ENG-2011 — Page 410

354 Communications, the Media and Information Technology

The Visits and International Conferences Sub-division runs the department's Sponsored Visitors Programme for opinion formers, and political leaders and think- tank members to visit Hong Kong at the invitation of the Government. The purpose. is to enhance their understanding of the city. The sub-division also helps draw up programmes for influential visitors coming to Hong Kong on private trips. In addition, it runs an Overseas Speakers Programme to enable foreign investors to better understand Hong Kong's development and what makes it competitive. Under the programme, arrangements are made for senior government officials and prominent members of the community and local personalities to address targeted audiences abroad.

Promoting Hong Kong Worldwide

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's offices. overseas and in the Mainland play a vital role promoting Hong Kong to global audiences. They do this through regular meetings with counterparts and contacts in the territories under their purview, through visits by senior Hong Kong officials and by staging or taking part in cultural events or promotional activities such as film. festivals, exhibitions and performances by Hong Kong artistes.

Europe

In 2011, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised visits by several senior HKSAR Government officials to the countries under its purview.

The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, visited Belgium in September to renew ties with European Union and Belgian government leaders, including Mr Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Prime Minister Mr Yves Leterme.

In Brussels, Mr Tsang attended a luncheon hosted by HRH Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium, and the gala dinner for the 25th Anniversary of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, with Belgian Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr Didier Reynders, as the other guest of honour. In Antwerp he officiated at the first Dragon Boat Festival ever held in Belgium, which was supported by the Brussels ETO.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, visited Paris, Brussels, The Hague and Amsterdam in October to promote Hong Kong as a dispute resolution centre. In Paris, he addressed a roundtable session at a conference hosted by the French Ministry of Justice and The Hague Conference on Private International Law to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Apostille Convention.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, visited Brussels in June to meet officials and representatives from the financial institutions and promote Hong Kong as China's global financial centre.

The Brussels ETO co-hosted Chinese New Year receptions in 10 cities and co-organised business and investment seminars in eight cities. It also supported the '100 Lion Dance Parade' in Amsterdam on July 9, 2011 to celebrate the 100th