Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To foster public appreciation and understanding of the artistic features of Chinese opera, the Chinese Opera Festival (COF) 2026, as a core part of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, will organise a series of free activities from May to September, including talks on Chinese opera culture, demonstration talks and stylised movement workshops as well as thematic exhibitions. These activities will explore the artistic essence and repertoire appreciation of various opera genres from multiple perspectives.
 
Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera
———————————————–
     In conjunction with this year’s COF theme “Righteousness and Loyalty in Chinese Opera” and repertoires, Chinese opera researchers Chen Liangliang and Hu Guangming will lead audiences through the distinctive charm of Chinese opera culture – from literary themes to role categories and stage artistry – with professional guidance and insightful analysis.
 
Topic: Attachment and Illusion: The Dramaturgy of “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”
Date: May 9 (Saturday)
Speaker: Chen Liangliang
 
Topic: When Loyalty Means Sacrifice: From Lin Chong to Yue Fei
Date: May 16 (Saturday)
Speaker: Chen Liangliang
 
Topic: Loyalty and Filial Piety as Represented by the Yang Family in Chinese Opera Tradition: Insights from the Yu Opera “Mu Guiying Takes Command”
Date: May 23 (Saturday)
Speaker: Hu Guangming
 
Topic: The Performing Arts of the “Wusheng” in Peking Opera: Insights from “Lin Chong on the Run” and “The Pulley”
Date: May 30 (Saturday)
Speaker: Hu Guangming
 
“‘Kunqu’ On and Beyond the Stage” Demonstration Talks
———————————————————————
     Presented by Chinese opera researcher Chan Chun-miu, with live demonstrations by the Concordia Kunqu Society of Hong Kong, these demonstration talks will delve into the essence of “Kunqu” music, development and the set tunes that it performs, guiding audiences into the refined aesthetics of the genre from a more comprehensive perspective.
 
Topic: What Does Qu Mean in “Kunqu”?
Date: May 17 (Sunday)
 
Topic: What Plays are Performed in Kunqu Opera?
Date: May 24 (Sunday)
 
Topic: The Codified Notation of “Kunqu” Music
Date: May 31 (Sunday)
 
Topic: The Exquisite Art of “Kunqu”: A Guided Concert
Date: June 7 (Sunday)
 
     The Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera and “‘Kunqu’ On and Beyond the Stage” Demonstration Talks will be conducted in Putonghua, and will be held at 2.30pm at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.　
 
Workshops and Talks on Kunqu Opera
———————————————–
     Main cast members of the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre will offer demonstrations and interactive experiences, allowing participants to appreciate Kunqu opera’s captivating artistry – from stage stylised movements to the art of painted faces.
 
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of “Sheng” (Male) Roles
in Kunqu Opera
Date: June 29 (Monday)
Tutor: Shi Xiaming
 
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of “Dan” (Female) Roles
in Kunqu Opera
Date: June 30 (Tuesday)
Tutor: He Xinyue
 
A Demonstration Talk on the Painted Faces of “Kunqu”
Date: July 29 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Sun Jing
 
     The above-mentioned workshops on the stylised movements will be held at 7.30pm at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, while A Demonstration Talk on the Painted Faces of “Kunqu” will be held at 7.30pm at the Exhibition Gallery of Sha Tin Town Hall. The events will be conducted in Putonghua. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Exhibitions
————–
　　Thematic exhibitions will be held at various venues across the city from June to September. Alongside displays introducing Peking opera’s martial male roles and the Kunqu Opera “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”, an exhibition entitled “The Righteous and the Loyal in Chinese Opera” will be presented to complement this year’s COF theme, inviting visitors to gain insights into the profound cultural heritage and patriotic spirit embedded in Chinese opera. Admission is free.　
 
The Art of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles
Period: June 10 to 28
Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
 
The Virtual Realm of Kingdom of Huai’an – The Staging of “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”
Period: June 18 to 27
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Sha Tin Town Hall
 
Period: June 29 to August 2
Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Tai Po Civic Centre
 
“The Righteous and the Loyal in Chinese Opera” Exhibition
Period: June 24 to July 10
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
 
Period: July 15 to 31
Venue: Exhibition Corner, Yuen Long Theatre
 
Period: July 17 to September 4
Venue: Arts Resource Centre, Hong Kong Central Library
 
     In addition to the above-mentioned talks, workshops and exhibitions, extension activities including meet-the-artists sessions, backstage tours and a demonstration performance of Peking opera will be held during the CCF period to promote the artistry and culture of Chinese traditional opera. For more information about the events, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html.
 
