ENG-2002 — Page 23

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 2002

19

21

24

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November

5

8

12

13

18

19

21

The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, welcomes a Memorandum of Understanding between the HKSAR and the United States to further liberalise air services.

The Financial Secretary, Chairman of the Task Force on Employment formed in 1998, announces the new composition of the Task Force which has been revamped and its representation widened to include members of the Legislative Council and political parties.

The Chief Executive arrives in Los Cabos, Mexico, to attend the 10th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and related events on October 25-27. The Chief Executive says the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting has provided a useful platform to continue the push for freer trade and more open markets within the APEC family of economies; he also joins his fellow leaders in endorsing increased efforts in the fight against terrorism.

The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food announces that under a restructuring of fees and charges for public health care services, a charge of $100 per attendance will be made from November 29 for Accident and Emergency service at public hospitals under the Hospital Authority. The Government gazettes the Education Reorganisation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2002 to reflect the changes arising from the proposed merger of the Education and Manpower Bureau and the Education Department, and the merger of the Education Commission and the Board of Education.

The Chief Executive receives a copy of the Heritage Foundation's 2003 Index of Economic Freedom from its President, Dr Edwin Feulner; the Index ranks Hong Kong as the world's freest economy, for the ninth consecutive year.

The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, announces that the Chief Executive in Council has approved the renewal of the domestic free television programme services licences of Asia Television Limited and Television Broadcasts Limited for 12 years. The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, announces a set of clear and comprehensive housing policies and a package of measures to facilitate the efficient operation of the property market and restore public confidence in it.

Premier Zhu Rongji arrives in Hong Kong for a three-day visit during which he will deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 16th World Congress of Accountants.

The Chief Executive welcomes the 5 000 delegates at the opening ceremony of the 16th World Congress of Accountants, being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Secretary for Justice and a group of representatives from Hong Kong's legal and professional sectors begin a three-day visit to Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, for discussions with local authorities.

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