It then showed some off-road vehicles driving over desert sand dunes, accompanied by men riding on horseback.

The voiceover said something about people from around the world living in perfect harmony before announcing "the nations of the world unite safely in Abu Dhabi." Then the words "Abu Dhabi Police" appeared on the screen

I was very confused until I saw the next ad in the series. At the end, a Formula 1 racing car appears, and it becomes a bit clearer that this is the Abu Dhabi police force's way of welcoming visitors to the city's first Formula 1 race, which was held last Sunday.

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Apparently, the police want to send a message about speeding and road safety.

It reminded me of how people complain about the image of our own city promoted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in regional TV commercials and other media. It seems the board can do nothing right.

If they show junks in the harbor, it is corny.

If they show how modern the city is, they are missing out the heritage (or vice-versa). If they show wide open spaces or clear skies, they are being misleading.

This is unfair. Many other places have far more unbelievable promotional material (friendly elephants, smiling girls or huge clean beaches with no kids, and the like).

I think our tourism chiefs deserve a break. And at least we don't expect our police to do this job. Bernard Charnwut Chan, chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, sees culture from all perspectives.