The "Hong Kong - Your Fast Track to China" trade mission, to be held from November 8-11, has received overwhelming response from Canadian companies and the full support from the Canadian government.

Up to-date, 43 delegates from 34 Canadian companies or organizations have signed up to join the trade mission. Of these companies or organizations, 6 are from IT sector, 5 from biotech and high-tech sectors, 9 from environmental services sector and 8 from consulting and professional services sector, while the remainder comes from manufacturing and miscellaneous services. Geographically, 16 come from British Columbia, 9 from Ontario, 6 from Alberta, with the rest from other provinces. Besides, there is also a delegate from a local Hong Kong company. We expect that the final number of delegates will be about 50.

The "Hong Kong - Your Fast Track to China" trade mission has got the full support of the Canadian government. The Secretary of State (Asia Pacific), the Hon. David Kilgour, together with the Alberta Minister of Economic Development, the Hon. Mark Norris, will be taking part in the event in Hong Kong.

The trade mission will start its program on November 8 with a full-day conference, which will include the opening ceremony to be jointly officiated by Mr. Henry Tang, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hon. David Kilgour and the Hon. Mark Norris; general and sector-specific briefings and workshops; and networking opportunities with prospective business partners in Hong Kong. Visits to the Hong Kong Cyberport, the Hong Kong Science Park and factories and companies owned and managed by Hong Kong businesses in the Pearl River Delta are also arranged on November 9 and 11. Details are set out in the Trade Mission Program.

Useful Information for Participants

Visa requirement - As a Canadian national, you may stay in Hong Kong for up to three months without an entry visa. However, if you also join the China side trip, you will need a China entry visa. These are obtainable from the Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, 5/F Lower Block, China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong (Tel: 852-2827-1881) OR through the Embassy / Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Canada, which have been informed of the trade mission.

Traveling tips

Local transportation will be arranged for all official visit programs, including the China side-trip.

For weather forecast for Hong Kong and major cities in Guangdong, including Shenzhen and Dongguan, please refer to the Hong Kong Observatory website.