Corporate Communications Division

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FUNCTIONS
8.1	The Corporate Communications Division consists of the Public Affairs Department and the Translation Department. The Division's primary functions are to develop policy and procedures in matters relating to public affairs, publications and information and to assist the SFC in maintaining effective relations with the media, stakeholders, and overseas organisations.
8.2	In performing these functions, the Division:
	l	acts as spokesperson for the SFC and channel of communication between the SFC, the public and the media;
	l	advises the Commission on public and media relations and responds to media enquiries;
	l	maintains liaison with SFC stakeholders, including the Provisional Legislative Council, Government, the Exchanges, listed companies, intermediaries, and industry organisations;
	l	evaluates conferences and other speaking platforms for SFC participation to promote Hong Kong as a financial centre and to publicise the work of the SFC;
	l	produces SFC publications for market practitioners and the investing public;
	l	provides translation services to the SFC;
	l	coordinates visits by PRC and overseas organisations to the SFC; and
	l	manages the SFC's website on the Internet.
8.3	Among its major initiatives during the year, the Public Affairs Department:
	l	organised a high-level conference in Chengdu on 8 September 1997 entitled "Seminar on the Securities Markets of Hong Kong", in cooperation with the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
	l	revamped SFC website, in Chinese and English, including investor education resources and a searchable database of all SFC-licensed intermediaries and authorised investment products.
	l	published a special 1997 Handover brochure for international media and visitors entitled "Confidence in the Markets", which outlines Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial centre.
	l	issued 108 press releases (cf 96-97: 173), 83 securities disclosure announcements (cf 96-97:168),and 7 consultation papers (cf 96-97:6); conducted 103 individual media interviews (cf 96-97:75) and 12 press conferences and media briefings (cf 96-97:8).
8.4	Major initiatives planned for the coming year include a joint seminar with the SEHK and the Trade Development Council on Hong Kong's securities markets in Dalian in May 1998; participation in the MoneyWorld Asia Exhibition in Hong Kong in May 1998; organisation with the ICAC and industry bodies of a Professional Ethics Program for SFC-regulated intermediaries; and the development of new features and content for the SFC website.