Press Release - May 18, 2004


The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Canada (HKETO) and the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) are proud to announce that two Canadian journalism students have won the Student Journalists Hong Kong Fellowship 2004.

The winners are Mike Laanela of University of British Columbia, B.C. and Naomi LoPinto of Concordia University.

They were chosen by a panel of three adjudicators selected from the National Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Journalists. The judges are Saleem Khan, Metro News in Toronto; Maria McClintock of the Ottawa Sun, and Jennifer Fowler of CBC-TV in Toronto.

The winners were selected because of the strength of their applications, which included story proposals and their confirmation that they would publish or broadcast their stories about Hong Kong in the local media or in their university/school journals or newsletters.

"We're delighted to be able to give these promising young journalists an opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding about a fascinating corner of the world, " said Paul Schneidereit, President of the Canadian Association of Journalists. "The experience will no doubt make them better journalists."

The Director of the HKETO, Mr. Bassanio So, said: "Hong Kong is a fascinating place and great metropolis, with a unique history and an interesting blend of culture. Budding journalists will find Hong Kong a colourful, vibrant and sophisticated city, which will provide them with endless ideas and inspiration. This is particularly so given Hong Kong�s special position in relation to the world�s fastest growing economy � the mainland of China.

�The HKETO is pleased to know that the Fellowship has attracted such a strong interest among Canadian student journalists and we look forward to welcoming the winners to Hong Kong - Asia's world city."

The purpose of the fellowship is to offer students of all recognised journalism schools in Canada an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People�s Republic of China. Funding for this new project comes from the Hong Kong SAR Government.

The winners will receive a return economy class air ticket between Canada and Hong Kong and hotel accommodation for six nights.

The HKETO will provide them with information on Hong Kong and help them arrange interviews, site visits and meetings with people relevant to their chosen topics.

Separately, applications for the Dateline Hong Kong Fellowship 2004 for working journalists will be called in the summer.



For more information, please contact the HKETO�s Chief Information Officer, Mr. John Tam, at 416-924-5544 or e-mail: [email protected], or CAJ�s Executive Director, Mr. John Dickins, at 613-526-8061 or e-mail: [email protected].