ENG-2001 — Page 28

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 2001

The third meeting of the Mainland and HKSAR Joint Commission on Commerce and Industry is held in Beijing; the meeting reviews progress since the second meeting and has useful exchanges on trade and economic topics of mutual interest.

Speaking at a function to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the District Administration Scheme, the Chief Executive thanks members of the District Councils for having served as a bridge between the Administration and the public in helping to explain the Government's policies and actions while reflecting their constituents' hopes and needs to the relevant departments.

The Secretary for Works, Mr Lee Shing-see, hails the successful completion of construction work for Stage I of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme as a milestone in sewage treatment in Hong Kong and in improving the water quality in Victoria Harbour.

The Chief Executive hosts a luncheon at Government House in honour of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who has just concluded a visit to Beijing and Shanghai.

The Chief Executive announces that he has decided to seek re-election to the HKSAR Government's top position in the election due in 2002.

The Secretary for Economic Services, Ms Sandra Lee, chairs the first meeting of the newly formed Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, the establishment of which was announced by the Chief Executive in his Policy Address in October.

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph Wong, announces that the Government has decided to carry out a comprehensive review of the pay policy and system for the Civil Service; the review will proceed in two phases.

The Chief Executive flies to Beijing for his annual duty visit, spanning two days, during which he meets President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji and other senior leaders.

The Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting says that a new multi-use 'smart' ID card to be introduced from mid-2003 will come with the option of a free digital certificate providing the opportunity to conduct various on-line transactions.

The Director of Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee, says more cyber centres will be set up in addition to the existing centre in Yau Ma Tei to bring information technology within easy reach of the public and enhance people's interest in it; new districts targeted are Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long and Islands.

The Hong Kong Observatory decommissions its tropical cyclone and strong monsoon signal station on Cheung Chau the last of more than 40 such stations that were in use in the 1960s.