The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) and The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Canada (HKETO) are pleased to announce that two Canadian journalism students have won the Student Journalists Hong Kong Fellowship for the year 2005/6.

The winners are Erin Conway-Smith and Ceridwyn Au, both from Carleton University.

They were chosen by a panel of three adjudicators selected by National Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Journalists. The judges were Saleem Khan, Metro News, Toronto; Charles Bury, freelancer, Birchton, Quebec, and Melissa Leong, National Post, Toronto.

The winners were selected on the strength of their applications, which included detailed story proposals.

"Once again, we're delighted to help two very promising young journalists learn more about such an important part of our world," said Paul Schneidereit, president of the Canadian Association of Journalists. "We're sure the experience will help make them better journalists."

The Director of the HKETO, Mr. Bassanio So, said: "Hong Kong is Asia's World City and has been a gathering place for news correspondents all over the world for decades. With its unique history and an interesting blend of culture, budding journalists will find Hong Kong a dynamic and sophisticated city, which will provide them with endless ideas and inspiration. This is particularly so given Hong Kong's close relationship with the mainland China, the world's fastest growing economy.

The winners will receive a return economy class air ticket between Canada and Hong Kong and hotel accommodation for six nights and seven days. Funding of this annual project comes from the Hong Kong SAR Government.

The Canadian Association of Journalists is a professional organization with more than 1,400 members across Canada. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide public interest advocacy and quality professional development for its members.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office is the official representative of the HKSAR Government in Canada responsible for the economic, commercial, and public relations interests of Hong Kong across Canada.