Expanding Opportunities in Hong Kong: A Look Back at Our 2026 Trade Mission

A Strong Canadian Delegation and Government Engagement

Over the course of the week, the mission welcomed nearly 60 delegates, including representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Their participation highlighted a special initiative aimed at facilitating education‑related travel to Canada for Chinese nationals, reinforcing the importance of this market for Canada’s international education sector.

China and Taiwan were selected as priority markets due to the growing momentum in Canada–Asia relations. A visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney to China earlier in the year, combined with Canada’s rising appeal among Chinese families seeking high‑quality education for their children, has created a favourable environment for Canadian institutions looking to establish or expand partnerships in the region.

Taiwan, meanwhile, has seen a notable increase in students choosing Canada for English and French language studies over the past two years. Taiwanese passport holders also benefit from facilitated travel through the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), allowing stays of up to six months for short‑term studies.

Students from both markets enjoy high study permit approval rates, and Chinese nationals participating in recognized education‑related group programs may benefit from a specialized Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) process.

The mission was also strengthened by the active participation of valued industry sponsors. Representatives from GuardME and LanguageCert joined the delegation, contributing to meetings and on-the-ground engagement throughout the week. GuardMe’s Clark Horsting (Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, GuardME), along with LanguageCert’s Meizi He (China Director), Shirley Xing (Business Development Manager, China), and Christina Lazarikou (Head of Events), played an important role in supporting connections with partners and enhancing the overall impact of the mission.

School Visits and Engagement in Hong Kong

The mission began with a series of school visits in Hong Kong, where Languages Canada members presented to prospective parents interested in Canadian educational pathways. These sessions were delivered in collaboration with partner institutions offering Canadian curriculum high school programs or bilingual education in Hong Kong.

At the same time, the delegation participated in the official EduCanada opening reception, overlooking Victoria Harbour. The event brought together more than 300 APAIE Conference delegates to celebrate Canada as a study destination, foster new partnerships, and explore opportunities to enhance student mobility between Canada and its Asian partners.

Presence at the APAIE Conference

During the APAIE Conference, Languages Canada hosted a dedicated booth, where Diego Sanchez, International Affairs Director and Gonzalo Peralta, Executive Director held numerous meetings with partners, sponsors, government representatives, and trade commissioners from across Asia. This provided a valuable platform to strengthen existing relationships and explore new avenues for collaboration.

The conference also marked an important milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Languages Canada and Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) as part of the Joint Partnership Program (JPP). This agreement reflects the innovative nature of the JPP, which brings together private and public institutions to promote Canadian education globally.

High‑Impact B2B Meetings

Over 600 individual meetings took place between Taiwanese and Chinese agents and Canadian institutions during a two‑day B2B event in Hong Kong. Delegates also gathered valuable market intelligence through personalized conversations.

Participants enjoyed a stunning setting at the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour, with world‑class cuisine served throughout the day—breakfast, lunch, and a reception dinner—creating a warm and productive environment for a fully packed schedule of meetings.

The group also attended a dedicated IRCC presentation focused on application processes for Chinese nationals, providing clarity on pathways and opportunities for students seeking to study in Canada.

MOU Signing with IECA

On the first day of the event, Languages Canada and IECA held a special celebration to mark the signing of an MOU between the two associations.

The agreement was signed by IECA President Danny Chang and Languages Canada Board and Executive Committee member, Lisa Morgan (University of Toronto), formalizing a partnership aimed at strenghtening ties, enhancing student mobility, and welcoming more Taiwanese nationals to Canada for English and French language studies.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to:

• Share industry knowledge, market data, and insights;
• Keep members informed about student concerns and regulatory updates;
• Promote quality organizations in Canada and Taiwan working in language education and counselling;
• Cooperate on event promotion, market research, and ongoing communication.

“This memorandum highlights our mutual commitment to supporting students in Canada and reinforcing the quality and integrity of language education,” said Gonzalo Peralta, Executive Director of Languages Canada.

This collaboration reflects the shared vision of Languages Canada and IECA to promote international education, enhance the student experience, and strengthen Canada–Taiwan educational relations.

Looking Ahead

This mission underscores Canada’s strategic engagement with two of the largest and most dynamic language education markets in Asia. Building on this momentum, Languages Canada looks forward to organizing future trade missions, continuing to foster international partnerships, and showcasing Canada’s world‑class language education offerings on the global stage.

The 2026 Trade Mission to Hong Kong was made possible in part thanks to Global Affairs Canada’s CanExport for Associations program.

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