Month: August 2025

Home Affairs Department alerts public to attempted impersonations of Care Teams 
The HAD has recently been informed by an individual sub-district Care Team that some residents had reported receiving unidentified calls. The caller claimed to be a Care Team member and sought to obtain personal information from the member of the public concerned, such as a bank account number. 
 
The formation of Care Teams aims to consolidate community resources to care for community members and strengthen district networks in support of district-based initiatives. The spokesman reminded members of the public that Care Teams will never ask members of the public for bank account numbers. Members and volunteers of Care Teams will wear Care Team uniforms and display Care Team member or Volunteer Certificates of Identity for identification when providing caring services. Members of the public may visit the dedicated webpage on members of Sub-district Care Teams (www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/district_services_community_care_teams/members.htm 
Members of the public should remain vigilant when any unidentified calls or messages are received. If in doubt about the identity of the callers or visitors, please call 182 111 to verify the identity of Care Team members and volunteers, and obtain the Care Teams’ contact information. In case of suspicious circumstances, please call the 24-hour Anti-Scam Helpline 18222.
Issued at HKT 17:42

HKSAR Government convenes first Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group meeting Issued at HKT 17:28

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GBA Office holds AI seminar in Shenzhen to facilitate exchanges between innovation and technology enterprises  
     In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, said that AI technology is a new engine driving a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. The GBA possesses solid technological strength, abundant talent resources, diverse application scenarios and complete industrial chains, creating unprecedented possibilities for the vigorous development of AI. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has always supported the local I&T sector in strengthening exchanges and interactions with the Mainland, especially the cities in the GBA, to promote complementary advantages of Hong Kong and the Mainland cities in the GBA, and jointly build a more comprehensive and globally competitive I&T industrial chain, realising the vision of establishing the GBA as an international I&T hub.
 
     The Chief of Staff of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Ms Gracie Ng, said that Hong Kong serves as a premier springboard connecting Mainland China with global markets. By aligning Hong Kong’s unique advantages in global networks, business environment, financial system, and scientific research talent with national priorities, the HKSTP is building an open, vibrant I&T ecosystem. The Corporation’s enhanced collaboration in technology transfer, demonstration and application projects, and standards alignment will empower businesses to “bring in” and “go global” while tapping into opportunities from the GBA and the nation’s strategic industries – accelerating industrial transformation through technological innovation and expanding our influence in domestic and international markets.
 
     Today’s seminar was co-organised by the GBA Office and the HKSTP and featured a rich programme. Legislative Council Member Professor William Wong and the Acting Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Philip Har, delivered keynote speeches, addressing the development trends in AI and Hong Kong’s policies supporting I&T and start-up enterprises respectively. In addition, representatives from six renowned I&T enterprises took part in the case-sharing session and showcased AI technology solutions in different fields and the scaled-up applications of innovative technologies in the GBA. The panel discussion session invited four experts to share insights from diverse perspectives on the future opportunities and challenges of AI+ industry applications.
Issued at HKT 17:12

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Award-winning Quanzhou string puppetry to grace Chinese Culture Festival 2025 in September with timeless charm of ancient art  
     Quanzhou string puppetry, historically known as “hanging silk puppet”, has a long tradition that dates to the Qin and Han dynasties. It was introduced to Fujian by migrants coming from the central plain between the Jin and Tang periods. It has had a repertory of over 700 traditional plays and a unique musical genre called “kuilei diao” (or puppet tune, played on ancient instruments such as foot-pressed drums, bell-shaped gongs with corresponding performance techniques), comprising more than 300 set tunes. The art form has developed sophisticated string manipulation skills and unique puppet-head carving, figure modelling and production techniques. Its repertoire retains numerous Minnan folk customs and the dialect. It was included on the first list of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the National Level in 2006, followed by its inscription on UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.

     “Ancient Chinese Puppetry with Timeless Charm”, which won the prestigious 10th Wenhua Award in 2002, has captivated audiences across over 80 countries and regions on five continents. This diverse repertoire brings to life the rich heritage of Quanzhou string puppetry through a selection of timeless classics: “Lantern Festival Delight” recreates the vibrant Minnan folk tradition of “Cai Jie” (street parades) during Quanzhou’s Lantern Festival, featuring lively folk dance elements such as “chest slapping,” “jumping drums” and the lion dance, making it a perennial favourite; “The Drunken Royal Concubine” ingeniously blends Peking opera vocals with “kuilei diao”, showcasing the fascinating exchange between northern and southern theatrical arts; “Ruolan’s Journey”, an excerpt from the ancient play “The Palindromic Poems on the Brocade”, poignantly depicts the arduous journey of Su Ruolan across 1,000 miles in search of her husband.
 
     In addition, the puppeteers breathe life and soul into the marionettes through precise and delicate string manipulation. In “The Little Monk’s Descent into the Mountain”, the little monk puppet exhibits a repertoire of intricate stumbling gaits, vividly capturing his flustered haste through wind and rain; the Zhong Kui puppet in “The Drunkenness of Zhong Kui” performs nuanced actions such as lifting a wine pot, drinking, and even hiccupping; the “Lion Dance” combines string and palm puppetry techniques to portray an affectionate mother-and-cub lion duo at play; the monkey puppet in “Taming the Monkey” astounds by playing a guitar, riding a bicycle and grooving to disco beats, showcasing Quanzhou string puppetry’s innovative spirit while honouring tradition. The programme also features an interactive segment during each performance, offering audiences a rare chance to engage up close with the intangible cultural heritage artistry.
 
     Founded in 1952, the Quanzhou Marionette Show Inheritance and Protection Center is a principal guardian of Quanzhou string puppetry. The troupe has performed across different countries and regions, and has been featured in numerous national-level arts events, including China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala. Notably, the troupe participated in the 2019 New Year Traditional Opera Gala.
 
     “Ancient Chinese Puppetry with Timeless Charm” by the Quanzhou Marionette Show Inheritance and Protection Center will be held at 7.30pm on September 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday) at the Theatre of the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre. Lyrics and dialogues are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $280 and $320 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hkIssued at HKT 14:30