     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Junior Police Call (JPC) of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), held the AI-GITAL NOMADS Scheme cum Award Presentation Ceremony today (April 25) to recognise the outstanding achievements of JPC members in Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning and creative application.

At the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, stated that promoting AI education in primary and secondary schools is key to enhancing the future competitiveness of Hong Kong. Under the guidance of the HKBU instructors and industry experts, JPC members not only mastered skills such as precise AI prompt engineering and chatbot dialogue design, but also learned to apply technology to solve practical problems through this scheme. Participants successfully applied AI to address social issues, including integrating anti-scam messages into game designs and conveying national security concepts through AI generated four-panel comics. He encouraged the participants to maintain their curiosity and continue exploring the possibilities of technology to address societal challenges.

The scheme aims to enable youths to acquire AI knowledge, broaden their horizons, and explore innovative thinking through AI courses and competitions. It attracted over 500 JPC members from Primary Four to Secondary Six. The scheme comprised three stages: face-to-face courses, online courses, and a hackathon. More than 90 JPC members who completed the first two stages formed 27 teams to participate in the hackathon today. The competing teams were required to apply the AI skills learned in previous courses to design four-panel comics and games, showcasing their creativity. A total of 10 awards were presented at the ceremony, including the awards for outstanding performance teams and the Best Team Spirit Award selected by the judging panel, as well as the Most Popular Award voted for by the guests in attendance.

Officiating guests at the ceremony also included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Director of Operations, Mr Lui Kam-ho; and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Public Relations), Mr Chan Sze-tat.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 29) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2026 will continue and Government officials will speak on the Bill. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, DC, (HKETO, Washington DC), hosted on April 24 (Washington time) a briefing on opportunities in Hong Kong’s life and health sciences industry.
 
The event, entitled “Hong Kong: Current Landscape and Development Opportunities in the Life Sciences Sector”, was held under the Economic and Trade Express initiative. It was jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) New York Office. The event featured a presentation by co-founder of ElohaX, co-director of the University of Hong Kong-Cambridge AI to Advance Wellbeing and Society Research Platform and Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge, Professor Jacqueline Lam, on leveraging the strength of Hong Kong being a global “super connector” as well as a hub for converging talent, AI innovation and translational research that successfully transforms research into commercialisation.
 
The event was attended by members of the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group and locals from various sectors, including life and health science professionals, federal and local government representatives of the United States (US), think tanks, businesses and other private sector entities.
 
The Director of the HKETO, Washington DC, Ms Elania Luk, said that with Hong Kong’s prominent status as an international financial centre and international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, good human capital (including world-class education institutions and top talent attraction programmes), holistic government support and a strong business and start-up presence, Hong Kong is poised for strong growth in the life and science sector. 
 
“Hong Kong is the second-largest biotech funding hub globally, following only New York. Our listing rules allow pre-revenue companies to list and raise capital. In addition, Hong Kong is home to five of the world’s top 100 universities with a world-class research landscape supported by the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
 
“Hong Kong is actively advancing the integrated development of life and health technology at upstream, midstream and downstream levels. On upstream research and development (R&D), we will pursue its development through Life and Health Technology Research Institute and various R&D centres under the InnoHK research clusters. On midstream outcome transformation, the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme has supported 15 projects. As for downstream industries, three major I&T parks together host nearly 500 relevant enterprises and organisations, creating a vibrant ecosystem,” Ms Luk added. 
 
The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion at InvestHK New York Office, Ms Xie Yi, spoke of how the office can provide bespoke services to US companies wishing to set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong to capitalise on regional markets and shared success stories of life and health sciences companies using Hong Kong as a platform for business development and expansion.
 
The Director (New York & Midwest) of the HKTDC, Mr Curtis Louie,  introduced how the Asia Summit on Global Health – one of Hong Kong’s flagship exhibition events which will take place on May 11 and 12 – would be relevant for American businesses and how the office’s support services and strong networks can facilitate commercial and market opportunities.
 
Professor Lam shared how ElohaX seeks to improve health and quality of life through AI innovation, particularly with regard to research and therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. She spoke of Hong Kong being a launch pad for interdisciplinary AI innovation.
 
