ENG-2003 — Page 434

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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The Secretary for the Civil Service attended the Civil Service College Advisory Panel Meeting in Singapore in January. In the same month, the Secretary for Home Affairs also visited Singapore and exchanged views with officials on policies relating to heritage preservation, promotion of arts, culture and sports, football betting and community development.

In June, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food attended the WHO's Global Conference on SARS held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr Yeoh told delegates about Hong Kong's strategy and achievements in containing the outbreak.

The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour visited Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in August. In Kuala Lumpur, Mr Ip visited the Multimedia Super Corridor in Cyberjaya and in Singapore he inspected air freight and container terminal facilities. While in the Malaysian capital, Mr Ip officiated at a 'Hong Kong Gala Dinner' being held as part of a series of Hong Kong Welcomes You fairs staged in various capital cities to publicise Hong Kong post-SARS, and emphasise it continued to be an attractive destination for tourists and business travellers. The Chinese Music Ensemble of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) performed at the dinner to showcase Hong Kong's culture and talented young musicians.

The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food visited Manila in September to attend the WHO Western Pacific Meeting. The same month, the Secretary for Home Affairs visited Manila for a meeting of the Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium. Dr Yeoh also led a delegation to Singapore in November, meeting health officials and sharing experiences in the control measures taken against SARS and other communicable diseases. The delegation visited the Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore's dedicated hospital for SARS patients. The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour also visited Singapore in November, and signed an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement on Shipping Income and Air Services Income with the Government.

In summer, the Singapore HKETO in collaboration with the HKTB and the HKTDC staged a Hong Kong Welcomes You fair to publicise how Hong Kong was moving forward as a vibrant place in which to live and work, post-SARS. The fair featured a Brand Hong Kong Photo Exhibition, a demonstration of traditional Hong Kong craftsmanship, and cultural performances led by students of the HKAPA. Hong Kong Welcomes You fairs were also held in Manila and Bangkok.

Australia

In September, the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs visited Australia and updated Australian Government officials, business leaders and the media on developments in Hong Kong, including the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle and constitutional development. He also had meetings with members of two think tanks, the Asia-Australia Institute and the Gilbert and Tobin Centre for Public Law.

In October, as part of the Economic Relaunch Campaign, the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour visited Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to promote Hong Kong as a leading business hub and tourist destination in Asia. Mr Ip delivered a keynote address at two business conferences in Sydney and Melbourne. He also officiated at the launching of the Hong Kong Food Festival organised by the HKTB.