Warm Welcome in Chilly Alberta for Hong Kong Promotion

Cool temperatures in Calgary contrasted with the warmth with which the city welcomed the “Hong Kong and Calgary – Cities of Dynamism” promotion in February. The event, organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) featured a live radio show, a Chinese Spring Lantern Festival celebration and coincided with the visit of the Hong Kong Wushu Delegation. 

The promotion was officiated by the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Ms Shelley Lee; the HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So; Member of Legislative Assembly, Ms Karen Kryczka; the Director, Business Sales of Tourism Calgary, Mr Mark Nicholas; and the President of the Fairchild Media Group, Mr Joseph Chan.

The visit of the 30-strong Hong Kong Wushu Delegation was organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the HKETO as part of the “Relaunch Hong Kong” promotional program, aimed at restoring confidence in Hong Kong after last year’s SARS challenge.

The delegation spent 10 days in Calgary and Edmonton, calling on provincial and city government officials, visiting charity organizations, meeting the local community and martial arts bodies, launching the “Hong Kong Promotion” and staging the “Hong Kong-Alberta Wushu Spectacular” to raise funds for charities in the 2 cities. 

In Calgary, the stunning Wushu Spectacular at the Chinook Centre raised C$60,000 in support of the Bethany Care Centre, the Wing Kei Nursing Home and the United Way of Calgary. 

In Edmonton, the delegation’s crowd-pleasing performance at the Edmonton Shaw Convention Centre raised C$23,000 for the University of Alberta’s School of Business to set up a scholarship fund for Hong Kong-related studies. 

The HKETO also organized two half-day business seminars in Calgary and Edmonton in conjunction with the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, where Mr So encouraged Calgarian and Edmontonion businesses to leverage on the benefits of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement by partnering with Hong Kong companies. 

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