrˆmal" is the third of a series of joint promotions conducted by the HKETO and HKTB. Earlier this year, two similar events -- "Hong Kong Comes to Mississauga" and "Hong Kong Comes to Markham" -- were held in the Greater Toronto Area.
According to Director of the HKETO, Ms Maureen Siu, "Hong Kong Comes to Montrˆmal" is to bring Hong Kong's friendly gestures to Canada's cultural capital and major commercial city. "It makes the event more meaningful because Mayor Gerald Tremblay of Montrˆmal will be leading a trade delegation to Shanghai and Hong Kong from May 8 to 14," she said.
Mayor Tremblay will take part in the official opening of the Montrˆmal pavilion at Shanghai Expo. "Our display on Hong Kong's participation in the Shanghai Expo and the city's unlimited potential will give people in Montrˆmal a prelude of the spectacular expo," Ms Siu said.
Montrˆmal is North America's number one host city for international association events, according to the 2009 preliminary rankings of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). "Hong Kong enjoys an unmatched reputation as Asia's preferred trade and business hub. It is also a preferred venue for conventions and the region's consolidator for the exhibition industry. Hong Kong and Montrˆmal have a lot of ideas to share," said Ms Siu.
Scenes of Hong Kong's famous attractions such as Lantau's Giant Buddha, bun towers, lantern festival, and a replica of the statue of the legendary kungfu star Bruce Lee will be set up at Complexe Desjardins. People visiting the shopping centre in Montrˆmal will have an opportunity to experience the dynamism of Hong Kong's cosmopolitan culture and its festivities.
HKTB's Director of Canada and Central and South America, Mr Michael Lim, said "Festive Hong Kong" is the annual marketing theme of the HKTB this year. "We encourage visitors to come experience Hong Kong's unique culture, as well as the colourful fusion of Chinese and Western festivities that could only be found in Hong Kong."
Hong Kong's role in the Asia-Pacific region is quite similar to Montrˆmal's role in Canada. We aim to further elevate Hong Kong's image as the Events Capital of Asia, and create greater business opportunities for the tourism, retail, dining and service sectors of the city," Mr Lim added.
Ends/Thursday, March 25, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:40
NNNN
