NEWS RELEASES
CHAN WELCOMES SENIOR HONG KONG OFFICIAL TO CANADA
June 15, 1999 (2:05 p.m. EDT) No. 143
CHAN WELCOMES SENIOR HONG KONG OFFICIAL TO CANADA
Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan said today that he is pleased to welcome Anson
Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Government, to Vancouver on June 16 to 19. The Chief Secretary's visit comes at a time when Hong
Kong is beginning its recovery from the serious economic crisis that struck it several years ago. The
aim of the visit is to promote trade and investment in Hong Kong.
"I look forward to meeting with the Chief Secretary during her trip and I am delighted to have the
opportunity to renew and improve the already close relationship between Canada and Hong Kong,"
said Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Chan.
He added, "More and more Canadians are realizing that Hong Kong is China's window to the world
and a strategic gateway to foreign business contacts, modern technology and investment. While
some might have expected our ties to become weaker after Hong Kong's transition to China, the
fact is that our relations have grown closer."
Relations between Canada and Hong Kong go back to the last century, and in 1928 Canada
opened its first trade office in Hong Kong. Currently, over 100 Canadian businesses have set up
offices in Hong Kong and over 450 have agents there.
On June 17, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan will offer opening remarks during the
conference entitled "Hong Kong Canada: Opportunities in Asia's Road to Recovery." Chief
Secretary Anson Chan will be the keynote speaker at the conference.
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For more information on Canada-Hong Kong relations, please consult "Canada's Window on China"
at the following Web site: http://www.canada.org.hk/
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Naseem Nuraney
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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