MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A total of eight nomination forms for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election were received today (October 25) by the Returning Officers for the 10 geographical constituencies, the 28 functional constituencies and the Election Committee constituency.

     This brings to 31 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on October 24. The nomination period will continue until November 6.

The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

Geographical constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Hong Kong Island East	0	2
Hong Kong Island West	1	2
Kowloon East	0	1
Kowloon West	0	1
Kowloon Central	0	3
New Territories South East	0	2
New Territories North	0	0
New Territories North West	0	1
New Territories South West	0	3
New Territories North East	0	1
Total	1	16

The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

Functional constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Heung Yee Kuk	0	0
Agriculture and fisheries	0	0
Insurance	0	0
Transport	0	0
Education	0	0
Legal	0	1
Accountancy	0	0
Medical and health services	0	0
Engineering	0	0
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape	0	0
Labour	1	2
Social welfare	0	0
Real estate and construction	0	0
Tourism	0	0
Commercial (first)	0	0
Commercial (second)	0	0
Commercial (third)	0	0
Industrial (first)	0	0
Industrial (second)	0	0
Finance	0	0
Financial services	0	1
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication	0	0
Import and export	0	0
Textiles and garment	0	0
Wholesale and retail	0	1
Technology and innovation	0	0
Catering	0	0
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and representatives of relevant national organisations	0	0
Total	1	5

     The number of nomination forms received today for the Election Committee constituency is six and the cumulative total number is 10.

Particulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (October 27) announced that a total of 15 Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs), including Family Medicine Integrated Centres (FMICs), will provide public holiday Family Medicine Outpatient Services on the Chung Yeung Festival holiday (October 29) (see table below). Members of the public can make appointments through the telephone appointment system or the “Book FMC” function on the “HA Go” mobile application.

As influenza activity remains at a high level, the HA spokesperson appeals to members of the public to receive vaccinations early. Public hospitals and outpatient clinics of the HA have started providing seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible persons to dovetail with the Government Vaccination Programme 2025/26. Eligible patients may receive vaccinations at their scheduled follow-up appointments at clinics. Patients with distant follow-up appointment dates may visit or contact the respective clinics for necessary arrangements.

Meanwhile, the HA spokesperson reminds the public to stay vigilant about personal and environmental hygiene during the holidays to avoid spreading diseases. Members of the public who develop respiratory symptoms should wear masks and seek medical advice promptly. Non-emergency patients should avoid using Accident & Emergency services and instead seek treatment at FMCs and FMICs, private doctors or 24-hour outpatient services at private hospitals to reduce pressure on public hospital A&Es. Members of the public can visit the Health Bureau’s Primary Care Directory www.pcdirectory.gov.hk to choose a family doctor and view related clinic service information.

Family Medicine Outpatient Services arrangements on Chung Yeung Festival (October 29)

Region	List of FMCs and FMICs	Address	General Enquiry	Telephone Booking
Hong Kong Island	Aberdeen Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen	2555 0381	3543 5011
	Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	1/F, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan	2560 0211	3157 0077
	Wan Chai Violet Peel Family Medicine Clinic	LG, Tang Shiu Kin Hospital Community Ambulatory Care Centre, 282 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai	3553 3116	3157 0000
Kowloon	Kwun Tong Family Medicine Integrated Centre	UG/F, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong	2389 0331	3157 0687
	Nam Cheong Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan	3742 3876	3543 5795
	Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, Out-patient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, 118 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin	2354 2267	3157 0118
	San Po Kong Robert Black Family Medicine Clinic	600 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong	2383 3311	3157 0113
	Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	1/F, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei	2272 2400	3157 0880
New  Territories	Lek Yuen Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin	2692 8730	3157 0972
	North District Family Medicine Integrated Centre	3/F, North District Community Health Centre Building, 3 Wai Wo Street, Sheung Shui	2957 5186	3157 0965
	Tai Po Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 37 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po	2664 2039	3157 0906
	Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 28 Po Ning Road, Tseung Kwan O	2191 1083	3157 0660
	Tsuen Wan Lady Trench Family Medicine Clinic	213 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan	2614 4789	3157 0107
	Tuen Mun Family Medicine Clinic	11 Tsing Yin Street, San Hui, Tuen Mun	2452 9111	3543 0886
	Yuen Long Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long	2443 8511	3543 5007

Service hours: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The South Development and Sustainable Lantau Office (SSLO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department announced today (October 27) that 12 projects were approved in the 2024-2025 round of the Lantau Conservation Fund (LCF), involving a total amount of about $32 million.

