Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LegCo Members visit Hong Kong Park in the Loop in Northern Metropolis
The President of Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, as well as members of the Panel on Commerce, Industry, Innovation and Technology and other LegCo Members conducted a second visit to the Northern Metropolis (NM) today (April 9) to grasp the first-hand information on the latest development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hong Kong Park in the Loop).
Accompanied by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Chairperson of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP), Mr Kevin Choi, Members first received a briefing from the Chief Executive Officer of the HSITP, Mr Vincent Ma, on the Park’s overall planning, industrial layout and progress in attracting enterprises and investment.
Members then visited the Incubation Centre in Building 8 of the Park to learn about the shared workspaces and offices provided for start-ups. Members overlooked the layout of the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Parks within the Loop from the Incubation Centre. They also exchanged views with representatives from several technology enterprises stationed in the Park, whose businesses span life and health technology as well as artificial intelligence, to gain a better understanding of their development in the Park. Together with Building 9, the two wet-laboratory buildings in the Park, offering about 32 000 square metres of floor area for the research and development in the biological and chemical fields, have seen nearly 80 local, Mainland and overseas organisations and enterprises moved in since their completion last year. The occupancy rate is nearly 90%.
Members also visited the talent accommodation building and toured the units and facilities. Members noted that the comprehensive amenities in the talent accommodation building would help attract global talents to pursue development in the Loop. Meanwhile, Members visited the CLP Power substation in the Lok Ma Chau Loop and received a briefing from CLP Power representatives on the planning of power infrastructure for the Loop area. Members noted that the substations in the NM currently are sufficient to meet the stable electricity demand of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop for the next decade.
During the visit, Members noted that one of the development goals of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop is to facilitate the cross-boundary flows of innovation elements, including the flow of people, materials, data and capital. Members and the Government exchanged views on how to facilitate the cross-boundary flow of personnel through the introduction of dedicated legislation for the NM.
LegCo Panel on Commerce, Industry, Innovation and Technology will discuss issues of the Park and related financial proposals with the Government later this month, in order to further expedite the development of the Park.
A total of 53 LegCo Members attended the visit. In addition to members of the Panel on Commerce, Industry, Innovation and Technology, other non-members also attended.
Issued at HKT 18:56
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Special announcement on fire in Pat Heung
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Attention TV and radio duty announcers:
Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals:
A fire broke out at a tin-sheeted structure in Pat Heung at 7.54pm today (April 9). The Fire Services Department is conducting a firefighting operation.
Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.
Brussels ETO promotes Hong Kong cinema at Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival in Belgium
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Brussels ETO promotes Hong Kong cinema at Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival in Belgium
Addressing guests at a networking reception hosted by the Brussels ETO on April 7, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, expressed appreciation for BIFFF’s long-standing collaboration with Hong Kong and reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to bringing more high-quality Hong Kong films to European audiences.
Ms Yung noted that the two selected films are a strong testament to the distinctive creativity and enduring appeal of Hong Kong cinema, reflecting compelling narratives that transcend eras and highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between cultures. Ms Yung shared that Hong Kong is home to one of the largest and most dynamic film industries in the world. Government-backed initiatives, such as the Film Development Fund and the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market, not only promote cultural exchanges but also create new opportunities for international collaboration.
Beyond the film industry, Ms Yung highlighted Hong Kong’s rich cultural offerings, adding that Hong Kong films are a powerful reflection of the city’s dynamic and diverse culture. She invited guests to visit Hong Kong and experience its seamless blend of history, creativity and modernity firsthand.
BIFFF is one of the most important fantastic film festivals in Europe. This year, more than 100 films from the fantasy, horror, thriller and science-fiction genres are being showcased.
Issued at HKT 21:27
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CE accepts fuel price measures
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
In response to conflicts in the Middle East region, Chief Executive John Lee today chaired a special meeting of the Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply, during which four measures for addressing rising fuel prices were accepted.
(1) Subsidising diesel prices
The task force proposed a two-month subsidy of $3 per litre of diesel to support public and commercial vehicles and vessels and related industries that use diesel as fuel, with a view to reducing their operating costs and alleviating their pressure to raise prices. This subsidy is estimated to cost approximately $1.8 billion. The Environment & Ecology Bureau (EEB) will work with the Competition Commission to monitor the pricing practices of each fuel company to ensure that they do not take advantage of the occasion.
Meanwhile, the majority of taxis and public light buses use liquefied petroleum gas as fuel, the price of which currently remains stable. The task force will continue to monitor price movements and consider the matter further where appropriate.
