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DSJ leads legal sector delegation to first upgraded Shenzhen-Hong Kong exchange event to empower Mainland enterprises to go global       
     ​Entitled Greater Bay Area Enterprise Global Expansion Enablement Event – Session on Intellectual Property and Data Protection, the event attracted 50 Mainland enterprises from sectors such as smart hardware, electronic information, new energy, biopharmaceuticals, and high-end manufacturing, seeking to expand overseas. In addition to Hong Kong, their target markets cover regions including Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
      
     ​​Addressing the event, Dr Cheung said that, after reviewing the successful experience of co-organising the exchange and matching activity last year, Shenzhen and Hong Kong decided to fully upgrade the event by increasing the frequency of hosting similar activities and focusing more specifically on issues of the greatest concern to Mainland enterprises, in order to further enhance matching effectiveness. As the first upgraded exchange and matching event, this session focused on the cross-border intellectual property rights and data protection issues of concern to the enterprises. In future, Shenzhen and Hong Kong will continue to organise similar events focusing on common legal issues concerning overseas expansion.
      
     Dr Cheung also said that the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address stated that he was tasked to promote Hong Kong’s legal services and collaborate with other professional service sectors, such as accounting and finance, to jointly support Mainland enterprises in going global. In addition to building matching platforms, the DoJ has actively provided practical tools for enterprises going global. In April, the DoJ published the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Services Providers Supporting “Go Global”, covering more than 70 Hong Kong legal service providers with proven track records in the relevant professional fields of doing business overseas. Last week, the department launched the second series of the “Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global”, compiling over 160 success stories on cross-disciplinary professional services spanning law, accounting, finance, and business consulting.
      
     ​He emphasised that the DoJ has always attached great importance to helping enterprises connect directly with Hong Kong’s professional services, and that the Panel List and the Collection of Success Stories serve to help Mainland enterprises identify the most suitable professional partners more effectively.
      
     ​Dr Cheung noted that most of the law firms participating in the exchange session are listed in the Panel List and contributed case studies to the Collection of Success Stories. He expressed confidence that the delegation could offer Mainland enterprises practical solutions for addressing legal issues associated with going global.
      
     Member of the Standing Committee and the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Zhang Liwei, delivered opening remarks at the event. The Qianhai Authority of Shenzhen also introduced the services of the Shenzhen Centre for Foreign Law Ascertainment and Legal Service for Enterprises Going Global.
      
     In the sharing session that followed, delegation members gave detailed explanations on common legal risks and mitigation strategies in cross-border intellectual property rights and data protection, and highlighted the pivotal role Hong Kong’s legal profession plays in assisting Mainland enterprises with their global expansion. Members of the delegation later split into groups to engage in in-depth discussions with representatives from Mainland enterprises.
      
     The delegation also visited the “Go Global” Global Service Center in Nanshan District, Shenzhen. Established under the co-ordination of the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People’s Government, the Center is a comprehensive international platform designed to provide full-range, one-stop services and support for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas and foreign companies coming to China, and to facilitate the integration of enterprises into the global market.
      
     Dr Cheung and the delegation returned to Hong Kong in the evening after concluding their visit.
Issued at HKT 18:35

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Auction of vehicle registration marks to be held on August 1     
     For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.
     
     The reserve price of each PVRM is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also attend the physical auction and participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. Any bidder who wishes to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs on the same day, should bring along at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices (for an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed). Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.Issued at HKT 18:00

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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigars (with photo)      
     Customs officers intercepted a 37-year-old incoming Mainland female passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, via Doha, Qatar, at Hong Kong International Airport on June 22, and seized about 8.8 kilograms of duty-not-paid cigars, with an estimated market value of about $301,000 and a duty potential of about $37,700 from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigars are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigars commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:40

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with “The Banquet at Sanguan” showcasing loyal and heroic spirit       
     Shangdang Bangzi opera, one of the four major Bangzi opera systems of Shanxi, is popular in the southeastern region of Shanxi, an area historically known as Shangdang Prefecture during the Qin and Han dynasties. It entered its golden age during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing dynasty, giving rise to two distinct schools: the Zhoudi and Lufu schools. The singing is rooted in the “banqiang” (rhythmic-melodic) system, and the male and female roles share the same tonal register. Its musical style is steady and vigorous, while the performance aesthetic is bold and impassioned. The traditional repertoire focuses on paodai (court and martial costume) plays, notably featuring the heroic sagas of the generals of the Yang family and the troops under Yue Fei. Shangdang Bangzi opera was inscribed on the First National List of ICH in 2006.
      
