362 | Communications, the Media and Information Technology
On the cultural front, the Singapore ETO organised a Hong Kong Film Festival in Malaysia and Singapore in March and July respectively. Both events featured a selection of old classics and current productions. The Singapore ETO also sponsored a concert tour of Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore by the Asian Youth Orchestra in August, as well as tours of the region by several other Hong Kong artists and film directors during the year.
Australia and New Zealand
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, visited Australia in June to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and Australia, promote trade opportunities, and encourage more Australian companies, particularly resources companies, to list in Hong Kong.
During his visit, Mr Tsang held meetings with the Prime Minister, Ms Julia Gillard, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Kevin Rudd, as well as the leader of the Opposition, Mr Tony Abbott, and the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Julie Bishop.
In Melbourne, the first leg of his visit, Mr Tsang met the Governor of Victoria, Mr Alex Chernov, and the Premier of Victoria, Mr Ted Baillieu, and visited the Melbourne Docklands, Federation Square, Etihad Stadium and the Royal Children's Hospital. He also met a group of wine makers in a Yarra Valley winery.
In Perth, Mr Tsang met the Premier of West Australia, Mr Colin Barnett, and visited the Fremantle Port, the Maritime Museum and Perth's waterfront development along the Swan River. He took time out from his Perth trip for a one- day visit to Karratha where he visited an iron ore mine.
In Sydney, Mr Tsang officiated at a reception for the unveiling of a heritage. plaque for Hong Kong House with the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir.
Two Australian daily newspapers, The Age and The West Australian, published a four-page Hong Kong Special Report supplement to mark the Chief Executive's visit to Australia.
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan, visited Sydney in March and delivered a keynote speech at the RMB Australasian Summit entitled 'Trading with China: The Rise of Offshore RMB Business', hosted by the ANZ Bank.
The Chief Justice, Geoffrey Ma, visited Sydney in March and delivered a speech. at a CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia) Luncheon on 'The Role of Courts in the Protection of Rights'.
On the cultural front, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney (Sydney ETO) supported the Sydney Chinese Film Festival in Sydney in February and the Adelaide Film Festival (February-March). In New Zealand, cultural activities that the Sydney ETO supported included the Auckland Lantern Festival in February presented by Asia New Zealand Foundation and the Hong Kong Festival in August presented by the Hong Kong - New Zealand Business Association.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.