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Over 1,000 community, business and political leaders today (June 15, Toronto time) shared the message of ¡§One Country, Two Systems¡¨ and the economic concept of ¡§9 + 2¡¨, at the Bauhinia Gala at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The Gala is a major celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region organised by the Toronto community.
Spearheaded by the Centre for Information and Community Services of Ontario (CICS), a leading community organisation providing settlement services for new immigrants, the Bauhinia Gala was supported by almost 30 community and business associations in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board in Canada. The event was also as a fundraiser for the CICS Immigrant Resource Centre project, which will be serving immigrants from all parts of the world.
The dignitaries at the event included Chinese Ambassador Lu Shumin, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Senator Vivienne Poy, Chinese Consul-General Madam Zhu Taoying. The Hon Michael Chong, Member of Parliament, was speaking on behalf of the federal government. Miss Hong Kong (2006) Aimee Chan also brought a goodwill message from Hong Kong to all the guests there.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Honorary Chair of the Bauhinia Gala and the Director of the HKETO in Canada, Mr Bassanio So, said the much anticipated event not only marked the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong SAR, it also celebrated Hong Kong¡¦s ¡§Can-do¡¨ spirit, and the successful implementation of the ¡§One country, two systems¡¨ principle.
Mr So told the guests that the FORTUNE magazine had made a prediction before the handover that ¡§it¡¦s over¡¨ for Hong Kong, and the TIME magazine had also said at that time that Hong Kong ¡§is bleeding¡¨. ¡§Today, we have bowled over the world with our stellar economic dynamism and resilience, thanks to the entrepreneurship of the Hong Kong people¡¨.
He said, ¡§Riding on the booming economy on China¡¦s mainland and the series of collaborative measures between China¡¦s mainland and Hong Kong, Hong Kong¡¦s economy is now on its best-ever shape since the handover.¡¨
While explaining the theme of the Gala -¡§9+2¡¨ - Mr So said that ¡§since our reunifications with the motherland, Hong Kong has been actively seeking economic collaboration with China¡¦s mainland¡¨, and ¡§with the nine provinces (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian and Hainan) in Southern China and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, together it forms an economic zone of 450 million people, roughly the entire NAFTA population.¡¨
He said the Bauhinia Gala not only aimed to feature the cuisines and cultures of the Pan Pearl River Delta, it also showcased the gateway role of Hong Kong in helping Canadians understand China.
Meanwhile, Mr So also commended the participating organisations in the Greater Toronto Area for not only excelled in their businesses or professions, but also contributed selflessly and immeasurably to the Canadian society.
¡§I hope you would continue your effort in helping Canada to build a better relationship with China and its Special Administrative Region ¡V Hong Kong,¡¨ he added.
With the theme of ¡§9+2¡¨, the Bauhinia Gala featured a unique menu showcasing the exceptional recipes and cuisines from nine South China provinces and the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Each course captures the essence of individual province¡¦s signature cookery and offered the guests an unforgettable culinary experience.
The menu was devised and supervised by internationally known Toronto Chef Susur Lee, Hong Kong¡¦s award-wining Chef Hip-fu Mak of the Langham Hotel, Chef Edwin Leung of Dragon Dynasty in Toronto, and Chef Angelo Fernandes of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Highlights of this evening¡¦s activities included the amazing ¡§face-change¡¨ performance by Master Wai Shui-kwan that caught all the guests¡¦ eyes, and the applauding performance by renowned Hong Kong singer Elisa Chan, who sang the 10th Anniversary theme song ¡§Just Because of You Are Here¡¨ at the finale of the Bauhinia Gala.
Ends/Saturday, June 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 09:04
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