Canadian PM Harper to visit Philippines, Hong Kong

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

OTTAWA—Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Trade Minister Ed Fast will travel to the Philippines and Hong Kong November 10-11, officials said Wednesday.

While in Manila on November 10, Harper will meet with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to discuss bilateral trade and investment, security cooperation and regional issues.

The next day, the prime minister will travel to Hong Kong where he will meet with Hong Kong chief Chun-ying Leung “with a view to further strengthening an already deep and historical relationship,” said a statement.

The Philippines is the top source of immigrants to Canada, with nearly 500,000 people of Filipino origin residing in the country. Canada is also home to half a million individuals of Hong Kong descent, second in numbers only to the United States.