COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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corporations, think-tank analysts and a host of others in Ottawa and Toronto. She gave speeches at functions organised by the Hong Kong Canada Business Association, the Canadian Club, Business Council on National Issues and Canadian Institute of International Affairs. She was guest of honour at a Hong Kong Canada Gala Dinner for 650 guests which featured a performance by the Hong Kong Ballet.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, visited Washington in conjunction with the IMF/World Bank Meetings in October. This was part of a visit to the US and Europe to explain how Hong Kong had dealt with the Asian economic crisis, particularly with regard to the currency and equity markets, and to discuss with his counterparts the need for new policies in the light of unprecedented" capital flows around the world.
He met Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin and senior officials of the US Treasury, Federal Reserve Board and State Department. Mr Tsang attended a discussion with the Securities Industry Association and Bond Market Association and met representatives of major investment houses. He went on to New York and Boston to brief financial leaders and opinion-formers on the government's moves to reintroduce stability and a level playing field in the stock and money markets.
Other visitors to the US and Canada included the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Joseph Yam, the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, the Solicitor General, Mr Daniel Fung, the Chairman of the Stocks and Futures Commission, Mr Anthony Neoh, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr Victor Fung and Executive Councillors Nellie Fong and Henry Tang.
In April, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre Corporation, Dr Raymond Chien, led a delegation of more than 20 major technology company executives to California's 'silicon valley' to explore innovations and facilitate technology transfers for Hong Kong industries. Other Hong Kong activities in North America included dragon boat races in Atlanta, Boston and New York sponsored by the New York HKETO, business/investment seminars and a variety of events to promote Hong Kong such as the launching of an information website in Canada by the Toronto HKETO.
Europe
At the invitation of the German and French governments, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, visited Bonn, Frankfurt, Paris and Lyon in March. In Germany he met the Chancellor, Mr Helmut Kohl, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Klaus Kinkel, the Federal Minister of Finance, Dr Theodor Waigel, the President of the Bundestag, Dr Rita Süssmuth, and the President of the European Monetary Institute, Dr Wim Duisenberg. In France, he met the President, Mr Jacques Chirac the Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, and the Governor of the Bank of France, Mr Jean- Claude Trichet. In both countries, Mr Tung met businessmen, politicians and other influential personalities and briefed them on the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle and developments in Hong Kong since its reunification with China.
The Chief Secretary for Administration visited London in October where she met the Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr William Hague.