2

The Chief Executive addresses a plenary session of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2003, in Hainan.

3

The Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, welcomes the decision of the East Asian Games Association, meeting in Macau, to award the 5th East Asian Games in 2009 to Hong Kong.

4

Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan arrives for a three-day visit at the invitation of the Chief Executive.

6

The Chief Executive and his Council of International Advisers discuss global and regional economic trends affecting Hong Kong, at the council's sixth meeting.

8

The Chief Executive leaves for visits to London and Paris, for a series of meetings with business and political leaders and to attend the Annual Dinner of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in London; he meets the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, on November 11 and the President of France, Mr Jacques Chirac, on November 12.

17

The Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma, officiate at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEx) Representative Office in Beijing.

18

The Chief Executive announces that following approval from the State Council, the People's Bank of China will provide clearing arrangements for banks in Hong Kong to conduct personal renminbi business on a trial basis.

20

The Secretary for Justice concludes a visit to Canada in Vancouver, after first visiting Ottawa and Toronto.

23

A total of 1 066 373 people vote in the 2003 District Council Election, representing a turnout rate of 44.10 per cent for the 326 contested constituencies; candidates in 74 of the 400 constituencies are returned unopposed.