More than 1,000 Canadian community, business and political leaders on Friday shared the message of "One Country, Two Systems" in Toronto at a gala that marks the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Bauhinia Gala held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, Bassanio So, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), told the participants that the Fortune magazine had made a prediction before the handover that "it's over" for Hong Kong, and the Time magazine had also said at that time that Hong Kong "is bleeding."

"Today, we have bowled over the world with our stellar economic dynamism and resilience, thanks to the entrepreneurship of the Hong Kong people," So said.

Hong Kong's economy, riding on the booming economy on China's mainland, is now "on its best-ever shape" since the handover, So noted.

With spearheading by the Center for Information and Community Services of Ontario, a leading community organization providing settlement services for new immigrants, the gala was supported by almost 30 community and business associations in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as the HKETO and Hong Kong Tourism Board in Canada.

Chinese Ambassador Lu Shumin, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Chinese-Canadian Senator Vivienne Poy, federal government representative, member of Parliament Michael Chong and Chinese Consul General in Toronto Zhu Taoying were present at the event.

Source: Xinhua