Calendar of Events
2014
6
18
19
20
25
26
28
March
3
The six-month 'Bless Hong Kong' campaign is launched, encouraging the community to organise activities for the under-privileged as part of poverty alleviation efforts. The government announces the resumption of local live poultry supply but continues to suspend the import from the Mainland of live poultry for slaughter and consumption as a precaution against the spread of H7N9 avian influenza.
The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dips to 3.1 per cent in the three months from November 2013 to January 2014, the lowest since the December 1997 to February 1998 period.
Presenting the Government Minute in response to the Public Accounts Committee's report on the ICAC's internal administrative controls over official entertainment, duty visits outside Hong Kong and bestowal of gifts, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, says the inadequacies and incidents of non-compliance highlighted in the report had caused wide public concern and undermined the ICAC's image and Hong Kong's reputation as a corruption-free society. The Chief Secretary for Administration says the government is determined to introduce measures to restore Hong Kong people's confidence in the ICAC.
The Environment Bureau unveils 'A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022, which sets a target of reducing food waste disposal to Hong Kong landfills. by 40 per cent by 2022.
The Central People's Government notifies the Hong Kong Government that the Asia- Pacific Economic Co-operation Finance Ministers' Meeting, scheduled to be held in Hong Kong from 10 to 12 September 2014, will be postponed and relocated to Beijing.
In presenting a Budget with wide-ranging measures to boost Hong Kong's economy and sharpen the city's competitive edge, the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, says that his foremost priorities are to promote economic development and to maintain a sound business and employment environment.
The Chief Executive strongly condemns an attack on former Ming Pao chief editor Mr Kevin Lau and says Hong Kong is a lawful society and will not condone violence. An exhibition featuring 120 works from world-famous Chinese artist Ju Ming's Living World series opens at the Hong Kong Art Museum.
The Stamp Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 is gazetted, extending to 36 months, for residential properties acquired on or after 27 October 2012, the holding period during which Special Stamp Duty will be chargeable if the property is sold or transferred. The ordinance, which has effect from 27 October 2012, also increases the applicable Special Stamp Duty rates and introduces a Buyer's Stamp Duty, which is generally chargeable on the acquisition of a residential property by a person other than a Hong Kong permanent resident acting on his or her own behalf.
The new Companies Ordinance comes into effect, with the aim of enhancing corporate governance, facilitating business, ensuring better regulation and modernising the law to strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international commercial and financial centre.