Close connections continue to thrive
A vast number of commercial operations exists between Hong Kong and Canada. A request for a show of hands of Canadian passport holders on any MTR carriage at rush hour is guaranteed a healthy response. There are few ways that Hong Kong and Canada are not connected.
Since 1928, when the Canadian consulate general opened its doors in Hong Kong, trans-Pacific commerce has thrived. To start with, trade was based largely on the export of raw materials and semi-finished goods, but commercial relations have evolved to encompass everything from Canadian telecommunication devices to train signalling systems, and educational and financial services.
Hong Kong is Canada's 15th largest export market and last year Canada exported more than C$1.5 billion (HK$11.6 billion) worth of goods to the city. Two-way investment exceeds C$10 billion, and Hong Kong is the first choice for Canadian direct investment into Asia.
More than 120 Canadian firms maintain offices in Hong Kong. A dozen Canadian companies have established regional headquarters here, 33 have set up regional offices and 44 run local offices in the city. All six of Canada's major banks conduct operations in Hong Kong, Canadian insurers Sun Life and Manulife hold more than 33 per cent of Hong Kong's life insurance policies, and Ontario-based Research in Motion - the makers of the BlackBerry - maintains a Hong Kong office.
And should anyone doubt that the Canadian business community in Hong Kong is anything but thriving, its 1,000 member-strong Canadian Chamber of Commerce is reckoned to be the country's largest chamber overseas.
Canada has long exercised an allure for Hongkongers. Waves of emigration have seen former Hong Kong residents across the country.
Li Ka-shing - via his holding company Hutchison Whampoa - owns a majority interest in Husky Energy, which focuses on petroleum and natural gas exploration, production, refining and retail sales.
His son, Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, spent some time working with investment bank Wood Gundy Incorporated, which was later acquired by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
A major part of the relationship between Canada and the city allows Hongkongers the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Lawrence Tam Wing-sum emigrated to Toronto in 1970. He went into real estate before setting up Jireh International Health with his wife. The company aims to help people achieve optimum health through proper education and use of top quality organic products. 'After nearly four decades on the other side of the Pacific, I still sometimes catch myself thinking 'that's not the Canadian way of doing things'.'
The WowWee Group is another example of the cocktail of success. Founded in Canada in 1988, WowWee designs, develops, markets and distributes hi-tech consumer robotic and entertainment products.
'We have an office here in Hong Kong where we design the products, the manufacturing is outsourced to the mainland, and the results are sold around the world,' says deputy general manager Wing Wong. 'This is the whole reason why we are here, and it's an incredibly successful combination.'