ENG-2017 — Page 25

Calendar of Events

2017

5

7

11

13

14

19

19,22

20

20-23

23

Customs seizes about 7 tonnes of ivory tusks with an estimated market value of about $70 million in a container from Malaysia in Kwai Chung, a record haul according to the database of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which registers seizures of elephant specimens that have occurred anywhere in the world since 1989.

The Chief Executive attends the Chief Executive's question and answer session at LegCo for the first time after assuming office. She announces a $3.6 billion package of measures as new education resources.

A carrier battle group consisting of the first national aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, two destroyers and a frigate berths at Hong Kong for the first time. The four vessels stay for five days, receiving over 36,400 visitors on board in a series of open days.

Hong Kong hosts the inaugural International Civil Aviation Organisation Traveller Identification Programme Regional Seminar, highlighting the city's active role in safeguarding global aviation safety. The seminar was officiated by the organisation's Secretary General, Dr Fang Liu.

The Apology Ordinance is enacted to encourage the making of apologies in order to prevent disputes from escalating and facilitate amicable resolutions.

The Court of First Instance rules that the oaths purportedly taken in October 2016 by four LegCo members, Ms Lau Siu-lai, Mr Yiu Chung-yim, Mr Law Kwun-chung and Mr Leung Kwok-hung, contravene the Basic Law and the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance, and are invalid. Ms Lau and Mr Leung later appeal to the Court of Appeal against the ruling of the Court of First Instance. Up to the year end, the hearing date of the appeal has not been fixed yet.

LegCo approves an increase of $2.253 billion in recurrent expenditure in 2017-18 for the implementation of priority initiatives to support quality education with effect from the 2017-18 school and academic years.

The English Premier League Asia Trophy returns to Hong Kong after four years, with Liverpool, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion competing for the trophy at Hong Kong Stadium.

The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the police's Commercial Crime Bureau is established to consolidate all relevant efforts of the force in fighting and preventing scams, including phone and email fraud.

The Hong Kong Masters, the territory's first event sanctioned by World Snooker, is held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, featuring seven of the world's top 10 players.

A 'stop-and-go' electronic payment system at the Shing Mun Tunnels starts allowing toll payment via Octopus and contactless credit cards issued by local banks, including Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay, on top of the existing Autotoll and cash transactions. The system is rolled out at the Aberdeen Tunnel, Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Lantau Link by the year end.

ix