Communications, the Media and Information Technology 1 347
Kong's new generation of film directors and producers. The Singapore ETO joined forces with the Hong Kong Tourism Board in August and September to promote the 'Hong Kong Food and Wine Year', by holding a series of events in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.
Australia and New Zealand
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, visited Sydney in October to deliver a keynote speech at the Joint Hong Kong Guangdong Business Conference held there. He also visited Melbourne's iconic arts and culture venues and met the heads of these establishments. Their discussions provided useful tips for developing Hong Kong's cultural infrastructure. Mr Tang also met Victoria's Governor and Premier.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, visited Sydney and Canberra in March. He met Australia's financial regulators and discussed ways to improve regulatory systems and better protect investors.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, visited Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney in April to study Australia's health insurance system, and pharmaceutical and food regulatory regime. He called on senior officials of the Department of Health and Ageing, the Private Health Insurance Administration Council, Medibank Private, the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand and New South Wales Food Authority.
Major events were organised for the first time during the year in Perth and Auckland to highlight Hong Kong Week. Apart from trade promotion activities, cultural activities were also held to showcase Hong Kong's achievements as Asia's creative hub. Special promotional activities were organised with the Hong Kong- Australia Business Association and Hong Kong-New Zealand Business Association to promote Hong Kong as the wine trading and distribution hub of the Asia-Pacific Region.
On the cultural front, Sydney ETO collaborated with the Adelaide Festival Centre to show Hong Kong films at the OzAsia Festival in October. The ETO also worked with the Hurstville City Council in Sydney to present the Hong Kong Film Festival as part of the City Council's Chinese New Year celebrations. In addition, internationally renowned Hong Kong director, Mr John Woo, attended the premiere screening of Red Cliff, supported by the ETO, at the Sydney Film Festival. The ETO also participated in the Adelaide Film Festival and Brisbane International Film Festival at which Hong Kong films were shown.
Mainland of China
In 2009, the Beijing Office and the three ETOs in Guangdong, Shanghai and Chengdu continued to maintain close contact with the Central People's Government and other Mainland authorities as well as promote official exchanges between the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities. They provided logistical support to HKSAR Government delegations visiting the Mainland and arranged visits by Mainland officials to Hong Kong. The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, made three
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