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The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in New York secured a ten-week internship for a second-year New York University law student with the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Mr Seth G. Blaylock will depart for Hong Kong on May 22 on Cathay Pacific Airways. The carrier is sponsoring a round-trip air ticket for Mr Blaylock.

Mr Fred Ruggiero, Cathay Pacific Airways' Sales Manager for Eastern USA, presented the round-trip air ticket to Mr Blaylock earlier today (May 8, New York time) at the HKETO New York office.

Director of the HKETO Ms Sarah Wu thanked Cathay Pacific Airways for the sponsorship and DoJ's efforts in arranging the internship program for Mr Blaylock.

In light of the current outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong, Ms Wu said Hong Kong has an excellent public healthcare system and the risk of infection is very small at the moment.

"We strongly believe the preventive measures now in place are working well and there is reasonably high likelihood that this outbreak can be brought under control in Hong Kong," she added.

Mr Blaylock, who specializes in public international law, is looking at corruption issues in East and Southeast Asia.

In Hong Kong, Mr Blaylock will be focusing his research within the Prosecutions Division of the DoJ, and its role in fighting corruption and other crimes. He is also looking forward for the opportunity to learn more about Hong Kong and its unique system of law, especially in the area of combating corruption.

Hong Kong is rated as one of the least corrupt places in the region and around the world. Berlin-based Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index rated Hong Kong the 14th least corrupt place among 102 nations and territories in 2002.

Mr Blaylock said he is thrilled to have the opportunity to live in Hong Kong and work with legal officers from several different divisions. He is also keen to explore Hong Kong, a city renown for its vibrancy and diversity.

Mr Blaylock was a legal intern with a nonprofit international organization in Manila last summer.

End/Friday, May 9, 2003

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