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

InvestHK and FEHD collaborate to support Mainland enterprise in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (March 15) announced that the department has collaborated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to facilitate China Resources Enterprise Property Investment Company Limited (CREP) in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot. The robotic system provides instantly prepared hot meals around the clock, with fully automated operations that handle ordering, reheating and meal dispensing, applying AI technology to local food and beverage retail scenarios.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "InvestHK has always maintained close communication and collaboration with government bureaux and departments to continuously enhance Hong Kong's business environment. The latest Budget emphasises on promoting the industrialisation of AI and encouraging its wider adoption. We are very pleased to see these technologies being adopted in the catering industry, opening up new directions for smart retail. This project also fully demonstrates the result of cross-departmental collaboration in facilitating the successful implementation of innovative technologies while ensuring compliance with local regulations and food safety requirements. I look forward to seeing more companies leverage Hong Kong's business advantages to further expand its presence in the city and across the Asia-Pacific region."

The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Donald Ng, said, "The FEHD has always encouraged and facilitated innovation in the catering industry to bring more diverse dining experiences to the public, while safeguarding food safety and public hygiene. For this project, the FEHD maintained close communication with the relevant companies, providing guidance on legal requirements and hygiene standards to facilitate their acquisition of the necessary food business licences. I am pleased to see the smooth implementation of this project and look forward to more technological applications in the catering industry in the future to continuously elevate service standards."

Deputy General Manager of CREP Mr Zhang Linjun said, "CREP is committed to building a one-stop overseas expansion service platform to help Mainland brands establish a presence in Hong Kong and explore business opportunities. Leveraging our two decades of resources and experiences in Hong Kong's commercial market, we have assisted Mainland companies in establishing their technological and business operations in Hong Kong. We have also developed a deep partnership with InvestHK to promote the application of innovative technologies in the catering sector, while tackling daily challenges in the industry. This initiative will offer Hong Kong residents more diverse dining options in various scenarios, including remote areas, busy districts and late-night hours. Going forward, we will further expand the scope of co-operation to help the smart catering business form a scaled operational network."

Named the "Hey Food Smart Catering Robot", the initiative is officially launched in Hong Kong by CREP, integrating innovative technological solutions from the Mainland with local business expertise. Founded in 2000, CREP currently owns a portfolio of commercial properties in core business districts and community neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. The company has continuously optimised its property portfolio and has actively explored investment and operational opportunities in retail real estate. In recent years, by building a one-stop overseas expansion service platform, CREP has assisted Mainland enterprise brands and products in going global, while providing higher quality services and products for Hong Kong.

For more information about the smart catering robot, please visit CREP at: www.crep.com.hk.

InvestHK and FEHD collaborate to support Mainland enterprise in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK and FEHD collaborate to support Mainland enterprise in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK and FEHD collaborate to support Mainland enterprise in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases