ENG-2012 — Page 358

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Communications, the Media and Information Technology

On the cultural front, the Singapore ETO organised two Hong Kong Film Festivals in Malaysia and Thailand in March and April respectively. The festivals, especially the first ever film festival of Hong Kong movies in Thailand, attracted wide local media coverage and public interest.

To celebrate the HKSAR's 15th anniversary, the Singapore ETO together with its partners. organised the Hong Kong Festival 2012 in Singapore, showcasing Hong Kong's vibrancy and diverse arts and culture as well as its status as a premier business destination. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, opened the festival, which featured a host of events including a wine and dine event, a theatrical performance, a Gala Dinner with more than 400 guests, a business forum with an audience of over 300 and a dragon boat race featuring champion teams from Hong Kong and Singapore. The festival ended on a high note when the Hong Kong team won the Hong Kong Cup at the dragon boat race.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Singapore ETO co-hosted with its partners receptions in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Australia and New Zealand

In 2012, the Sydney ETO organised visits by senior HKSAR Government officials to Australia and New Zealand, including one by the then Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, to New Zealand in April and the Chief Justice, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, to Australia in August.

Activities organised by the Sydney ETO to celebrate the HKSAR's 15th anniversary included 'Light Up Hong Kong House' (a laser light show on the façade of Hong Kong House, where the Sydney ETO has its offices), the Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra's concert tour of Australia and New Zealand, a festival of Hong Kong movies, an art exhibition and a multi-media exhibition.

The Sydney ETO commissioned a coffee table book on Hong Kong House, highlighting previously unknown information about the building, the area and the site. The year 2012 also marked Hong Kong House's first participation in Sydney Open (a biennial event presented by the Historic Houses Trust showcasing Sydney's architectural and heritage heart) and over 1,000 people visited the building on the day.

The Sydney ETO organised or supported a wide range of arts and cultural events, including performances by the Hong Kong acappella group Hong Kong Melody Makers in six cities in Australia and New Zealand, the City of Sydney Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Race, the Auckland Lantern Festival, and five film events in Australia and New Zealand featuring Hong Kong films.

The Sydney ETO also launched the New Zealand Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group in Wellington in March.

Mainland and Taiwan

In 2012, the Beijing Office (BJO) and the three Hong Kong ETOs in Guangdong, Shanghai and Chengdu organised a number of activities to promote Hong Kong's strengths and advantages. These included the 'Chongqing-Hong Kong Week 2012' jointly organised by the Chengdu ETO

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