The approved projects comprise one conservation management agreement project in Tai O, nine research projects and two education and engagement projects, covering themes such as the renovation of a Tai O traditional building, history of Tai O development, history of Yam O Wan log storage industry, history of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression on Lantau Island, and ecology of rare animals and plants on Lantau Island.

The LCF aims to promote conservation and related projects on Lantau, with a view to raising community awareness about conservation of Lantau and engaging the community to put conservation into practice, thereby fostering a sustainable quality living environment. The $1 billion LCF provides financial support to eligible organisations and post-secondary education institutions to conduct research and education and engagement projects, or collaborate with local communities and landowners to carry out conservation and related projects on Lantau; as well as supporting minor local improvement works for conservation. A total of 59 projects of over $164 million have been approved since the inception of the LCF in 2020.

The LCF will accept a new round of applications at the end of this year. For information about the LCF, the results of the applications, the event calendar and details of the approved projects, and the invitation for the new round of applications, please visit the LCF’s website (www.lcf.gov.hk/) and the Sustainable Lantau Facebook page (www.facebook.com/lantauhk/), or call 2153 2739.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police yesterday (October 26) reclassified a death on arrival case happened in Sheung Shui on October 21 as manslaughter.

At 11.36pm on October 21, Police received a report that a man was found lying inside a unit in Wong Wui House, Queens Hill Estate.

Upon Police arrival, the 35-year-old man, with sutured wounds on his body, was rushed to North District Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 0.40am on October 22.

Initial investigation revealed that the deceased had sought medical attention at hospital on October 18, claiming those stab wounds were self-inflicted. He was treated and discharged from hospital.

After Police in-depth investigation, it was believed that those stab wounds were caused by the deceased’s female friend. The case was reclassified as manslaughter and a 35-year-old woman was arrested for manslaughter in Sheung Shui on October 24. Police yesterday laid a holding charge against the woman with one count of manslaughter. The case will be mentioned at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon (October 27).

Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Tai Po District is underway.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 27) the external merchandise trade statistics for September 2025. In September 2025, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 16.1% and 13.6% respectively.
 
     In September 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 16.1% over a year earlier to $462.3 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 14.5% in August 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 13.6% over a year earlier to $512.5 billion in September 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 11.5% in August 2025. A visible trade deficit of $50.2 billion, equivalent to 9.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in September 2025.
 
     For the first nine months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 13.4% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 13.1%. A visible trade deficit of $293.9 billion, equivalent to 7.2% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first nine months of 2025.
 
     Comparing the third quarter of 2025 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods decreased by 0.7%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods remained virtually unchanged.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing September 2025 with September 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 18.3%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+50.9%), Malaysia (+40.0%), Taiwan (+31.9%), India (+19.5%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+16.7%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular Switzerland (+138.5%) and Germany (+27.6%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular the United Kingdom (+70.3%), Vietnam (+68.7%), Singapore (+33.2%), the Mainland (+19.4%) and Japan (+12.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Taiwan (-19.0%).
 
     For the first nine months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+52.4%), Malaysia (+44.7%), Taiwan (+38.9%), the Mainland (+16.5%) and Japan (+13.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-11.9%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+79.5%), the United Kingdom (+46.3%), Taiwan (+22.6%), Malaysia (+18.9%) and the Mainland (+12.7%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-17.1%).
 
Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing September 2025 with September 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $43.7 billion or +22.8%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $6.5 billion or +14.5%). 
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $40.1 billion or +20.3%), “miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ wares)” (by $9.5 billion or +33.6%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $9.4 billion or +18.6%).
 
     For the first nine months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $253.7 billion or +15.9%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $117.6 billion or +30.1%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $259.8 billion or +16.2%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $105.3 billion or +32.5%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to grow visibly by 16.1% in September over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and most other Asian markets saw robust growth, and exports to the United States and the European Union also grew moderately. Meanwhile, exports of most major commodities increased, particularly for exports of electrical equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances which continued to see strong growth.
 
     Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance should continue to be underpinned by the sustained expansion in the global economy. The Government’s ongoing endeavour in enhancing economic and trade ties with different markets also helps. Yet, the United States’ trade policy will continue to cast uncertainties on the near-term outlook of international trade flows. The Government will monitor the situation closely and stay vigilant.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for September 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to September 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for September 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
 
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for September 2025.
 
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for September 2025 will be released in mid-November 2025.
 
     The September 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in September 2025 and will be available in early November 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) held the “Health in Your Hand – HA Go Just One Click Away” campaign launching ceremony today (October 27), marking the beginning of a new large-scale promotional initiative to encourage the public to download the HA Go mobile application for easier access to public hospital services. 
 
The launching ceremony took place at the HA Head Office and across seven hospital clusters. During the ceremony, the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, presented designated uniforms to the representatives of the HA Go volunteer team. The latest promotional video for HA Go was also premiered at the event, aiming to enhance the public’s understanding of the diverse functions of HA Go, enabling them to manage their health with just one click.
 
The HA Chief Executive, Dr Libby Lee, said, “Since its launch in 2019, HA Go has been well-received by the public. With HA Go, citizens can access various public hospital services more conveniently, quickly and smoothly, while also helping them manage their personal and family health more effectively. We will continue to enhance the functions of HA Go, aiming to make it an essential ‘health manager’ on every citizen’s smartphone.”
 
As of the third quarter of this year, HA Go has recorded over 4.12 million downloads, with more than 3.25 million registered full members and over 370 000 registered carers.
 
Mr Fan said, “The HA’s promotion of HA Go marks a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s public healthcare services.”
 
Mr Fan added, Hong Kong is advancing from stability to prosperity. I urge citizens not only to download and use HA Go, but also to care about Hong Kong’s future. Let us fulfill our civic responsibilities by voting in the Legislative Council General Election on December 7, electing capable LegCo members to jointly promote the development of Hong Kong and build a better public healthcare system together.
 
The HA will launch a three-week large-scale promotional campaign to highlight HA Go’s features and benefits across various platforms. Hospital clusters will set up promotional booths and arrange for patient service ambassadors and volunteer teams to organise a series of promotional and educational activities to encourage more citizens to download and use HA Go, thereby enhancing the service experience at public hospitals.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Education Bureau today (October 27) invites applications for the 2025/26 Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) of the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund for projects proposed to be launched in the 2026/27 academic year. The application deadline is February 28, 2026.

The QESS is a major support measure to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary education sector, with the aim of enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the sector. It accepts applications under three project categories, namely theme-based projects, open-ended projects and industrial attachment projects.
    
Applicants in the category of theme-based projects may set their own themes, provided that the projects are conducted in a collaborative manner, i.e. planned and undertaken by more than one eligible institution, to foster closer collaboration and synergy among institutions and benefit the sector as widely as possible.

The applicants in the category of open-ended projects need to submit applications in relation to the relevant areas of the QESS funding. The main areas include:

(1) improving the overall learning experience and language proficiency of students;

(2) developing and improving teaching methodologies and practices, including the development of assessment strategies;

(3) strengthening and improving quality assurance and related measures; and

(4) enhancing student support and career guidance services, including support for non-Chinese speaking students and students with special educational needs.

