MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 25) arrested a female director and salesperson of a postnatal care centre suspected of having applied false trade descriptions in the course of selling postnatal services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

Customs earlier received information from members of the public alleging that a postnatal care centre, when selling postnatal services, had falsely claimed to have partnerships with multiple private hospitals, offering appointment-free medical consultation services, and claimed to have collaborated with a well-known restaurant to provide postnatal meals. Upon using the services, customers found that there were material differences from what the centre had promised and services delivered. Customs subsequently launched an investigation and verified with the relevant hospitals and the restaurant, all of which confirmed that they had no partnership with the postnatal care centre.

After investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 40-year-old local female director and salesperson of the centre.

An investigation is ongoing and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable businesses.

Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied or offered to be supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (June 26) that the Financial Secretary, in exercise of his authority under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485) (MPFSO) as delegated by the Chief Executive, has reappointed Mr Eric Cheng Siu-fun as the Executive Director (Policy) of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) for a term of three years from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2029.

In welcoming the reappointment, a spokesperson for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “Mr Cheng has served as the Executive Director (Policy) of the MPFA since 2023. Over the past three years, he has played an active role in advancing reform initiatives for the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System, including formulating legislative proposals to implement MPF ‘Full Portability’ and measures to expand the scope of MPF permissible investments, thereby furthering the interests of scheme members. We are confident that Mr Cheng will continue to make valuable contributions to the betterment of the MPF System.”

The MPFA is a statutory body established under the MPFSO in September 1998 for the regulation and supervision of the MPF System.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government today (June 26) announced appointments to the new-term Commission on Poverty (CoP) for a term of two years from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, as the Chairperson of the CoP, expressed his gratitude to all members of the current-term CoP for their efforts and contributions, especially the completion of the Report on Impact of Targeted Poverty Alleviation Strategy in Hong Kong within the current term of office. The Report reviews the accomplishments of Hong Kong’s poverty alleviation efforts and unveils a new chapter of the support for the underprivileged groups in future.

     Mr Chan said that over the past few years, with the steadfast support of the CoP, various targeted poverty alleviation measures, including the Strive and Rise Programme, the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room, and the School-based After School Care Service Scheme, have all achieved remarkable results. The Government, jointly with the new-term CoP, will continue to promote tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, providing targeted assistance to citizens in need and enhancing their sense of achievement and satisfaction.

     The membership of the new-term CoP is as follows:

Chairperson
————-
Chief Secretary for Administration 

Non-official members
———————–
Mr Calvin Chan Ming-wai
Professor Terence Chong Tai-leung
Ms Cecilia Ho Chung-chee*
Ms Helen Hsu Siu-man
Mr Kan Ming-tung
Mr Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah
Mrs Patricia Lau 
Ms Joyce Lee Yuen-sum*
Ms Josephine Lee Yuk-chi
Dr James Li Tsz-shu
Ms Anthea Lo Wing-sze*
Ms Loretta Lo Yee-hang
Ms Nikki Ng Mien-hua
Mr Roger Ngan Chi-wing*
Mrs Chandni Rakesh
Dr Loletta So Kit-ying
Mr So Ping-fai
Mrs Mary Suen Choi To-may
Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming

Ex-officio members
———————
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs
Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Chairperson of Community Care Fund Task Force)
Secretary for Education
Secretary for Health

* new members

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will bring the complete two-part Kunqu opera “A Dream Under the Southern Bough” to the Hong Kong stage for the first time on July 31 and August 1 (Friday and Saturday) at the Sha Tin Town Hall. Shi Xiaming, president of the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre and winner of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award (Plum Blossom Award), will lead the troupe’s fourth and fifth-generation talent to present an aesthetically stunning interpretation of the illusory life of Chunyu Fen in a dream within the Huai’an Kingdom, as depicted by Ming dynasty legendary playwright Tang Xianzu. This programme is also part of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival.

     “A Dream Under the Southern Bough” is derived from “The Dream of Nanke”, one of the four legendary plays collectively known as the “Four Dreams of Linchuan” written by Tang. While preserving the core narrative and themes of the original text, the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre reworked the original 44 scenes into 17 scenes, and was first brought to the modern Kunqu stage in 2012 as a two-part production. Refined over more than a decade, “A Dream Under the Southern Bough” has evolved into a signature production of the troupe notable for its full range of role types and the mix of civil and martial elements.

