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Media and Communications

The office coordinates the ASEAN Internship Scheme for Hong Kong Higher Education Students to broaden the perspectives of tertiary students from eight University Grants. Committee-funded institutions, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong Shue Yan University and the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, formerly known as Hang Seng Management College. In 2018, it helped about 120 students take up internships in six ASEAN countries.

The Jakarta ETO represents the HKSAR Government in matters with ASEAN as a whole and liaises with the ASEAN Secretariat. In 2018, the office organised the visit to Jakarta by the Chief Executive and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, the Financial Secretary's visits to Manila and Bali, and the Secretary for Home Affairs' trip to Jakarta.

To promote cultural exchanges, the office staged photo exhibitions at the World Conference on Creative Economy and Jakarta Marketing Week. The office also supported the Jakarta dragon boat festival and, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, introduced Hong Kong's neighbourhoods to Indonesians. Outreach activities in Medan and Surabaya in Indonesia, Malaysia's Penang and the Philippines' Davao and Cebu promoted Hong Kong's unique business advantages.

The office supported tours by the City Contemporary Dance Company and Asian Youth Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur and Manila respectively. Student briefings and internships were offered in Indonesia to help the young appreciate career and business opportunities in ASEAN under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Australia and New Zealand

The Sydney ETO promotes Hong Kong in Australia and New Zealand. It participates in high- profile events, including the City of Sydney Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Races, OzAsia Festival in Adelaide and Auckland Lantern Festival. It also holds career talks in universities to promote work opportunities in Hong Kong. Trips were organised to Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in 2018 to publicise Hong Kong's talent admission schemes.

On the business front, the office conducts and supports events to update businesses on Hong Kong's latest developments, especially on opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and Greater Bay Area development.

During the year, the Secretary for the Civil Service visited Melbourne to get an update on the management and training of the Australian civil service. To enhance cultural exchange, the office supported the Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company's tour to Brisbane and Darwin as well as a young Hong Kong watercolour artist's presentation at the Vivid Sydney annual festival.

Mainland and Taiwan

In the Mainland, the Beijing Office and the four ETOS in Chengdu, Guangdong, Shanghai and Wuhan organise seminars, cultural activities, youth exchanges and the visits of Hong Kong. business delegations. The investment promotion divisions of these offices promote Hong Kong's business advantages and liaise closely with Mainland enterprises, helping them set up

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