COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The International Promotions Subdivision organises major promotional activities. outside Hong Kong, covering principal cities in target countries. The promotions employ a multi-faceted approach comprising high-level business conferences, keynote addresses, political calls, tourism promotions as well as social, networking and cultural events.
Special Events
North America
The Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, visited Washington, DC, in June to brief US Government and political leaders on Hong Kong's economy and to discuss US- Hong Kong cooperation in combating terrorism. During his first official visit to the United States, Mr Leung met a number of senior officials and political and business leaders, including the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board, Mr Alan Greenspan. He also gave a keynote speech at a luncheon hosted by the Brookings Institution, a prominent think-tank. Mr Leung returned to Washington in September to attend the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, visited the capital in September to discuss various trade issues and US-Hong Kong cooperation in helping to protect the global trading system from possible disruption arising from terrorist attacks. During his visit, Mr Tang met the US Trade Representative, Mr Robert Zoellick, and the Secretary of Commerce, Mr Don Evans, and other officials. In November, the Solicitor-General, Mr Robert Allcock, visited Washington to brief US Government officials on the HKSAR Government's proposal to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law. The officials he met included the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs of the National Security Council, Dr James Moriarty; Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Mr Lorne Craner; and Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, Congressman Jim Leach. Mr Allcock also visited New York City, briefing members of think tanks and the legal community on the proposal. He had discussions with the Council of Foreign Relations, the Asia Society, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York as well as a number of New York-based editors.
Hong Kong's Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mr Stuart Harbinson, visited Washington in April, meeting the Secretary of Agriculture, Ms Ann Veneman, senior officials in the State Department and the Office of the US Trade Representative, and representatives of trade bodies.
The Washington HKETO organised a number of events to promote Hong Kong during the year, including a reception for a visiting delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Cultural activities included a concert featuring the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra the third concert in a series presented by the office, Musical Radiance from Hong Kong - Pearl of the East.
The Financial Secretary headed a delegation of Hong Kong business leaders at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, in New York City, in February. During the meeting, Mr Leung led two international discussion groups: one a brainstorming session dealing with restoring global growth and the other on regional and global implications of China's economic resurgence. He attended an Informal Gathering of
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