 HK Commissioner opens NASDAQ to celebrate 10th anniversary
Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Margaret Fong presided July 2 over the opening bell of the Nasdaq Stock Market in New York. The ceremony marked the first trading day after the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 
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 Third-term HKSARG inaugurated
The inauguration ceremony of the third-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government was held July 1 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
President Hu Jintao, who was in Hong Kong to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, swore in Chief Executive Donald Tsang and other principal officials.
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 Constitutional reform Green Paper unveiled
On July 11, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government published a “Green Paper on Constitutional Development” to consult the public on the models, roadmap and timetable for electing the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council (LegCo) by universal suffrage – the ultimate aims of Hong Kong’s Basic Law.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang commented that the release of the document represents a significant milestone in Hong Kong's constitutional development.
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Long-term foreign-currency sovereign rating upgraded
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomed Fitch’s decision July 13 to upgrade Hong Kong’s long-term foreign-currency sovereign rating to "AA" from "AA-", with "Stable" outlook.
Fitch attributes the upgrade to Hong Kong’s strong external financial position, improving public finances, high level of fiscal reserves and a credible linked exchange rate system.
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Agreement reached on CEPA expansion
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Central People's Government have agreed on further services liberalization and economic cooperation under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang and Vice Minister of Commerce Liao Xiaoqi signed the Supplement IV to the CEPA on June 29. Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai witnessed the signing.
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Renminbi bonds welcomed
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang welcomed the June 8 announcement of the Administrative Rules for Mainland financial institutions to issue renminbi bonds in Hong Kong.
Mr. Tang said this is an important step toward the actual launch of renminbi bond business in Hong Kong.
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Chief Secretary co-chairs Hong Kong/Guangdong conference
Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang and Executive Vice Gov. of Guangdong Province Tang Bingquan co-chaired the Ninth Working Meeting of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference in Hong Kong on July 17.
The two sides confirmed that the 10th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference, co-chaired by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Donald Tsang and Gov. Huang Huahua of Guangdong Province, would be held in Hong Kong on August 2.
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 Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor begins operation
The Shenzhen Bay Port and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge – also known as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor – commenced operations on July 1.
The passenger and cargo clearance facilities also opened for public use that day.
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 Territory remains attractive to foreign investors
Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang thanked new overseas and Mainland investors for their vote of confidence in Hong Kong at a July 11 reception for approximately 200 chief executive officers and senior representatives of overseas and Mainland companies that recently established a business presence or expanded operations there.
“This year, Hong Kong is celebrating the 10th anniversary of our return to China. What a milestone. And what better way to highlight just how wrong all the doomsayers of yesteryear were,” said Mr. Tsang.
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