Month: March 2025

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today extended warm congratulations to two Hong Kong people who have been selected as the sixth batch of representative bearers of the national intangible cultural heritage (ICH).

The two Hong Kong representatives are bearer of the Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung Lau Kam-tong, and bearer of the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs Lee Yiu-fai.

The sixth batch of national ICH representative bearers were announced by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism on March 12. A total of 942 representative bearers across the country were selected, including Mr Lau and Mr Lee.

In response to the ministry’s invitation for nominations, the Hong Kong SAR Government nominated Mr Lau and Mr Lee, who have been dedicated to promoting and preserving their respective ICH item, upon consulting the ICH Advisory Committee. 

The two ICH items were inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH and the First ICH Inventory of Hong Kong respectively in 2014, as well as the Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong in 2017.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today met Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community & Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong, briefing him on Hong Kong’s in-depth integration of culture, tourism and sports.

They also discussed the policies promoted by the governments of both places and explored opportunities to deepen mutual international co-operation in culture, sports and tourism.

Miss Law noted that as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, Hong Kong actively promotes diverse cultural exchange activities, such as Hong Kong Super March, which brings together a series of world-class events in a creative and cultural atmosphere.

“This could attract Mainland and overseas tourists to come to here and experience its unique cultural charm and vitality. In terms of tourism, we will propose innovative and diverse ways to attract more tourists, promote high-quality development of the tourism industry, and pursue the concept of ‘tourism everywhere’.”

She also pointed out that the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1 provides Hong Kong with world-class facilities.

Miss Law said full use will be made of these resources to host more major international events to further enhance the city’s competitiveness, including cohosting the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games with Guangdong and Macau.

The culture chief also said that Hong Kong is pleased to strengthen collaboration with Singapore to promote exchanges in culture, sports and tourism, and explore more opportunities to develop these areas to enhance prosperity in the Asian region.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority have jointly stressed that innovative medical products must be scientifically proven, with clinical trials showing that they are safe and effective, before they can be translated to clinical applications.

They were responding to media inquires about the donation to local healthcare institutions of histotripsy devices, which use high-intensity ultrasound waves. The University of Hong Kong’s LKS Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University’s Faculty of Medicine and the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital are using the devices in clinical trials for the treatment of liver cancer.

The authorities said they are paying close attention to the results of the studies, and expect that the data will provide a scientific basis for their wider application in the future.

The donated devices have not been listed under the voluntary Medical Device Administrative Control System, but the Department of Health said it is processing a recent application for the listing of a histotripsy device.

With regard to trials of medical devices in the public healthcare system, the Hospital Authority said considerations include safety, evidence of the devices’ therapeutic effectiveness, the cost-effectiveness of their use, and comprehensive comparisons with existing treatments.

It added that the adoption of new devices will not and should not be influenced by whether a treatment method is provided or sponsored by individual pharmaceutical or device manufacturers. It also iterated that use in the public healthcare system of medical devices that are still undergoing clinical trials should be handled in a very careful and prudent manner.

The authorities also stressed that clinical trials should be distinguished from clinical services, stating that no clinical service will be provided where trials of a treatment are ongoing.

They advised that patients should consult medical professionals and not be influenced by advertisements or publicity.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2025, themed “Ablaze with Glory”, will be held at Victoria Park from tomorrow to March 23 at 9am to 9pm daily, with cosmos as the theme flower.

The cosmos comes in an array of vibrant colours, symbolising tenacity and bliss. Embedded with colourful orchids and carnations, the flower wall brings exuberance and vitality to the show.

There will also be meticulously designed landscape displays along the showground axis with a world tour theme.

“The Grand Journey across Europe” landscape comprises an English garden, a Dutch windmill, a Greek-style hut and a French lavender field, while “Wonders of Africa” features installations made of cut flowers showcasing the continent’s wild animals.

Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas, Mount Kinabalu of Malaysia, Mount Fuji of Japan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and the Supertree Grove in Singapore in the “Travelling around Asia” landscape.

They can also embark on “An Adventure to the Americas” to experience its culture and heritage through installations such as a Maya pyramid, Easter Island statues, and Western cowboys.

To celebrate the upcoming 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, the flower show has specially designed the “Joyful Vibrancy Around Town” garden plot. 

With five crescent-shaped art installations inspired by sports, the plot is adorned with cosmos of different species, and visitors can also take photos with the event mascots “Xi Yang Yang” and “Le Rong Rong” in front of a wall banner for the National Games.

There is also an exhibition booth in the showground displaying artworks by the nonagenarian local artist known as Flower Granny who uses everyday household items as her canvas, and whose creations are vibrant and colourful with childlike energy.

A total of 238 organisations from 11 countries, namely Mainland China, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Poland, Malaysia and the US are taking part in the show.

Call 2601 8260 for enquiries.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Hong Kong will hold selections next month for participants in the mass participation bowling event under the 15th National Games (NG), due to be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau from November 9 to 21.

Besides hosting eight NG competition events, Hong Kong will host the bowling competition as part of a programme of additional mass participation events.

