Fugitive Ordinance │ Government Information Services to increase 80 million for overseas publicity, looking forward to rebuilding international confidence in Hong Kong

Politics

Written by: Liu Jinhua

2020-04-03 22:00

After the anti-legislative movement in June last year, some non-governmental organizations in Hong Kong published printed advertisements in overseas newspapers and magazines many times, calling on overseas people to pay attention to the movement. The Information Services Department has also published advertisements in newspapers and magazines in different countries overseas to explain the views of the SAR Government.

The Information Services Department of the Home Affairs Bureau today (3rd) responded in writing to a number of questions from Legislative Councillors, stating that it would invest 226 million yuan in 20/21 to conduct public relations work outside Hong Kong, which is significantly larger than last year's budget. Increase of 79 million yuan. The Information Services Department will create seven new posts of press officer grades, four of which will have a time limit of one year, and the total estimated expenditure of seven posts will be 5.77 million yuan.

The Information Services Department published a government advertisement in the Australian Financial Review last September. (Photo provided by readers)

In response, the Information Services Department pointed out that the social movement in Hong Kong since last June "has caused widespread worldwide attention and its image has also been affected", and the new crown pneumonia epidemic has further hit the Hong Kong economy. Will it continue to maintain its status as an international business and financial hub and provide a stable social environment based on the rule of law? " Therefore, the government will "substantially strengthen the current promotion and publicity" to eliminate the negative impressions of Hong Kong on major overseas markets, and at the same time consolidate their confidence in Hong Kong, promoting Hong Kong's strengths and advantages as an international business and financial center in Asia under one country, two systems And potential, social security, freedom and stability, and a solid and stable legal system, to gradually rebuild the international community's confidence in Hong Kong.

The Information Services Department also stated that since June last year, the Information Services Department has strengthened its public relations and publicity work overseas, and has published print and online advertisements in major newspapers and magazines in North America, Europe and Asia twice to explain the SAR to people around the world. Government perspective. At the same time, it will strengthen contacts with overseas media and different stakeholders, including the International Chamber of Commerce, foreign consuls and think tanks in Hong Kong, to provide them with the latest information on Hong Kong, pass positive messages about Hong Kong and clarify false reports. In the future, the Information Services Department will significantly strengthen the existing promotion and publicity, including partnering with internationally renowned media organizations to promote Hong Kong, placing print and online advertising on international media, producing content for social media, and supporting large-scale international events in Hong Kong. Promotion, and assist in the promotion of Hong Kong's overseas economic and trade offices.

In addition, the Home Affairs Bureau stated that there were a total of six "M" brand activities cancelled due to the impact of social events or epidemics. During the period from June 9 last year to January 28 this year, the LCSD's venues, including sports stadiums, grass football pitches, public swimming pools, libraries, etc., were temporarily closed more than 4,900 times due to the safety of social movements.

Details of the "M" brand events cancelled in 2019-20 due to social events or epidemic conditions are as follows:

[Special Finance Committee 2020] Zheng Ruohuan's 40-year overseas visits cost 2.92 million yuan, directly approaching Wu Kejian

[Special Accounting] Police increase by 2,543 posts, increase by 4,301 in various departments, postpone retirement

[Special Accounting] Earlier last month, the Hong Kong Government sent 4 charter flights to take back 7.4 million yuan from Wuhan Hong Kong residents

[Special Accounting] 42 civil servants arrested in June for illegal public activities have been suspended since June

Fugitives Ordinance Government Information Office Home Affairs Bureau