Press Release - May 1, 2006

Companies in Canada who are interested to establish contacts with potential business partners in China on the information and communications technology (ICT) market today (Monday) were given an opportunity to learn about the potentials of the China market at a seminar aims to promote the forthcoming ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 held in Hong Kong.

The ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (a United Nations agency), is a most prestigious telecom events in the world which is often referred to as the �Olympics� of the telecom industry. This year, the ITU Telecom World will be held in Hong Kong, China from December 4 to December 8, 2006. It will be the first time for the event to be held outside Geneva, Switzerland since its inception in 1971.

Addressing at today�s business seminar entitled �Capitalizing Upon the Development Opportunities� in Toronto, the Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government,), Mrs Marion Lai, told the some 100 attendants that while some industry leaders in Canada have established a foothold in the Mainland market, a large number of companies are exploring new opportunities there, and more are eager to learn about the market, the policy issues, the technologies, where potential lie and the implications of recent progress in the Mainland ICT market.

The seminar, highlighting the latest development and opportunities in China�s telecom sector, is an integral part of Business Facilitation Programme for event participants of ITU TELECOM 2006.

"Our main objective in organizing the Business Facilitation Programme for event participants is to foster understanding of Mainland market, assist event participants in establishing contacts with potential business partners in China, preparing for more fruitful participation of the event in December," said Mrs Lai.

"Today�s seminar is a platform created for international exchange, to enhance understanding between Chinese and overseas companies before the ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 event.

"It provides the opportunity for Chinese companies to speak firsthand about their latest developments, their outlook and development targets. It also allows us to learn from pioneers and industry leaders their experience in market and partnership development in China."

A high-level telecom delegation from China is currently in Canada (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) to promote the ITU TELECOM WORLD and to facilitate business networking between Canadian and Chinese companies before the major international event.

The Chinese telecom delegation is led by Mr. Chen Yin, the Director General of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Information Industry (MII). The delegation members include senior executives from the top telecom operators and the largest equipment manufacturers in China - China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, China Satcom, China Tietong, Datang Telecom, ZTE, Huawei. Industry bodies such as the China National Postal and Telecommunication Application Corporation (represents over 100 ITU participating Chinese companies), the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association, and the Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre will also be participating.

ITU TELECOM WORLD brings together the world's leading telecom players from the public and private sectors. It is attended by heads of state, government ministers, regulators and CEOs of multinational corporations.

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For more information, please contact:
Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416)924-5544 or email: [email protected]

Photo shows representatives of the participating organizations of the ITU TELECOM 2006 at today�s seminar (from left to right): Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ms Robin Garrett; Director General of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information Industry of China, Mr Chen Yin; Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Research and Innovation, Mr Tony Wong; Executive Director (Ontario region) of Industry Canada, Ms Susan Siu; and Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mrs Marion Lai.

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