     While faithfully following the traditional conventions of Kunqu and the stylistic elegance of Southern Kunqu, the production reinterprets this classic play through an innovative visual aesthetic. The stage design combines traditional Chinese symbolic aesthetics with modern theatrical lighting. Suspended wooden elements and the minimalist “one table, two chairs” setup are seamlessly integrated, crafting an ethereal, dreamlike visual experience. The costume design incorporates elements of blue-and-white porcelain and traditional landscape paintings, constructing a realm where reality and illusion intertwine. The ensemble incorporates additional percussion such as yunluo (tuned gongs) and yinshu (bar chimes), and integrates Buddhist musical elements in final scene “The Elusive Journey End” to highlight the play’s meditative qualities in the original text.

     Marking its Hong Kong debut, this performance features Shi Xiaming (as Chunyu Fen) alongside a vibrant cast. This includes fourth-generation Kunqu performers Zhao Yutao (as Monk Qixuan/Fourth Prince of Tanluo), Xu Sijia (as Princess Qiongying), Sun Jing (as King of Huai’an/King of Tanluo), and fifth-generation young talent He Xinyue (as Princess Yaofang) and more, carrying forward the fine legacy of this operatic legend. 

     Details of the two performances are as follows:

“A Dream Under the Southern Bough” – Part One
————————————————————
Date and time: July 31 (Friday), 7.30pm

     Chunyu Fen, a down-and-out military officer of the Tang dynasty, falls into a drunken slumber beneath a pagoda tree during the Ghost Festival. He dreams of entering the Huai’an (Ant Kingdom), where he marries Princess Yaofang. Appointed as the governor of Nanke for over 20 years, he reaches the pinnacle of success, immersed in the illusion of a prosperous, harmonious and splendid kingdom. In the scene “The Celestial Palace”, Chunyu Fen and Princess Yaofang fight against Fourth Prince of Tanluo. This exhilarating martial arts sequence brings Part One to a climax, while foreshadowing the dramatic shifts in fortune in Part Two.

“A Dream Under the Southern Bough” – Part Two
————————————————————
Date and time: August 1 (Saturday), 7.30pm

     Princess Yaofang falls ill and passes away. Chunyu Fen is summoned back to court and is appointed Left Prime Minister, but is later envied, framed, and exiled back to his hometown. Upon waking, he realises that his 20 years of rise and fall were nothing more than a fleeting dream. In the play, the aria “Ji-Xian-Bin” captures Princess Yaofang’s sorrow to leave her husband and homeland. The scene “Swinging Parties” reveals Chunyu Fen stepping on a path of no return where fame, ambition, and carnal desires entangle. In the final scene, “The Elusive Journey Ends”, Chunyu Fen attains spiritual enlightenment to become a monk. This production invites the audience to embark on a profound spiritual journey exploring love, ambition and self-realisation. 

     The Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre is renowned for its rich artistic lineage and comprehensive range of role types. The troupe has on its cast nine bearers of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Kunqu at National and Provincial Levels, and 11 recipients of Plum Blossom Awards, inheriting the essence of Kunqu through classical and delicate performances. The troupe has built a repertory of around 300 classic works, and has created new original productions in recent years. In addition, it has given touring performances and exchanges in various places such as Italy, the United Kingdom, France and Japan, receiving high acclaim.

     Both performances will be held at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall (STTH). Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $200, $300, $400 and $500 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced “Generations Together 1+1” discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/jiangsu-performing-arts-group-kun-opera-theatre.

     The programme also features a variety of free extension activities. These include two workshops introducing the stylised movements of the sheng (male) and dan (female) roles in Kunqu opera respectively (June 29 and 30), a demonstration talk on the painted faces of Kunqu (July 29), a meet-the-artists session (July 30) and a backstage tour (August 1). Since the spaces for online registration of the extension activities are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue’s entrance for a standby space on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis. For further details regarding the activities, please visit the above-mentioned programme webpage.

     The programme also features an exhibition entitled “The Virtual Realm of Kingdom of Huai’an – The Staging of ‘A Dream Under the Southern Bough'”, which runs until tomorrow (June 27) at the Exhibition Gallery of STTH. It introduces the creation, artistic features and transmission of elegance, as well as a brief introduction to its role types and costumes. The exhibition will subsequently be relocated to the Foyer Exhibition Area of Tai Po Civic Centre from June 29 to August 2. Members of the public are welcome to visit. 

     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. The CCF 2026 is held from June to September. It hosts 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, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Patrick Li, and representatives of participating corporates today (June 26) officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the HYAB Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas 2026.
 
