Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The government introduces a Bill of Rights and in 1991 gives Hong Kong citizens the
right to choose 18 of the 60 members of the Legislative Council (LegCo).
1997
The rain falls, Chris Patten cries and Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty; avian
flu breaks out, leaving six dead. Tung Chee Hwa is sworn in as Hong Kong's first chief
executive.
2003
SARS all but shuts down Hong Kong for weeks. The Closer Economic Partnership
Agreement with the mainland government provides favourable business opportunit-
ies.
2009
Hong Kong's population exceeds seven million and the unemployment rate grows to
almost 5% in the face of the world's worst economic crisis since the Great Depres-
sion.
2010
LegCo approves HK$66.9 billion for the Hong Kong portion of the Guǎngzhōu-Hong
Kong high-speed rail link, following 25 hours of heated debate.
2010
The pro-democracy camp splits over a government reform package which ensures a
slightly more representative LegCo but gives no definitive date on universal suffrage in
all elections.
2011
A minimum wage of HK$28 per hour takes effect, and inflation hits a 16-year high.
2011
Public hospitals stop accepting reservations from pregnant mainland women through
year's end; immigration officials block 1930 heavily pregnant women from crossing
the border.
2012
