Press Release - April 26, 2006
About 500 guests attending a gala held this (Wednesday) evening were told that Hong Kong immigrants in Canada, in particular, the Greater Toronto Area, represents a solid bridge between Canada and Hong Kong.

At the "Tribute to Hong Kong" gala, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO), Mr Bassanio So, thanked the Hong Kong community for their contributions to Canada, describing them as Hong Kong�s "assets in Canada" - their seamless integration into the Canadian society has helped weave a close and tight social knot between Canada and Hong Kong. He praised them for making "Hong Kong Canada�s bridgehead in China" and at the same time, they are also "Hong Kong�s bridge to Canada".

The Hong Kong Gala is the highlights of a series of cultural celebrations to be held from today until April 30 to recognize Hong Kong�s arts and culture in the City of Toronto, and bringing Hong Kong�s performing art to the Toronto community. These events also serve as a tribute to the strong Hong Kong community in the Greater Toronto area who has contributed tremendously to the well-being of Canada and the country�s multi-cultural mosaic.
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For more information, please contact: Stephen Siu, Assistant Director (Public Relations) of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416)924-5544 or email: [email protected], or Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, [email protected]

Photo shows the HKETO Director Mr Bassanio So addressing at the gala which serves as a tribute to Hong Kong and the strong Hong Kong community in the Greater Toronto Area. To coincide with the celebrations, Toronto Mayor David Miller today (Wednesday) proclaimed April 26, 2006 as the "Hong Kong Culture and Heritage Day".

Click here to download a Chinese version of this press release in PDF format.