North America

The Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, visited Washington, DC, in June to brief US Government and political leaders on Hong Kong's economy and to discuss U.S-Hong Kong cooperation in combating terrorism. During his first official visit to the United States, Mr Leung met a number of senior officials and political and business leaders, including the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board, Mr Alan Greenspan. He also gave a keynote speech at a luncheon hosted by the Brookings Institution, a prominent think-tank. Mr Leung returned to Washington in September to attend the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.

    The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, visited the capital in September to discuss various trade issues and US-Hong Kong cooperation in helping to protect the global trading system from possible disruption arising from terrorist attacks. During his visit, Mr Tang met the US Trade Representative, Mr Robert Zoellick, and the Secretary of Commerce, Mr Don Evans, and other officials.

    In November, the Solicitor-General, Mr Robert Allcock, visited Washington to brief US Government officials on the HKSAR Government's proposal to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law. The officials he met included the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs of the National Security Council, Dr James Moriarty; Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Mr Lorne Craner; and Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, Congressman Jim Leach. Mr Allcock also visited New York City, briefing members of think tanks and the legal community on the proposal. He had discussions with the Council of Foreign Relations, the Asia Society, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York as well as a number of New York-based editors.

    Hong Kong's Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mr Stuart Harbinson, visited Washington in April, meeting the Secretary of Agriculture, Ms Ann Veneman, senior officials in the State Department and the Office of the US Trade Representative, and representatives of trade bodies.

    The Washington HKETO organised a number of events to promote Hong Kong during the year, including a reception for a visiting delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Cultural activities included a concert featuring the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra — the third concert in a series presented by the office, Musical Radiance from Hong Kong — Pearl of the East.

    The Financial Secretary headed a delegation of Hong Kong business leaders at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, in New York City, in February. During the meeting, Mr Leung led two international discussion groups: one a brainstorming session dealing with restoring global growth and the other on regional and global implications of China's economic resurgence. He attended an Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders which brought together the finance, foreign, trade and development ministers and the central bank governors of the 'Group of 20' countries. Mr Leung also hosted a Hong Kong Networking Dinner for about 150 guests comprising global business and political leaders, and media guests. During his visit, Mr Leung was the keynote speaker at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Hong Kong Association of New York.

    Mr Leung visited New York City again in June, when he met officials of credit rating agencies as well as analysts, bankers and business leaders. He visited the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the New York Stock Exchange. Mr Leung also met members of think tanks, including the Council on Foreign Relations as well as editors of New York-based media organisations. He was the keynote speaker at a breakfast dialogue session at the Asia Society.

    On July 1, the New York HKETO hosted a reception to celebrate the HKSAR's 5th Anniversary. Some 400 guests, including China's Consul General in New York, Mr Zhang Hongxi, and the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, Mr Wang Yingfan, attended the function.

    During the year, the New York HKETO continued to publicise Brand Hong Kong at the various dragon boat festivals it sponsored in New York, Boston and Atlanta as well as at a corporate sail event hosted by Invest Hong Kong in Boston. The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Mike Rowse, visited New York and Boston in March, meeting executives of various corporations and the media. He attended a reception at the Forbes headquarters, in advance of the Forbes Global CEO Conference held in Hong Kong in September.

    The HKSAR's 5th Anniversary was the theme of the promotional activities organised during the year by the San Francisco HKETO. Apart from the principal reception held in San Francisco on July 1, seminars, film festivals and receptions were organised in major west coast cities.

    The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, made a short stopover in San Francisco before attending the APEC meetings held in Mexico in October. Mr Tung took the opportunity to meet a number of the city's leading political and business figures.

    The Financial Secretary visited San Francisco in September before going on to Washington and Toronto. He gave a keynote address at a business luncheon hosted by the San Francisco HKETO and co-sponsored by prominent local organisations. His programme included meetings with the Committee of 100, Pacific Council on International Policy, Asian-American bankers, the Mayor of San Francisco, Mr Willie Brown, a former US Secretary of State, Mr George Shultz, the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Mr Robert Parry, and other key contacts in financial circles as well as in the media.

    The Financial Secretary made his first official visit to Toronto in September as part of his five-day visit to the United States and Canada. Mr Leung met a wide range of key personalities and opinion formers at a business luncheon during which he gave a keynote speech. He also met senior executives of major Canadian banks, financial services companies, business leaders and academics and think tanks that have a special interest in economic, financial and political developments in Hong Kong. Mr Leung called on the Ontario Minister of Finance, Ms Janet Ecker, and met more than 150 Hong Kong students studying in universities in the Greater Toronto Area.

