HONG KONG 2004 - Calendar of Events


	January

	February

	March

	April

	May

	June

	July

	August

	September

	October

	November

	December

December

1	The Chief Executive welcomes international fashion gurus to the two-day Luxury 2004: The Lure of Asia Conference.
10	Developers of Hunghom Peninsula announce their decision not to proceed with demolition of the buildings following protests over the environmental impact.
12	The Hong Kong Public Offering for the Housing Authority's Link Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) has been 130 times over-subscribed and the International Offering has been 16 times over-subscribed.
15	The final report on the 2004 Legislative Council Election submitted by the Electoral Affairs Commission affirms that the integrity of the election has not been affected. The West Kowloon Cultural District public consultation exercise is launched at an exhibition of design proposals at the Hong Kong Science Museum.
16	The Immigration Department introduces the automated passenger clearance system (e-channels) at the Lo Wu control point, permitting Hong Kong permanent residents holding smart identity cards to perform self-service departure clearance.
20	The Housing Authority and its sub-committee decide that the listing of The Link REIT will not proceed as originally scheduled, having carefully studied the legal and other implications. The Chief Executive leads a Hong Kong delegation to Macao for the inauguration ceremony of the second term of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. President Hu Jintao, who presides over the ceremony, receives from Mr Tung a briefing on the latest developments of Hong Kong.
21	The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation's Ma On Shan Rail service is officially opened.
27	Hong Kong immigration officers fly to Thailand and Sri Lanka to provide assistance to Hong Kong residents affected by the tsunami. By December 30, there is a 160-strong multi-disciplinary support team in Thailand. The Government later leads a fund-raising event at Hong Kong Stadium which raises $33 million for the tsunami victims.
31	The Hong Kong stock market annual turnover breaks the 1997 record by reaching $3.97 trillion. In terms of capital raising, Hong Kong ranks third in the world with total Initial Public Offering (IPO) and post-IPO equity funds raised during the year amounting to some $270 billion.