368 Communications, the Media and Information Technology
luncheon presentation. Later, Mr Tang visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to discuss a wide range of issues with senior government officials. He also met with business leaders, major financial institutions and the media to update them on the latest economic developments in Hong Kong.
The following month the 'Discover the Hong Kong Magic' event was launched in Singapore and also warmly received by about 250 guests from the government and diplomatic circle, the tourism industry and the media.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma, visited Bangkok in September to sign a comprehensive agreement for the avoidance of double taxation with Thailand. During his trip, he also met top government officials and the media to promote Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial centre and an equity centre for the region.
Throughout the year, a series of talks on Pan Pearl River Delta cooperation and the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) were staged in key cities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to promote Hong Kong as a gateway to the Mainland China market.
World-renowned Hong Kong tenor Warren Mok and evergreen Hong Kong actress Chan Po-chu visited Singapore in July and September respectively to stage performances. The Singapore ETO sponsored the events by inviting a total of more than 160 distinguished guests to enjoy the shows, during which Hong Kong's cultural achievements were showcased.
In July, the Singapore ETO sponsored a Hong Kong team to race in the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival 2005. The Brand Hong Kong visual identity was prominently featured at this international event.
Australia
A number of senior officials from Hong Kong visited Australia during the year, including the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour and the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food.
To promote Hong Kong as Asia's world city and a gateway to China, Sydney ETO commissioned two reports on Hong Kong, one published in April in The Australian, the country's national daily, and the other in the July edition of Company Director, the magazine of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. The office also helped organise a number of networking events with such organisations as the Australia China Business Council, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Asia Inc Forum and the Hong Kong Australia Business Association.
On the cultural front, the office joined forces with organisers of the Adelaide Film Festival, the Sydney Film Festival, the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival Aotearoa in Auckland to present a selection of quality Hong Kong films. A panel discussion on 'Hong Kong Cinema: The Evolution of a Chinese Hollywood' was also organised. The office also supported the Australian Centre for the Moving Image's retrospective on Wong Kar-wai's films in Melbourne and Sydney.