COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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Investment Conference and Expo. Mr Ip also met financial regulators and political leaders to exchange views on the latest developments in world financial markets.
The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology visited Sydney in November to attend the WTO Informal Trade Ministers Meeting. Mr Tang also took the opportunity to meet and exchange views with a group of influential business leaders at a Sydney HKETO luncheon on Hong Kong and the region.
Brand Hong Kong
Brand Hong Kong was launched at the Fortune Global Forum in May 2001 to promote Hong Kong as 'Asia's world city'. The stylised dragon has been given prominent placement on, for example, buses, trams, ferries, airliners, helicopters, government vehicles and banners and also in the Hong Kong and international print and broadcast media.
The Brand Hong Kong programme arose as a strategic communications platform following a recommendation from the Commission on Strategic Development, a group of senior public and private sector representatives which advised the Chief Executive on Hong Kong's long-term development needs and goals.
During 2003-04, efforts will continue to publicise developments in Hong Kong and promote Hong Kong as a world-class city in the 21st century. With the successful launch of the Brand, the emphasis during the year will be to promote the core values that underpin Hong Kong's positioning as 'Asia's world city': Progressive, Free, Stable, Opportunity and High Quality. This will be done through a series of activities and promotions both in Hong Kong and overseas.
Government Home Pages on the Internet
Among other measures for ensuring openness, transparency and accountability, the Government uses the Internet to disseminate information on its policies, services and activities and to communicate with the public. All bureaux and departments produce their home pages in Chinese and English. Thematic home pages are also produced for special events and topics.
These home pages can be accessed through the Government Information Centre (GIC) at http://www.gov.hk. Hyperlinks to the home pages of the Chief Executive, Executive Council, Legislative Council, the 18 District Councils, the Judiciary and other related organisations are provided.
The GIC provides 24-hour news updates, live broadcasts of government press conferences, consultation papers and topical information to enable the public to keep track of local developments and important announcements. It is also a portal to a wide range of electronics services of various departments and agencies, including the submission of tax returns, registration as a voter, payment of government fees and the purchase of government publications.
The Government's e-bulletin, http://www.news.gov.hk, launched on December 30, is a new initiative to enhance E-government excellence. Given the ever-growing Internet population, both local and abroad, the e-bulletin is an effective means to present to the public a comprehensive spread of government news, views and information. Being a website with interactive and multimedia features, it has become a valuable tool in enhancing the transparency of the Government.