Month: May 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Government published in the Gazette today (May 2) the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 to revise the eight types of fees and three sets of economic costs payable as specified under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations (Cap 28A).
 
     The revision cover the following categories:
 
(a) fees payable in respect of processing the applications for excavations and issuing excavation permits (XP) by the Government in relation to excavations in unleased land covering the extent in streets maintained by the Highways Department (HyD) and unleased land other than streets maintained by the HyD; and
 
(b) economic costs charged for the whole duration of the extended period of excavations in a street maintained by the HyD.
 
A spokesman for the Development Bureau said, “In line with the ‘user pays’ principle, it is the Government’s policy that fees charged by the Government should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of providing the services.
 
     “The Government implemented a fee review moratorium on government fees and charges set on a cost recovery basis from August 2019 to December 2021. Starting from early 2022, the Government has gradually resumed the review of various fees. This is the first revision proposal for the above-mentioned fees and economic costs since the lifting of the fee review moratorium.
 
     “In order to achieve full cost recovery gradually and avoid a steep fee increase, the eight types of fees payable in respect of processing the applications for excavations and issuing XP by the Government will be increased by 8 per cent to 20 per cent. In addition, three sets of economic costs charged for the whole duration of the extended period of excavations in a street maintained by the HyD will be increased by 24 per cent to 25 per cent to drive the excavation permittees to complete their works as soon as possible so as to minimise the disturbance to the road users.
 
     “As stated in the Information Paper to the Legislative Council Panel on Development dated July 15, 2024, the service users involved in the subject fees and economic costs are mainly public utilities (such as electricity companies, telecommunication companies, and the town gas company). The subject fees and economic costs should represent a minute portion (amounting to around 0.1 per cent) of the total operating cost of the public utilities. Thus, the proposed increases should have a limited impact on their operations. The relevant stakeholders have been consulted on the proposed fee revision. They did not raise any comment on the proposed fee revision.”
 
     The Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on May 7. Subject to approval by negative vetting, the revised fees and economic costs will come into effect on July 1 this year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (May 2) that the Chief Executive has appointed five new members and reappointed nine incumbent members to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) for a term of two years with effect from May 20, 2025.

The newly appointed members are:

Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har
Ms Aruna Gurung
Revd Canon Peter Douglas Koon Ho-ming
Dr Lui Wai-cheung
Mr Symon Wong Yu-wing

The reappointed members are:

Ms Queenie Chan Lai-kwan
Ms Choi Yi-tak
Miss Lily Chow
Dr Theresa Cunanan
Mr James Mathew Fong
Mr Vishal Melwani
Miss Shirley To Shuk-yi
Ms Linda Tsang Chi-man
Dr Kitty Wu Kit-ying

     “The membership of the EOC represents a variety of expertise and sectors, including women; persons with disabilities; ethnic minorities; members from the employment, social services, legal, accounting, academic and education sectors; and the community at large. Their experience and expertise are instrumental to the work of the EOC in promoting equal opportunities,” said a Government spokesperson.

     “We would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, Dr Henry Shie Wai-hung, Ms Anna Thompson, Dr Rizwan Ullah, and Mr Gary Wong Chi-him, who will be stepping down from the EOC, for their staunch support for the work of the Commission over the years.”

     “We look forward to the continuous concerted efforts of the Chairperson of the EOC as well as its members in constructing a more harmonious, inclusive and caring Hong Kong,” the spokesperson added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has once again invited members of “Fountain de Chopin”, a local emerging jazz music group, as the speakers and demonstrators for a  ecture demonstration series entitled “Jazz Appreciation from Legends” that will be held from June to August. This new series consists of 10 lectures, each featuring one renowned jazz musician and his/her profound impact on future generations in each lecture. Complemented by live demonstrations of the musicians’ iconic compositions, audiences will be guided to appreciate the unique styles of various jazz music genres.

     Details of each lecture are as follows:——————————————–
Date: June 6 (Friday)———————————————
Date: June 13 (Friday)———————————————
Date: June 20 (Friday)———————————————
Date: July 4 (Friday)———————————————
Date: July 11 (Friday)———————————————
Date: July 18 (Friday)———————————————
Date: August 1 (Friday)———————————————
Date: August 8 (Friday)———————————————
Date: August 15 (Friday)———————————————
Date: August 29 (Friday)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Police announced today (May 2) that the “floating colours” parade in Cheung Chau on May 5 is expected to draw a large number of spectators. Crowd safety management measures and special arrangements will be implemented. Police urge members of the public to plan their trips in advance.
 
