Bridging Borders: Canadian Business Ventures in Asia through the Hong Kong Platform

Join us for a Fireside Chat

Date: September 29, 2025

Time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Venue: Suite 100, 1011 6 Avenue SW - Consulate - General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary

Dress code: Business 

Free for members who are interested in learning the opportunities in Hong Kong and China 

 Members: Free | Non-member: $100 

**Due to limited capacity, ticket priority will be given to members**

About the Speakers: 

 Liying Zhao 

Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary

Liying Zhao assumed her duties as Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary in January 2023. Ms.Zhao is a career diplomat and has served in the Chinese diplomatic missions in Greece, Canada, Croatia and Egypt.

Joyce Lau

Principal Consultant (Western Canada) at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) Vancouver Liason Office

 Joyce Lau is the Principal Consultant (Western Canada) at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) Vancouver Liaison Office. She plays a key role in strengthening economic, trade and cultural ties between Hong Kong and Western Canada, showcasing Hong Kong’s opportunities to Canadian businesses.

Throughout her career, Joyce has bridged cultural and economic divides, leveraging her experiences in Hong Kong and Canada to foster sustainable partnerships. Her strategic vision and communication skills have established her as a key figure in cross-border collaboration.

Prior to her current role, Joyce was the Managing Director at Frobisher International Enterprise Ltd. in Vancouver. This role solidified her expertise in international trade and supply chain management.

Joyce began her career at WPP Plc Group in Hong Kong, where she gained expertise in global branding and marketing strategy. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University.

Andrew Yui
Director, Canada
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)

Andrew Yui was appointed Director, Canada, of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in July 1993. HKTDC is Hong Kong’s statutory body responsible for the promotion of international trade (imports and exports) in merchandise, services and technologies, via the Hong Kong platform. The Council works through a network of 51 offices worldwide. The HKTDC Branch Office in Canada, based in Toronto, is established to encourage and assist Canadian companies to diversify their business to Asia through Hong Kong. To facilitate the efforts of Canadian companies to ‘think Asia, think Hong Kong,’ HKTDC Toronto Office has joined forces with like-minded multiplier partners like HKCBA, HKETO (Toronto), IHK (Canada), CCBC, and many others in organizing sector-specific Canadian missions to Hong Kong international trade fairs and conferences.

Ron Hoffmann

Vice President, SixRing Inc, & Alexander Chemical L.P., HKCBA Advisor (Calgary)

Ron Hoffmann joined Calgary-based SixRing Inc in 2021 after more than 35 years of leadership positions in Canada’s diplomatic service, and federal and provincial governments. He assumed a concurrent role as Vice President for Alexander Chemical LP, majority owned by Alexander First Nation, at the company’s founding in January 2024.

As a Canadian diplomat Ron has served in six countries spanning four continents, as well as various senior positions at headquarters. Ambassadorial appointments included Afghanistan at the height of Canada’s engagement, and from 2009-2012 to Thailand with cross accreditation to Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. Other postings were to London, Beijing, Johannesburg and The Hague. From 2014-2021 Ron served as Alberta’s Senior Representative to Asia based in Hong Kong, and then as Interim CEO of Invest Alberta Corp.

Ron held the role of Vice Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong from 2015-2019, and now serves on the Governing Bodies of the Global Energy Show (GES), and the Canadian Clean Fuels Summit. He is co-chair of the Canada-ASEAN Sustainable Energy Working Group, announced in July of 2025.