ENG-2000 — Page 423

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock; senior business leaders and politicians as well as media representatives to update them on the latest developments in Hong Kong. She attended a welcoming reception for the Hong Kong team taking part in the Olympic Games, and a gala dinner that was attended by prominent politicians, business leaders, as well as members of the international Olympic fraternity.

In August, the Financial Secretary visited Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Mr Tsang met senior federal government officials and business and political leaders, including the Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Downer.

At the state level, the Financial Secretary met in South Australia various leaders, including the Acting Premier, Mr Rob Kerin, and the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Mr Alfred Huang. He met the New South Wales Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Mr Michael Egan, in Sydney and Victoria's Minister for Finance, Ms Lynne Kosky, in Melbourne. Mr Tsang gave three keynote addresses at luncheons organised by Austrade and the HKTDC and attended a number of meetings with think tank members, community and business leaders and media representatives. Mr Tsang updated business gatherings on Hong Kong's economic recovery and its strong economic fundamentals. He explained why Hong Kong would stand to gain from China's accession to the WTO, and why international businesses, especially those from Australia, should continue to work with the HKSAR to explore business opportunities in the Mainland. He also discussed the concept of developing Hong Kong into a wine distribution centre in the region. Mr Tsang officially launched the Hong Kong Food Festival organised by the Hong Kong Tourist Association in Adelaide.

In September, the Secretary for Commerce and Industry spoke at the World Economic Forum meeting in Melbourne. Mr Chau also delivered a keynote address at the Hong Kong Networking Lunch, which was attended by conference delegates and senior business executives. Visiting Sydney, he updated a meeting of business leaders on latest developments in Hong Kong.

At the invitation of the country's Prime Minister, the Chief Secretary for Administration visited New Zealand in November. A high-level business delegation also joined this first-ever major promotional visit to the country that covered three cities - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. In Wellington, the capital, Mrs Chan met the Prime Minister, Ms Helen Clark, who also hosted a dinner in her honour, and a number of senior ministers and government officials. These included the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Phil Goff, and the Minister of Immigration, Ms Lianne Dalziel. While in Wellington, Mrs Chan attended a dinner hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, Mr Chen Wenzhao.

In Auckland, where the visit began, Mrs Chan spoke at a gala dinner to launch the Hong Kong-New Zealand 2000 Promotion, at which the guests included the Treasurer and Minister of Finance, Dr Michael Cullen, who represented the Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the Auckland Regional Council, Mr Philip Warren, A highlight of the dinner was a performance by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Mrs Chan also launched two other promotional events jointly organised by the Sydney HKETO and the Hong Kong Tourist Association - an exhibition of Hong Kong's infrastructure and architecture, and a tourism promotion. She attended a business breakfast seminar hosted by the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce and

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