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Communications, the Media and Information Technology
agreements on legal matters with the Spanish Government on behalf of the HKSAR Government, and a Memorandum of Understanding of co-operation with the Mayor of Barcelona relating to urban planning, infrastructure development and waterfront design.
The Brussels ETO organised or co-organised 10 business seminars or luncheons in the countries under its purview, and receptions in 11 cities for 1,900 guests to celebrate Chinese New Year. It also organised or supported 21 arts and cultural events during the year, including the Brussels ETO's annual Hong Kong Film Panorama, which was screened in seven cities, the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, the Paris Cinema International Film Festival, the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy and the Sitges and Vic festivals in Spain, all showcasing Hong Kong cinema.
Other highlights included Hong Kong's participation in the 2012 Bordeaux Wine Festival as the Guest City of Honour in June, the Second Port of Antwerp Dragon Boat Festival in September, the first Hong Kong Week in Burgundy in November, and events in June and July to mark the 15th anniversary of the HKSAR's establishment, including concerts by Hong Kong ensemble SIU2 in Amsterdam and Bordeaux and the presentation of a Hong Kong costume to Brussels' iconic statue Manneken-Pis.
In 2012, the London ETO organised eight visits by principal officials of the HKSAR Government to the countries it covers, including two by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, to Russia in August and September and one by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, to the UK in November.
During the year, the London ETO organised many business seminars and receptions in countries under its purview to promote Hong Kong as the preferred gateway to China and Asia. The London ETO also organised or supported many arts and cultural events to celebrate the HKSAR's 15th anniversary, including Hong Kong film festivals in London, Manchester and Moscow; an art exhibition in Manchester, and theatre performances in London, Edinburgh and Manchester; a children's choir's concert in Helsinki; and the London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. In addition, the London ETO staged a competition to encourage more UK students to study in Hong Kong and took part in the London Lord Mayor's Show.
In 2012, the Berlin ETO organised the visit by the then Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, to Switzerland in January to address the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, and the visit of the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, to Switzerland in November to promote Hong Kong as China's global financial centre.
Besides regular meetings during 2012 with government officials, business communities and think tanks, the Berlin ETO also organised, or participated in, 18 business forums or seminars. promoting Hong Kong, hosted eight arts and cultural events, four promotional dinners and 13 receptions. These included film festivals and concerts commemorating the HKSAR's 15th anniversary, the annual Chinese New Year receptions in February and March, and dinners promoting Hong Kong as Asia's culinary and wine trading centre in October. Supported and sponsored by the Berlin ETO, a programme on the latest economic developments of Hong Kong was screened in December on the national German news channel, n-tv.
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