COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
The division runs a speakers programme as well, under which arrangements are made for senior government officials and prominent local personalities to address targeted audiences overseas. These programmes are complemented by participation in international seminars, cultural activities and other events.
Administration Division
The Administration Division provides administrative, personnel and financial support services for the department.
Hong Kong's Image Overseas
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One of the main objectives of the government's information policy is to project an accurate image of Hong Kong to overseas communities.
As international interest in the major issues confronting Hong Kong has increased, so the government, in co-operation with leading organisations in the private sector, has expanded the programme of joint promotional activities mounted overseas.
Overseas Offices
The Hong Kong Government's overseas public relations efforts are concentrated on its major business partners in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Its overseas offices in these regions play a leading role in promoting Hong Kong.
London
The News and Public Relations Unit of the Hong Kong Government Office in London works closely with GIS to provide a press service on Hong Kong matters for the British media, and for Hong Kong journalists based in the United Kingdom. The unit maintains close contact with journalists, from both national and regional media, briefs and helps plan programmes for media visiting Hong Kong, and assists visiting journalists from Hong Kong. It provides enquiry and information services for the public about events and developments in Hong Kong, backed by a very comprehensive library. The unit also organises a panel of speakers of about 100 former government officers and businessmen, who have retired or now work in Britain.
The unit monitors British parliamentary proceedings and both national and regional media coverage of Hong Kong affairs, responding where necessary to inaccurate reports. It also publishes a newsletter, Dateline Hong Kong, which is distributed among organisations and individuals with a close interest in the territory.
North America
In North America, media relations are conducted through the government's Economic and Trade Offices in Washington, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. These offices provide a general news and information service for the media and work with GIS to produce news releases, features and articles tailored to the specific requirements of American and Canadian publications. Close contact is maintained with journalists in all major centres of both countries. The units also provide them with assistance and information for preparing articles on Hong Kong and help journalists visiting Hong Kong with briefings, research material and interviews. Each year, the information units of these offices organise, in conjuction with GIS, a series of sponsored visits to Hong Kong by American and Canadian journalists.
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