ENG-2020 — Page 328

17

Media and Communications

disseminate the relevant information promptly to Hong Kong people there and gave appropriate support in response to their requests for assistance.

During the pandemic, the Mainland offices used the internet, social media, newsletters and the radio to publicise Hong Kong's strengths. The offices' investment promotion divisions continued to promote Hong Kong's business advantages and liaised closely with Mainland enterprises, helping them set up businesses in the city. With the epidemic under control in the Mainland in the latter half of 2020, Mainland offices resumed the organisation of trade seminars, cultural activities and youth exchanges. The Mainland offices also provided support to Hong Kong people living in their respective service areas by publishing practical guides on their websites.

The Beijing Office organised roving exhibitions titled 'Hong Kong Connect' in Changchun, Harbin, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang and Tianjin. It also established its designated account 'Arts and Culture 71'on two popular online video platforms in the Mainland, Tencent Video and Bilibili, to bring online performances and productions by Hong Kong artists to Mainland audiences. The Shanghai ETO organised miniature exhibitions in Hangzhou and Shanghai, collaborated with National Geographic to organise two photo exhibitions in Ningbo, and sponsored the production of videos by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, SENZA A Cappella and other groups to promote Hong Kong's arts and culture online in the East China region. The Shanghai ETO used its official WeChat and Weibo accounts to provide the latest information about Hong Kong and events organised by the office.

As the pandemic situation stabilised in the second half of the year, the Guangdong ETO staged a number of large-scale exhibitions to promote Hong Kong, including the 'Hong Kong-Connect the World' exhibition at the 2020 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Expo, an exhibition of outstanding entries in the Guangxi-Hong Kong Co-operation Photo Competition, a virtual exhibition at the 16th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (Cloud ICIF) to showcase Hong Kong's creative industry, and two photo exhibitions in Shenzhen and Xiamen to showcase Hong Kong. The Wuhan ETO organised the 'Hong Kong Miniature Exhibition' in Wuhan to present Hong Kong's culture, traditions and lifestyle and held the 'Hong Kong Photo Exhibition' in Huangshi, Sanmenxia, Xiangyang, Yichang, Yongzhou, Zhangjiajie and Zhengzhou. To disseminate Hong Kong-related news and information, the Wuhan ETO collaborated with Hubei Television's Information Channel to produce and broadcast Next Station, Hong Kong, and with three local newspapers in the region to set up designated Hong Kong columns. The Chengdu ETO organised two creative design exhibitions in Chengdu and Chongqing to promote cultural exchanges, and invited young Hong Kong musicians to produce a video with a fusion of Chinese and Western music for the online 2020 Chengdu International Sister Cities Youth Music Festival. The Chengdu ETO's 'Taste of Hong Kong - Let's Party!' promoted Hong Kong's food, music and movies. The office used its WeChat channel and WeChat Moment to promote Hong Kong's arts and culture, and held an exhibition in Weinan to showcase Hong Kong as Asia's world city.

In Taiwan, the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office maintains contact with various sectors in different cities and counties to strengthen two-way economic, trade and cultural

268