ENG-2017 — Page 32

Calendar of Events

2017

December

1

2-3

3

4

сл

5

7

10-13

12

14

The Communications Authority creates a new licensing regime for the provision of wireless internet of things platforms and services, to prepare Hong Kong for the era of internet of things, fifth-generation mobile services and smart city applications. Foster care allowances are raised by more than 20 per cent, including a monthly $6,010 for the child's maintenance and a monthly $4,508 for the foster parents, to better support families in need and to recruit more foster families. An extra $1,502 a month is introduced to encourage the fostering of children under three. The service provides residential family care for children below 18 who do not receive adequate care from their own families.

The 2017 FIA Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix, the first double-header Formula E race in Asia, takes place in the Central Harbourfront area.

The Chief Executive visits Saudi Arabia and calls on HM King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, to strengthen ties with the Arab state.

Mr Au Chun-ming, Mr Lee Ho-yin, Mr Tang Ming-hong and Mr Yip Tsz-fung secure Hong Kong's first medal in the Men's World Team Championship of the World Squash Federation, with a bronze in Marseille. The championship debuted in 1967.

Ms Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching is the first Hong Kong golfer to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, finishing second at Florida's qualifying tournament, in which the top 20 earn their LPGA cards. She begins her rookie season in the Bahamas in January 2018.

The tenpin bowling team lands its first gold in the World Bowling Championships in Las Vegas, begun in 1854. Mr Wu Siu-hong, Mr Michael Mak and Mr Eric Tseng triumph at the Men's Trios event.

The first self-service library station opens in Sai Wan Ho, carrying about 300 Chinese and English books. Users can borrow and return library materials, pick up reserved materials and pay library fees with the Octopus card on their own round the clock. Hong Kong signs its second five-year Letter of Intent on Cultural Exchange and Cooperation with the Palace Museum, after the first agreement inked in 2012, taking cultural heritage collaboration to 2022. The extension allows both sides to exhibit more of the Palace Museum's artefacts in the territory, launch education and extension programmes including internships for young people, and set up joint training of museum professionals.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau Tang- wah, is one of three Vice-Chairs at the World Trade Organisation's 11th Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires.

The number of dual-plate cross-boundary Hong Kong private cars permitted to travel to the Mainland via the HZMB is raised to 10,000 following a flood of applications for the initial quota of 3,000, announced in August.

The Chief Executive signs the Arrangement between the NDRC and the Government of the HKSAR for Advancing Hong Kong's Full Participation in and Contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative with the NDRC Chairman in Beijing. The arrangement puts

xvi