A. Crowd safety management measures
 
     Depending on crowd conditions, crowd safety management measures will be implemented on the following roads:
 
– Pak She Street;
– â� San Hing Street;
– Tung Wan Road;
– Praya Street;
– Tai San Praya Road;
– Tai Hing Tai Road;
– Chung Hing Street;
– Tai Tsoi Yuen Road;
– Tai San Back Street;
– Hing Lung Main Street;
– â� San Hing Back Street;
– Man Shun Lane; and
– Kwok Man Road.
 
     “No staying zones” will be set up outside Cheung Chau Ferry Pier, Cheung Chau Public Pier and Shing Cheong Lane, where members of the public are prohibited from staying.
 
     Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience, and take heed of instructions of the Police on site. They are also reminded to look after the accompanying children and elderly.
 
B. Ferry services
 
     To facilitate the dispersal of spectators from the “floating colours” parade, the ferry company will increase the frequency of trips between Central and Cheung Chau. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the latest arrangements announced by the ferry company before leaving home.
 
     Police anticipate that the peak period for individuals departing from Cheung Chau will occur from 5pm to 6pm. During this time, those queuing at Cheung Chau Ferry Pier are advised to exercise patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site. Members of the public are advised to avoid the peak time unless necessary.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Attention TV and radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 2) that due to the sighting of a suspected red tide, the red flag has been hoisted at Silver Mine Bay Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chinese Opera Festival (COF), as a core part of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, will launch the screening programme “Chinese Opera Film Shows” from May to September. The programme will showcase 10 classic Chinese opera films from the 1950s to 1980s, featuring Cantonese opera, Peking opera and Yuediao opera. To resonate with the theme of “Three Kingdoms” of this year’s COF, most selected films are inspired by the stories of “Romance of Three Kingdoms”, with a special focus on the plays related to “Zhou Yu Thrice Humiliated”, “Invoking the East Wind”, “A Meeting of Heroes” and “The Battle at Changbanpo”, making a delightful contrast between the stage performances and film screenings for similar repertories at the festival.

