378
COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Stamp Exhibits jointly with the Education Department in March. This competition received a favourable response with over 160 frames of stamp exhibits being featured. During the year, Hongkong Post participated in the Stamp Show 2000 held in the United Kingdom, the World Stamp Expo 2000 held in the United States, and 'Meeting the New Century' Philatelic Tour Exhibition and International Stamp & Coin Expo held in the Mainland. In participating these world-class stamp exhibitions overseas, Hongkong Post aims to promote the collection of Hong Kong stamps as well as to enhance their international awareness.
In September, the new Tung Chung Post Office was opened for business. This office has a new layout and design which accentuates Hongkong Post's progressive corporate image. It has multi-purpose counter units designed to provide more convenient and efficient service to customers.
Hong Kong has maintained a high international reputation for its efficient postal services. Hongkong Post has participated in the activities organised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) as a member of the delegation of the People's Republic of China. In technical meetings and activities on postal business not limited to states, Hongkong Post also attended as a separate postal administration using the name 'Hong Kong, China'. The high status of Hongkong Post in the international postal arena can be illustrated by its being elected as a Board member of the UPU Express Mail Service Cooperative (EMSC) and the Asia Pacific Post Cooperative (APPC).
During the year, Hongkong Post attended a number of international meetings overseas such as the UPU Postal Operations Council meetings and Council of Administration meetings in Berne, Switzerland and the 8th APPU Congress in Teheran, Iran, as a member of the People's Republic of China delegation. In addition, Hongkong Post has participated in the board meetings of the UPU EMSC and APPC, the meetings of the UPU Advanced Electronic Services Group, the UPU Terminal Dues Action Group, the Express Mail Service Contract Negotiation Team, and the marketing workshops held by Asia Pacific Post. Apart from attending meetings abroad, Hongkong Post also hosted an UPU EMS Cooperative Board meeting in Hong Kong in February.