COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
Fung, visited New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles where he addressed legal associations and policy organisations on Hong Kong's legal system. Mr Fung made two further visits to North America in September and December, addressing audiences in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC and Vancouver.
In February, the HKETO in Toronto, in association with Hong Kong Canada Business Association and HKTDC, organised a successful business promotion in Vancouver, to further enhance Canada's understanding of Hong Kong. The Toronto Office also took part in organising business, trade and industrial investment workshops in conjunction with other associations as an ongoing effort to promote Hong Kong.
During the year, the HKETOs in North America assisted in organising a number of cultural events including the ever-popular Dragon Boat Festival. The colourful events held in Boston, Atlanta, New York and eight Canadian cities Calgary, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Regina, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg in the summer months attracted hundreds of participants. In July, the Washington Office sponsored a Hong Kong film festival.
United Kingdom
To promote Hong Kong's role as a leading business centre in the Asia-Pacific region, a major conference entitled 'Hong Kong: 1997 and Beyond' was held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in October. Speaking at the conference were the Governor and other Hong Kong business leaders.
The Governor also opened an exhibition on Hong Kong architecture and lifestyle entitled 'Hong Kong: City of Tomorrow' at the Edinburgh City Arts Centre. The exhibition was to end in January 1997. During the promotional period, several performances were given by a Chinese orchestra from the Academy for Performing Arts and artists from the Chinese community in the UK.
Other activities organised during the year included a one-day workshop held in London in May to provide practical advice to British companies thinking of setting up offices in Hong Kong and a Hong Kong film festival staged in December.
Australia
The HKETO in Sydney was officially opened by the Chief Secretary in September. Mrs Chan led a high-powered government and business delegation to launch the 'Hong Kong. Australia's Partner in Asia Pacific' promotion in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. The promotion aimed to boost Australian confidence in Hong Kong and to strengthen the business and cultural ties between the two places. The Chief Secretary met the Prime Minister, State Governors and Premiers, as well as leading politicians in the government and opposition. Business seminars and workshops were featured in the week-long programme, along with cultural performances, social events, tourism promotion and visits.
In late August, the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, visited New Zealand where he called on political leaders and business representatives.
Japan
In November, the Governor visited Japan to further foster the close economic and trade relationship between Hong Kong and Japan. The Governor met the Prime Minister, Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto, other senior cabinet ministers, political leaders
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