Hong Kong celebrates the seventh anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Chief Executive presents awards to 376 people in this year's Honours List, including those who made outstanding contributions in the fight against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2003.

A large number of people take part in a procession to voice their aspirations on various issues including constitutional development. In heeding their calls, the Chief Executive says he will continue to improve governance and take forward constitutional development towards the ultimate aim of universal suffrage.

A new Office of the Government Chief Information Officer is established by merging the Information Technology Services Department and the information technology-related divisions of the Communications and Technology Branch of the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau.

Hong Kong remains the world's freest economy, according to the newly released 'Economic Freedom of the World: 2004 Annual Report' published by the Cato Institute of the United States in conjunction with the Fraser Institute of Canada and some 57 other research institutes around the world.

The Council for Sustainable Development launches its first consultation paper on a proposed Sustainable Development Strategy for Hong Kong.