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Hong Kong: Superstar

Remarks by Hon. David Kilgour

Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) and MP (Edmonton-Southeast)

Hong-Kong Canada Business Association

Ottawa

13 February 2003

Ambassador Mei Ping, Senator Poy, President Rob Simmons, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great privilege to be with you to welcome the year of the sheep.

On behalf of everyone, I’d like to thank President Rob Simmons and the board for providing an opportunity to visit with old friends as a new year begins.

Cette organisation a très bien su aider les gens d’affaires de tirer profit de leurs expériences mutuelles afin de mieux profiter ensemble du trésor que constitue Hong Kong. En outre, l’association a contribué à démystifier le processus de mener des activités commerciales dans cette région. L’important rôle d’intermédiaire et de facilitateur qu’elle joue a amené les gens d’affaires tout comme les représentants du gouvernement à bien vouloir participer à l’avenir de cet important organisme.

The HKCBA’s vitality comes about through the efforts the dedicated staff and board and the undeniable potential and reality that is Hong Kong. In November, I participated in a successful mission to Hong Kong organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. Canada’s natural advantage was self-evident. It is rooted in the fact that most if not all Hong Kong residents have connections to this side of the Pacific; be these friends, family or property. The 200,000 plus Canadians living in Hong Kong emphasize the reciprocal nature of this advantage. It also bares mentioning that Hong Kong is home to the single largest concentration of Canadian university-graduates outside of Canada, which now number over 100 000.

Each time I visit Hong Kong I’m struck by the sophistication of its business community, the respect for the rule of law and the almost overwhelming spirit of entrepreneurialism. It has become a high-tech node for traders and bankers in East Asia and is taking advantage of its ideal location at the mouth of the Pearl River to position itself as an entry point for the fast track to mainland China. But of course, I am -- as they say -- singing to the choir, as this room is filled with people who are reaping the rewards of their involvement in Hong Kong.

The real reason we’re here, ladies and gentlemen, is to celebrate the new year. As I’m sure everyone here knows, the lunar new year celebration evolved from the legend of a Chinese village thousands of years ago that was ravaged by an evil spirit. To protect themselves the following year, the villagers hung red banners and used firecrackers and drums to ward off the evil force.

No doubt this year’s “evil monster” is the deep freeze that has assailed our city and the entire country during the last little while. I don’t know about you, but I’m counting on the “year of the sheep” to warm us all up a little.

Once again, permit me to extend a thank-you to the organizers and to all of you, for the opportunity to be here. Please accept my very best wishes for a healthy and prosperous year of the sheep.

Gung Hey Fat Choy (Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth)

Thank you.

 
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