Hong Kong’s dynamism and festivities to be showcased in Montreal

March 24th, 2010

Hong Kong’s dynamism as an international financial centre and a city of festivities will be showcased this Friday (March 26) in an event called “Hong Kong Comes to Montreal”, to be held in the largest city of the province of Quebec.

The event, jointly presented by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in Canada, will comprise of an opening cultural performance and a display on Hong Kong’s participation in the Shanghai Expo at Complexe Desjardins, one of Montreal’s most popular shopping centres; a luncheon with the travel industry and media at the Hyatt Regency Montreal; and a concert at the Montreal Chinese Community and Cultural Centre.

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 12 noon. The group of 50 musicians and dancers will again perform at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Chinatown at 7 p.m. Admission to these two activities is free.

“Hong Kong Comes to Montreal” 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 HKETO Director Ms Maureen Siu, “Hong Kong Comes to Montreal” 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 Montreal 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 Montréal pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai. “Our display on Hong Kong’s participation in the Shanghai Expo and the city’s unlimited potential will give people in Montreal a prelude of the spectacular expo,” Ms Siu said.

Montreal 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 Montreal have a lot of ideas to share,” said the HKETO Director.

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 Montreal will have an opportunity to experience the dynamism of Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan culture and its festivities.

Mr Michael Lim, HKTB’s Director of Canada and Central and South America, 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 Montreal’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.

Chinese version on next page.

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