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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) jointly held an evening reception at Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) campus in Toronto today (February 25, Toronto time) to celebrate the Year of Sheep while promoting Hong Kong's position as Asia's world city.
In her welcoming remarks, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Miss Gloria Lo, said that Hong Kong is a glamorous cosmopolitan city. As Asia's world city, Hong Kong is always full of vigour and dynamism and is among the best places to explore, to enjoy and to venture, she added.
"Hong Kong is a major international hub for trade, finance, aviation and shipping. The rule of law, freedom of expression and openness to the world as guaranteed by the Basic Law under the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' are all hallmarks of Hong Kong," she told the guests.
"Renowned as the freest economy and the third major financial centre in the world, Hong Kong is always full of opportunities with a business-friendly environment," she added.
At present, more than 7 500 overseas and Mainland enterprises have offices in Hong Kong, of which about half are regional headquarters or regional offices.
"To further support business, we will increase the land supply for commercial and economic purposes, strengthen support for technology start-ups and further promote the creative and film industries. Specifically, Energizing Kowloon East will transform Kowloon East into an alternative central business district, with the potential to supply an additional office floor area of several million square metres," Miss Lo elaborated.
In highlighting the city's connectivity, Miss Lo said Hong Kong is superbly connected by some of the best transport systems that make the city an international centre for aviation, shipping, tourism and communications.
"Apart from our impressive airport services, our public transport system with a super-effective railway network as its backbone is also of an enviable quality and is widely remembered by our visitors," Miss Lo noted.
In 2014, the Hong Kong International Airport, which has been consistently rated as among the best and most popular international airports around the world, broke records with over 63 million passengers and 390 955 flight movements.
At the reception, the guests were also told that Hong Kong is a green city with 24 country parks within easy reach of urban areas for great escapes from busy city life. "We will continue to improve our air and water quality for the city's sustainable development," Miss Lo added.
"Hong Kong is a beautiful city where tradition, modernity and the futuristic blend in surprising ways," Miss Lo said.
Citing Lantau Island as an example, she told the guests that while visitors can spend an amazing time in Hong Kong Disneyland, they can also visit one of the Hong Kong's oldest fishing villages at Tai O, which is also on the island.
"While pursuing developments to meet social and business needs, we never put aside heritage conservation. As a result, heritage buildings with different architectural styles can be found standing alongside skyscrapers," she further said.
In particular, Miss Lo raised the former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road and the Comix Home Base in Wan Chai as examples of successful revitalisation of historical buildings.
She went on to remark that in Hong Kong, there is a fascinating blend of East and West, from festivals and food to entertainment. "While both the traditional Chinese and Western festivals are popular, Hong Kong also plays host to a variety of international events, from the Hong Kong Sevens and dragon boat races to the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival," she said.
Miss Lo added that Hong Kong is at the same time a cultural hub. The West Kowloon Cultural District is taking shape on a 40-hectare site overlooking Victoria Harbour and will be a thrilling place of performing arts, museums, creativity and education.
Fine food can never be missed in talking about Hong Kong which has long held a reputation as a paradise for food lovers. The owner of a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong also joined the event at the TRSM's teaching kitchen and gave an impressive live performance, filling the reception with the aromas of excellent dishes. The chef shared with the guests his working philosophy and recipe for success while conducting the cooking demonstration and gave the guests a fine taste of authentic Hong Kong culinary delights.
More than 100 guests, among them government officials, representatives from the business community, academics and the media, joined the reception.
Ends/Thursday, February 26, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:05
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