Since decades, Canada and Hong Kong maintains a close as well as long standing trade and economic relationship. The socio-economic and trading relationship of Canada and Hong Kong can be traced back to 1928, when Canada formed its Consulate General in Hong Kong, in Exchange Building, on the Pedder Street. Indeed, Canada is regarded as one of the largest trading partners of Hong Kong. It is estimated that more than 150 Canadian businesses operate in Hong Kong, which includes firms specializing in information technology, construction and engineering, financial services, and insurance as well as intermediary services.
Apart from this, more than 450 Canadian business firms are represented by agents, distributors, and joint venture partners, which in turn have led to the formation of the largest Canadian overseas business community in Asia. Bank of Montreal, Crown Life Insurance, Air Canada, and Manulife, are just few among many of the leading as well as thriving Canadian business firms that conduct their business functions in Hong Kong. As per certain records, the turnover as a result of economic partnership between Hong Kong and Canada was C$5.6 billion in 2006. In short, it has been accounted that more than 2, 50,000 citizens from Canada happily reside and work in Hong Kong. In fact, with more than 1,200 members, the Hong Kong's Canadian Chamber of Commerce is considered the largest outside Canada.
Reciprocally, many people from Hong Kong also live and conduct their businesses in Canada, especially in such Canadian areas as Vancouver, Toronto, and Richmond. The close as well as strong relationship of Hong Kong and Canadian cities, particularly Vancouver, has led to vivacious economic partnership between two nations. Both Hong Kong and British Columbia are considered the gateways. When Hong Kong serves as the gateway to Asia, Vancouver serves as the gateway for Asian business firms to have access to the trendy markets in the North America. The close relationship of Canada and Hong Kong is further substantiated by Canada's supporting of the context developed by Hong Kong, ?one country, two systems,? which in turn is embodied in the basic law. In addition, the Fraser Institute, based in Vancouver, has consistently ranked Hong Kong as the world's freest economy and that too for almost 13 years.
Hong Kong and Canada not only maintains a close relationship in economic as well as trading but also in schooling and education. For instance, according to certain records, one in five students from Hong Kong prefers to stay and study in Canada. Besides, many students from Canada also study in Hong Kong, whose evidence is the large number of Canadian international schools that operate in Hong Kong. This in turn has helped in strengthening the relationship between Hong Kong and Canadian people. Apart from schooling and education, Hong Kong and Canada also preserve a close relationship in sectors such as construction and food production areas.
Understanding the importance of the close relationship of Vancouver and Hong Kong, nowadays many airlines operate convenient as well as budget flights between Hong Kong and Vancouver. Of which, one of the prominent airlines is Oasis Hong Kong, which is considered the first to enter the budget airline sector. With six direct flights from Vancouver to Hong Kong a week, Oasis Hong Kong's prime aim is to bridge the distance between Hong Kong and Canada, thereby enabling for enhanced tourism and trade as well as commerce between these two great amazing centers. Oasis Hong Kong operates flights to Hong Kong from both Vancouver and London in UK. A specialty of this airline is that it provides impeccable customer services coupled with high degree of comfort and that too at cheap rates. Almost all superb facilities are available while your travel from Vancouver to Hong Kong, such as, comfortable seats, personal seat back TVs, and two complimentary delicious meals, with a choice of Western or Asian styles. Further, Oasis Hong Kong recently declared that it provides opportunities for the kid, aged 11 or younger, to travel when accompanied by an eligible adult. However, bookings should be made within a stipulated time period.
It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of Po Lin Monastery. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
Sited atop Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping plateau, lies one of the most frequently visited sights in Hong Kong - the Po Lin Monastery.
There's enough to see and do in and around the monastery to consume a vacation day or more, so plan ahead.
The trip there is an adventure in itself. Take the MTR (the excellent Hong Kong subway system) to Tung Chung. Outside at the bus terminal, board the No. 23. The ride can take an hour or longer and winding your way up the mountainside provides a pair of delights. Riders get to see some of the superb countryside and seaside near Hong Kong and at the same time experience the harrowing joy of a typical Chinese rollercoaster bus ride.
Founded in 1924 as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks, the Po Lin Monastery offers superb sights both inside and out. The view from the top looking out over the sea and mountainside is breathtaking.
You'll be free to look around at the exterior, which provides a superior example of the architecture and art of the period and style. The monastery is festooned with small statues and inscriptions. The surrounding grounds make it easy to imagine the tranquility that motivated the monks to make it their home.
You can experience a small taste of that lifestyle for yourself by purchasing a meal ticket and enjoying the vegetarian lunch prepared by the monks in the dining hall.
Inside the temple, it isn't necessary to remove your shoes, nor to wear long pants as required by Buddhist temples elsewhere. Simply acquire an incense stick and offer three bows to the ancestors who watch over the monks and their sacred building. Place your incense sticks in the holder and then enjoy the many colorful and intricate carvings and decorations.
Visitors can even stay overnight and see the rising sun the next morning. The view of the light spilling onto Fong Wong Shan Mountain, twice the height of Victoria Peak, has inspired the monks for decades in their peaceful retreat.
From the temple gate, look out toward the top of Muyushan Mountain. You'll be able to clearly make out a large copper statue of the seated Sakyamuni, reaching 26 meters (85 feet) high. Sakyamuni was the sage of the Sakyas, a Buddhist-Lamaist (Tibet) god and the historical Buddha.
Here known as Tian Tan or The Big Buddha, the statue was constructed over a steel frame and completed in 1993 after a 10-year construction effort. It sits atop the plateau, reached by climbing 268 steps.
Stand at the base and take in the setting first. Around the pedestal is a three-story exhibition hall containing a large bell. Rung 108 times per day, it is said to relieve the 108 vexations. As you listen to the chimes, you can take in the many finely carved Buddhist figures.
Then walk up and glance around to take in the view the Buddha has, from an island twice the size of Hong Kong itself. You'll begin to feel, perhaps, as the monks do about Lantau Island and the Po Lin Monastery.
Now you can be a confident expert on Po Lin Monastery. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Po Lin Monastery.
Both Tony C.f. Cheung & Jawahn R Thompson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Tony C.f. Cheung has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cheap Airfare, Travel and Leisure and Trucks. Started in October 2006, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines pioneers a fresh approach to flying. We are now flying daily flying daily between Hong Kong, London and Vancouver.For more information visit. Tony C.f. Cheung's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
Jawahn R Thompson has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Beach Resort, CD Review and Travel and Leisure. If you want to know more about The in hong kong, please visit daily. Jawahn R Thompson's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.