Calendar of Events in 1999
January
15
28
29
February
5
8
26
The Hong Kong SAR team ends the Seventh Far East and South Pacific Region Games for the Disabled, held in Bangkok, with a total of 29 gold, 18 silver and 18 bronze medals.
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, begins a busy programme with global political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort town of Davos. He is the first head of government from Hong Kong to attend the meeting. The Court of Final Appeal rules that children born in the Mainland of a Hong Kong permanent resident have the right of abode in Hong Kong regardless of whether that parent became a permanent resident before or after the child's birth. It also ruled that such children do not need a Certificate of Entitlement affixed to their one-way permit when they seek to enter Hong Kong.
The HKSAR Government is working to implement the Court of Final Appeal ruling on the Certificate of Entitlement Scheme, the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, says, in order to let eligible persons enter in an orderly manner within a reasonable time.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, holds a series of meetings with senior political and business leaders in Japan.
The Court of Final Appeal clarifies the part of its January 29 judgment relating to the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee.
March
3
4
8
11
12
19
In his budget speech, the Financial Secretary announces two mega-projects: a Walt Disney theme park on Lantau; and a 'Cyberport' at Telegraph Bay, Pok Fu Lam. The Government's Beijing Office is officially opened, and the Chief Executive says setting up the office is an important aspect of enhancing liaison with the motherland. The Government releases a blueprint for reforming the Civil Service management system.
Two giant pandas, a gift from the Central Government to Hong Kong, arrive, and are taken to their new home at Ocean Park.
Commencement notices are produced to bring into effect certain provisions of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance and subsidiary legislation.
Hong Kong's new international airport is named one of the Top Ten Construction Achievements in the 20th Century by Conexpo Con/AGG '99, a premier industry exposition in the Western Hemisphere.
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