ENG-1995 — Page 17

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1995

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27

October

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3

10

A working group chaired by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Michael Sze, publishes a report recommending measures to encourage the greater use of Chinese within the government.

The Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mr Chau Tak-hay, attends an APEC ministerial meeting on small and medium enterprises in Adelaide, Australia.

Voters choose Hong Kong's first fully elected Legislative Council. More than 920 000 people go to the polls in the geographical constituencies; another 460 000 ballots are cast in the functional constituencies and 282 voters turn out in the election committee poll. The election sets records for turnout and the number of candidates.

A scheme is announced to encourage vehicles to switch from light diesel fuel to petrol in a bid to fight air pollution.

A survey by the Bank of International Settlements ranks Hong Kong as the fifth-largest centre for foreign exchange trading after the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and Singapore.

The Law Draftsman, Mr Tony Yen, leads a group of crown counsel on a visit to Beijing and Shanghai at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Justice.

The Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, attends the first meeting of a working group under the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee in Shenzhen to discuss a new rail passenger crossing at Lok Ma Chau.

Hong Kong begins its biggest promotion in Japan. It features business seminars, cultural shows, film and food festivals, a fashion show and exhibitions. The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, leads a business delegation to Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka for the event.

Hong Kong attends the 11th general meeting of the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council in Beijing. The council aims at developing closer co-operation among economies in the region in trade and economic policy issues.

The Governor in Council approves the lifting of the Cantonese- language restrictions on Star TV's Star Plus and Chinese channels.

Hong Kong opens a new economic and trade office in Sydney.

Foreign ministers of Britain and China reach a four-point agreement on closer links between China and HK in handling transitional issues such as co-operation with the Special Administrative Region Preparatory Committee, contacts between civil servants and Chinese officials, the development of container terminals and handover ceremonies. Financial Secretary Donald Tsang attends the annual meeting of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund in Washington.