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the Scheme has benefited over 1 300 Hong Kong youths since its launch in 2018. Over the years, the Government and the business sector have jointly provided Hong Kong young people with internship opportunities at corporates on the Mainland and overseas. The Scheme enables young people to experience first-hand the workplace culture in large corporates, gain hands-on experience, broaden their horizons, and understand national development and global trends, thereby enhancing their competitiveness.
 
Mr Chan added that this year the number of corporates participating in the Scheme and the number of internship placements are the highest on record, encompassing a wider range of industries. In addition to traditional sectors, the Government has extended the coverage of the Scheme to emerging industries such as biotechnology and artificial intelligence. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the participating corporates for their profound engagement, which has become a pivotal force in nurturing local young talent. He also emphasised that the Government is drawing up Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan. Building upon the foundation of the Youth Development Blueprint and fully leveraging Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, the Government strives to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong and equipped with global perspectives, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking, who will become the successors of “one country, two systems” and integrate into and serve the overall development of the country more effectively and proactively.
 
A total of 29 corporates participate in the Scheme this year (refer to Annex for the list of participating corporates). They provide internship placements covering multiple industries, including financial services, innovation and technology, pharmaceutical, logistics, property development, construction, retail, hospitality, and public utilities, spanning different Mainland provinces and cities, and overseas countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. The recruited interns will depart from June onwards to undertake internship placements of no fewer than five weeks.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (Tokyo ETO) supports the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Seoul organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in Seoul, Korea, from June 26 to July 5. The presentation features screenings of a number of Hong Kong films for local audiences, with a view to promoting Hong Kong film culture and fostering cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Korea.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony today (June 26), the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Gillian Lam, said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been committed to supporting the long-term development of Hong Kong’s film industry. Through the Film Development Fund, the Government nurtures emerging talents and supports local film productions, enabling more outstanding Hong Kong films and creative talents to shine on the international stage.
 
     Ms Lam said that the Government has also been promoting the integration of film and tourism, bringing film culture beyond cinemas and into the everyday experiences of residents and visitors. The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) launched two movie-themed exhibitions in May last year and January this year respectively, namely the “Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey” Movie Set Exhibition and the “Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey” exhibition, allowing visitors to experience Hong Kong’s unique film culture and appreciate the creativity of Hong Kong film professionals, while promoting the synergistic development of the film and tourism industries.
 
     She encouraged Korean audiences to visit Hong Kong and experience the city’s vibrant cultural atmosphere, as well as a wide array of major events spanning arts and culture, sports and entertainment.
 
     The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Seoul is organised by AFAA, with support from Tokyo ETO, the Film Development Fund and CCIDA. A total of 10 Hong Kong films are screened during the event, including the opening film “Someone Like Me”, which received financing support under the Film Production Financing Scheme of the Film Development Fund; “Ciao UFO”, winner of Best Film at the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards; as well as classic titles such as “A Better Tomorrow”, “Rouge” and “Once a Thief”. A number of Hong Kong filmmakers and artists, including veteran filmmakers Chan Hing-ka and Stanley Kwan; directors Ho Miu-ki, Lawrence Kan, and Tam Wai-ching; actors Elizabeth Tang and Wong You-nam; as well as film composer and erhu performer Chu Wan-pin, have also been invited to attend post-screening sharing sessions and thematic panel discussions to exchange creative insights with local audiences.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (June 26) announced that Uni-China Farming Management (HK) Limited has been selected as the construction and operation organisation for Hong Kong’s first multi-storey, modernised, and environmentally friendly pig farming project.

The project is a key initiative under the Government’s Blueprint for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. It aims to encourage the industry to adopt multi-storey, environmentally friendly, and enclosed livestock housing, operated in an intensive and modernised manner with the introduction of technology and automated equipment, to enhance farming efficiency and improve environmental performance.

The AFCD issued an open invitation on May 30, 2025, for organisations to apply for the use of the first site in Sheung Shui to self-finance the construction and operation of Hong Kong’s first multi-storey, modernised, and environmentally friendly pig farm. The application period closed on December 1, 2025, during which two applications were received.

The AFCD convened an assessment panel meeting on May 5, 2026, to evaluate the applications according to three key areas: the applicants’ capability in intensive pig farming, financial viability, and technical assessment, and conducted an overall evaluation based on the established marking scheme. Uni-China Farming Management (HK) Limited was selected during the assessment process and has been invited to submit a detailed project proposal for the construction and operation of Hong Kong’s first multi-storey, modernised, and environmentally friendly pig farm. Site formation works at the Sheung Shui site are expected to be completed within 2026.

The Government will continue to work hand in hand with the industry to promote the intensive and modernised development of the local livestock industry, with a view to fostering the sustainable operation and development of agriculture in Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region