342 Communications, the Media and Information Technology
Japan, as well as representatives of security-related agencies in both countries, to exchange views on issues of common interest.
To promote better understanding of Hong Kong among young people in Japan, Tokyo ETO organised, for the second consecutive year, an English speech contest for university students. The contestants were required to have a Hong Kong theme in their speeches.
To showcase Hong Kong's creative industry in Japan, Tokyo ETO participated in the 'Yokohama Asian Wave 2008' exhibition in October at which comics and Chinese paintings by Mr Lee Chi-ching, winner of the first International Manga Award organised by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were displayed.
Southeast Asia
In May, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, visited Singapore. He called on the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, and the Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and attended a lunch hosted by the Senior Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong. He also had fruitful meetings with other senior government officials and learned about the country's latest developments in health care, tourism and environmental protection.
In December, the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, led a business delegation to Hanoi, Vietnam. He met the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Sinh Hung and other senior government officials of finance, trade and investment, and signed a 'Comprehensive Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation' with Vietnam. Mr Tsang gave a speech at a business seminar organised by the HKTDC and addressed the Dragonair Hanoi Inaugural Gala Dinner.
On the cultural front, the ETO in Singapore sponsored and supported the Kowloon Club, a community organisation formed by Hong Kong immigrants in Singapore, to take part for the first time in the Chingay Festival parade during the Chinese New Year. In December, the ETO sponsored a recital by 12-year old piano prodigy, Aristo Sham, from Hong Kong, and a series of showings of 'Bruce Lee' films.
In addition, the ETO joined hands with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the HKTDC to launch the new 'Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong' office to serve related organisations and to strengthen contact with the media in Singapore and Malaysia.
During the year, seminars and presentations were held in the key cities of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote Hong Kong as an economic and trading hub in Asia. The ETO also capitalised on every opportunity to promote Hong Kong as a co-host city of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Australia and New Zealand
To promote Hong Kong as a co-host city for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, the Sydney ETO took part in several major equestrian events in Australia. These included the 'Australian Show Jumping Championships' in Sydney, the 'South Australian State Show Jumping Championship' in Adelaide and