The 15th NG will include 34 competition events in total, along with 23 mass participation events, comprising 19 “sports for competition” and four “sports for demonstration” events.

Besides bowling, the sports in the mass competition category are table tennis, badminton, tennis, football, basketball, light volleyball, shuttlecock, roller sports, dragon boating, go, Chinese chess, chess, bridge, Chinese wrestling, orienteering, karate, gateball, and modelling. The demonstration events are health qigong, tai chi, dragon and lion dancing, and broadcast gymnastics.

The finals of the various mass participation games will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau from May to November.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Council on Human Reproductive Technology today launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the Code of Practice on Reproductive Technology & Embryo Research.

The major proposed revision relates to lifting legal restrictions on the storage period for gametes or embryos for a patient’s own use, irrespective of gender, age, or medical conditions.

The council is also seeking to update operational measures in the code to ensure that the public is fully aware of associated medical risks before engaging in unnecessary and prolonged storage of gametes or embryos without medical reasons.

Furthermore, the amended code will require licensed centres to provide patients with information on matters such as the risks of egg-retrieval procedures, the rapid decline in fertility or pregnancy rates as women age, the risks of advanced maternal age, and the social impacts of delayed childbearing. Patients must also sign a consent form to acknowledge receipt of such information.

Additionally, after storing gametes or embryos for a certain period, licensed centres will be required to provide counselling tailored to patients’ individual circumstances. The storage of their gametes or embryos may only be extended with patients’ written consent.

The amended code will also require licensed centres to provide additional statistical data for regulatory purposes.

The consultation will close on April 13. Members of the public may submit their comments by email, or by post to the council secretariat.

Currently, gametes or embryos for patients’ own use can be stored for at most 10 years. For patients who may be rendered infertile as a result of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery or other medical treatments, the maximum storage period for embryos is 10 years, and that for gametes is 10 years or until the patient reaches 55 years of age, whichever is longer.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The 2025 Award Scheme for Learning Experiences will be open for practitioners from 23 industries implementing the Qualifications Framework (QF) to apply from tomorrow until May 31.

 

The scheme aims to encourage practitioners to engage in learning activities locally or globally so as to keep up to date on the latest developments in their own industries and extend their networks.

 

Since its launch in 2013, the scheme has attracted more than 2,600 applicants from different industries, with more than 700 awards given.

 

Over half of awardees participated in learning activities outside Hong Kong, and about 40% engaged in local activities.

 

Activities include competitions, seminars, sharing sessions, exhibitions and study tours.

 

Awardees engaging in local learning activities will receive a prize of $10,000, while those engaging in learning activities outside Hong Kong will receive a reward of $30,000.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Education Bureau organised Mental Health Fun Day at Ocean Park today to promote mental health awareness among students.

 

The fun day enabled students to understand the lives and characteristics of different animals through the participation of exploratory activities arranged by Ocean Park to experience the key elements of the 4Rs Mental Health Charter (4Rs Charter) – rest, relaxation, relationship, and resilience.

 

While speaking at the event’s opening ceremony, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin explained that the 4Rs Charter aims to help students develop healthy habits, foster a healthy culture in schools and comprehensively enhance the mental health of students, school staff and parents.

 

More than 650 schools have joined the 4Rs Charter, demonstrating their support and commitment in nurturing students’ physical and psychological well-being. The bureau appealed to all schools in Hong Kong to join the charter.

 

Ms Choi pledged that the bureau will optimise the school curriculum and implement various programmes with the goal of helping students to develop positive values and enhance resilience.

 

The bureau will also provide schools with more resources and professional support as well as arrange non-governmental organisations to conduct relevant activities that aim to strengthen the promotion of students’ mental health in schools, she added.

 

The Mental Health Fun Day featured eight checkpoints where students were offered tips on sleep and rest. By learning about animals’ characteristics, they also experienced how to relax and release emotions through their five senses.

 

The participating students worked in groups to complete different problem-solving tasks, fostering teamwork among peers, understanding the importance of building emotional connections with those around them as well as experiencing the benefits of positive attitudes and applying strategies.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today expressed her deep sorrow over the passing of Hong Kong University of Science & Technology founding president Prof Woo Chia-wei, and extended her deepest condolences to his family.

Prof Woo led the establishment of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and served as its president from 1991 to 2001.

Ms Choi said: “During his tenure, Prof Woo laid a strong foundation for the development of this world-class institution and was dedicated to driving Hong Kong’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy through scientific research.

“Prof Woo was also an outstanding community leader, contributing to various fields over the years. In addition to being highly respected in the higher education sector, he also made immense contributions to the development of Hong Kong.”

His significant contributions to higher education will be remembered and cherished by the education sector, Ms Choi added.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Education Bureau today called on the public to be vigilant against an organisation calling itself “Kyiv State University of Economics and Business (Hong Kong Campus)”.

A website in the organisation’s name claims to have the support of the “Hong Kong Education Bureau” and contains a hyperlink to the Education Bureau’s website.

The bureau clarified that it has no connection with such an organisation, and has reported the matter to the Police Force.