A pictorial story of Hong Kong has been uploaded onto the web site of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) at www.hketo.ca for public viewing.

Entitled "Challenge & Vitality - The Story of Hong Kong", the photo presentation was developed by HKETO, the representative office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Canada, with the assistance of the Joint Centre for Asia Pacific Studies of the University of Toronto - York University. The photo display was first staged in last July in major Canadian cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary to mark the first anniversary of the changeover. The same display was recently set up in Montreal and Mississauga, and at major events such as Dragon Boat Festivals and Chinese New Year Fairs in Toronto and Vancouver, attracting over 300,000 viewers and receiving some very good comments.

Because of the tremendous response, the HKETO has turned it into a digital presentation for viewing by the net surfers. The presentation of 150 photographs and charts gives a comprehensive account of the territory's history and development as a major economic and financial hub of the region. It highlights Hong Kong's smooth transition under the "One country, two systems" principle, its economic achievements in the last few decades and the vibrancy of the metropolis.

A collection of old photographs, including pictures of Victoria Harbour in 1895, Hong Kong's first reservoir in Pokfulam, and Canadian Pacific passenger liner at Tsimshatsui in 1905, as well as pictures of the Hong Kong latest developments, its new airport at Chek Lap Kok and other infrastructure projects, are also featured.

"Hong Kong has experienced many challenges in the past," said Mr Donald Tong, Director of HKETO. "Every time, supported by its hard-working people, Hong Kong has the strengths to ride out the storm with our established institutions of free market, rule of law, clean and efficient government, prudent fiscal management and robust regulatory system."

"We have gone through different periods of adjustment which were sometimes painful, but we have emerged stronger after each adjustment and remained competitive," Mr Tong said. " As the new century unfolds, I firmly believe that our community is again working wholeheartedly together to turn our vision into reality and make our city an even better place."

Hong Kong links East and West, North and South, by rail and road, by sea and air, and in cyberspace. It is the time to stop by at the cyber highway to get a glimpse of the Hong Kong story at www.hketo.ca.

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