COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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In August, Mrs Chan visited Singapore to deliver the 14th Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Singapore — Malaysia Congress of Medicine. She also had a round of meetings with local business leaders and officials including the Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
The Chief Executive visited Australia and New Zealand in June at the invitation of the governments there. Mr Tung met Australian Prime Minister John Howard and New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley. He gave several keynote addresses and attended a series of functions and meetings with other ministers and officials, business leaders and members of the local Chinese communities.
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Other activities in the region included a visit to Japan in December by the Financial Secretary to address a Hong Kong seminar in Osaka and attend a plenary session of the Hong Kong Japan Business Cooperation Committee in Tokyo. In Singapore, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Joseph Yam, and other senior officials attended the East Asia Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum in October and the Secretary for Justice, Ms Elsie Leung led a delegation of her senior officers on a visit to the island state in July at the invitation of the Attorney General, Mr Chan Sek Keong. And in Australia, the events organised by the Sydney ETO included a Hong Kong Film Festival in August and a concert by the Hong Kong Children Choir in July.
Internet
Among other measures for ensuring open, transparent and accountable government, the administration uses the Internet to disseminate information on its policies and plans and to communicate with the public. The government Home Page (Government Information Centre - http://www.info.gov.hk) provides a comprehensive range of information on Hong Kong. All bureaux and departments have their own home pages on the Internet.
Code on Access to Information
The authorities believe in open and accountable government. This requires reasonable access to government information. An administrative Code on Access to Information now applies to all bureaux and departments, who are committed to make information available to the public.
The code sets out the types of government information to which the public has access. It also lists categories of exemptions to ensure appropriate confidentiality of sensitive information held by the government, and information involving personal privacy and commercial sensitivity.
The public may complain to the Ombudsman about government departments which fail to respond to requests for information in accordance with the code. It represents a major step in meeting public expectations of greater transparency from the government.
Protection for Privacy with Respect to Personal Data
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance was enacted on August 3, 1995, to protect the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data and generally came into force on December 20, 1996. It contains provisions for the appointment of a Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to monitor, supervise and promote compliance with the ordinance.