    A number of other officials travelled to Canada during the year, including the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, who visited Toronto and Ottawa in August. In September, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology led a Hong Kong information technology delegation to attend the 'Softworld 2002', held on Prince Edward Island, and highlighted the HKSAR's advances in information technology and telecommunications.

    The Toronto HKETO continued to promote Brand Hong Kong through varied programmes in major cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Apart from seminars to explore business cooperation, the programmes included cultural elements such as cinema, opera, and a photographic record of Hong Kong's infrastructure achievements and its plans for the next decade. The Toronto programme included a reception and a special dragon boat race to mark the HKSAR's 5th Anniversary.

    For the first time since its establishment in 1991, the Toronto HKETO organised a Hong Kong-Canada Trade Mission, in November. The trade mission, which started its programme with a full-day conference in Hong Kong, comprised 53 delegates from 40 Canadian companies in the information and communications technology, biotech, environmental services and other sectors. The delegates had the opportunity to explore business cooperation between Canada and Hong Kong and, through Hong Kong, with China as a whole. There was a comprehensive programme of seminars, workshops, briefings, networking opportunities with prospective business partners in Hong Kong and a short visit to southern China.

Europe

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, made an official visit to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and Europe in May, in a nine-day tour covering London in the United Kingdom, Brussels in Belgium, Milan and Rome in Italy and Vienna in Austria. In meetings with political and business leaders, academics and economists as well as representatives from the performing arts and education sectors, Mr Tsang explained the purpose of the new Accountability System for Principal Officials and how Hong Kong is positioning itself to make the most of the opportunities arising from China's accession to the WTO, as well as efforts to maximise synergies with the Pearl River Delta.

    After a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Mr Romano Prodi, in Brussels, Mr Tsang and Mr Prodi announced that Hong Kong and the European Union had agreed to build a closer partnership, working towards a more structured dialogue in a wide range of areas of mutual interest. During a day of high-level talks, Mr Tsang met the Belgian Minister of Finance, Mr Didier Reynders, the European Commissioner for Trade, Mr Pascal Lamy, the European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, Mr Antonio Vitorino, and Belgian and European parliamentarians. He attended a dinner prior to the fourth plenary meeting of the Hong Kong-European Union Business Cooperation Committee. Mr Tsang also gave a boost to student exchanges, meeting students and staff members of the College of Europe in Bruges, where the first Hong Kong student would begin an intensive post-degree course in the autumn, and meeting the college President, Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Convention on the Future of Europe.

    In Rome, Mr Tsang witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding between Hong Kong and Italy, one on Information Technology Cooperation, and one on Cultural Cooperation. In addition to meetings with senior government officials, Mr Tsang delivered the keynote address at a luncheon co-organised by the Italian Institute for International Affairs, the Brussels HKETO and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Milan office. At the invitation of the President of the Lombardy Government, Mr Roberto Formigoni, Mr Tsang also reached out to the business community in Milan, were he held round-table discussions with senior representatives of the Lombardy and Milan Chambers of Commerce, the Milan Stock Exchange, the Milan Fair Authority and major business conglomerates.

    The Chief Secretary visited Vienna at the invitation of the Austrian Government, meeting the Federal Chancellor, Mr Wolfgang Schussel, and other officials, and also addressing guests at a City Hall luncheon.

    Mr Tsang began his European visit in London, where he met leading United Kingdom parliamentarians, delivered a keynote address at a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Association and met senior economists and editors of the Economist Intelligence Unit.

    Mr Tsang visited London again in July, to launch the largest and most diverse Hong Kong Festival ever staged in the United Kingdom. The three-month summer festival was organised by the London HKETO to celebrate the HKSAR's 5th Anniversary. The UK's Special Representative for International Investment and Trade, the Duke of York, joined Mr Tsang in the official launching ceremony at a luncheon attended by more than 170 leading politicians, senior government officials, prominent business leaders, diplomats as well as celebrities in the cultural and creative fields.

    Showcasing the multi-faceted lifestyle of Hong Kong as 'Asia's world city', the festival included a major exhibition on architecture and infrastructure, a contemporary art exhibition, a film festival, a roving photographic exhibition, a series of seminars that ranged from politics to economics, and cultural and sports events. While in London, Mr Tsang had meetings with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Jack Straw, and the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg.

    The Financial Secretary made an eight-day visit to Europe in November to reinforce close economic and business links between Hong Kong and European countries. He visited Amsterdam, London, Brussels, Paris and Dublin for a series of meetings with business and political leaders, financial market regulators, major credit rating agencies and media representatives.

