COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
to encourage and sustain positive interest in Hong Kong and to generate a greater understanding of the issues affecting it. Each overseas office also produces special newsletters containing a digest of news and events in Hong Kong. These are widely distributed to contacts in the respective countries.
Special Events
Handover Ceremony
In June and July, all HKETOS organised activities to mark the transfer of sovereignty to China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG). Celebration receptions, luncheons and dinners were organised on June 30 and July 1 in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia.
These events were attended by distinguished guests including ministers, mayors, government officials, consuls, foreign dignitaries, community leaders, business people and academics. Live or pre-recorded telecasts from Hong Kong of the Handover and Inauguration Ceremonies were featured in these functions.
Other celebration events included a three-day 'Hong Kong Weekend' in London which featured a series of cultural and trade events, culminating in the live broadcast of the Handover Ceremony in Hong Kong on June 30. A business seminar in Osaka, Japan, in mid-July promoted Hong Kong's role as a leading business centre in the Asia Pacific Region.
North America
The strengthening of Hong Kong's ties with the United States and Canada continued with high-level visitors from Hong Kong during the year, besides promotional activities in various cities across North America.
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, made his first official visit to the United States in September to outline Hong Kong's smooth transition and to enhance Hong Kong-US economic and trade relations.
During his five-day visit to Washington, DC, and New York, Mr Tung met President Bill Clinton, Vice-President Al Gore, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of Treasury Robert Rubin and National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, and had a series of meetings with US legislators, business leaders, prominent think-tanks and individuals. He also held discussions with Congressional leaders and gave a keynote speech at a luncheon hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce.
In New York City Mr Tung met the business, financial and academic communities. He addressed a luncheon hosted by The Asia Society, the HKETO, the Hong Kong Association of New York, Inc., and the National Committee on US-China Relations, and a dinner hosted by the influential Economic Club of New York. He also spoke to members of the Committee of 100, a group of prominent American and Asian businessmen and academics in the US.
Earlier, in January, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, attended the Asia-Pacific Roundtable (Conference) in San Francisco and visited Dallas and Houston. During her visit, Mrs Chan met local government officials, academics, business leaders and media representatives.
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