Beijing loyalists plan National Day gala
A HK$4.5 million National Day celebration is being planned in Hong Kong to mark the 59th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Details of the October 1 celebrations have been drawn up by a preparatory committee, which comprises 760 leading Beijing loyalists from 20 sectors. A highlight will be a fireworks display over Victoria Harbour, along with a cultural show to be staged at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai. The committee's secretary general, Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, a vice-chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said the committee was sponsoring the fireworks display for the first time this year because it also marked the 30th anniversary of the open-door policy, initiated by late leader Deng Xiaoping in 1978. Addressing a committee meeting yesterday, Gao Siren , director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, praised Hongkongers' role in the nation's development over the past 30 years.
Tang to lead rebuilding delegation's Sichuan trip
Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen will lead a high-level delegation to Chengdu, Sichuan, on Thursday to discuss details of Hong Kong's participation in the post-earthquake reconstruction work with the provincial government. Mr Tang will be accompanied on the trip by Secretary for Education Michael Suen Ming-yeung, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung, Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Yat-ngok, and Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing. Mr Tang will return to Hong Kong on Saturday. The Legislative Council Finance Committee last Wednesday approved a government plan to inject HK$2 billion into a new trust fund to support reconstruction work in Sichuan.