As regards the category of industrial attachment projects, applicants can submit proposals within the following areas:

(1) incorporating quality assured work-based learning and assessments into programme curricula through close partnerships with industries;

(2) sourcing more industrial attachment opportunities within and/or outside Hong Kong, and/or enhancement of relevant institutional support for students; and

(3) organising visits or short-term training/courses conducted within and/or outside Hong Kong for students, which are directly relevant to industrial attachments.

All non-profit-making education institutions offering full-time locally accredited self-financing sub-degree or bachelor’s degree (including top-up degree) programmes are eligible to apply. Other related bodies such as the federations of these education institutions and quality assurance agencies may also apply. All applications will be considered by the Sub-committee on Support Measures established under the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education.

Since its launch in 2012, the QESS has approved over 120 projects with a total grant of about $455 million. In the 2024/25 round of applications, five out of 33 applications were approved, with a total earmarked grant of about $23 million, which aim to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced teaching resource hub for the sector; develop an AI-powered virtual laboratory platform for healthcare education; establish an industry-university partnerships office; enhance students’ emotional wellness and resilience; and provide non-local students with holistic support.

Further details of the QESS, including the scope of various project categories and the application procedures, are available at the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (www.cspe.edu.hk/en/qess-project.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 27) that the auction for stalls at the 2026 Fong Ma Po (FMP) New Year Fair at Lam Tsuen in Tai Po will be put up for open auction on November 10 (Monday).

     An FEHD spokesman said that the annual FMP New Year Fair will be held for 15 consecutive days from February 17 to March 3 next year. A total of 21 dry goods stalls and six wet goods stalls will be put up for auction, with upset prices of $780 and $770 respectively.
 
     The open auction will be held at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, on November 10 (Monday), from 2pm until the completion of the auction.
 
     Bidders for FMP New Year Fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in person with his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or he/she will forfeit the rights to operate the stall.
 
     The FMP New Year Fair will be made available to the licensees three days in advance of the fair (from February 14 to 16, 2026) for the setting up of stalls. In the event of any unforeseeable incident that will cause a reduction of the whole licence period (including the duration for setting up stalls and the business period of the fair), the Government has the right to postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the period. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the successful bidder on a pro-rata basis without interest.
 
     The FEHD reminded licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licensed area. If the FEHD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show, sell or gift any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, contrary to the interest of national security, immoral or incompatible with the object of the FMP New Year fair, the FEHD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such activity and the licensee must immediately comply with such direction.
 
     Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at or in the vicinity of the stall. They must completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or not) before 6pm on March 3, 2026.
 
     According to the licence agreement, except inside designated stalls, licensees must not keep, store or use any compressed helium cylinders in the licenced area. Whereas licensees of the designated stalls may keep, store or use helium cylinders in the licenced area, the quantity of helium should be such that a licence is not required pursuant to the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation 2012 (Cap. 295E), i.e. equivalent to 150 litres of helium. Sales of floating LED glowing balloons and aquarium fish by stall licensees are prohibited at the FMP Fair.
 
     In addition, as stated in the licence agreement, the height of dry goods stalls must not exceed three metres from ground level. The height of wet goods stalls must not exceed 4.5m from ground level. For wet goods stalls with a height of more than 3m from ground level, the licensee must, at their own cost, provide the FEHD with the original certificate issued by an authorised person, a registered structural engineer, or a competent person under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (Cap. 59I) to certify the structural safety of the structure in the licensed area before the fair is opened to the public. The licensee must also affix a copy of the aforesaid certificate on the structure of the stall. Also, each corner and anchor point of the marquee (if any) shall be securely fastened using appropriate ballast weights, such as sandbags or purpose-designed marquee water weights. During the period when the Strong Monsoon Signal is in force or is to be issued, the licensee shall immediately inspect the stall and adopt reinforcement measures as necessary.
 
     Successful bidders shall comply with all the stipulations and provisions set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.
 
