COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Overseas Public Relations Division
The division advises on and helps develop and implement the Government's overseas public relations and communications strategy. It works closely with the Government's Economic and Trade Offices (ETOS) to monitor and promote Hong Kong's image overseas, and runs a programme under which journalists are invited to visit Hong Kong to gain a better understanding of the SAR. The division provides services to 95 locally based foreign media organisations and assists visiting journalists seeking information or interviews. It also coordinates the production of promotional material on Hong Kong for distribution world-wide.
The division is connected to the ETOS and the HKSAR Government Office in Beijing through a video conferencing system. It arranges for senior government officials to give briefings on major policy initiatives and issues of current interest to the heads of these offices and their interlocutors such as think tank members, analysts, academics and professionals.
The Editorial Production team drafts speeches for senior government officials, in particular the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary. It also provides English and Chinese writing and editing services for government offices for material ranging from feature articles and letters to the editor to advertising copy and TV/radio scripts.
The Brand Management Unit is responsible for Brand Hong Kong, the visual identity of the HKSAR. The brand provides a platform for promoting Hong Kong as Asia's world city. This is done through activities organised in conjunction with government departments and the private sector for international audiences overseas and in Hong Kong. The programme serves to showcase Hong Kong's assets as a world-class city and its attractions for visitors and the business community.
Visits and Promotions Outside Hong Kong Division
The Visits and Promotions Outside Hong Kong Division promotes a favourable image of Hong Kong abroad through the efforts of three subdivisions: Incoming Visits Subdivision, International Visits and Conferences Subdivision and International Promotions Subdivision.
The Incoming Visits Subdivision runs the department's sponsored VIP visitors programme, which targets opinion-formers and decision-makers for visits as guests of the Government, with a view to enhancing their understanding of Hong Kong. The subdivision also arranges visit programmes for other, non-sponsored VIPs coming to Hong Kong on private visits.
The International Visits and Conferences Subdivision runs an Overseas Speakers Programme with the aim of reinforcing foreign investors' confidence in Hong Kong and promoting Hong Kong as Asia's world city. Arrangements are made for senior government officials and prominent local personalities to address targeted audiences abroad. The subdivision also assists bureaux and departments in identifying suitable international conferences that could be hosted in Hong Kong.
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.
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