(2) Tunnel toll reduction for non-private cars
The task force proposed that the Government reduces tunnel tolls by 50% for all commercial vehicles (including goods vehicles, buses, minibuses and taxis) using government-operated toll tunnels, excluding private cars and motorcycles. The measure will last for two months and is expected to result in a revenue reduction of about $160 million.
(3) Establishing Working Group on Public Transport Service Special Applications
The task force recommended establishing a Working Group on Public Transport Service Special Applications under the task force’s purview. The working group will be chaired by the Secretary for Transport & Logistics, with the Secretary for Environment & Ecology as deputy chair, and the Commissioner for Transport and the Government Economist as members.
Taking into account the overall operating environment, public transport service operators’ costs, and public affordability, while maintaining the stability and normal operations of public transport services, the working group will assist in expediting the approval of applications submitted by the operators in response to rising fuel costs. This includes considering ways to enhance operational efficiency through service integration and introducing energy-saving measures.
(4) Adjusting measures based on actual circumstances
As the impact of the situation in the Middle East on Hong Kong’s economy largely depends on whether the military conflict continues, expands, or escalates, the task force will continue to conduct dynamic assessments, co-ordinate bureaus and departments to prepare contingency plans, and formulate forward-looking strategies. It will also study different measures to alleviate the impact of rising oil prices.
Accepting the recommendations, the Chief Executive instructed the task force to implement the measures as soon as possible, while continuing to monitor developments and the latest situation.
The aforesaid subsidy measure requires funding approval by the Legislative Council Finance Committee. The Government will liaise with LegCo with a view to scheduling a meeting as soon as possible, so as to facilitate the early implementation of the measure.
The task force also recommended that the Government, in formulating support measures, shall have regard to a number of principles.
It noted that priority should be given to the operational sectors that are most severely affected and those sectors that involve public services. Public transport services (including franchised and non-franchised buses, minibuses and ferries) as well as school buses and residential buses, whose operating costs are highly susceptible to fluctuations in diesel prices, should be regarded as priority sectors. Meanwhile, the use of private vehicles for self-use, being a matter of personal decision with alternative options available, shall not be considered a primary priority.
It also stressed that given the unpredictability of the military conflicts, any support measures shall be temporary and short-term in nature, so as to avoid creating risks to public finances.
During today’s meeting, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong briefed the Chief Executive on the local fuel supply situation and the trend movements of international energy prices, as well as the measures already taken by the Government.
Around 80% of Hong Kong’s oil products come from the Chinese Mainland. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been in close communication with the central government and various Mainland authorities to ensure that Hong Kong’s energy supply remains stable with the country’s support.
In addition, major local auto-fuel suppliers indicated that the auto-fuel supply in Hong Kong is currently normal and that they will continue to strive to maintain a stable supply.
Starting April 1, the EEB has been releasing, on a weekly basis, the trend movements of the seven-day moving average retail prices, after walk-in discounts, of unleaded petrol and diesel from local oil companies, together with the trends in international benchmark prices of refined oil products for the same period, to enhance the transparency of market and price.
Chinese Culture Festival 2026 set
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, running from June to September, will present more than 280 distinctive stage programmes and extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities.
Under the theme “Legends”, it will showcase a diverse array of programmes centred on Chinese legends and folklore, with a focus on the culture of the Sui-Tang dynasties, and the charm of the ancient capital Luoyang.
The festival’s opening show is “Lady White Snake”, a dance drama produced by the Shanghai Grand Theatre, with internationally renowned ballet artist Tan YuanYuan as artistic director. Blending ballet and Chinese dance, the production reinterprets a journey of self-exploration and discovery.
The Chinese Opera Festival, a core component of the CCF, adopts the theme “Righteousness & Loyalty in Chinese Opera” to present classic plays of legendary tales from various opera genres.
The kick-off programme, “Showcase of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles”, brings together top contemporary wusheng (martial male) actors from four major Peking opera troupes in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Hubei. In the three-day performances, they will perform excerpts from stories based on “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, “The Water Margin” and more.
In addition, China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winner Shi Xiaming will lead artists from the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre in bringing the complete two-part Kunqu opera masterpiece “A Dream Under the Southern Bough” to the Hong Kong stage for the first time.
Meanwhile, a New Cantonese Opera, “Ancient Tune of Guangling”, featuring renowned local artists Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai and Liu Kwok-sum, will be staged.
Furthermore, singers of Yu opera (Henan Bangzi), Hebei Bangzi opera and Shangdang Bangzi opera will showcase their artistry during their visit to Hong Kong.
For stage productions, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and the Bauhinia Culture Group will co-present the “Chinese Performing Arts Hong Kong Season Series” which involves Chinese-style suspense drama “The Code of The Dynasty”, as well as acrobatic drama “Acrobatic Spectacle of Ancient Tang”.
