Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“Tang Vogue Beyond the Horizons: A Golden Era of Multicultural Integration and Openness” exhibition opens
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that, as one of the celebration activities of the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, this is the largest joint exhibition, in terms of profile, scale and quantity of artefacts on display, since the signing of the Framework Agreement on Deepening Exchange and Cooperation in the Field of Heritage Architecture and Archaeology between the DEVB and the National Cultural Heritage Administration in 2022. The exhibition marks a move towards a higher level of mutual co-operation. Hong Kong is an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. She is eagerly anticipating that the exhibition can showcase the culture of the majestic Tang dynasty to members of the public and friends from all over the world.
Other officiating guests at the ceremony were Deputy Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Mr Qiao Yunfei; the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Songmiao; the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau; the Director of Art Exhibitions China, Mr Tan Ping; the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Professor Desmond Hui; and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation, Professor Douglas So.
The exhibition is divided into eight sections on the administrative system and governance of the Tang dynasty, the planning of Chang’an city, the life of people, religious beliefs, literati elegance, craftsmanship, prosperous scenes along the Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road, and Hong Kong’s role as a node on the Maritime Silk Road in the Tang dynasty. It features 269 significant pieces/sets of artefacts from 28 museums and cultural institutions in 10 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the Mainland (including 49 pieces/sets of grade-one cultural relics) and 29 pieces/sets of important artefacts unearthed in Hong Kong and dated to the Tang dynasty.
Among the key exhibits are two paintings, namely the “Scroll depicting Emperor Minghuang playing polo”, which is a Song dynasty depiction of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (Minghuang) playing polo with his concubines on horseback; and the hanging scroll of Li Bai’s “Chun Ye Yan Tao Li Yuan Xu” (preface to the spring night banquet in the peach and plum garden) on kesi (cut silk) depicting the refined life of Tang dynasty literati. These paintings will only be displayed during the first two months (June 28 to August 27). Other key exhibits include a sancai teaware set with a seated figurine revealing the image of Lu Yu, China’s sage of tea; a gold jie comb (hair comb accessory) carved in openwork from a thin piece of gold; a painted figurine of a dancing black man with exotic charm; the “Lun Yu Zheng Xuan Zhu” (the Analects with annotation by Zheng Xuan) copied by Bu Tianshou, which has been included in the first batch of the National Catalogue of Precious Ancient Books; and a crimson gold walking dragon used in ritual ceremonies, which will be displayed throughout the entire exhibition period.
The exhibition also displays significant Tang dynasty artefacts unearthed at Chek Lap Kok, Tung Chung and San Tau on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, including ceramic ware, iron weapons, bronze belt ornaments, silver chai hairpin, glass ring, fragment of silver piece, Kai Yuan Tong Bao (circulating treasure from a new era) and Qian Yuan Zhong Bao (heavy treasure of Qian Yuan reign) bronze coins, to illustrate the role of Hong Kong in the Maritime Silk Road.
The exhibition will run at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, from tomorrow to December 31 with free admission. For details and a short video on the preparation of the exhibition, please visit the websiteIssued at HKT 19:42
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Caritas Medical Centre announces sentinel event
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) announced a sentinel event today (June 27):
A 48-year-old female patient with good past health was admitted to the hospital’s surgical ward on June 17 for abdominal pain. The patient underwent an abdominal computed tomography (CT) with contrast on June 18 which indicated early appendicitis, mild colitis and a small paratubal cyst on the right side.
On the same night, the patient was arranged for an emergent minimally invasive laparoscopic appendectomy operated by a higher surgical trainee. During the operation, oozing from the surgical site was noted, and the small paratubal cyst was torn during the procedure. The on-call Associate Consultant was called in. The Associate Consultant arrived and consulted the Obstetrics and Gynaecology team at Princess Margaret Hospital, where it was confirmed that a cystectomy was not required as the bleeding had stopped. The patient remained in stable condition after the operation and continued to receive close observation and treatment. The excised tissue was sent to the pathology department for examination.
