I suspect it's legacy from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_of_sovereignty_over_H... -- as a Vancouver native there was a massive influx of people from Hong Kong into Vancouver all through the early to mid nineties.

From wikipedia:

  Vancouver was among the most popular destinations, 
  earning the nickname of "Hongcouver". Richmond, a 
  suburb of Vancouver, was nicknamed "Little Hong Kong".

And it's happening again today due to the slowing of the Chinese economy