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Media and Communications
the past 20 years. The dinner in Toronto presented cuisines prepared by a culinary master from Hong Kong and the one in Vancouver was graced by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, as the keynote speaker.
Other celebrations included a Toronto business seminar to promote Hong Kong's business advantages, two film festivals in Toronto and Vancouver to present 'Hong Kong Cinema 1997- 2017, academic seminars, and painting and photo exhibitions.
Hong Kong performing groups, including Zuni Icosahedron, Rhythm & Tempo and Chung Ying Theatre, also staged performances and an exhibition which highlighted Hong Kong arts talent. Newspaper supplements were published to highlight the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems.
Northeast Asia
The Tokyo ETO represents Hong Kong to promote closer economic and trade ties as well as cultural exchanges with Japan and South Korea. The arts and cultural events it presents or supports include a Spring Reception in Tokyo, a Special Focus on Hong Kong films at the Osaka Asian Film Festival and the Hong Kong Cup Student Ambassadors English Programme for university students in Japan.
In 2017, the Tokyo office celebrated the HKSAR's 20th anniversary by organising a Hong Kong Cup dragon boat race in Yokohama, gala dinners and receptions in Tokyo and Seoul, a miniature exhibition in Tokyo, a design exhibition in Seoul, a fashion show during Tokyo Fashion Week and a Hong Kong Night reception at the Busan International Film Festival. It also supported performances in Japan and Korea by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Asian Youth Orchestra, City Contemporary Dance Company and Romer String Quartet.
The office made arrangements for the Financial Secretary to visit Tokyo, as well as Yokohama and Jeju to attend, respectively, annual meetings of the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank. It also arranged the Secretary for Home Affairs' Kyoto trip.
Southeast Asia
The Singapore ETO fosters bilateral relations between Hong Kong and six Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In 2017, the office organised and supported 12 visits to these states by the Chief Executive; the Financial Secretary; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Henry Lau Jr; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law Chi-kong; the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan; the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau Tang-wah; and the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung. It also organised a Belt and Road Seminar in Thailand to promote economic cooperation.
To promote Hong Kong and mark the HKSAR's 20th anniversary, the ETO organised and supported many events in Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia, ranging from receptions,
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