On the afternoon of June 23, the patient developed a low-grade fever with increasing abdominal pain and afterwards underwent an abdominal CT scan with contrast again. The report revealed the appendix remained intact and the pathology report, which was available in the late evening of June 25, showed that the excised tissue was a fallopian tube instead of the appendix.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident and met with the patient and her family on the following morning (June 26) to explain the details of the incident and to offer their sincerest apologies. Subsequently, the patient underwent an operation to have the inflamed appendix removed. The operation was uneventful. The hospital will continue to closely monitor her post-operative recovery.
The preliminary investigation suggests the doctor involved mistook the fallopian tube for the appendix due to tissue adhesion near the surgical site.
​The CMC once again extended sincere apologies to the patient, and has requested the Department of Surgery to review the arrangements and handling of laparoscopic surgeries, including staffing deployment, task assignment, supervision and coaching. Training for frontline healthcare staff will also be strengthened to ensure proper management of every procedure-related detail to safeguard patient safety.
The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. A root cause analysis panel will be formed to investigate the incident thoroughly. The investigation and recommended improvement measures will be completed within eight weeks.
The Root Cause Analysis Panel members are as follows:
Chairperson
Dr Sara Ho
Service Director (Quality and Safety), Hong Kong East Cluster
Members
Dr Raymond Cheung
Chief Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management), Hospital Authority
Dr Lai Tak-wing
Clinical Stream Coordinator (Surgery), Kowloon West Cluster
Dr Sunny Cheung
Chief of Service (Surgery), North District Hospital
Mr Bill Wang
Vice Chair, Hong Kong Kidney Foundation
Member & Past Chair, Patient Liaison Advisory Group of International Society of Nephrology
One incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid tobacco (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
One incoming passenger was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (June 27) for possessing duty-not-paid tobacco and failing to declare it to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 28-year-old incoming female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on May 2. About 21 kilograms of duty-not-paid cigars, with an estimated market value of about $246,000 and a duty potential of about $90,000 in total, were seized from her personal baggage. She was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid tobacco commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).
Special traffic arrangements for flag raising ceremonies to celebrate 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special traffic arrangements for flag raising ceremonies to celebrate 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
Police announced today (June 27) that it will implement the following special traffic arrangements in phases from June 29 to July 1 to facilitate the holding of the flag raising ceremonies in Central, Wan Chai North and Tin Hau to mark the celebration of the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.- Expo Drive Central;
– Expo Drive East; and
– The slip road leading from the Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel (CWBT) to Expo Drive.- Lung Tat Path.- Traffic turning right from northbound Lung Hop Street can only enter eastbound CWBT via eastbound Lung Wo Road.- Traffic along westbound Lung Wo Road will be diverted via southbound Tim Wa Avenue.- All metered, motorcycle and disabled parking spaces on Tung Lo Wan Road between Causeway Road and Lin Fa Kung Street West will be suspended from 10pm on June 29 to 8am on June 30.Issued at HKT 17:54
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Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstormsIssued at HKT 0:56
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Speech by FS at HKAPA 40th Anniversary Celebration Banquet (English only) (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by FS at HKAPA 40th Anniversary Celebration Banquet (English only)
Charles (Yang) (Council Chairman of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), Mr Charles Yang), Professor Anna Chan (Director of the HKAPA), 張志華副主任 (Deputy Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Zhihua), 林枬副部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Lin Nan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is both an honour and a privilege to join you tonight in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
Allow me to begin by extending my warmest congratulations to the Academy. For four decades, you have stood as a pillar of performing arts education and creative innovation in Hong Kong, shaping the artistic landscape of our city and beyond.
Since its founding in 1984, the Academy has played a vital role in nurturing generations of world-class talent in performing arts and arts technology. From drama to music, and from dance to film and television, your graduates have brought to life a rich tapestry of performances and productions that have captivated audiences, enriched our cultural fabric, and deepened public appreciation for arts and culture.
