ENG-2007 — Page 404

340 Communications, the Media and Information Technology

In November, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma, visited Washington, DC. He met US Trade Representative, Ms Susan Schwab, Congressmen Mr Rick Larsen and Mr Wally Herger, and International Monetary Fund First Deputy Managing Director, Mr John Lipsky.

Mr Ma spoke to faculty and students of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and at a US-China Business Council breakfast.

In June, to mark the HKSAR's 10th anniversary, the Washington ETO hosted a reception and screened the trailer for the television series, 'Inside Hong Kong'.

During the year, over 50 celebratory events were held in Canada to mark the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return of to China. Many of these were high-profile functions initiated or supported by the Toronto ETO to highlight the successful implementation of the unique 'one country, two systems' concept under which Hong Kong is run. The 'Hong Kong Spirit' and Hong Kong as an international business centre were other themes trumpeted.

The series of cultural, academic, business, community and sports events was launched early in the year. It started with a concert featuring the world-famous Chinese pianist Lang Lang, now residing in Hong Kong. The occasion was also used to highlight the immigrant scheme introduced by the Government to admit talented people to Hong Kong from the Mainland and around the world.

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With the support of more than 20 business and community organisations in Toronto, a major celebration called the Bauhinia Gala was held in mid-June. Other programmes included The Hong Kong in 2007 lecture series 'A Prospective Retrospective' jointly organised with the University of Toronto, and the 'Five Decades Under the Lion Rock' photographic exhibition depicting Hong Kong people's courage and aspiration which toured Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto. The major business event was the national business forum in Toronto jointly organised with all eight sections of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association. The then Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma, delivered the keynote speech at the forum, entitled 'Hong Kong: Gateway to Opportunities in China'. A 95-member Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra gave two full-house performances in Vancouver and Toronto to celebrate the HKSAR's 10th anniversary.

The New York ETO held a cocktail reception in June to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR. More than 300 guests attended the function at which speakers spoke about the 'one country, two systems' principle under which Hong Kong is run. They pointed out that the unique concept not only works, but works well.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Hong Kong was given the honour to ring the bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York, signalling the start of the day's business. The ritual was performed by the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Miss Margaret Fong.

On the cultural side, dragon boat festivals and film shows were held in different cities across America in a continuing effort to promote Hong Kong.