Confusion reigns on Disney date
The anticipated announcement of a Disney theme park may be the centrepiece in otherwise low-key official celebrations of the second anniversary of the handover.
Tourism officials are in marathon negotiations with Disney executives on the possibility of building the park in Penny's Bay, Lantau.
An Economic Services Bureau spokesman said: 'Mike Rowse [the new Commissioner for Tourism] has said the media should ask him about Disney on July 1 or 2. I imagine he will have an announcement to make then.' There would be no fireworks on July 1, the Chief Executive's Office said.
There would only be three official functions: a national flag-raising ceremony outside the Convention and Exhibition Centre, the unveiling of the $9.7 million handover monument at the same site and a VIP reception in the evening.
But confusion remains over the date of the Disney announcement. Financial Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen had said an announcement would be made in June.