As regards musical performances, representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage of the art of guqin Yao Gongbai will give a guqin recital, featuring the piece “Flowing Water” sourced from the 1821 version of “Zhifa Huican Quejie”, a guqin tablature collection.
“Harmony in Eternal Melody”, a dance drama by the Hubei Opera & Dance Drama Theater, recreates 1:1 ancient musical instruments including bronze chime bells and more.
Separately, the “Prosperity & Magnificence – Civilisation of the Sui & Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition, jointly presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, will feature a selection of over 165 pieces/sets of artefacts from Shaanxi and Hong Kong, offering visitors a glimpse into the splendour of the Sui and Tang dynasties, while also unveiling commercial and military ties with Hong Kong during the era.
CCF tickets will be available at URBTIX from April 14 onwards, with a limited-time offer from April 14 to 30 on selected programmes. Call 2268 7321 or 2268 7323 or 2268 7325 for enquiries.
Film Archive’s “Restored Treasures – Film Marathon” to present multiple legendary classics
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Film Archive’s “Restored Treasures – Film Marathon” to present multiple legendary classics
Directed by Wu Yonggang, the opening film “The Goddess” (1934) (4K Digitally Restored Version) tells the tragic story of the protagonist, played by Ruan Lingyu, who resorts to streetwalking in order to raise her son alone. Ruan’s fine performance, together with Wu’s expressive visual style, imbues the film with a strong sense of human compassion while portraying the resilience of women, and firmly established both Ruan and early Chinese cinema on the world stage. This screening features the China Film Archive’s new 4K digital restoration, accompanied by a score by renowned composer Zou Ye, bringing to the audience a fully enhanced immersive experience.
“Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” (1927) (2K Digitally Restored Version) is an epic masterpiece directed by German expressionism master FW Murnau, marking his first Hollywood production. The story follows a farmer, who had originally planned to join his lover in the city after scheming to murder his wife, and is later overcome by guilt and remorse, revealing a tale of the good and evil in human nature, and of love and redemption. With its innovative use of an unchained camera technique and synchronised sound-on-film technology, the film is widely recognised as a perfect artistic gem of the silent era.
Directed by Stanley Kwan and starring Maggie Cheung as Ruan Lingyu, “Center Stage” (1992) (4K Restored, Director’s Cut) brings the life story of the legendary icon to the screen. Through Cheung’s convincing performance, interwoven with archival footage of Ruan and interviews with cast members reflecting on their roles, the film uses an intricate structure that vividly evokes the glamour of the film industry in the 1930s. The film is not merely a homage to Ruan, but also a profound dialogue on the pressures faced by women in the public eye.
Acclaimed as a canonical treasure and one of the greatest films, “The Godfather” (1972) (4K Digitally Restored Version), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, tells the story of the transfer of power across generations in a crime family, exploring the ideas of family, loyalty and betrayal. With its sophisticated narrative structure and masterful use of light and shadow, the film unveils the moral darkness and the operations of power at the heart of the underground world. This screening will feature the restored version supervised by the director for the film’s 50th anniversary, presenting the film in a way that is closer to his original vision.
Directed by Lung Kong, “The Story of a Discharged Prisoner” (1967) (4K Digitally Restored Version) is a realism classic of Hong Kong cinema. It portrays the arduous journey of an ex-convict, played by Patrick Tse, reintegrating into society after his release. Centred on the theme of brotherhood, the film offers a powerful portrayal of the issues of rehabilitation and social acceptance of former prisoners, laying the foundation for Hong Kong’s own heroic gangster films later on. To let more viewers witness the artistic brilliance of this local classic, the HKFA has specially arranged for the restoration and the Hong Kong premiere of the restored version.
Pre- or post-screening talks will be held for each screening. Guest speakers include representatives from the China Film Archive; director Stanley Kwan; Mrs Claudia Lung, the wife of director Lung Kong; and film critics Joyce Yang and Thomas Shin, etc.
Tickets priced at $70 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk
Two free screenings will also be held as a fringe activity at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 25. Two documentaries about early film pioneers the Lumière brothers, “Lumière! The Adventure Begins” (2016) and “Lumière! The Adventure Continues” (2024), will be screened to bring audiences to the very origins of cinema and back to the contemporary cinematic legends.
Admission by ticket is required for the free screenings. Ticket holders for the above screenings on May 16 and 17 can collect one ticket for the free screenings by presenting the stubs of their tickets outside the Hall of the EKCC after each screening on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on the day of the free screenings. Members of the public are welcome to queue up at the 1/F Foyer of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.
