Press Release - January 20, 2004

Hong Kong is set to thrill Calgarians and Edmontonians with its vitality and cultural vibrancy when a major Hong Kong Promotion is held in Calgary and Edmonton early next month (February).

A 30-member Wushu delegation organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government � the biggest from Asia�s world city in recent years - will fly in as Hong Kong�s Goodwill Ambassadors. They will share its best in Wushu (martial arts) with local martial arts enthusiasts and the mainstream community to promote closer Hong Kong-Alberta ties.

The visit is also part of the �Relaunch Hong Kong� promotional program which aimed to restore overseas confidence in Hong Kong after last year�s SARS challenge.

Led by the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs of the HKSAR Government, Ms Shelley Lee, the delegation will comprise members of Hong Kong Wushu Union and Hong Kong�s champion Wushu athletes who are medal winners of recent Asian Games and international Wushu competitions. They include Taiji gold medal winner Li Fai, Changquan silver medal winner To Yu Hang and �King of Nanquan� Chang Ka-ho.

During their 10-day visit in Calgary and Edmonton, the delegation will call on provincial and city government officials, visit charity organizations, meet the local community and marital arts bodies, launch the Hong Kong Promotion and join local martial arts experts in staging �Hong Kong � Alberta Wushu Spectacular� to raise funds for charity in the two cities.

While in Calgary from February 3 to February 6, the delegation will meet with the Calgary Mayor and other senior government officials, visit the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens Association and meet representatives of local martial arts organizations at a reception. The delegation will also visit three local charity organizations, namely Wing Kei Nursing Home, Bethany Care Centre and the United Way of Calgary.

To help promote Hong Kong in Calgary, members of the Hong Kong Wushu Delegation will make their appearances at Chinook Mall in the afternoon of February 5 for a radio remote broadcast and a Hong Kong Promotion entitled �Hong Kong and Calgary � Cities of Dynamism� organized by the HKETO and produced by the Fairchild Radio.

The highlight of the Calgary visit will take place in the evening of February 6 when delegation members will join local martial arts experts in staging the �Hong Kong � Alberta Wushu Spectacular� at Jack Singer Concert Hall of Epcor Centre for Performing Arts to raise funds for Wing Kei Nursing Home, Bethany Care Centre and the United Way of Calgary.

The delegation will visit Edmonton from February 8 to February 12. Apart from meeting senior provincial government officials, and local martial arts organizations for a friendly exchange, the delegation will visit University of Alberta, the Edmonton Police Department and the Edmonton Chinese Cultural Centre for Wushu workshops and demonstrations.

The delegation will stage the �Hong Kong- Alberta Wushu Spectacular� with local martial arts experts at the Shaw Convention Centre in the evening of February 11 to raise funds for the University of Alberta�s School of Business in setting up a scholarship fund for Hong Kong-related studies.

The delegation will conclude its visit and depart for Hong Kong on February 12.

The Hong Kong Wushu Delegation�s visit to Calgary and Edmonton is fully supported by the Fairchild Media Group, the Edmonton Scotia Bank, the Wing Kei Nursing Home, Bethany Care Centre, United Way of Calgary and the University of Alberta�s School of Business.

The �Hong Kong- Alberta Wushu Spectacular� promotion is sponsored by Eikowada Performance Outwear System, Hutchison Harbour Ring and Kappa.


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