COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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Industry and the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association (HKNZBA) and attended a luncheon hosted by the Asia 2000 Foundation and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. While in the city, Mrs Chan called on the Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Michael Hardie Boys, and the Mayor of Auckland, Mrs. Christine Fletcher.
During her visit to Christchurch, Mrs Chan gave a keynote address at a business luncheon hosted by the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce and the HKNZBA. She visited a charitable trust set up by the city council to work with local businesses to reduce, reuse and recyle waste in a major initiative in environmental protection and the development of environmental technology, took a ride on an environmentally friendly electric coach and visited two hi-tech companies.
In meetings with think tank members, community and business leaders and media representatives during her stay in New Zealand, Mrs Chan spoke about the full realisation and smooth operation of the 'one country, two systems' concept, the recovery of Hong Kong's economy and the initiatives being taken to reinforce the HKSAR's position as a leading international financial, business, and tourist centre. She also urged New Zealand companies to exploit the trade and investment opportunities that Hong Kong offered, both domestically and in the Mainland.
Government Home Pages on the Internet
Among other measures for ensuring open, transparent and accountable government, the Government uses the Internet to disseminate information on its policies and plans and to communicate with the public. All bureaux and departments produce their home pages in Chinese and English.
These home pages can be accessed through the government main page, the GIC (http://www.info.gov.hk). Linking keys to the home pages of the Executive and Legislative Councils and other related organisations are provided. The GIC also makes available, among other things, updated news-oriented and topic-based information to enable the public to keep track of local developments.
A new home page on Hong Kong and the Pursuit of Economic Freedom was introduced in 2000. It provides comprehensive information about the factors that make Hong Kong one of the freest economies in the world.
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, which are committed to making 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 that 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.