A special "Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup" Race, introduced in this year's Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, has reflected the well-respected "Hong Kong Spirit," said Bassanio So, the director of the Economic and Trade Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Canada.

The "Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup" Race is being held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, during the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, which is being held over Saturday and Sunday in Toronto time.

"Over the past 10 years, Hong Kong has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy, as stipulated in the Basic Law. We have encountered many challenges, but we have successfully dealt with them with our 'Can-do' spirit. We have also strengthened our status as Asia's world city and world's major financial center," Bassanio So said.

According to the organizers, the two-day Festival is expected to draw over 125,000 people to Toronto's Center Island. About 180 teams with over 5,000 paddlers are competing for the "Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup" and the Grand Championship at the Festival.

Apart from the "Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup" Race, a preview of an exhibition entitled "Five Decades under the Lion Rock - Courage, Aspiration and a Prosperous Future" featuring a collection of photographs taken by Hong Kong and Canadian photographers in Hong Kong during the last 50 years is also held at the Festival.