Attendees also enjoyed an exhibition of curated paintings under the theme of “Hong Kong: Our Home”. The paintings were commissioned by the Social Welfare Department under the Arts Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with various non-governmental organisations. The paintings, among other things, exemplify Hong Kong’s efforts in unleashing the potential of persons with disabilities in artistic activities and their contribution to society.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) supported Hong Kong teams participating in the LOVEBoracay International Dragon Boat Festival 2026, held from April 24 to 26 in the Philippines, while taking the opportunity to promote Hong Kong as the events capital of Asia.

     Jointly organised by the Boracay Dragon Boat Association (BDBA), Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) and the local government unit of the Municipality of Malay, Aklan Province, the Festival attracted over 50 teams from 14 countries and regions, with some 2 000 athletes participating to compete for awards in five race categories. Among them, seven teams with nearly 200 racers were from Hong Kong. In support of the Hong Kong athletes, the Singapore ETO sponsored complimentary round-trip local transportation between the airport and hotel for all Hong Kong participants.

     To further engage with the Hong Kong teams and strengthen exchanges with local counterparts, the Singapore ETO hosted a “Hong Kong Night” dinner yesterday (April 25), attended by about 40 guests, including representatives from Hong Kong teams, the BDBA, the PDBF, the local government unit of the Municipality of Malay, and the International Dragon Boat Federation. The evening facilitated active exchanges on dragon boat training and race experiences, as well as exploration of further collaboration and participation in future events.

     This evening (April 26), the Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, attended the Festival’s prize presentation ceremony and presented the HKETO Championship trophies, sponsored by the Singapore ETO, to the champions of the five race categories.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Hung said that dragon boat racing has deep cultural roots and always brings together people from different regions and backgrounds, fostering exchange and friendship and inspiring a spirit of striving for excellence. She thanked the organisers for their dedicated efforts in organising the Festival and its continued support for Hong Kong teams, leading to a steady increase in the number of Hong Kong athletes taking part in the Festival in recent years.

     She added that the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board annually in June are a signature mega event that attracted over 4 500 participating athletes from around the world last year. The 2026 Races, marking the 50th anniversary of this iconic event, will be held on June 27 and 28. She invited athletes and participants in the Festival to join this cherished tradition and golden anniversary celebration in Hong Kong.

     Ms Hung highlighted that the Philippines is one of Hong Kong’s key partners. In 2025, Hong Kong welcomed a record high of 1.35 million visitors from the Philippines, representing a 12.8 per cent increase over 2024 and making the Philippines the second-largest non-Mainland visitor source market. Hong Kong has been forging ahead with its mega events economy, with a diverse array of events held throughout the year spanning finance and business, arts and culture, creative industries, sports and beyond. Ms Hung invited friends from the Philippines, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region and around the world to visit and experience Hong Kong’s unique vibrancy, diversity and charm as the events capital of Asia.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, inspected the passing-out parade for 34 probationary inspectors and 165 recruit police constables at the Hong Kong Police College today (April 25), and witnessed their official transition from trainees to law enforcers, taking on the responsibility of serving and protecting society with utmost professionalism.
 
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lam said that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success, with the Force as the first line of defence in upholding it. He said policing is not only about enforcing the law but, more importantly, about providing assurance to citizens and creating a safer society through its operations. The challenges in policing nowadays have become increasingly complex. Whether it is safeguarding national security, combating technology crimes, or managing large-scale events, police officers have to possess legal knowledge and be able to make the right decisions in dynamic environments. Upholding such professionalism is by no means easy.
 
He said that a harmonious and stable society is built upon mutual trust between the Police and the community. He expressed the hope that every graduate would carry out their duties in the future with fairness and impartiality, safeguarding the rule of law while attending to the needs of the public. He said he believed that as long as police officers adhere to their principles, while also being reasonable and compassionate, convincing others through sound reasoning and treating them with sincerity, they will earn the respect and support of citizens, thereby ensuring smoother law enforcement.
 
Mr Lam pointed out that Hong Kong is at the crucial stage of advancing from stability to prosperity. Despite the challenges ahead, he had full confidence in the graduates, who have undergone the most professional training and have shouldered the expectations of the community.
 
