CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 2000
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21
23
29
Era - Dragon at the Great Wall programme at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Youth representatives from Hong Kong are taking part.
The Commission for Strategic Development releases a document outlining a framework for making Hong Kong Asia's 'World City' as well as a major city in China. The Chief Executive speaks about long-term goals for Hong Kong in opening the commission's forum on Hong Kong's Long Term Development Needs and Goals.
In a session that extends into the early hours of the next day, the Legislative Council passes the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Bill that provides for the partial privatisation of the MTR Corporation.
The Chief Executive receives the 1999 Leader of the Year Award at a gala dinner, and afterwards gives a speech on Knowledge Economy Provides Opportunity for the People. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, calls on the Chief Executive during a visit to Hong Kong en route to Beijing for a Asia- Pacific human rights workshop.
March
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3
6
7
8
11
16
28
29
31
The Highways Department awards a design and construction consultancy for the section of Route 10 (North Lantau to Yuen Long Highway), which includes the long- span Tsing Lung Bridge.
The Government announces the establishment of a committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, to bid to hold the 2006 Asian Games in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive returns from a visit to Beijing, where he attended the opening session of the National People's Congress and had meetings with President Jiang Zemin and Vice Premier Qian Qichen.
The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited is launched, marking what the Financial Secretary describes as a major landmark in the HKSAR's drive to become Asia's leading securities and futures market.
The Trade Department co-organises the first large-scale conference on the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong, to enhance the local business community's understanding of the organisation.
There will be no new taxes, no tax increases and no reduction in tax allowances, the Financial Secretary announces in his 2000-2001 Budget.
The Chief Executive meets the visiting US Secretary of Defence, Mr William Cohen, at his office, briefing him on such matters as the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' and the HKSAR's economic recovery from the Asian financial turmoil.
The Housing Authority's Building Committee endorses recommendations to demolish two Home Ownership Scheme blocks in Sha Tin earlier been found to have defective piling.
The Government announces the setting up of the Inter-departmental Working Group on Computer Related Crime; it will focus on strengthening the framework or environment within which law enforcement against computer crime may be carried out. The Chief Executive meets the President of the Republic of Congo, Mr Denis Sassou- Nguesso, at Government House.
The Government announces it will grant a site of about 1 170 square metres in Hoi Ha Wan, Sai Kung, to the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong for the development of a marine life centre.
April
7
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The Chief Executive meets President Bill Clinton at the White House in the course of a busy round of meetings with US Government and political leaders in Washington. He