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As a prelude to the 15th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCCGT) on May 26 (Toronto time) hosted the Bauhinia Night for its annual Imperial Ball.
The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (HKETO), Miss Gloria Lo, and the Senior Vice-President of the Toronto Stock Exchange, Mr Robert Fotheringham, were the co-chairpersons of this meaningful annual fund-raising gala.
CCCGT Chairman, Dr Cheung Ming-tat, said in his opening remarks to the 500 guests, including elites from Toronto business and cultural sectors, government representatives and community leaders, that the proceeds from the Bauhinia Night will go to the construction of a Heritage Hall to showcase the centenary legacy of Chinese Canadian in Ontario.
In her speech at the gala, Miss Lo stressed that Hong Kong has developed very close and deep relations with Canada. "Over the years, Hong Kong has continued to maintain its stability and prosperity," Miss Lo said. "We enjoyed a high degree of autonomy under the 'One country, Two systems' principle implemented through the Basic Law. We remained a free and open society, the freest economy in the world, an international financial and trading centre, as well as an attractive city to travellers around the world."
"Hong Kong's economy has grown by an average of 4.5 per cent per year over the last decade. Its per capita Gross Domestic Product stood at a historical high at US$34,000 last year. Hong Kong's unemployment rate now stands at 3.3 per cent, which is extremely low by any standard. The Hong Kong government budget has been in good surplus for eight consecutive years."
"Hong Kong has continued to benefit from the opening up of Mainland China and contributed to the economic development of our country," Miss Lo said. "We see growing social and economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Today, Mainland China is the largest trading partner of Hong Kong, while Hong Kong is the largest external investor in the Mainland and the single largest source of capital for Mainland enterprises. We are also the major centre for Renminbi offshore business."
Miss Lo added that the success of Hong Kong is the collective efforts of all hardworking people in Hong Kong. With their "can-do" spirits, lots of difficult challenges have been overcome.
A main feature at the gala is the sampling of signature Hong Kong cocktails jointly organised by the HKETO and the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The feature performance by the versatile Chinese wind player, member of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Mr Guo Yazhi served as a highlight of the evening. He demonstrated various Chinese wind instruments, such as the hulusi and sheng. Furthermore, dancers from the School of Toronto City Ballet wore Hong Kong-style Hakka hats to perform a dance accompanied by an old Hong Kong pop song "Notturno in the Fisherboat".
Ends/Sunday, May 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:10
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