ENG-2002 — Page 432

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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North Asia

The Chief Secretary for Administration visited Japan in November to promote Hong Kong's role as an international business hub and strategic partner for accessing the Mainland market. During his five-day visit programme, which had the theme of 'Hong Kong-Japan Partnership 2002', Mr Tsang visited Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka. In Tokyo, he gave a keynote speech at a luncheon jointly organised by the Tokyo HKETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Japan Business Cooperation Committee. He also launched the Hong Kong New Wave, a month-long Hong Kong Tourism Board promotion in Tokyo featuring Hong Kong music, cinema and food. The Chief Secretary called on leading political figures including former Prime Ministers Mr Yoshiro Mori and Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto. He also met the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr Yasuo Fukuda, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Yoriko Kawaguchi, the Minister of Justice, Mr Mayumi Moriyama, and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr Takeo Hiranuma. In addition, Mr Tsang attended a luncheon forum with the Japan Institute of International Affairs and held round-table discussions with the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League. In Fukuoka, Mr Tsang delivered a keynote luncheon speech and held talks with the Governor of Fukuoka, Mr Wataru Aso. He concluded his visit in Osaka where he gave another keynote speech and met the Mayor of Osaka, Mr Takafumi Isomura.

South-East Asia

Officials visiting Singapore during the year included Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong who, as Secretary for Health and Welfare, attended a Forum for a Networked Government in February, and the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, who gave a keynote speech on Hong Kong's perspective on security and e-commerce at a Conference on Cyber Security in March.

The Commissioner of Insurance, Mr Benjamin Tang, signed a Memorandum of Understanding of Mutual Assistance and the Exchange of Information on insurance matters with the Monetary Authority of Singapore in March. In June, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tsang Yam-pui, called on the republic's Commissioner of Police, Mr Khoo Boon Hui, to exchange views on policing.

In October, the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development), Ms Sandra Lee, called on senior officials to exchange views on port and airport development, as well as logistics and tourism developments, in Hong Kong and Singapore. The same month, the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee, attended the opening of The Esplanade Theatres on the

Bay, the national performing arts centre. She also met the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, and chief executives of the National Heritage Board and National Arts Council, to exchange views on cultural development in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Visitors to Malaysia included the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology and the Director-General of Investment Promotion, who attended the World Economic Forum's East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October. The Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Information Technology and Broadcasting), Mr Francis Ho, visited Kuala Lumpur in September, and attended the Asia Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Awards 2002.