ENG-2016 — Page 341

17

Media and Communications

An exhibition of industrial designer Michael Young's work in Belgium, supported by the office, highlighted Hong Kong as the city for designers to turn their creativity into business. The office also showcased the excellence of Hong Kong films during festivals in Udine, Florence, Prato, Salento, Thessaloniki, Sitges, Carpi and Nantes, and brought Hong Kong musicians to Europe: young clarinettist Calvin Leung played in Rome, while the Hong Kong Children's Choir and Hong Kong Sinfonietta performed in Portugal. An exchange between 10 artists each from Hong Kong and Belgium produced three contemporary art performances in Brussels.

The Brussels office was also the title sponsor of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Antwerp and Hong Kong Dragon Boat Regatta in Dublin.

In 2016, the London ETO organised four visits by HKSAR Government principal officials to countries under its purview, including a visit by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, to the UK.

The London office organised and took part in various business events to promote Hong Kong's advantages in different areas. It also worked to promote Hong Kong arts and culture by organising or supporting film festivals in London and Manchester; theatre performances in London and Edinburgh; musical performances in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the UK; and a Dragon Boat Festival in the UK. It took part in the London Lord Mayor's Show. In addition, for the fifth time it held a competition to encourage UK students to study in Hong Kong.

In 2016, the Berlin ETO organised the visits of the Chief Secretary for Administration to Germany; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development to Switzerland; the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, to Germany and Switzerland; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology to Austria and Germany; the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, to Hungary; and the delegations of the VTC and the Town Planning Board to Germany.

Besides regular meetings with government officials, business communities and think tanks, the office organised and took part in many business events to promote Hong Kong, including luncheons, receptions, conferences, seminars and trade fairs. It also supported arts and cultural events in central and eastern Europe, such as film festivals, dragon boat races, exhibitions, concerts and other performances.

North America

In 2016, the ETO in Washington, DC, organised the visits of the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

The Washington office also presented the 21st Annual 'Made in Hong Kong' Film Festival, co- sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution.

In the eastern US, the New York ETO promoted a better understanding of Hong Kong as a vibrant international financial, trading, educational and cultural hub by reaching out to businesses, political and government leaders, major universities, arts and cultural institutions.

279