ENG-1999 — Page 19

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 1999

21

224

26

30

Exchange Fund Investment Limited announces it plans to divest a proportion of the Government's share holdings through a unit trust product tracking the Hang Seng Index. The subsequent TraHK Fund is oversubscribed.

The Court of First Instance affirms right of abode rules for non-Chinese nationals require the qualifying period of seven years' ordinary residence to be immediately before the date of application for permanent residence.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress issues its interpretation of Articles 22(4) and 24(2)(3) in the Basic Law concerning right of abode in Hong Kong. The month is the warmest June on record with a monthly mean temperature of 28.9 degrees Celsius.

July

I

5

6

14

16

21

24

August

21

223

27

31

September

Hong Kong celebrates the second anniversary of its reunification with the Mainland. The Chief Executive and the visiting Vice-President, Mr Hu Jintao, unveil the Renunification Monument.

The Chief Executive's Commission on Innovation and Technology releases its Second and Final Report recommending a range of measures designed to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the knowledge-based, global economy of the 21st century. Archaeological discoveries at Ho Chung, Sai Kung, yield remains dating from the Late Neolithic era (circa 2000 BC), Tang and Song dynasties (AD 618-1127), and Ming and Qing dynasties (AD 1368-1911).

The Chinese Medicine Bill, which provides for the establishment of a regulatory framework to control the practice, use, manufacture and trading of Chinese medicine, is passed by the Legislative Council.

The administration introduces a resolution into the legislature to make consequential amendments to the Immigration Ordinance arising from the NPCSC's interpretation of two provisions in the Basic Law concerning right of abode in Hong Kong. During a visit to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the Chief Executive urges hi-tech corporations there to consider using Hong Kong as a base for their Asia-Pacific operations.

The Financial Secretary leads a high-level delegation to South Africa to strengthen business ties and explore trading and investment opportunities.

Showers begin as Typhoon Sam approaches, and the deluge over the next three days makes it the wettest recorded tropical cyclone to affect Hong Kong. Its 616.5 millimetres of rainfall exceed the previous record of 597 millimetres caused by a tropical cyclone in 1926.

Two people are killed and 214 injured (some 50 seriously) when a China Airlines aircraft carrying 315 passengers and crew overturns while landing at the Hong Kong International Airport, during the passage of the typhoon. One of the injured persons dies later.

The Director-General (Designate) of the World Trade Organisation, Mr Mike Moore, calls on the Secretary of Trade and Industry, Mr Chau Tak Hay, during a brief stopover in Hong Kong.

Full dual-runway operation begins at the Hong Kong International Airport.

12

The Chief Executive joins leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in Auckland, New Zealand, for their major session of meetings.

111