Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto)

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO) extended the spirit of dragon boat racing celebrations to Ottawa and Vancouver, Canada, on June 20 and 21.

The Acting Director of the HKETO, Mr Gavin Yeung, attended the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and Vancouver’s Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival on June 20 and 21 respectively, to support two of Canada's most anticipated summer events while promoting cultural heritage.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival on June 20, Mr Yeung highlighted that the dragon boat race signified the strong ties between Hong Kong and Canada, as this water sport was introduced to Canada from Hong Kong nearly four decades ago. The Ottawa festival, held from June 20 to 22, featured over 100 teams and thrilled spectators with high-energy races and engaging cultural programmes from across the region.

On June 21, the HKETO continued the celebrations as Mr Yeung attended the flagship event in Vancouver, which organised Canada's first dragon boat racing event after receiving six teak dragon boats from Hong Kong in 1986. Since then, the festival has become an annual landmark celebration that connects the community.  

In his remarks, Mr Yeung welcomed visitors to explore Hong Kong’s unique charm. “From the iconic Victoria Harbour and scenic hiking trails to a rich blend of heritage and modern architecture, and from vibrant culinary experiences to picturesque outlying islands, Hong Kong is both a cultural crossroads and a dynamic global metropolis. We warmly welcome members of the Canadian community to visit and experience Hong Kong,” he said.

Besides thrilling races, the Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival also featured live concerts, vendors and food trucks, and a mini-exhibition showcasing the history of dragon boating in Hong Kong. Attracting over 200 000 visitors and racers, it stands as the largest dragon boat celebration in North America.