The many acclaimed film makers nurtured by the Academy is a compelling example. Their works and productions have defined Hong Kong cinema and extended its influence far beyond the territory, being recognised as a cultural force across the region and around the world.
Today, the global entertainment industry is massive and rapidly evolving. It is also a multi-billion dollar business. In recent years, we have seen the rise of cultural powerhouses from this part of the world like Korea. And the Mainland is emerging as an important player as well. Despite changing market trends and challenges, Hong Kong producers continue to shine. The recent success of local productions, such as “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” 《九龍城寨之圍城》and “The Last Dance” 《破·地獄》, stands as a testament to the enduring strength of our creative industries. It tells that we can capture the hearts of local, Mainland and international audiences with quality productions. It is the innovative spirit, artistic excellence, and a bold embrace of new technologies that will drive the future of the industry.
Meanwhile, for performing arts, our unique connectivity with the Greater Bay Area, together with world-class performing venues offers unparalleled opportunities for our arts groups and performers. Opportunities to expand their reach, build their brands, and step confidently onto the regional and global stage. Seizing these opportunities requires not only talent and capital, but also vision, passion and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
In fact, a flourishing arts and creative sector is not only a powerful engine of economic growth, but also an important pillar of soft power.
In a world increasingly marked by fragmentation and conflicts, we must ask ourselves: do we need more confrontation, or more dialogue? More isolation, or greater understanding? I believe the answer is clear to all of us. And in this connection, arts and culture are a profound and irreplaceable means of fostering mutual understanding, empathy and unison.
Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to contribute to this global dialogue. With our openness, diversity and international character, there is no better place than Hong Kong to be an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. And through your work – your performances, your productions, your stories – I am sure the perspectives of Hong Kong, and of our country, will be better shared by the world.
In advancing these strategic goals, the Academy has been, and will continue to be, an important partner.
That is why, in the 2022 Policy Address, the Government entrusted the Academy with an important new mission: to deepen its role in talent development for the Greater Bay Area, and to broaden its educational footprint through the establishment of a new campus in the Northern Metropolis. This initiative reflects both our confidence in the Academy’s capabilities and our shared aspiration to elevate performing arts across the region.
As the Academy looks to the future, let us remember: talent is the key to our continued success – and indeed the success of any institution, industry and society.
I have every confidence that the Academy will remain true to its founding mission, and continue to cultivate the next generation of artists not only with skills and creativity but also with vision, heart and passion.
And I have every confidence too, that the Academy will rise to the challenges and capture the opportunities ahead, strengthen its international presence, and flourish as a premier performing arts institution – not only in Asia, but on the world stage.
On this note, I wish the entire Academy community – your dedicated faculty, talented students and accomplished alumni – every success as you continue your pursuit of artistic excellence with passion, purpose, and pride.
Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to the Academy. May you continue to inspire, innovate and illuminate. And may the next chapter of your journey be even more brilliant than the last. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 21:38
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Immigration Department holds launching ceremony of illustrated book on consular protection and outbound travel safety and exhibition on 20th anniversary of 1868 Assistance Hotline (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Immigration Department holds launching ceremony of illustrated book on consular protection and outbound travel safety and exhibition on 20th anniversary of 1868 Assistance Hotline Issued at HKT 21:27
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Tang dynasty artefacts go on display
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The opening ceremony of the “Tang Vogue Beyond the Horizons: A Golden Era of Multicultural Integration & Openness” exhibition, which will run at the Heritage Discovery Centre from tomorrow, was held today.
The exhibition is jointly organised by the Development Bureau and the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said that as one of the celebration activities of the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, this is the largest joint exhibition, in terms of profile, scale and quantity of artefacts on display, since the signing of the Framework Agreement on Deepening Exchange & Cooperation in the Field of Heritage Architecture & Archaeology between the bureau and the National Cultural Heritage Administration in 2022.
She highlighted that the exhibition marks a move towards a higher level of mutual co-operation, and she is looking forward that the exhibition can showcase the culture of the majestic Tang dynasty to members of the public and friends from all over the world.
