CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1998
15
22
26
2220
27
28
October
I
2
7
9
15
20
22
The government's mid-year estimate puts Hong Kong's population at 6 687 200 up 185 100, or 2.8 per cent, over the previous 12 months.
The Secretary for Transport, Mr Nicholas Ng, announces authorisation of the construction of the West Rail, linking Tuen Mun and Yuen Long with Mei Foo. About 13 000 jobs will be created.
The Chief Executive in Council asks the Kowloon and Canton Railway Corporation to proceed with an 11.4-km rail link from Ma On Shan to Tai Wai and a 1.5-km Tsim Sha Tsui Extension from Hung Hom to a new East Tsim Sha Tsui station. The two projects are estimated to cost $14.22 billion (in 1998 prices), create 4 000 jobs and be completed in mid-2004.
The Chief Executive meets French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin at Government House.
The Financial Secretary leaves Hong Kong on a three-week mission to Frankfurt, Munich, The Hague, Amsterdam, Washington, New York, Boston, London and Edinburgh.
Hong Kong Museum of History moves to its permanent home at 100 Chatham Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East. Its first exhibition, Heavenly Creations — Gems of Ancient Chinese Inventions, includes the world's oldest surviving map on paper and the oldest surviving water clock.
Hong Kong celebrates National Day with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a variety of sporting and cultural events.
The HKSAR signs an Air Services Agreement with the Republic of Austria, the 31st such agreement Hong Kong has signed. The 32nd agreement is signed with Papua New Guinea on October 15.
The Chief Executive gives his second policy address, modifying some government aims in the light of the global financial slump, announces increased spending on health, welfare and education, and removes responsibility for food safety and environmental hygiene from the municipal councils, foreshadowing their abolition.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives for a two-day stay after visiting Beijing and Shanghai. He praises Hong Kong's commitment to an open economy and the way the administration has handled the economic upheaval.
Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa leaves Hong Kong for Beijing for his annual duty visit.
The Executive Council approves the MTR's proposed new 12.5 km line to Tseung Kwan O. Construction is due to start within weeks and finish in December 2002.
Former Chief Justice Yang Ti Liang is appointed head of an 11-member board of a company that will manage shares bought by the government in August. On October 26, the company, Exchange Fund Investment Ltd, says the government spent $118.1 billion on shares in August, spread across the 33 firms listed in the Hang Seng Index. On-street trials of electronic road pricing begin.
November
2
3
Customs officers smash a major smuggling syndicate operating into Hong Kong from Macau, and seize more than 600 000 suspected pirated optical discs worth about $10 million.
Hong Kong and the European Union sign an agreement boosting customs co-operation: the biggest international treaty and first customs agreement the SAR has signed since the Handover.
Five Hong Kong international soccer players are charged with match-fixing in a World Cup match against Thailand in March 1997.
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