ENG-1997 — Page 15

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1997

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May

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A 40-strong advance party of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) arrives at Hong Kong to prepare for the transfer of defence responsibility for the territory on July 1.

Hong Kong is elevated to the seventh-largest trading entity in merchandise trade in 1996, according to figures published by the World Trade Organisation.

Hong Kong's towering new landmark, the Lantau Link, is officially opened by the former British Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher.

The Chief Executive uses a satellite link to address some 300 journalists from more than 70 countries at the 1997 CNN World Report Contributors' Conference in Atlanta, USA.

Translation of 514 ordinances of the Laws of Hong Kong is completed after eight and a half years.

Two new political parties, the Citizens Party and the Social Democratic Front, are formed.

The Chief Executive visits Beijing to discuss transitional issues with the Vice Premier, Mr Qian Qichen.

A Census and Statistics Department report projects Hong Kong's population will increase to 8.21 million by mid-2016.

The Entry and Exit Administration Bureau under the Chinese Ministry of Public Security announces a computerised points system to vet applicants for one-way permits to Hong Kong.

The Governor and the Chief Executive meet the German Chancellor, Mr Helmut Kohl, at separate events.

The Provisional Legislature completes its first legislative procedure with the third reading of the Holiday Bill for 1997 and 1998 tabled by the SARCE's Office.

The British and the Chinese teams of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group reach agreement on the phased arrival of a further 156 PLA Garrison advance personnel in Hong Kong. They arrive on May 19 and 30.

The SARCE's Office announces that the Land Fund will be managed by the HKMA under the direction of the Financial Secretary as a portfolio separate from the Exchange Fund after July 1.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, signs an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in Tokyo with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Yukihiko Ikeda.

The SARCE's Office releases the final version of the amendments to the Societies and Public Order ordinances.

The Hong Kong Marine Police and Guangdong Public Security officers for the first time jointly stage an anti-illegal immigrant exercise off Mirs Bay, Shenzhen.

China announces that foreign nationals with existing visa-free entry to Hong Kong will continue to enjoy the same after July 1.

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