ENG-1993 — Page 11

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1993

2

25.2

26.2

27.2

3.3

5.3

12.3

16.3

19.3

26.3

30.3

31.3

1.4

2.4

The government approves a package of measures, recommended by the Education Commission Report No. 5, for improving the quality of education in primary and secondary schools.

An $856 million contract is awarded for the construction of the Cheung Ching Tunnel on the Tsing Yi Island section of Route 3, a key element in the Airport Core Programme's highway network.

A record price of $9.5 million is paid for the vehicle registration number ‘2' in a government auction,, the proceeds of which are used for charitable

purposes.

Financial Secretary, Mr Hamish Macleod, presents the 1993–94 Budget in the Legislative Council, which provides for real increases of more than seven per cent in recurrent expenditure on social welfare, health and education. The Governor leaves for a two-day visit to Japan to meet government officials and business leaders. He also addresses the ninth annual meeting of the United Kingdom-Japan 2000 Group at Awashima, where Hong Kong is featured as a major agenda item for the first time.

The Electoral Provisions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 1993, which sets out in legislative form various proposals in the constitutional package in the Governor's address to the Legislative Council in October 1992, is published in the Government Gazette.

The University of Hong Kong, the territory's oldest tertiary institution, celebrates the 80th anniversary of its foundation day.

A Charter for Youth is introduced, proclaiming principles and ideals for youth development with the aim of giving young people the best possible opportunities in life.

The Tin Shui Wai new town is opened by the Governor. The first phase of the development covers 169 hectares and will provide homes for some 135 000 people by 1995.

Hong Kong is ranked sixth in global foreign exchange market activity in a report by the Bank of International Settlements.

The Governor leaves for a visit to Brussels and London. It is his first visit to Brussels as Governor.

The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force is formally disbanded and succeeded by the Government Flying Service.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is formally established, by merging the Office of the Exchange Fund and the Office of the Commissioner of Banking. The government publishes a consultative paper on the findings of the Railway Development Study, which presents proposals for the further development of Hong Kong's railway system up to 2011.