Among the key exhibits are two paintings, namely the “Scroll depicting Emperor Minghuang playing polo”, which is a Song dynasty depiction of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang playing polo with his concubines on horseback; and the hanging scroll of Li Bai’s “Chun Ye Yan Tao Li Yuan Xu” on cut silk depicting the refined life of Tang dynasty literati.
These paintings will only be displayed during the first two months.
The exhibition also displays significant Tang dynasty artefacts unearthed at Chek Lap Kok, Tung Chung and San Tau on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, including ceramic ware, iron weapons, bronze belt ornaments, silver chai hairpin, glass ring and fragment of silver piece, to illustrate the role of Hong Kong in the Maritime Silk Road.
The exhibition will run from tomorrow to December 31 with free admission.
Click here for details.
Digital asset consultation begins
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) today launched a joint public consultation on the legislative proposals for establishing licensing regimes for digital asset (DA) dealing and custodian service providers.
The public consultation will last until August 29.
Under the proposed licensing regime for DA dealing service providers, any person who carries on a business of providing DA dealing services in Hong Kong will have to be licensed by or registered with the SFC.
Also, irrespective of whether the relevant DA dealing services are provided through a physical outlet and/or other platforms, both simple dealing services and more complex services will fall under the scope of the licensing regime.
In addition, licensed or registered providers of DA dealing services will need to meet fit-and-proper criteria and comply with a range of regulatory requirements.
The licensing regime will be fully implemented on the date the relevant statutory provisions come into effect.
Meanwhile, under the proposed licensing regime for DA custodian service providers, any person carrying on a business in Hong Kong of providing DA custodian services will have to be licensed by or registered with the SFC.
Licensed or registered providers of DA custodian services will also need to meet fit-and-proper criteria and comply with a range of regulatory requirements.
Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the Government is striving to build Hong Kong into a premier global hub for DAs, adding that upholding investor protection is of utmost concern.
“The proposed licensing regimes will lay a solid foundation for us to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for DAs with investor and customer protection at its core.
“The move will also help realise our vision to build Hong Kong’s DA ecosystem into a highly trusted one that will flourish sustainably and responsibly in a risk-managed manner, thereby delivering concrete benefits to the real economy and financial markets.”
The public and stakeholders can submit their views by post to the FSTB at 24/F, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong.
They can also send their views on the licensing regime for DA trading service providers or the licensing regime for DA custodian service providers by email.
Language campaign concludes
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education & Research (SCOLAR) today held the “Closing & Award Presentation Ceremony of the Biliteracy & Trilingualism Campaign 2025”.
The ceremony was attended by around 400 people, including guests from the business sector, the arts and cultural sector, and community organisations, as well as teachers, parents and students. The awards celebrated efforts to promote biliteracy and trilingualism in Hong Kong over the past six months.
Officiating at the event, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said that as an international metropolis where East meets West, Hong Kong requires a large pool of biliterate and trilingual talent to fulfill its role as a “super connector”.
She added that languages are crucial to the city’s status as an international education hub in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and emphasised that biliteracy and trilingualism are essential for the city’s development of the “eight centres” outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, and for seizing opportunities arising from the Belt & Road Initiative and the development of the Greater Bay Area.
“Under the ‘one country, two systems’, biliteracy and trilingualism stands as one of the advantages of education in Hong Kong,” she said.
The education chief outlined that over the years, the bureau and SCOLAR have worked together to promote biliteracy and trilingualism. Measures introduced in recent years have allowed teachers to improve their Putonghua proficiency with help from the Language Fund.
Additionally, a one-off grant has been provided to schools for the promotion of self-directed language learning of English and Putonghua by students.
Ms Choi said that through the collective efforts, Hong Kong’s language and talent capital can be strengthened, enabling the city to fully leverage its advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world.
The results of a one-minute video production competition were presented. The award-winning works were produced by students who integrated different creative elements.
The event also gave the winners the opportunity to share their insights with attendees.