Hong Kong's Canada Connection: Stronger Than You Think

Hong Kong’s Canada connection is stronger than most people realize. Over 300,000 Canadians in Hong Kong and almost 500,000 Hongkongers in Canada. That’s a serious bridge between the two places.

Alex Tam, chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, makes the case in this interview: Hong Kong isn’t just a gateway to China. It’s a springboard for the entire Asia-Pacific region.

A few things that stood out:

• Canadian institutional capital has deep roots in Hong Kong. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) has been here for 60+ years. Manulife and Sun Life are household names.
• The OASES program is actively helping Western firms set up in Asia. Kensana Health from Canada is the most recent example.
• Over 200,000 Canadian university alumni professionals are working in Hong Kong right now. That’s a huge talent pool with built-in cross-cultural understanding.

Tam calls it “second to none” in Asia. For Canadians looking at the region, Hong Kong offers a legal system, banking infrastructure, and international character that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Worth a read if you’re thinking about Asia expansion or Canada-HK trade.