     Details of the Cantonese opera film screenings are as follows:—————————————————————————————–
Date: May 31 (Saturday)
Starring: Sun Ma Si-tsang, Yam Kim-fai, Ng Kwun-lai, Choi Zhen-chu
Synopsis: Zhuge Liang (Hung Ming) is entrusted to persuade Zhou Yu (Chow Yu) to form an alliance against the State of Wei, but Zhou repeatedly schemes to make things difficult for him. Later, after Shu seizes control of Jingzhou, Zhou attempts various stratagems to reclaim the territory, all of which are cleverly thwarted by Zhuge. Coupled with repeated military defeats, Zhou dies of frustration and despair.—————————————————————————————–
Date: June 14 (Saturday)
Starring: Ho Fei-fan, Lam Dan, Leung Sing-por, Mak Bing-wing
Synopsis: General Fan Yuqi of Qin is entrusted to invite Crown Prince Dan of Yan and his consort to Qin as guests. The King of Qin breaks his promise and imprisons them instead. Fan helps the royal couple escape successfully. Infuriated, the King launches an assault on Yan on a false claim. Crown Prince Dan accepts the courtier Tian Guang’s recommendation to send Jing Ke to assassinate the King.—————————————————————————————–
Date: July 12 (Saturday)
Starring: Fong Yim-fun, Yam Kim-fai, Mak Bing-wing, Poon Yat-on
Synopsis: Cao Cao decrees Lady Zhen is to marry Cao Pi. Heartbroken, Cao Zhi loses his creative spirit. Later, Pi ascends the throne. He believes rumours suggesting that Zhi is the father of his child, and forces Lady Zhen to take poison and banishes Zhi to a remote land, forcing the lovers apart forever.—————————————————————————————–
Date: August 30 (Saturday)
Starring: Sun Ma Si-tsang, Tang Bik-wan, Lau Hark-suen, Pak Lung-chu
Synopsis: Dong Zhuo holds sway in the imperial court and renders the young king a mere figurehead, aided by the formidable warrior Lü Bu (Lui Bo). Concerned for the state, the songstress Diao Chan (Diu Sim) and minister Wang Yun devise a honey trap. Wang promises Diao’s hand to Dong and Lü. Diao begs Lü to rescue her by killing Dong. Meanwhile, Diao tearfully reports to Dong that Lü had taken liberties with her, thus turning the partners into enemies.—————————————————————————————–
Date: July 9 (Wednesday)
Starring: Xiao Changhua, Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, Ye Shenglan
Synopsis: Zhou Yu and Huang Gai stage a ruse, pretending to defect to Cao Cao’s army and execute a fire attack. Cao is suspicious, and dispatches Jiang Gan to investigate. Jiang mistakenly believes that there is internal strife in Eastern Wu, and convinces Cao that Eastern Wu poses no real threat. In the end, Zhuge Liang successfully invokes the easterly wind, giving the Wu-Shu alliance the upper hand in battle.—————————————————————————————–
Date: July 30 (Wednesday)
Starring: Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, Ye Shenglan, Qiu Shengrong, Yuan Shihai, Xiao Changhua 
Synopsis: At Xiakou, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu come together to resist Cao Cao’s advances. To spy on their coalition, Cao dispatches Jiang Gan to visit Zhou under the guise of friendship. Zhou sees through the ruse and organises a grand feast for civil and military elites. He deliberately let Jiang steal a forged letter of surrender from Cao’s general and escape back to Cao’s camp. The letter leads the suspicious Cao to mistakenly believe that there is treachery within his ranks and to execute several of his own generals.—————————————————————————————–
Date: August 6 (Wednesday)
Starring: Gao Shenglin, Yuan Shihai, Li Shizhang
Synopsis: After Shu’s defeat by Wei, Guan Yu is forced to surrender and imprisoned by Cao Cao. Later, he learns of Liu Bei’s whereabouts, and escapes to reunite with Liu. On hearing that Zhang Fei is stationed at the Old City, Guan rushes there, but Zhang is suspicious of Guan’s intentions. Guan shows his unwavering loyalty by killing Cai Yang of the Cao army who arrives in pursuit. Zhang realises his grave mistake and apologises. The brothers are reunited.—————————————————————————————–
Date: August 27 (Wednesday)
Starring: He Quanzhi, Shen Fengmei, Chen Jing, Mu Baicheng
Synopsis: Zhou Yu is determined to reclaim Jingzhou. His negotiations with Zhuge Liang prove fruitless, triggering a fierce battle in which Zhou suffers a crushing defeat and dies of grief at Baqiu. Zhuge travels to Wu to attend Zhou’s memorial. General Zhang Zhao lays an ambush with the intent of capturing Zhuge. Zhuge points out to Zhang that any strife between the states of Shu and Wu would only benefit Cao Cao. At that moment, Cao is advancing with an army of hundreds of thousands. Zhang quickly apologises to Zhuge, and they begin discussing a joint plan to repel the invasion.—————————————————————————————–
Date: September 3 (Wednesday)
Starring: Mei Lanfang, Jiang Miaoxiang
Synopsis: Cao Pi crowns Lady Zhen as royal consort, but she is drawn to the literary brilliance of his younger brother, Cao Zhi. The two begin a forbidden romance in the face of grave danger. Upon discovering Lady Zhen’s infidelity, Pi executes her in a fit of rage. Years later, Zhi dreams of a divine calling from the Goddess of River Luo, and he goes to the appointed place, astonished to find Lady Zhen waiting for him. She has become the Goddess of River Luo, a celestial being, forever separated from the mortal realm.—————————————————————————————–
Date: September 10 (Wednesday)
Starring: Yuan Shihai, Li Jialin, Yu Dalu 
Synopsis: Liu Bei’s retreat from Xinye is pursued by Cao Cao’s forces through the night at Changbanpo. Liu becomes separated from his troops and family. Zhao Yun charges into the enemy camp alone and rescues the local governors Jian Yong and Mi Zhu. He also fights valiantly to protect Lady Gan and Liu’s infant son, A Dou, leading them safely through the encirclement. 
     The above-mentioned Cantonese opera films will be screened at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum at 7.45pm, and the Peking opera and Yuediao opera films will be screened at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at $70 per screening are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
     The programme will also feature two sessions under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series”, featuring the film of Peking opera “A Meeting of Heroes” (1957), to be held at 11am and 2.30pm on September 8 (Monday) at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive. Free admission specially for local primary and secondary school students to allow them to have the opportunity to appreciate the traditions and essence of Peking opera through the timeless masterpiece. Interested schools can call 2268 7325 for details.