He said the graduates are the future of the Force and Hong Kong, and encouraged them to stay true to their original aspirations. They should uphold the rule of law and serve the people in the spirit of the Police motto “Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty”, and steadfastly contribute to safeguarding national security and ensuring the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​A delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on a national affairs study led by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Hong Kong and Sichuan Youth’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community in Chengdu this morning (April 25).
 
Located on the campus of a vocational college, the Community features an integration of industry and education, connecting several Hong Kong tertiary institutions. It assists Hong Kong youth in starting businesses in Sichuan, and provides them with opportunities to learn and intern at Sichuan enterprises.
 
Hong Kong will have a bright future only when its young people have good career prospects. Mrs Yeung, along with several Permanent Secretaries responsible for youth, education, entrepreneurship and employment, took the opportunity to chat with Hong Kong youth who are starting businesses or studying in Chengdu to learn about their living conditions and career plans.
 
     The Sichuan Youth’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community offers another pathway for Hong Kong youth. Among them, some pursue advanced studies in Chinese medicine in Chengdu after graduating from universities in Hong Kong; some leverage their knowledge as baristas and on confections to start businesses in the community; and some, drawn by Chengdu’s trendy culture and music, come to the city to pursue their passion for music.
 
Summing up the study programme, Mrs Yeung said that under the thoughtful arrangements of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government and the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government, the most senior officers in the civil service of the HKSAR Government concluded their study and visits in Beijing and Chengdu. In addition to studying at the National Academy of Governance, officers have gained, from the on-site visits in Chengdu, deeper understanding of the implementation and experience of national planning at the local level, as well as the latest developments across various sectors including high-tech industrial park, innovation and technology, low-altitude mobility, cultural tourism and conservation. This trip will certainly benefit officers in their future work, while strengthening ties and friendnship between officials of Sichuan and Hong Kong, as well as Chengdu and Hong Kong.
 
Mrs Yeung added that the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments play crucial roles in the formulation of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan. They will then focus on seizing opportunities to promote high-quality economic developments and the well-being of the people in Hong Kong, while integrating into and serving the national overall development.
 
The delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the HKSAR Government on a national affairs study departed for Beijing and Chengdu for study and duty visit on April 19. They concluded the visit in Chengdu and departed for Hong Kong this afternoon.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Today (April 25) is the sixth day of phased arrangements for residents of seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to return to their units. Five middle-zone floors of Wang Cheong House and 11 high-zone floors of Wang Yan House were opened. The access arrangements were carried out in an orderly manner and operated smoothly.
 
A total of 123 households (444 people) registered to return to their units today through the “one social worker per household” service, while 124 households (459 people) actually turned up. 
 
The average time residents spent entering and leaving the building today was two hours and 33 minutes, with the shortest time being 21 minutes and the longest four hours and eight minutes. About 65 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than three hours. About 27 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than two hours. About four per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than one hour.
 
A total of 54 households (125 people) went up and down the building more than once. Among them, 30 households (83 people) made one additional trip, 15 households (27 people) made two additional trips, 5 households (9 people) made three additional trips, and 4 households (6 people) made four additional trips.

The integrated enquiry counter set up by relevant departments today received 9 cases requesting police assistance and 1 case involving residents seeking help due to physical discomfort.
 
The 9 cases requesting police assistance involved suspected loss of property, including watches, jewellery, cash and gold items. Officers were immediately deployed to assist in searches, and lost property was recovered in 6 cases. In another 3 cases, the units concerned were severely damaged and residents believed after investigation that the property might have been destroyed by fire.

The Government spares no effort in supporting the residents returning to their units. Each day, the Government deploys over 1 000 personnel from various departments, including the Police, the Civil Aid Service, the Fire Services Department, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the Housing Department, and the Housing Bureau, as well as District Services and Community Care Teams members. The “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism has also been activated to bring together greater interdepartmental resources to support residents. 
 
Under the “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism, the Civil Service Bureau has co-ordinated nine government departments to mobilise civil servants to form the Government Quick Response Unit to support these access arrangements. These civil servants come from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Architectural Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Environmental Protection Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Lands Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Post Office, and the Water Supplies Department. They will form dedicated teams with social workers and clinical psychologists from the SWD, stationed on different floors to provide support to residents returning to their units. The civil servants mobilised in the first three days were from the AFCD, while those mobilised from the fourth day to the sixth day (including today) are from the EMSD and LCSD.