***************************************************
The Hong Kong community in Edmonton, with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will stage a series of business, outreach and community events in Edmonton to further enhance the understanding of Edmontonions about the vibrancy of Hong Kong, Asia’s world city.
The week-long promotion will kick off tomorrow (March 17, Edmonton time) at the “A Touch of Hong Kong Gala” during which Mayor Stephen Mandel of Edmonton will make an official announcement proclaiming the week of March 16 to March 23, 2007 the “Hong Kong Week in Edmonton” to recognize the close relationship between Edmonton and Hong Kong, and the efforts of the organizers in organizing the various Hong Kong projects.
Joining Mayor Mandel at the Gala is Mr. Bassanio So, Director of the HKETO in Canada. Mr. So said that the proclamation of Hong Kong Week by Edmonton reflects the importance placed by Edmonton to Hong Kong.
"Edmonton is Alberta's capital city and gateway to the Canadian North. Hong Kong, on the other hand, is the gateway to China Mainland. There are tremendous opportunities for collaboration between the two gateways.
"The proclamation also reflects the contributions made by the Hong Kong community in Edmonton to the city’s developments, and to foster closer economic and social relationships between Edmonton and Hong Kong," said Mr So.
The Hong Kong Week activities are organized by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Edmonton Section), the 97 Street and Area Business Association, the Photographic Arts Society of Alberta and the Metro Cinema Society.
In addition to the Gala, other activities will also be staging during the Hong Kong Week. Starting from today (March 16, Edmonton time) until March 23, the 97 Street and Area Business Association is hosting a "Passport to Hong Kong" event to allow Edmontonians to experience some of Hong Kong's shopping culture. People who attend a Hong Kong Week event or visit a business establishment in Chinatown will receive a Hong Kong Passport stamp which allows them to enter a lucky draw for two return ticket to Hong Kong.
A Hong Kong Film Festival showcasing a series of award-winning movies produced in Hong Kong will be shown at the Metrocinema (http://www.metrocinema.org/events/hkFilmFest) from March 18 to March 23. They are: "One Night in Mongkok", "Lost in Time", "Love Battlefield", "The Mission", "Wait 'til You're Older", "Throw Down", "Running on Karma" and "Home Sweet Home".
A photo exhibition entitled "Five Decades under the Lion Rock ― Courage, Aspiration & a Prosperous Future" will display a collection of old and modern Hong Kong photos taken by Hong Kong photographers who are now residing in Canada. The compilation, which will be staged at the Edmonton City Hall from March 18 to March 23, reflects the development of Hong Kong over the past five decades.
Meanwhile, a Canada-Hong Kong business forum entitled "Hong Kong - Your Smart Link to China" to be held on Monday (March 19, Edmonton time) at the Sutton Place Hotel will offer Edmonton businesses an opportunity to gain new insights, share ideas and network with experienced professionals about using Hong Kong as the gateway to China on the fields of international trade, finance, transportation and logistics.
Ends/Saturday, March 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 08:15
NNNN
