Toronto ETO Celebrates Chinese New Year Across Canada, Highlighting Hong Kong's Business Opportunities and Cultural Richness

Toronto ETO greets Chinese New Year across Canada

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) greeted the Year of the Horse in various cities across Canada by supporting Chinese New Year gala dinners hosted by different sections of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) and community partners. During these gatherings, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Bill Wong, highlighted Hong Kong's dynamic business environment, economic strengths, and its continued role as a global financial powerhouse.

On February 14 (Toronto time), Mr Wong joined the 37th Dragon Ball, hosted by Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, to celebrate the Year of the Horse. The annual event showcased Hong Kong-themed cuisines and performances to allow over 1 000 guests from the business, political and community sectors in Canada to be immersed within the rich atmosphere of the Chinese New Year culture, enhanced with the unique flavour of Hong Kong.

Earlier, during his first duty visit on the West Coast of Canada, Mr Wong attended the Lunar New Year celebrations held by the HKCBA in Edmonton and Calgary on February 5 (Edmonton time) and February 6 (Calgary time) respectively, where he shared with participants the latest developments of Hong Kong. He highlighted the Hong Kong's investment opportunities in the areas of finance and innovation and technology, and the city's vibrant ecosystem for impact investing and family offices.

In Calgary, Mr Wong presented the 2026 HKCBA Calgary Scholarship to award recipients at a student reception on February 6. The scholarship, sponsored by the Toronto ETO, is awarded to Calgary university or college students who demonstrate a strong interest in Hong Kong and a clear motivation to pursue an exchange opportunity or a work experience in the city. This year a total of five students from universities and colleges in Calgary received the scholarship.

As part of its youth engagement initiatives, the Toronto ETO also hosted a Lunar New Year reception for students from Hong Kong pursuing education at different universities in Ontario on February 13 (Toronto time). Mr Wong shared details about Hong Kong's competitive advantages as Asia's world city, including its advantageous geographical location, simple tax system, and business-friendly environment. He added that since its launch in late 2022, the Top Talent Pass Scheme has approved more than 4 700 applications from graduates of six eligible Canadian universities under the scheme.

Organised by local chapters of HKCBA, Lunar New Year receptions are being held across several Canadian cities, with Winnipeg, Manitoba, having hosted its event on February 7 (Winnipeg time). Upcoming receptions will take place in Montreal, Quebec, on February 19, Toronto, Ontario, on February 21, and Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 26.

Hong Kong a capella vocal ensemble Brio Singers performs at the 37th Dragon Ball hosted by the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation on February 14 (Toronto time) in Toronto, Ontario. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong a capella vocal ensemble Brio Singers performs at the 37th Dragon Ball hosted by the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation on February 14 (Toronto time) in Toronto, Ontario. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO), Mr Bill Wong (first row, first left), introduced the role of the Toronto ETO and the office's mission in fostering exchanges between Hong Kong and Canada in the areas of the economy and trade, as well as arts and culture at the Lunar New Year reception for university students from Hong Kong on February 13 (in Toronto, Ontario) (Toronto time), . Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto), Mr Bill Wong, speaks at the 37th Dragon Ball hosted by the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation on February 14 (Toronto time) in Toronto, Ontario. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto), Mr Bill Wong (centre), is pictured with the Regional Director (Americas) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Regina Lai (fifth left), the President of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) (Calgary Section), Mr Ben Leung (third left), and the HKCBA Calgary Scholarship recipients and university representatives at a student reception in Calgary on February 6 (Calgary time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto), Mr Bill Wong, speaks at the Lunar New Year Gala hosted by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Winnipeg Section) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 7 (Winnipeg time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto), Mr Bill Wong (fourth left), is pictured with the President of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) (Calgary Section), Mr Ben Leung (second left), and other guests at the Lunar New Year Gala hosted by the HKCBA (Calgary Section) in Calgary on February 6 (Calgary time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto), Mr Bill Wong (right), is pictured with the President of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) (Edmonton Section), Mr Hubert Lau (left), at the Lunar New Year Gala hosted by the HKCBA (Edmonton Section) in Edmonton on February 5 (Edmonton time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling

Hong Kong Customs shut down an underground cigarette factory in Fanling yesterday (April 9), and seized about 31.92 tons of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and 1.23 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarette. The total estimated market value of all seizure was about $220 million, while the duty potential was about $130 million. Six persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

After in-depth investigation, Customs Officers identified a large metal hut in Ping Che, Fanling. Customs raided the metal hut yesterday morning and found a complete illegal cigarette production line which included machines for producing and packaging illicit cigarettes, a large amount of raw materials used for manufacturing illicit cigarettes and finished illicit cigarette products. Five men and one woman, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested at the scene.

The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the batch of raw materials of the illicit cigarettes and the production line-related machines. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs reminds members of the public that they must be vigilant when purchasing cigarettes. They should patronise reputable merchants or stores and not purchase cigarettes from unknown sources to avoid threats to their health.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), a person shall not, except under and in accordance with a licence, manufacture tobacco. Besides, any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases