ENG-1996 — Page 13

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1996

January

6

8

9

10

14

15

223

The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Malcolm Rifkind, arrives for his first official visit to the territory. He meets the Governor, the Right Honourable Christopher Patten, Executive and Legislative Councillors, visits the new airport site at Chek Lap Kok and tours Yiu Tung Estate in Shau Kei Wan.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, leads the Hong Kong team to Guangzhou for the sixth meeting of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Environmental Protection Liaison Group. The meeting is co-chaired by the Director of Guangdong Province's Environmental Protection Bureau, Mr Wang Yinkun. Both sides express concern over serious water pollution in Deep Bay.

Vitasoy International Holdings withdraws all Vitasoy and Vita products packed in paper cartons after complaints of sour taste. The Department of Health finds abnormal acidity in four samples out of 240 tests but says this is not health-threatening. About 8 200 tonnes of Vitasoy cartons and contents are incinerated, buried or passed through sewage treatment works.

British and Chinese members of the Joint Liaison Group initial agreed minutes on the issuing of passports by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, and the Refugee Co- ordinator, Mr Brian Bresnihan represent Hong Kong in Bangkok at a meeting of the Steering Committee of the International Conference on Indo-Chinese Refugees which considers the Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The Postmaster General, Mr Robert Footman, leads a Post Office delegation on a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Posts and Tele- communications in Beijing.

Hong Kong and Guangdong exchange information and review cross- border co-operation arrangements at the 16th Annual Border Liaison Review meeting.