ENG-2004 — Page 453

Communications, the Media and Information Technology | 391

understanding of the SAR. The sub-division also arranges visit programmes for other non-sponsored visitors coming to Hong Kong on private visits.

The sub-division runs an Overseas Speakers Programme to reinforce foreign investors' confidence in Hong Kong. Arrangements are made for senior government officials and prominent local personalities to address targeted audiences abroad. The sub-division also assists bureaux and departments in identifying suitable conferences that could be hosted in Hong Kong.

Promoting Hong Kong Overseas

Europe

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, made two visits to Europe in 2004 to promote business and investment opportunities in Hong Kong.

Mr Tsang was in Moscow from May 16 to 18, on Hong Kong's highest-level visit ever to Russia. He met the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and the Deputy Chairmen of the Federal Council (upper house of the Russian Parliament) and the State Duma (lower house of the Russian Parliament). He officiated at the launching of a new video, photo book and exhibition promoting Hong Kong as Asia's world city and addressed over 200 distinguished guests from the diplomatic, business and media circles.

Mr Tsang also visited Stockholm in May at the invitation of the Swedish. Government. He updated politicians and businessmen on developments in Hong Kong since his previous visit five years earlier. He had an audience with King Carl XVI Gustaf and held discussions with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Chief Secretary took the opportunity to open the Hong Kong Film Panorama, a festival of the latest Hong Kong films, which toured 12 European cities during the year. He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on design cooperation between Sweden and Hong Kong.

In late October, the Chief Secretary embarked on a four-country European tour, stopping in London, Berlin, Prague and Dublin.

In London, he met the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, and Lord Charles Falconer, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor; briefed Members of Parliament during a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and met the Hong Kong Committee of the All-Party China Parliamentary Group, updating them on Hong Kong's latest political, economic and social developments. The highlight of his visit was a keynote address to the Hong Kong-Guangdong Business Seminar, attended by more than 1 200 members of the business community.

In Berlin, he called on the German President Horst Köhler, and held discussions with the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the State Secretary for Economics and Labour, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Interior. He also exchanged letters with the Federal Minister of Interior setting out the implementation details under the EC/HKSAR Readmission Agreement.