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Source: RTHK Radio 3 (Hong Kong)
The Hong Kong Legislature has endorsed a government bill making May Day and Buddha's Birthday new annual public holidays in Hong Kong, in replacement of the August 17, Sino-Japanese War Victory Day, and the October 2, day after National Day.
This reflects a steady move by the Hong Kong government to replace the pre-1997 public holidays with either more politically acceptable public holidays (31-Jul-1997) or with more "traditional" public holidays (13-May-1998). In 1999, the Buddha's Birthday public holiday will be observed on May 22nd.
A last-ditch attempt had been made by pro-democracy legislators and the (pro-Beijing) Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, to keep the Sino-Japanese War Victory Day public holiday, but this was easily defeated.
The law, the Holidays (Amendment) Bill 1998, was introduced earlier this summer (08-Jul-1998).
Related links:
•
Hong Kong bank holidays and public holidays (current
year)
• Hong Kong bank holidays and public holidays (news and updates)
• Worldwide
bank holidays and public holidays news updates (September 1998)
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Hong Kong Legislature Changes Public Holidays