ENG-2017 — Page 23

Calendar of Events

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LegCo approves an extra $847.7 million for the railway works of the Shatin to Central Link, taking the total cost estimate to $7.1 billion.

Revised fees for public hospital services are put into effect, raising charges from $100 to $180 for the use of accident and emergency (A&E) services, and from $45 to $50 for general outpatient clinic services to relieve the burden of non-urgent patients using A&E services.

The government signs a Protocol of Cooperation with the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile of France to further joint efforts in providing training for officials of the civil aviation authorities of Southeast Asian countries, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's objective to help developing countries enhance their civil aviation development process.

LegCo approves funding of $31.9 billion to build the Kai Tak Sports Park.

The Insurance Authority (IA), which is independent of the government and the industry, takes over the statutory functions of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI), a government department, to regulate insurance companies. The IA is empowered by the Insurance Ordinance to supervise the industry and promote stability of the insurance market and policyholders. The OCI is disbanded.

Hong Kong and Guangdong Province launch a cross-boundary electronic bill service allowing people in Hong Kong to make Renminbi-denominated payments to Guangdong merchants using the internet or mobile banking.

Hong Kong and the Mainland sign the Investment Agreement and the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) to promote and protect the increasing investment flows between the two places with clarity and stability and to foster economic and technical cooperation.

President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive for a three-day visit to attend celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the inauguration ceremony of the fifth-term HKSAR Government.

Witnessed by the President, the Chief Executive and the Chief Executive-elect, the Chief Secretary for Administration, as Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, signs a collaborative agreement with the Director of the Palace Museum, Dr Shan Jixiang, to mark the formal start of the Hong Kong Palace Museum project.

The President inspects and reviews 20 squads, comprising more than 3,000 troops,

of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison in a Shek Kong Barracks parade attended by about 4,000 guests hailing from all walks of life in the city.

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