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

CHP urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as severe paediatric influenza infection case reported

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 15) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case, the fifth case this year. The CHP reiterated its reminder to parents to arrange for their children to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) promptly. The SIV remains one of the most effective methods of preventing influenza and its complications and can reduce the risk of serious complications or death from infection.

The case involves a 15-year-old boy with underlying diseases. On February 12, he developed a fever. He was sent to theAccident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre the following day (February 13) due to persistent fever and was admitted on the same day. He subsequently developed desaturation and shock, and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further treatment today because of worsening conditions. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia and heart failure. He is currently in serious condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the boy has not yet received the 2025/26 SIV. He is a resident of a special school. A recent influenza outbreak was recorded in his school dormitory. The CHP staff has conducted site visit and advised the school to strengthen a series of infection control measures. Chemoprophylaxis against influenza was given to unaffected students and staff. The boy's family members are asymptomatic. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

So far this year, five severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded, involving children aged between 6 months and 15 years old. Three of the affected children had not received an SIV, including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only three days before the onset of illness. As the patient was not protected by the vaccine, the case is not counted as being vaccinated. During the summer influenza season ending in early January, 25 severe paediatric influenza cases were recorded, including three fatal cases and involving children aged between 6 months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received an SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before the onset of illness).

"Although the influenza activity in Hong Kong is currently at a low, influenza activity still remains at a relatively high level in many popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as some areas in North America and Europe. Moreover, the overall influenza activity has increased again in Korea and Japan recently, with the major circulating virus strain having changed from the earlier influenza A (H3) to influenza B. With the increase in cross-border travel and the number of incoming visitors in the Chinese New Year, the risk of influenza transmission will also increase. Moreover, based on past experience, Hong Kong's winter influenza season typically occurs in the first quarter. With the persistent cold weather and the possibility of a change in circulating virus strains, it cannot be ruled out that the influenza activity will increase again later. Receiving SIV is still one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from infection. The public should receive vaccination as soon as possible regardless of staying locally or planning to travel abroad, as it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against the influenza virus. All individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, should act promptly if they have not yet received an SIV, including those who contracted influenza in the past few months, in order to safeguard personal health," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

"Recently, outbreaks of influenza continue to occur in schools. For children who did not join the SIV School Outreach Programme, parents should promptly bring their children toprivate doctorsenrolled in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme to receive an SIV. In addition, the SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years is only about 25 per cent. Although this represents an approximate 2 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still much lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to allow their children to receive an SIV," Dr Tsui added.

He also reminded members of the public that, especially for children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, they should seek medical advice promptly for early treatment if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children's condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.

Separately, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.

Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza Webpage,COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, andVaccination Schemes Webpage, for the latest information.

Source: AI-found images