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COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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on Cultural Cooperation. In addition to meetings with senior government officials, Mr Tsang delivered the keynote address at a luncheon co-organised by the Italian Institute for International Affairs, the Brussels HKETO and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Milan office. At the invitation of the President of the Lombardy Government, Mr Roberto Formigoni, Mr Tsang also reached out to the business community in Milan, were he held round-table discussions with senior representatives of the Lombardy and Milan Chambers of Commerce, the Milan Stock Exchange, the Milan Fair Authority and major business conglomerates.

The Chief Secretary visited Vienna at the invitation of the Austrian Government, meeting the Federal Chancellor, Mr Wolfgang Schussel, and other officials, and also addressing guests at a City Hall luncheon.

Mr Tsang began his European visit in London, where he met leading United Kingdom parliamentarians, delivered a keynote address at a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Association and met senior economists and editors of the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Mr Tsang visited London again in July, to launch the largest and most diverse Hong Kong Festival ever staged in the United Kingdom. The three-month summer festival was organised by the London HKETO to celebrate the HKSAR's 5th Anniversary. The UK's Special Representative for International Investment and Trade, the Duke of York, joined Mr Tsang in the official launching ceremony at a luncheon attended by more than 170 leading politicians; senior government officials, prominent business leaders, diplomats as well as celebrities in the cultural and creative fields.

Showcasing the multi-faceted lifestyle of Hong Kong as 'Asia's world city', the festival included a major exhibition on architecture and infrastructure, a contemporary art exhibition, a film festival, a roving photographic exhibition, a series of seminars that ranged from politics to economics, and cultural and sports events. While in London, Mr Tsang had meetings with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Jack Straw, and the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg.

The Financial Secretary made an eight-day visit to Europe in November to reinforce close economic and business links between Hong Kong and European countries. He visited Amsterdam, London, Brussels, Paris and Dublin for a series of meetings with business and political leaders, financial market regulators, major credit rating agencies and media representatives.

Beginning his visit in Amsterdam, Mr Leung updated the Dutch financial and business community on the initiatives undertaken by the Government to enhance Hong Kong's role as a business hub for global economic activity, giving the keynote address at a luncheon attended by 150 business leaders.

Moving on to the United Kingdom, Mr Leung had a breakfast meeting with executive members of the Hong Kong Association, and gave keynote addresses at an international conference organised by the Royal Institute of International Affairs and the Annual Dinner of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. During his visit, Mr Leung met the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown, the Chairman of the Bank of England, Sir Edward George, and the Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, Sir Howard Davies.

Crossing over to Belgium, the Financial Secretary held a full day of meetings in Brussels with European and Belgian officials, including the Finance Minister, Mr