Press Release - June 14, 2007

Four Hong Kong delegates appeared at a press conference today (Thursday) to talk about their goodwill mission to Canada to support the Bauhinia Gala, which is one of the major events to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and a fundraiser for the Toronto community.

The four delegates, singer Elisa Chan, illusionist Wai Shui-kwan, award-winning chef Mak Hip-fu, and Miss Hong Kong 2006 Aimee Chan, will either be performing or demonstrating their skills at the Bauhinia Gala tomorrow (Friday) evening at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The Bauhinia Gala, organized by the Centre for Information and Community Services of Ontario (CICS), supported by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada and over 20 community and business organizations, will help raise funds for building an Immigrant Resource Centre, serving immigrants from all parts of the world.

Mr Bassanio So, HKETO Director, said he was delighted that the theme of the gala is “9+2”, featuring the cuisine and culture in the Pan-Pearl River Delta area (nine provinces, namely Guangdong, Sichuan, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsi, Guangxi, Yunan, Guizhou and Hainan) of China, and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

“It is in a way highlighting Hong Kong’s economic integration with the mainland since the handover,” he said. “China, with its unprecedented economic growth, has become a lucrative market. The close collaboration between the mainland and Hong Kong since 1997 has made the Special Administrative Region’s economy in its best-ever shape.”

Mr So thanked the organizers and the four guests from Hong Kong for their contribution to the Bauhinia Gala, which is conveying a goodwill message from Hong Kong to Canada, and bringing closer the Hong Kong community in Toronto with the Canadian mainstream community.

Elisa Chan, consider one of the best singers in Hong Kong, is going to sing Just Because You Are Here, the theme song of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong SAR at the gala. Elisa has hit international stardom and dominated the Chinese Evergreen music scene in the mid 80's. Just Because You Are Here highlights the “Hong Kong Spirit”- “We’ll do our best every season, every moment. Never giving up.”

Master Wai Shui-kwan is a great performer of the mask-changing. He changed over 40 masks in a recent performance, which according to him is a world record. Master Wai is going to show his splendid skill at the Bauhinia Gala.

Chef Mak Kip-fu flew from Hong Kong to Canada last weekend to supervise, jointly with internationally-known Toronto chef Susur Lee, chef Edwin Leung, chef Angelo Fernandes, the feast-making process of the gala. Chef Mak is the Executive Chef-Chinese of the five-star Langham Hotel. He will prepare his famous dish, Stir-fried Fresh Lobster with Spring Onion, Red Onion and Shallots, which won the Gold with Distinction Award of the 2002 Best of the Best Culinary Awards organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. In addition, he is also going to prepare the main course for the gala, the specially made rack of lamb with coffee source.

Amiee Chan, a special guest as well as one of the MCs of the gala, is the Miss Hong Kong 2006. She was at the same time named Miss International Goodwill. Aimee is bringing Hong Kong’s goodwill messages to Canada in her role as Miss Hong Kong.
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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]

Director of the HKETO and Honorary Chair of the Bauhinia Gala Mr Bassanio So (centre) presents certificates of appreciation to (from left) Master Wai Shui-kwan, Miss Hong Kong Amiee Chan, Chef Mak Kip-Fu and singer Miss Elisa Chan for their contribution to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's 10th Anniversary Celebrations in Canada.

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