    Beginning his visit in Amsterdam, Mr Leung updated the Dutch financial and business community on the initiatives undertaken by the Government to enhance Hong Kong's role as a business hub for global economic activity, giving the keynote address at a luncheon attended by 150 business leaders.

    Moving on to the United Kingdom, Mr Leung had a breakfast meeting with executive members of the Hong Kong Association, and gave keynote addresses at an international conference organised by the Royal Institute of International Affairs and the Annual Dinner of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. During his visit, Mr Leung met the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown, the Chairman of the Bank of England, Sir Edward George, and the Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, Sir Howard Davies.

    Crossing over to Belgium, the Financial Secretary held a full day of meetings in Brussels with European and Belgian officials, including the Finance Minister, Mr Didier Reynders, and the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Mr Pedro Solbes. Mr Leung signed an Agreement between Hong Kong and the EU for the Readmission of Persons Residing without Authorisation. The Agreement, the first of its kind signed by the EU, follows on from the Community's decision in March 2001 to grant visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders and is part of the EU's broader strategy for combating illegal immigration. Signing on behalf of the EU were the European Commissioner for External Relations, Mr Christopher Patten, and the European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, Mr Vitorino. Mr Leung also addressed guests at a business luncheon hosted by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society.

    Visiting France at the invitation of the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, Mr Francis Mer, Mr Leung officiated at a delivery ceremony in Toulouse for Cathay Pacific Airways' new ultra long range Airbus A340-600. In Paris, he met some of France's most senior bankers and addressed over 200 French businessmen at a luncheon, urging them to take advantage of Hong Kong's special position as a financial services and management hub to seize opportunities in the Pearl River Delta.

    Hong Kong's ties with Ireland were enhanced when the Financial Secretary visited Dublin at the invitation of the Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Mrs Mary Harney, on the final leg of his tour. Mr Leung met the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Mr Bertie Ahern, at Dublin Castle. Then Mr Leung and Mrs Harney exchanged two Joint Statements, one on Information and Communications Technology, the other on Small and Medium-Size Enterprises and designed to strengthen trade and economic links. This was the first time that Hong Kong had entered into a bilateral arrangement on SME cooperation with another economy. Mr Ahern and Mrs Harney warmly welcomed the launch that day by the Financial Secretary of an Ireland-Hong Kong Forum, an initiative to foster business links between the two economies, supported by various Irish business organisations and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

    On the education front, Mr Leung witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Chinese University of Hong Kong's award-winning Business School and Dublin's prestigious Trinity College, heralding the beginning of a relationship between these two major universities that will include student exchanges and possibly collaboration in research activities. He also took part in a presentation ceremony for the sponsoring of Irish students to visit Hong Kong.

    An exhibition of photographs of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Vision, was shown in Paris in February, in the Belgian city of Namur in September and in Dublin in November, the latter being opened by the Financial Secretary. In May, the School of Dance of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts gave performances in Paris, Brussels and Vienna. The Chief Secretary for Administration addressed the audience before the performances in the latter two capitals.

    The Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, visited London in November to exchange views with leading figures in creative industries in the United Kingdom, including architect Lord Foster and designer Sir Terence Conran. In a meeting with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports, Ms Tessa Jowell, Dr Ho discussed the role of government in spearheading the development of creative industries as a major contributor to the national wealth. Other subjects covered included sports promotion, planning and provision of major sports facilities, culture, and gambling policy.

North Asia

The Chief Secretary for Administration visited Japan in November to promote Hong Kong's role as an international business hub and strategic partner for accessing the Mainland market. During his five-day visit programme, which had the theme of 'Hong Kong-Japan Partnership 2002', Mr Tsang visited Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka. In Tokyo, he gave a keynote speech at a luncheon jointly organised by the Tokyo HKETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Japan Business Cooperation Committee. He also launched the Hong Kong New Wave, a month-long Hong Kong Tourism Board promotion in Tokyo featuring Hong Kong music, cinema and food. The Chief Secretary called on leading political figures including former Prime Ministers Mr Yoshiro Mori and Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto. He also met the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr Yasuo Fukuda, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Yoriko Kawaguchi, the Minister of Justice, Mr Mayumi Moriyama, and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr Takeo Hiranuma. In addition, Mr Tsang attended a luncheon forum with the Japan Institute of International Affairs and held round-table discussions with the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League.

