Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by SCST at welcoming lunch of Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 (English only)
Honourable ministers, heads of delegations, Consul Generals, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon! And welcome to Hong Kong! Welcome to the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025!
The Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum (ACCF) was first initiated in Hong Kong in 2003. Having spanned over 20 years and entering its 13th edition this year, the ACCF has developed into a renowned G-to-G (government to government) platform for cultural exchange and co-operation at ministerial level in Asia. This year, we have added the plus (“+”) sign to the name of the Forum. This is because, riding on the success of previous editions of the ACCF, we have expanded the coverage of participating countries this year. Apart from inviting more participants from within Asia, we have also invited our friends from the Belt and Road countries as well as those beyond Asia to participate, in the hope of further enhancing cultural exchange and connection amongst participants.
The result is that I have both the privilege and honour to welcome an unprecedentedly strong cast of over 100 representatives from 22 countries to the ACCF+ 2025, with delegations from 17 countries joining us, here in Hong Kong! I am also excited to know that five of these delegations are joining the ACCF for the very first time. Welcome again!
Equally important, we are very happy to welcome representatives from seven cultural units of various provinces and cities of China, our motherland, including the Macao Special Administration Region. Compared to the last edition of the ACCF held towards the end of 2022, which was affected by the pandemic, and some friends in the region could not make it to the Forum physically, we have now fully returned to normalcy, and it is the best time for us to get together, rekindle connections, create new collaborative opportunities, and engage in meaningful dialogues for the furtherance of cultural development in our community and in the region.
With the above in mind, we set the theme of this year’s Forum as “Connect, Create, Engage: Bridging Cultures for All”, underlining the Forum’s significance in connecting diverse cultures in the region, inspiring creativity and empowering our cultural community. Over the past two years, we have all made tremendous efforts in reviving the arts and cultural sector in our respective community, which was hard hit by the pandemic. At the same time, the advancement in digital technology and its impacts on people interaction means that arts and cultural development ahead is now full of challenges and uncertainties. This week’s Forum provides excellent opportunity of face-to-face interaction to connect and collaborate to tackle the evolving challenges. As cultural administrators, our roles are of vital importance and a platform for us to meet and exchange is particularly meaningful at this juncture.
Our fruitful journey of connection, creation and engagement begins with this welcoming lunch. In the coming two days, we are excited to present an array of fantastic programmes, including the ministerial panel this afternoon, tonight’s gala dinner, plenary sessions, and insightful visits to renowned facilities such as the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ in the West Kowloon Cultural District. I know some of you have already visited the Hong Kong Museum of Arts and our unique art space in North Point called Oi!. Through these carefully curated programmes, we hope to showcase to you Hong Kong’s latest cultural landscape, and I hope that you will be fully immersed in the cultural vibrancy of Hong Kong, which will further inspire ideas to cultivate the enrichment and growth of arts and culture for our respective community.
Let us join hands and turn this Forum into a beacon of cultural enlightenment. Not only do I look forward to learning from the enriching discussions at the Forum, I hope to start our dialogues so that we will meet again soon in Hong Kong, or elsewhere in your country. I wish you all a pleasant and fruitful stay in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, please enjoy this welcoming lunch, as well as the performances with rich Cantonese characteristics from our local artists. Thank you and bon appétit!
Issued at HKT 14:14
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38th Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA) to be Held on April 23 at Bharat Mandapam
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 22 APR 2025 11:31AM by PIB Delhi
The Archaeological Survey of India will be hosting the 38th meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA) on the 23rd of April, Wednesday, at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The Board was formed in 1945 by the Government of India with the intention of fostering strong ties between Archaeological Survey of India with Indian universities, academic institutions and State Governments for conducting archaeological researches.
In every three years, the Board is re-constituted through a Gazette notification after the approval of the Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture, Government of India, who also serves as the Chairman of the CABA.
The 37th meeting of CABA was held on 14.06.2022 under the Chairpersonship of the then Minister of Culture, Govt. of India, Shri G. Kishan Reddy.
The 38th meeting of CABA will discuss the resolutions/suggestions received from Members of the Advisory Board and the action taken for the resolutions/suggestions during the previous meeting.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
(Release ID: 2123363) Visitor Counter : 128
Over 5,000 runners take part in maiden soldierathon at Army Hospital (R&R) in a fitting tribute to brave soldiers
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 22 APR 2025 11:21AM by PIB Delhi
Over 5,000 runners came together at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi on April 20, 2025 for the first edition of soldierathon ‘Run for Soldiers and Run with Soldiers’ – a fitting tribute to the brave heroes of the Armed Forces. Jointly organised by Army Hospital (R&R) and Fitistan – Ek Fit Bharat, the event brought together veterans, soldiers, civilians, students and fitness enthusiasts in a celebration of unity and national pride.
