ENG-1997 — Page 24

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1997

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The government sets up an inter-departmental working group to co- ordinate efforts made by various departments on the prevention and control of Influenza A H5N1, commonly known as 'avian flu'.

The government reveals results of the Supplementary Labour Scheme and announces a package of labour importation for the construction industry to meet the substantial labour requirements in infrastructural projects in the next five years.

The Chief Executive-in-Council approves the Tenant Purchase Scheme under which the Housing Authority will sell public rental flats to

tenants.

The Housing Department announces the first batch of six public housing estates comprising 27 000 flats to be offered for sale to tenants in January 1998 under the Tenant Purchase Scheme.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reveals that Hong Kong's foreign exchange reserves have increased by 5.6 per cent to US$96.5 billion at the end of November, putting the SAR third among the world's largest foreign reserves holder after Japan and China.

Exportation of live chickens from the Mainland is suspended to allow for appropriate controls to be introduced to fight avian flu.

A Central Military Commission working group led by the General Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army, General Fu Quanyou, arrives for a week-long visit to inspect the HK Garrison. General Fu, the most senior army officer to visit the territory since the Handover, calls on the Chief Executive.

The government decides all chickens in local chicken farms and all poultry at wholesale markets and retail outlets must be slaughtered in an attempt to rid the territory of the avian flu virus. The killing of more than 1 million chickens starts the following day. Specialists later state that this action probably prevented a severe global flu epidemic.

The SARG announces that the ballroom at Government House will be open for application by charitable, non-profit making and public organisations to hold community events.

The government announces that an annual SARG honours list will be released on July 1 every year in place of the British honours list to include the Grand Bauhinia medal as the highest honour. A new category of awards will be instituted for people contributing to HK and another for disciplined services for outstanding or long service.

Mainland officials announce that the State Council has given the green light to the Lingdingyang Bridge project linking Zhuhai and Tuen Mun.

The SARG releases a special report explaining the key issues which have dominated the first six months of the HKSAR. It is to be circulated in the USA, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.