     Details of the two performances are as follows:
 
“The Banquet at Sanguan”
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Date and time: August 14 (Friday), 7.30pm
 
     “The Banquet at Sanguan” is one of the representative works of Shangdang Bangzi opera. Adapted from the story of Yang Yanhui (Silang, the fourth son of the Yang family) being recruited as the son-in-law of the Liao Kingdom, it tells the tragedy of Silang’s mother, Dowager She, exposing Silang’s true identity in front of Empress Dowager Xiao, which drives Princess Taohua to crash against a pillar in shame and fury, and leads Silang to take his own life. Through this unique lens, the play condemns Silang’s treason for personal gain while honouring Dowager She’s unwavering patriotism. Chen Suqin will perform with Class One performers Qi Suzhen and Zheng Fagen, vividly capturing Empress Dowager Xiao’s grief over the loss of her daughter, Dowager She’s sacrifice of personal feelings for the greater cause, and Silang’s agonising inner turmoil. Paired with traditional percussion and unique costume designs, the production fully embodies the authentic flavour of Shangdang heritage.
 
Excerpts
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Date and time: August 15 (Saturday), 7.30pm
 
     This programme features a selection of three classic Shangdang Bangzi opera excerpts. “To Kill His Wife” is a representative work of vocal innovation within the genre. Its classic aria, “The Plum Tree by the Window is My Friend”, features beautiful lyrics and melody, fully displaying Chen Suqin’s deep vocal prowess. Representing the martial tradition, “Assassinating Empress Dowager Xiao” and “The Great Battle” from “Yanmen Pass” belong to the classic Yang family saga. The high-pitched, robust vocals are paired with a continuous display of spectacular stunts, such as hair flinging, flips and splits. The finale, “Forced into Insanity” from “Incidents at the Temporary Imperial Palace”, places equal emphasis on singing and acting. Chen Suqin employs soaring, impassioned vocals to chart the protagonist’s psychological breakdown – from terror to madness due to her beloved child’s ordeal in palace intrigue – portraying it to the fullest and unleashing the overwhelming emotional force of Shangdang Bangzi opera.
      
     Founded in 1938, the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City is widely acclaimed as the “premier Shangdang bangzi troupe”. With a steadfast commitment to both preserving heritage and fostering innovation, the troupe has nurtured a lineage of stellar artists across four generations. Its repertoire features the enduring classic “The Banquet at Sanguan”, alongside new productions such as “Tai Hang Niang Qin” (Mother of Tai Hang) and “Mother and Son of Han Dynasty”, which have garnered numerous awards. While actively engaging in cultural exchanges both at home and abroad, the troupe remains deeply rooted in the community, staging more than 300 performances annually.
 
     The two performances will be held at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $190, $290 and $390 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk      
     A meet-the-artists session entitled “The Unique Artistic Features and Vocal Characteristics of Shangdang Bangzi Opera” (in Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm on August 13 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Chen Suqin will be the speaker while Chinese opera researcher Sheng Yihui will be the moderator. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0      
     The programme will also feature a session under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” to be held at 2.30pm on August 15 (Saturday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, with free admission for local primary and secondary school students. Artists of the troupe will perform the “The Great Battle” from “Yanmen Pass”, a classic excerpt about the saga of the loyal Yang family generals. Through a series of traditional operatic stylised techniques, including bazigong (acrobatic fighting with traditional Chinese weapons), hair flinging and flipping, performers will recount the intense, heroic spirit of the battlefield, which serves as an engaging guide for students to discover and appreciate the artistic style of Chinese regional opera.
 
     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, 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. This year’s CCF is held from June to September. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hkIssued at HKT 14:36