ENG-1995 — Page 377

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

dealing with information, public relations and publicity aspects of the work of departments or branches. These units play a major role in maintaining the flow of information and helping to improve relations with the public.

Publicity Division

The Publicity Division is responsible for government publications, promotional campaigns, advertisements, creative and design work and government photography. It organises about 12 major government campaigns and about 40 general publicity programmes each year. It handles more than 9 500 separate titles and produces a wide variety of government publications, including the Hong Kong Annual Report. It distributes some eight million copies of publications such as books, fact sheets, brochures, pamphlets, posters and government forms each year. Associated with this output, the sub-division sells some four million copies of books, photographs and miscellaneous printed material annually.

Overseas Public Relations Division

The division formulates the government's overseas public relations strategy; co- ordinates all international publicity efforts, including major promotions and festivals in overseas countries with which Hong Kong has significant trading interests; monitors Hong Kong's image overseas and handles VIP visits.

Its Overseas Public Relations Sub-Division co-ordinates the government's international publicity efforts. It produces and distributes promotional material world-wide, including feature articles, books, pamphlets and television news clips. The sub-division also runs a programme under which journalists are invited to visit Hong Kong to gain a better understanding of the territory. It provides assistance for other visiting journalists requiring information and interviews with government officials, and business and community leaders; and maintains close liaison with news agencies and foreign correspondents based in Hong Kong.

The sub-division is also responsible for the production of the Hong Kong Government Home Page, known as the Government Information Centre, which is accessible to millions of Internet users world-wide.

Visits Division

The Visits Division sponsors and invites VIP visitors, including politicians, parliamentarians, officials, academics and business people from countries with close relations with Hong Kong, to visit the territory. It co-ordinates their visit pro- grammes and briefings with the aim of improving their understanding of Hong Kong.

The division has a programme under which arrangements are made for senior government officials and prominent local personalities to address targeted audiences overseas. These programmes are complemented by participation in international seminars, cultural activities and other events. The division also co-ordinates high- level missions overseas.

Administration Division

The Administration Division provides administrative, personnel and financial support services for the department.

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