CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 2003
iv
21
23
27
28
June
1
7
11
13
15
23
27
29
The Town Planning (Amendment) Bill 2003 is introduced into the Legislative Council; the bill aims at streamlining and expediting the town planning process, enhancing the transparency of the planning system and strengthening enforcement control against unauthorised developments in rural areas.
The WHO, which earlier praised Hong Kong for the containment measures taken against SARS, lifts its travel advisory concerning the Special Administrative Region.
A private sector firm is awarded the tender for preservation and development of the former Marine Police Headquarters, a monument site in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Chief Executive announces an Expert Committee has been set up to review the management and control of the SARS outbreak, which caused 299 deaths among the more than 1 750 infections; the Expert Committee submits its report to the Chief Executive on October 2.
The Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, launches the 2003 voter registration campaign at a ceremony in Sha Tin,
More than 150 representatives from women's organisations, service agencies, community groups and other sectors take part in an open forum, organised by the Women's Commission, to exchange views and experience on good practices for empowering women.
The last SARS case in Hong Kong is confirmed.
The Government announces the establishment of the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council and the Hong Kong Port Development Council to further develop and promote the maritime and port industries; the two councils replace the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board.
The Chief Executive announces that $700 million will be earmarked to create 32 000 new jobs or training places in a new plan to alleviate unemployment; the plan focuses on middle-aged unemployed people as well as on young people.
The WHO removes Hong Kong from its list of areas with recent local transmission of SARS.
The Standing Committee on Language Education and Research issues the final report of its language education review, outlining its proposals for raising language standards in Hong Kong.
Premier Wen Jiabao arrives for a three-day visit during which he attends ceremonies marking the sixth anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
Hong Kong and the Mainland sign the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). Premier Wen and the Chief Executive preside over the signing ceremony; the six Annexes to the main text are signed in Hong Kong on September 29. During his round of activities on June 30, the Premier meets key personnel involved in the fight against SARS.