Hong Kong Celebrates Year of the Horse at Toronto Reception, Highlighting Economic Growth and Cultural Exchange

Toronto ETO celebrates Year of the Horse at joint reception with HKTB

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) welcomed over 150 guests and friends to a spring reception jointly hosted with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) on February 12 (Toronto time) in Toronto to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Guests from the business, cultural, academic and community sectors gathered to exchange views and learn about Hong Kong's latest developments on the economic and cultural fronts.

In his welcoming remarks, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Bill Wong, said that Hong Kong achieved a series of encouraging results in 2025, reflecting the city's continued momentum in economic development.

He said that the "one country, two systems" principle continues to be the cornerstone of Hong Kong's prosperity, with the robust rule of law and common law system internationally recognised. Over the past year, international confidence has been reflected in sustained capital inflows, expansion by multinational companies, a roughly 30 per cent rise in the Hang Seng Index in 2025, leading the world in initial public offering fundraising, and continued growth in asset and wealth management as well as bank deposits.

Looking ahead to the Year of the Horse, Mr Wong said that Hong Kong will continue to build on its strengths, seize new opportunities, and deepen engagement with various sectors in Canada, reinforcing its role as a global business and cultural hub.

"Finance and innovation and technology (I&T) are two major engines driving Hong Kong's growth. In finance, Hong Kong is further strengthening its role as a 'super connector' - helping Mainland enterprises go global while actively fostering closer ties with markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Central Asia," he said.

In I&T, Hong Kong is focusing on AI, biotech, fintech, and new energy and new materials, which are areas where it has a competitive edge. He said that the Northern Metropolis will serve as a key platform for driving I&T development. "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is accelerating development in the area, including easing planning restrictions and adopting more flexible development models with a view to driving deep integration of land use and industry development."

At the reception, Senior Manager of Marketing and Public Relations of the HKTB Mr Jorge Lee shared with participants the upcoming events and festivals in Hong Kong, positioning Hong Kong as the events capital in Asia.

To add a cultural dimension to the celebration, the Toronto ETO invited a Hong Kong a cappella group, Brio Singers, to present a series of Hong Kong-themed songs, showcasing the creativity and dynamism of Hong Kong's performing arts scene.

The Toronto ETO and the HKTB will jointly host another spring reception in Vancouver on February 18.

Photo shows the Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Bill Wong (second right), and the Deputy Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Gavin Yeung (first right), with Senior Manager, Trade Marketing of the HKTB Ms Wong Yuen-kan (third right) and Senior Marketing and Public Relations Manager of the HKTB Mr Jorge Lee (fourth right) at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong a capella group Brio Singers performed at the spring reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) on February 12 (Toronto time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows over 150 guests enjoying the performance by Hong Kong a capella group Brio Singers. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Bill Wong, delivering his welcoming remarks. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH continues to step up enforcement actions against illegal use of pharmacy logo and title with approach of Chinese New Year holidays

With the Chinese New Year holidays approaching, the Department of Health (DH) today (February 13) announced that it will continue to step up inspections of Authorized Sellers of Poisons (ASPs), commonly known as pharmacies, and Listed Sellers of Poisons, commonly known as medicine companies, throughout Hong Kong, particularly in tourist areas, to monitor their compliance with the laws and the relevant codes of practice. Last year (2025), approximately 9 600 inspections of these premises were conducted to combat illegal practices. The DH will continue to enhance enforcement actions against the illegal use of logos and titles of pharmacies and carry out follow-up investigations of suspected violations.These efforts aim to safeguard public health. The DH also reminded the public, including tourists, to verify the pharmacy logo (see Annex 1) in the prescribed form when purchasing medicines.

Stepping up inspections and enforcement

---------------------------

Last year, seven limited companies and a proprietor of a retailer, all of which were not pharmacies, were convicted of displaying a logo resembling the prescribed form of a pharmacy at their premises and were fined from $3,500 to $10,000. Two other limited companies, which were also not pharmacies, committed the same offence and were convicted and fined $5,000 and $32,000 respectively in January this year.

According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), only persons authorised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong as ASPs are allowed to conduct the relevant retail business of selling poisons at premises registered by the Board, including poisons listed in Part 1 and Part 2 of the Poisons List at Schedule 10 to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A). Displaying a logo in the prescribed form of a pharmacy or a logo, which resembles the logo in the prescribed form at premises other than the registered premises of a pharmacy, or using the Chinese term "" or the terms such as "pharmacy", "dispensary", or "drug-store" in connection with any business engaged in the retail sale of poisons, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

The use of a pharmacy logo or its title as stipulated by the Ordinance is applicable to all retailers, including those that are not licensed by the Board. The DH reminded non-pharmacy businesses to refrain from illegitimate use and will continue to collect intelligence through different channels. If any retailer is suspected of illegally displaying a pharmacy logo in the prescribed form or pharmacy title, the DH will follow up and carry out an investigation immediately and conduct joint operations with relevant departments when necessary.

Label for ASPs and "Licence Scanner"

------------------------------------------

To enable the public to identify registered pharmacies, the DH has formulated a label (see Annex 2) for identification of ASPs, and the labels have been sent to each pharmacy for display in a conspicuous position in the pharmacy.Members of the public and tourists can download the eHealth app from the website (app.ehealth.gov.hk) and use the "Licence Scanner" on its homepage to scan the QR code displayed at the pharmacy. For registered pharmacies, the message "This is a QR Code issued for licensed pharmacy" will appear alongside details of that particular registered pharmacy. Members of the public can also visit thewebsiteof the DH's Drug Office for educational materials on "'Pharmacies' in Hong Kong", as well as the names and addresses of all licensees including ASPs.

In addition, to help Mainland visitors distinguish pharmacies in Hong Kong, the DH also detailed points to note when buying medicines from pharmacies in Hong Kong on its official WeChat account (www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/108354.html).

The Department of Health (DH), Photo source: reference image