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Four Hong Kong delegates spoke at a press conference today (June 14, Toronto time) about their goodwill mission to Canada to support the Bauhinia Gala, which is one of the major events to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and a fundraiser for the Toronto community.
The four delegates, singer Elisa Chan, illusionist Wai Shui-kwan, award-winning chef Mak Hip-fu, and Miss Hong Kong 2006 Aimee Chan, will either be performing or demonstrating their skills at the Bauhinia Gala tomorrow (Friday) night at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The Bauhinia Gala, organised by the Centre for Information and Community Services of Ontario (CICS), supported by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada and more than 20 community and business organisations, will help raise funds to build an Immigrant Resource Centre, serving immigrants from all parts of the world.
HKETO Director Mr Bassanio So, said he was delighted that the theme of the gala is "9+2", featuring the cuisine and culture in the Pan-Pearl River Delta area (nine provinces, Guangdong, Sichuan, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsi, Guangxi, Yunan, Guizhou and Hainan) of China, and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
"It is in a way highlighting Hong Kong's economic integration with the mainland since the handover," he said. "China, with its unprecedented economic growth, has become a lucrative market. The close collaboration between the mainland and Hong Kong since 1997 has made the Special Administrative Region's economy in its best-ever shape."
Mr So thanked the organisers and the four Hong Kong guests for their contribution to the Bauhinia Gala, which is conveying a goodwill message from Hong Kong to Canada, and bringing closer the Hong Kong community in Toronto with the Canadian mainstream community.
Elisa Chan, considered one of the best singers in Hong Kong, is going to sing Just Because You Are Here, the theme song of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong SAR at the gala. Elisa hit international stardom and dominated the Chinese Evergreen music scene in the mid 80s. Just Because You Are Here highlights the "Hong Kong Spirit" - "We'll do our best every season, every moment. Never giving up."
Master Wai Shui-kwan is a great performer of mask-changing. He changed more than 40 masks in a recent performance, which according to him is a world record. Master Wai is going to show his splendid skill at the Bauhinia Gala.
Chef Mak Kip-fu flew from Hong Kong to Canada last weekend to supervise, jointly with internationally-known Toronto chef Susur Lee, chef Edwin Leung, chef Angelo Fernandes, the feast-making process of the gala. Chef Mak is the Executive Chef-Chinese of the five-star Langham Hotel. He will prepare his famous dish, Stir-fried Fresh Lobster with Spring Onion, Red Onion and Shallots, which won the Gold with Distinction Award of the 2002 Best of the Best Culinary Awards organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. In addition, he is also going to prepare the main course for the gala, the specially made rack of lamb with coffee source.
Amiee Chan, a special guest as well as one of the MCs of the gala, is Miss Hong Kong 2006. She was also named Miss International Goodwill. Aimee is bringing Hong Kong's goodwill messages to Canada in her role as Miss Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, June 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:15
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