    In Fukuoka, Mr Tsang delivered a keynote luncheon speech and held talks with the Governor of Fukuoka, Mr Wataru Aso. He concluded his visit in Osaka where he gave another keynote speech and met the Mayor of Osaka, Mr Takafumi Isomura.

South-East Asia

Officials visiting Singapore during the year included Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong who, as Secretary for Health and Welfare, attended a Forum for a Networked Government in February, and the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, who gave a keynote speech on Hong Kong's perspective on security and e-commerce at a Conference on Cyber Security in March.

    The Commissioner of Insurance, Mr Benjamin Tang, signed a Memorandum of Understanding of Mutual Assistance and the Exchange of Information on insurance matters with the Monetary Authority of Singapore in March. In June, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tsang Yam-pui, called on the republic's Commissioner of Police, Mr Khoo Boon Hui, to exchange views on policing.

    In October, the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development), Ms Sandra Lee, called on senior officials to exchange views on port and airport development, as well as logistics and tourism developments, in Hong Kong and Singapore. The same month, the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee, attended the opening of The Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, the national performing arts centre. She also met the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, and chief executives of the National Heritage Board and National Arts Council, to exchange views on cultural development in Hong Kong and Singapore.

    Visitors to Malaysia included the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology and the Director-General of Investment Promotion, who attended the World Economic Forum's East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October. The Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Information Technology and Broadcasting), Mr Francis Ho, visited Kuala Lumpur in September, and attended the Asia Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Awards 2002.

    To mark the HKSAR's 5th Anniversary, the Singapore HKETO organised a Building a Dynamic Hong Kong exhibition in July. The exhibition showcased Hong Kong's major developments in infrastructure, transportation and logistics, community facilities and preservation of heritage and the environment. The HKETO also organised receptions in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to mark the anniversary.

    Brand Hong Kong was widely publicised in Bangkok with the launching in July of a Skytrain decked out in Hong Kong's new visual identity and the slogan 'Asia's world city'. Several large pictures of Hong Kong were painted on the train. Running on the elevated track through the heart of Bangkok for two months, the Brand Hong Kong Skytrain impressed some 300 000 passengers using the commuter system daily as well as pedestrians in the streets below.

Australia

At the invitation of the Australian Government, the Chief Secretary for Administration visited Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney in August. In Canberra, he met the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, and briefed him on Hong Kong's latest economic and political developments, including the newly introduced accountability system in government. In addition, Mr Tsang met the Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, the Federal Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, the Minister for Trade, Mr Mark Vaile, and the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock. He also met the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Simon Crean.

    At the state level, the Chief Secretary called on the Premier of New South Wales, Mr Bob Carr, in Sydney and the Premier of Victoria, Mr Steve Bracks, in Melbourne. He updated them on the latest developments in Hong Kong, highlighting business opportunities for Australian companies arising from China's accession to the WTO. In both cities, Mr Tsang delivered keynote speeches to academics, community and business leaders on Hong Kong's latest economic situation and political development, highlighting its close relationship with the Pearl River Delta.

    During his visit, the Chief Secretary officially opened the Hong Kong — Setting the Pace in Asia exhibitions in Melbourne and Sydney, which showcased Hong Kong's latest infrastructure, IT and financial developments. Mr Tsang also launched a tourism promotion campaign, Hong Kong Cultural Kaleidoscope in Sydney. In discussions with Hong Kong students studying in tertiary institutes in Melbourne and Sydney, Mr Tsang briefed them on the outlook for Hong Kong's economy and encouraged them to return and contribute to Hong Kong's future development upon the completion of their studies.

    The Secretary for Justice, Ms Elsie Leung, visited Canberra and Sydney in February. In Canberra, Ms Leung met the Attorney General, Mr Daryl Williams, and other senior law officials. In Sydney, she gave a speech on 'One Country, Two Systems' at the 2002 World Congress on the Peaceful Reunification of China and World Peace. At a dinner gathering organised by the Sydney HKETO, she spoke on Hong Kong's latest developments in legal services and opportunities for Australian legal companies in Hong Kong upon China's accession to the WTO.

    In May, Mr Stephen Ip, then Secretary for Financial Services, visited Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. In Sydney, he delivered a keynote speech on the state of Hong Kong's financial services at the Australia-Asia Financial Services and Investment Conference and Expo. Mr Ip also met financial regulators and political leaders to exchange views on the latest developments in world financial markets.

    The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology visited Sydney in November to attend the WTO Informal Trade Ministers Meeting. Mr Tang also took the opportunity to meet and exchange views with a group of influential business leaders at a Sydney HKETO luncheon on Hong Kong and the region.