ENG-1997 — Page 13

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1997

January

9

16

17

23

24

25

22 223

29

February

1

7

20

The Governor, the Right Honourable Christopher Patten, visits London. He discusses Hong Kong's transition with the Prime Minister, Mr John Major, ministers and parliamentary leaders.

The Airport Committee of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group meets on the comprehensive review of progress in 10 Airport Core Programme projects.

A memorandum of understanding concerning the boundary of administration between Hong Kong and Guangdong is initialled. It sets out a clear land boundary between the northern New Territories and Shenzhen; the boundary in Deep Bay and Mirs Bay; and the sea boundary to the west, south and east of Hong Kong. It is signed on June 19.

The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, leaves for Monterey, San Francisco, Dallas and Houston for a round of meetings to strengthen ties with the USA.

The 14-member line-up of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is announced.

Seventeen people die and 13 others are injured in a fire in a Tsim Sha Tsui karaoke bar.

The Secretary for Trade and Industry, Miss Denise Yue, leaves for Davos in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum annual meeting.

The eighth plenary session of the Preparatory Committee of the HKSAR approves three documents relating to Hong Kong's transition: the decision giving a mandate to the first Chief Executive and the provisional legislature to start their work before June 30; the decision on the formation of provisional regional organisations after July 1; and a suggestion on how to handle the original laws of Hong Kong. One woman dies and 31 other people are injured in a traffic accident during a Lunar New Year parade in Tsim Sha Tsui East.

All serving policy secretaries are appointed principal officials of the HKSAR.