     Details of the 2026 FMP New Year Fair, such as the public notice, the location and layout of the fair venue, commodities allowed for sale at the fair stalls, open auction arrangements and relevant rules, and a sample of the licence agreement, are available on the FEHD’s website (www.fehd.gov.hk). Interested bidders may visit the website or contact the FEHD’s Tai Po District Environmental Hygiene Office (3183 9162 or 2657 1137) for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 27) that new licence fee payment arrangements for a Temporary Food Factory Licence will be implemented from November 1. The arrangements aim to further streamline the application process and expedite the issuance of licences, in order to provide convenience to food business operators participating in public functions of a short duration.

In accordance with the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), any person who intends to prepare and/or manufacture food for sale for human consumption off the premises must obtain a food factory licence issued by the FEHD before commencement of such a business. For a food business which involves the operation of a stall/kiosk of a temporary nature for sale of heating up/warming precooked food and/or cooking of preprepared, ready-to-cook food for human consumption off the premises in conjunction with a public function (e.g. exhibition, show, concert, sporting contest) of a short duration, a temporary food factory licence must be obtained. The validity period of a temporary food factory licence shall not exceed seven days, and the licence fee is $220.

In order to streamline the application process and shorten the time for applicants to obtain a licence, the FEHD is enhancing the payment arrangements for licence fees. Upon submission of a temporary food factory licence application, the applicant will have to enclose the fee payment for the granting of a licence. The FEHD will process the application as usual. Upon the approval of an application, the FEHD will issue the notification letter and relevant licence to the applicant.

Applicants may submit their applications, pay the licence fees, and collect the licences via electronic means, in person or by authorising another person to visit the Licence Issuing Office on their behalf, or by post.

If a licence application is eventually not approved or cancelled by the applicant, he or she may apply to the FEHD for a refund.

For details about the new arrangements, please visit the FEHD’s website or contact the relevant Licence Issuing Office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will launch a vocal lecture series entitled “The Human Voice in 4 Parts” on four consecutive Wednesdays in January next year. Curated and hosted by voice pedagogue Chan Siu-kwan, each of the four lectures will feature one of the four main voice types (namely bass, alto, soprano and tenor) in Western classical music. Accompanied by selected excepts from Western opera works, the speaker will examine the roles portrayed by each voice type, and introduce the respective iconic legends along with their vocal features, guiding audiences to understand and appreciate the unique charm of different voice types.

     Details of each lecture are as follows:

Lecture 1: Bass
———————–
Date: January 7 (Wednesday)

     Two of the lowest male voice types are the bass and the baritone. In this lecture, drawing on performance excerpts of renowned singers such as baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and bass Boris Christoff, the speaker will analyse the moments when these two voice types assign to take the leading male roles in opera. 

Lecture 2: Alto
———————–
Date: January 14 (Wednesday)

     The speaker will examine why mezzo-sopranos and altos are often cast as supporting roles such as mothers, ladies-in-waiting or villainesses in opera, alongside the moments when these two voice types assume leading roles. This lecture will also introduce the “castrati”, a dark chapter in music history, and the countertenors. 

Lecture 3: Soprano
———————–
Date: January 21 (Wednesday)

     Through a selection of compelling excerpts, the speaker will explore why female leads in opera are predominantly performed by sopranos. Recordings of celebrated performances by divas such as Maria Callas and Joan Sutherland will be presented to illustrate what composers expect of the prima donna. 

Lecture 4: Tenor
———————–
Date: January 28 (Wednesday)

     In the Romantic period, male leads in opera are mainly dominated by tenors. By featuring treasured recordings of Nicolai Gedda and Luciano Pavarotti, who was hailed as the “King of High-Cs”, among others, this lecture will delve into the unique charm of the tenor voice. 

     Chan is an eminent vocalist and expert in choral singing in Hong Kong. She currently teaches voice at the music departments of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Baptist University. She also serves as the vocal advisor of the Hong Kong Children’s Choir. Chan often gives vocal masterclasses, and conducts vocal workshops for singers and choir conductors, in addition to serving as adjudicator in singing competitions. 

     All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese and will start at 7.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Each lecture will run for about one hour and 30 minutes. Tickets priced at $80 (for each lecture, with free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings and concessionary schemes, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1924.html.