The Soldierathon featured three race categories – 10 km timed run, 5 km fun run, and a 3 km walk – all designed to encourage mass participation and inclusivity. Runners shared the track with Indian soldiers, drawing inspiration from their discipline, determination, and spirit of service.
The event was officially flagged-off by Governor of Mizoram General (Dr) VK Singh (Retd) along with the Chief of the Naval Staff; Vice Chief of the Army Staff; Director General Armed Forces Medical Services; General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area; DGMS (Navy); DGMS (Air) and Commandant, Army Hospital (R&R) amidst an atmosphere filled with patriotic fervour and emotional tributes.
The event served a larger purpose – raising funds to support the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Kirkee, Pune, which provides specialised care, therapy, and support for soldiers injured in the line of duty. The overwhelming response reinforced the shared commitment to give back to those who are selflessly serving the nation.
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SR/Savvy
(Release ID: 2123362) Visitor Counter : 5
The 6th edition of India Steel, a premier biennial International Exhibition-cum Conference on the steel sector, to be held from April 24 to 26, in Mumbai
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 8:19PM by PIB Bengaluru
The 6th edition of India Steel, a premier biennial International Exhibition-cumConference on the steel sector, will be held from April 24 to 26, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the event on April 24 via video conferencing, in the presence of several dignitaries, including Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of three States. Organized by the Ministry of Steel, India Steel 2025 will bring together global stakeholders to discuss key issues such as growth strategies, sustainability in steel production, resilience in a changing global economy, and the role of innovation and digital technologies in enhancing competitiveness.
The event will witness high-level participation from the Centre, underscoring the strategic role of steel in realizing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Among the dignitaries expected to attend are Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal, and Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries. The event will also witness participation of dignitaries from States Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha.
These leaders will preside over key sessions, reflecting steel’s significance to India’s economic and industrial strategy and emphasizing steel’s cross-sectoral importance. Senior officials from the Government of India, including Secretaries from the Ministries of Steel, Coal, and Electronics & IT (MeitY), will lead important discussions, further driving the sector’s growth and strategic direction. Global industry leaders and foreign dignitaries, including the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia and Ambassadors of Australia, Mozambique, and Mongolia, will participate, enhancing international collaboration in the steel sector.
Since its inception in 2013, India Steel Expo has grown into a leading platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and equipment, fostering strategic industry dialogues, and enabling global networking. This year’s edition is expected to draw professionals from across the world, including those from construction, oil and gas, and engineering sectors, who are keen to promote their services, forge business partnerships, and align with evolving market trends. Hon’ble Union Steel Minister Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy has warmly invited stakeholders from across the steel and allied sectors to participate in India Steel 2025 and urged the entire fraternity to join the event in large numbers and contribute to making it a resounding success.
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(Release ID: 2123288) Visitor Counter : 73
Special traffic and transport arrangements for Kai Tak Sports Park concert from April 24 to 27
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special traffic and transport arrangements for Kai Tak Sports Park concert from April 24 to 27
| Type(3) Cross-boundary coach services
The KTSP Limited will arrange cross-boundary coach services during the dispersal period on the event dates to facilitate travellers’ return to the Mainland via the LMC/HG Port. Passengers should purchase tickets prior to the concert (on-site ticket sales not available during dispersal) and board their coach at the PUDOA on the G/F, Kai Tak Stadium, via the escalator outside Gate H, 2/F. They should refer to the operators’ website (Eternal East Bus: www.myeebus.com/eebusfansIssued at HKT 12:00 NNNN Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 opens for enrolmentSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region The Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) 2025 opens for enrolment today (April 22). Entries of locally developed information and communications technology (ICT) products and solutions are invited to compete for the Grand Awards in the eight award categories and the top accolade of the competition – the Award of the Year. Enrolment is free of charge and the deadline is July 14, 2025. The HKICTA 2025 is organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) with each award category to be led by a local industry association or professional body. The award categories and respective leading organisers are listed below:
Established in 2006, the HKICTA is an annual signature event of the local ICT industry which aims to recognise and promote outstanding ICT inventions and applications, thereby encouraging the pursuit of innovation and excellence among Hong Kong’s ICT professionals and enterprises to develop innovative applications meeting business and social needs, use innovation and technology (I&T) to bring benefits to the community, and foster Hong Kong’s I&T and smart city development. Through concerted efforts of the ICT sector, academia and the Government, the HKICTA has always been highly regarded by the information technology industry, and the winners may also be nominated to compete in other regional and international competitions on behalf of Hong Kong and be sponsored to participate in overseas I&T exhibitions. The award acts as an encouragement and recognition to the winners, and enables their access to both Mainland and overseas markets. Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to hold free Chinese opera talks and exhibitionSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region To promote the culture and artistic features of Chinese opera among members of the public, the Chinese Opera Festival (COF), as a core part of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, will organise a number of free talks, masterclasses and an exhibition from May to August to introduce various theatrical genres, performance styles, repertoire appreciation and more from various perspectives. Veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai will host four talks to discuss the classic plays from the “Three Kingdoms” story that will be staged in this year’s COF from the perspectives of character portrayal, the art of adaptation, strategic plots in the storylines and genre variations. This year’s COF features three Kunqu opera performances. Three talks will be given by seasoned Kunqu art researcher Cheung Lai-chun, who will guide audiences through the culture and stories behind the plays as well as their exquisite stage interpretations. This year’s COF features regional operatic genres that are rarely seen by Hong Kong audiences – Yuediao opera of Henan and Qinqiang opera of Shaanxi, along with selected Chinese operas based on the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. Scholar of Chinese opera Lum Man-yee will deliver two talks, covering the evolution of “Three Kingdom” operas and the characteristics of female performers playing “xusheng” (bearded male) role in Yuediao and Qinqiang traditions respectively. Main cast members of the Zhejiang Jingkun Art Center (Kun Opera Troupe) will host masterclasses and a demonstration talk delving into the techniques of sheng (male) and dan (female) role performances as well as the art of music and singing of Kunqu opera respectively. A “Three Kingdoms in Chinese Opera” Exhibition will be held at Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Yuen Long Theatre from May to August. The exhibition will illuminate the make-up, costumes and stage artistry of key characters in Chinese opera “Three Kingdoms” repertoires, showcasing the arts across opera genres. Admission is free. PM’s Departure Statement on the eve of his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaSource: Government of India Posted On: 22 APR 2025 8:30AM by PIB Delhi Today, I embark on a two-day State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman. India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years. Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy and people to people ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability. This will be my third visit to Saudi Arabia over the past decade and a first one to the historic city of Jeddah. I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and build upon the highly successful State visit of my brother His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023. I am also eager to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between our nations and making immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties. ***
MJPS (Release ID: 2123341) Visitor Counter : 21 Private car drivers urged to choose suitable Child Restraining Device under mandatory requirements (with photo)Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region The Transport Department (TD) today (April 22) reminded parents, guardians or private car drivers to choose and use a suitable Child Restraining Device (CRD), such as a child safety seat, that is appropriate for children’s body size and complies with relevant standards to reduce the risks of being killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents, thereby enhancing protection for children and passenger safety. Starting from November 1, 2025, unless child passengers aged below 8 reach a body height of 1.35 metres, they must use a CRD in private cars, regardless of whether they are sitting in the front or rear seats. Passengers aged 8 or above, or those with a body height of at least 1.35m, must either use a CRD or wear an adult seat belt. Otherwise, the driver must not drive the car on any road. A spokesman for the TD said, “When choosing a CRD, parents, guardians or private car drivers carrying a child passenger should accord top priority to the height and/or weight range for which the product is suitable. They should also look for any markings indicating compliance with national or international standards recognised. For enquiries, they should consult the manufacturer or retailer on the product standards to meet legal requirements.” Of note, after a collision such as a traffic accident, CRDs may show no visible signs of damage on the surface, but their internal structure may have been damaged, reducing their protective effectiveness, and they should not be used again. In addition, when purchasing second-hand CRDs, it is difficult to guarantee that the product has not been hit. For those used by relatives or friends, one should ascertain whether they have been dropped or bumped. Apart from conventional types of child safety seats, there are various types of portable CRDs, such as seat belt adjusters, wearable safety restraint vests and foldable boosters, available in the market for selection. Yet, as portable CRDs do not have protective pads and seat backs on both sides, their protection capabilities in side-impact collisions are in general not as good as those of child safety seats. The TD has launched a designated page on CRDs (www.td.gov.hk/en/road_safety/crd) coupled with infographics on the Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk) to set out details of the legal requirements and standards concerned. The TD will continue to work with the Police, the Road Safety Council and the Consumer Council to step up relevant publicity and public education. Members of the public may call the TD’s hotline (2804 2600) for details. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Cézanne and Renoir Looking at the World – Masterpieces from the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay” exhibition at HKMoA extended to May 14 (with photos)Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Cézanne and Renoir Looking at the World – Masterpieces from the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay” exhibition at HKMoA extended to May 14 NNNN |