ENG-2001 — Page 21

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 2001

15

16

17

18

20

25

30

The Chief Executive addresses the opening ceremony of the International Hospital Federation Congress.

The Chief Executive officiates at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Central Library; the library attracts more than 51 000 visitors on its first day of service.

The Government announces that amendments to The Ombudsman Ordinance will be introduced to formalise the proposed delinking of the Office of The Ombudsman from the government administration.

The Chief Executive hosts a lunch at Government House in honour of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei.

To arrest the spread of avian influenza among chickens and to safeguard public health, the Government announces a series of precautionary measures including the closure, cleansing and disinfection of all retail outlets of live poultry and the slaughtering of live poultry therein.

The HKSAR Delegation to the Western Region, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, flies to Xian to begin a 10-day visit to Xian, Beijing, Chengdu and Urumqi; the Chief Executive addressed the delegation at a briefing held at Government House on May 15.

The Human Reproductive Technology Council is established to provide a mechanism for continuous monitoring of various existing and future reproductive technology activities in Hong Kong for the benefit of all parties involved.

The Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Mr Chau Tak Hay, welcomes the announcement by President George W. Bush that he will notify the US Congress on June 1 that he intends to extend normal trade relations status for China for another year.

June

1

6

14

The Chief Executive addresses the opening of the 2001 Spring Membership Meeting of the Institute of International Finance.

The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council endorses the Government's proposal to provide a total of $98.7 million as compensation and ex gratia payment to poultry operators, and to set aside $146 million for low-interest loans to poultry wholesalers and retailers affected by the avian flu incident.

The Chief Executive opens the 2001 Congress of the World Association of Newspapers at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Secretary for Commerce and Industry leads a Hong Kong, China delegation at a two-day meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Shanghai.

The Chief Executive attends a Question and Answer Session in the Legislative Council.

V