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Media and Communications

Taiwan. Its Overseas Public Relations Sub-division promotes and monitors Hong Kong's image overseas and liaises closely with over 80 foreign media organisations based in Hong Kong, handling press enquiries, disseminating news and arranging briefings and interviews. It also runs a programme for visiting journalists and produces summaries of overseas reports on Hong Kong. To tie in with the outbound visits of senior officials, it coordinates and implements overseas publicity projects. The sub-division partners with internationally renowned media organisations to produce multimedia publicity materials to promote Hong Kong's strengths and advantages. To further enhance Hong Kong's exposure to global audiences, it supports thematic events hosted by the international media in the city.

The Brand Hong Kong Management Unit handles the Brand Hong Kong programme, promoting Hong Kong as Asia's world city locally and around the world. To ensure the brand's consistent application, the unit develops advertising campaigns and publicity material in print. and electronic formats to support the government's Economic and Trade Offices' activities, senior officials' visits and major promotional programmes outside Hong Kong. The unit also seeks opportunities to highlight the brand and collaborates with organisers of major events of international significance in Hong Kong to bolster the city's image. Hong Kong's strengths and advantages are also promoted through digital and social media platforms.

The Visits and International Conferences Sub-division oversees the ISD's Sponsored Visitors Programme for government and political leaders, academics and think-tank members, as well as leading figures in the business and financial sectors to visit Hong Kong to enhance their understanding of the city. The sub-division also helps line up meetings for influential visitors on trips to Hong Kong. In addition, it provides assistance in the outbound visits of senior government officials to other economies.

Promoting Hong Kong Worldwide

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's offices overseas and in the Mainland, as well as the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan, are important in promoting Hong Kong globally. Hong Kong's image is promoted through regular meetings with counterparts and contacts in territories covered by the offices, visits by senior Hong Kong officials, and cultural and sporting events such as film festivals and dragon boat racing.

Europe

In 2018, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Brussels organised the visit of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, to Belgium and France to strengthen Hong Kong's close ties with these countries and with the European Union (EU). She met senior EU and national government officials, business people, academics, scientists and representatives of cultural institutions, and witnessed the signing of two agreements, on strengthening collaboration in wine and food tourism promotion, and on establishing a research centre for infection, immunology and personalised medicine at the Hong Kong Science Park.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, visited Dublin to promote cooperation in financial services, financial technology and aircraft leasing. On a separate trip to the Irish capital was the

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