COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) to arrange a wide variety of promotions.
Visits Division
The Visits Division sponsors and invites VIP visitors, including politicians, parliamentarians, officials and business people from countries with close relations with Hong Kong. It co-ordinates their visit programmes and briefings to improve their understanding of Hong Kong.
The division has a programme 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. The division also co-ordinates high- level missions overseas.
Administration Division
The Administration Division provides administrative, personnel and financial support services for the department.
Hong Kong's Image Overseas
The government's overseas public relations efforts are directed mainly at Hong Kong's major business partners in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. They are carried out through the Hong Kong Economic Trade Offices (HKETOS) in Washington, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, London, Brussels, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.
The Geneva HKETO deals with international trade issues under the World Trade Organisation. It also liaises with the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development. The office has moved into new premises which were officially opened by the Financial Secretary in May 1998.
The HKETOS (apart from Geneva) provide general news and information services, organise promotional activities, brief the media and produce press releases and newsletters for their different audiences. Information on Hong Kong is also made available through individual home pages on the Internet. The offices monitor media coverage and parliamentary and congressional debates on issues of interest to Hong Kong. They advise and assist ISD in drawing up programmes for visitors to Hong Kong such as government officials, politicians and journalists. In conducting their various activities, the offices work closely with Hong Kong-related organisations overseas such as the Hong Kong Tourist Association and Trade Development Council.
Special Events
HKSAR Anniversary
The HKETOs held a series of events on or around July 1 to mark the first anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. They included receptions in a number of cities attended by local government officials, politicians, the diplomatic corps, community and business leaders and other distinguished guests. Other events included cultural evenings, film festivals, seminars