For programme details, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/film-marathon/pe-event-2026-film-marathon.html
With “Beyond Fantasy” as this year’s theme, the LCSD presents the fourth Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival. Over the years, Hong Kong pop culture has continued to evolve through music, images and text, as well as stage and cross-media creations. Shaped by the interplay of inheritance, circulation, fusion and breakthroughs, it has distilled a style that is uniquely Hong Kong. The Festival will continue to join audiences and local creators in crossing boundaries within everyday rhythms, and create warm, resonant and moving works while inspiring the limitless possibilities of pop culture. For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/enIssued at HKT 11:00
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Chinese Culture Festival 2026 to spotlight timeless legends and Sui-Tang splendour through modern lens of cultural continuity
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The third Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026 will be held from June to September. This year, under the theme “Legends”, it will showcase a diverse array of programmes centred on Chinese legends and folklore, with a particular focus on the culture of the Sui-Tang dynasties, and the charm of the ancient capital Luoyang. The programmes will reinterpret the essence of Chinese culture through a contemporary lens and language, while presenting the innovative vitality of Chinese culture.
Featuring distinguished artists and top-tier performing troupes from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, the Festival will present more than 280 distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities. ——————————————————————–
The opening programme of this year’s CCF is the dance drama “Lady White Snake”, produced by the Shanghai Grand Theatre. With internationally renowned ballet artist Tan YuanYuan serving as artistic director, the production brings together top-tier artists from various disciplines, forming a “dream team” with popular Chinese Mainland dancers and overseas Chinese dance stars. Through a creative vocabulary that seamlessly blends ballet and Chinese dance, the production reinterprets a journey of self-exploration and discovery. The work retains classic scenes from “The Legend of the White Snake” such as “Borrowing the Umbrella on the West Lake” and “Flooding of Jinshan Temple”, while employing Chinese cultural symbols like the great bell and the square and circle to construct an oriental stage aesthetic, forging resonance between the millennia-old legend and contemporary sensibilities.———————————
The Chinese Opera Festival (COF), a core component of the CCF, adopts the theme “Righteousness and Loyalty in Chinese Opera” this year, presenting a selection of classic plays of legendary tales from various opera genres that honour the enduring spirit of loyalty and righteousness. ——————————————-
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Bauhinia Culture Group will co-present two outstanding “Chinese Performing Arts Hong Kong Season” Series stage productions. The drama “The Code of The Dynasty”, a Chinese-style suspense drama produced by the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, meticulously recreates Song dynasty costumes, architecture and various ICH performance forms, inviting audiences to uncover a treacherous murder mystery in the Song capital of Bianjing. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Acrobatic Troupe’s acrobatic drama “Acrobatic Spectacle of Ancient Tang” revives the splendour of the Tang golden age through classic acrobatic feats such as flag spinning, plate spinning and bowls kicking on unicycles.————————————
The Hong Kong Film Archive presents several thematic film series, including “Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time”, with the premieres of the newly 4K digitally restored versions of “A Chinese Odyssey Part One – Pandora’s Box” (1995) and “A Chinese Odyssey Part Two – Cinderella” (1995); “Realising Art in Social Realism: The Miracle of Union Film” and “Gems of Chinese Opera Film”. “Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters” lecture series organised by the HKL&A invites leading experts from various cultural and artistic fields to promote traditional culture through diverse topics.————————————-
The “Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence – Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition, jointly presented by the LCSD and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, will feature a selection of over 165 pieces/sets of artefacts from Shaanxi and Hong Kong. The exhibition offers visitors a glimpse into the splendour of the Sui and Tang dynasties, while also unveiling the commercial and military ties with Hong Kong during the era. The HKL&A will organise two exhibitions: “Heluo Culture Bonds Hong Kong” Exhibition and “Echoes of the Sui & Tang: Ancient Attire and Modern Design” Exhibition. Featuring cultural relics, dynamic ICH demonstrations, reconstructed Sui-Tang attire and cross-disciplinary contemporary design, the exhibitions showcase the enduring vitality of Heluo culture and Sui-Tang aesthetics.
FEHD releases seventh batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases seventh batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
| District Among the seventh batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 15 survey areas in March, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released seven batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March 2026, covering 62 survey areas. Among these 62 survey areas, 37 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. February 2026), representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Twenty-five other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission. Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html# NNNN Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $64 million in “Dawnbreaker” operationSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $64 million in “Dawnbreaker” operation Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement to vigorously combat different types of counterfeit and infringing goods activities. NNNN Interest rate of third interest payment for Silver Bond Series due 2027Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Interest rate of third interest payment for Silver Bond Series due 2027 NNNN |