ENG-2011 — Page 59

Constitution and Administration | 23

In May 2011, the Cultural Co-operation Committee under ECCPC held the first Hong Kong-Taiwan Cultural Co-operation Forum with 'Forming Cultural Co-operation Platform, Building Chinese Creative Branding' as the theme. At the forum, Hong Kong and Taiwan mapped out an action agenda that aimed to deepen mutual understanding on the development of cultural and creative industries, and to facilitate concrete co-operation directions and plans for these industries.

In August 2011, the ECCPC and the THEC held its second joint meeting in Hong Kong, at which consensus was reached on new priority areas of co-operation including insurance regulation, education and legal co-operation on civil and commercial matters. In the same month, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Taiwan Financial Supervisory Commission signed a memorandum of understanding for banking supervisory co-operation between the two authorities.

To facilitate the entry of Taiwan visitors for business or leisure in Hong Kong, with effect from September 1, 2011, the duration of stay for holders of a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents has been extended from seven days to 30 days.

To promote exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Taiwan particularly on cultural and creative sectors, the ECCPC Chairman led a delegation to visit Taipei in October 2011 to participate in the International Design Alliance congress; and the THEC Chairmen led a delegation to visit Hong Kong in November 2011 to attend events of the Business of Design Week organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre.

On December 30, both sides signed an air services arrangement, which increased the flight frequency, number of destinations, and passenger and cargo capacities between Hong Kong and Taiwan. Not only will the arrangement benefit the development of the aviation, freight and tourism industries of the two places, it will also strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international and regional aviation hub.

Advisory and Statutory Bodies

The network of advisory and statutory bodies is a distinctive feature of the system of government. Its purpose is to tap professional expertise present in the community and to encourage public participation in government decision-making.

Through these bodies, a wide cross-section of the community and relevant organisations can participate in the initial stage of policy-making and public service planning.

The advisory bodies' areas of activities are wide-ranging. Some, such as the Telecommunications Numbering Advisory Committee, deal with the interests of a particular industry. Others, such as the Transport Advisory Committee, advise on a particular area of government policy, while the District Councils deal with district. affairs. Statutory bodies, such as the Hospital Authority, have legal powers and responsibilities to perform specific functions in accordance with the relevant legislations.