ENG-2020 — Page 325

17

Media and Communications

the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue, to update those in the UK on different aspects of Hong Kong. In partnership with Invest Hong Kong and foreign business organisations, the office also promoted investment opportunities in Hong Kong through business events in London, Manchester and Oslo, and webinars for audiences in the UK, Sweden and Russia. Apart from hosting Chinese New Year receptions in London and Moscow, it took part in the London Chinatown Chinese New Year celebration and supported three film festivals, two in London and one in Sweden, showcasing Hong Kong movies.

The Berlin ETO organised the trip of a Hong Kong delegation led by the Chief Executive to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2020 in Davos, Switzerland. The Chief Executive updated those attending on the situation in Hong Kong and highlighted the importance of the 'one country, two systems' principle and the Basic Law. She also spoke at various WEF events to promote Hong Kong's strengths and advantages to an international audience.

North America

In response to the constraints imposed by COVID-19, the three ETOS in the United States jointly created a dedicated arts webpage to showcase Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes to US audiences.

The Washington office co-presented online with the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art the 25th annual Made in Hong Kong Film Festival. The event featured appearances by filmmakers Ray Yeung and Andrew Fung.

The New York ETO promoted business and cultural ties in East Coast cities through physical and online activities. Through webinars, the office promoted Hong Kong's advantages in various sectors, including finance, aviation and air cargo and logistics, and supported the delivery of speeches by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui Ching-yu, at international virtual events.

The New York office continued its arts fellowship schemes with the Asian Cultural Council and the Yale-China Association, providing residency programmes for outstanding Hong Kong artists and art administrators in New York and at Yale University respectively. It also hosted a reception for New York's arts and cultural community and members of the International Society for the Performing Arts, currently chaired by the Hong Kong Arts Festival's Executive Director. The office also highlighted Hong Kong movies in a virtual film panorama in New York and Chicago.

After four in-person spring receptions in three states, events in 2020 could only be held online due to the pandemic. Virtual events hosted by the San Francisco ETO included a discussion among Bay Area company leaders on building an offshore development team in Hong Kong and webinars featuring the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit Wing-hang, on Hong Kong's latest I&T developments, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury on Hong Kong's next chapter as a global financial centre.

The office co-presented conversations with eight film directors and artistes from Hong Kong at film events in California and Hawaii. A special tribute to film director Ann Hui was a highlight at

265