Over 120,000 people took part in selecting the top ten news in 2006 concerning the governance of the Hong Kong SAR government.

There was a 19 percent surge in the participation compared with the previous year.

Among other things, the introduction of the five-day week scheme by the civil service was voted the number one news, followed by the brand new talent admission scheme and the discontinuation of the West Kowloon Cultural District project.

The event, in its ninth year since its inception in 1998, was co-organized by 21 print and electronic media organizations, including China Daily Hong Kong Edition, and 41 other organizations.

At a lucky draw ceremony held yesterday, representatives from concerned media organizations picked out 232 lucky winners who chose the correct top 10 news. The lucky winners will receive their prizes at a ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on February 13.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Rafael Hui and the Central Government's Liaison Office Deputy Director, Li Gang will be the special guests.

Top 10 events

1. Introduction of five-day week by the civil service (62,634 votes)

2. Relaunch of a brand new talent admission scheme (52,481)

3. Discontinuation of the West Kowloon Cultural District project (45,862)

4. Scrapping of the consultation on the introduction of a goods and services tax (44,875)

5. Promotion of cooperation in the Pan Pearl Delta (42,808)

6. Quick, proper settlement of the high-level personnel strife at Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (41,137)

7. Hong Kong's successful hosting of the International Communication Union exposition (38,353)

8. The passing of the law on a comprehensive smoking ban (38,190)

9. Reorganization of the team of principal officials based on the accountability system and proposed increase of political appointees (36,213)

10. The passing of the law on interception of communication and covert surveillance is a balance of human rights and protection of privacy (35,560).