The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 is 105.5 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 18) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, as Grade 3, which means the water quality has improved and the beach is suitable for swimming. The red flag was hoisted at the beach earlier due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

     However, the red flag at the beach is still hoisted due to the uneven sandy area. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District resumed today (June 18). The lifesaving services at the beach were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.

     The Buildings Department approved 18 building plans in April, with five on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, seven were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, five were for commercial developments, two were for factory and industrial developments, and four were for community services developments.

     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on 13 building projects which, when completed, will provide 83 517 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 1 813 units, and 185 747 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for eight building projects.

     The department also issued 20 occupation permits, with four on Hong Kong Island, seven in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 65 772 sq m involving 1 545 units, and 178 009 sq m was for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in April totalled about $7.4 billion.

     In addition, five demolition consents involving five building structures were issued.

     The department received 3 509 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in April and issued 1 490 removal orders on UBWs.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for April can be viewed on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Chinese Opera Festival will present four Yue opera performances in July, with the Shanghai Yue Opera Group staging an all-star cast featuring National Class One Performers and winners of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre including Qian Huili of the Xu (Yulan) school; Fang Yafen of the Yuan (Xuefen) school; Zhang Ruihong of the Fan (Ruijuan) school; and Shan Yangping and Wang Zhiping of the Wang (Wenjuan) school.
 
     The star cast and their signature repertoire offer an exciting showcase for Yue opera's dulcet melodies, lyricism and aesthetic appeal, with the various schools each boasting its own unique charm. There will be four full-length traditional classics – "Romance of the West Chamber", "Meng Lijun", "Tale of the West Garden" and "Southeast the Peacocks Fly".
 
     "Romance of the West Chamber", a love story with an elegant libretto, is adapted from the "zaju" play of the same title by Wang Shifu of the Yuan period. With an emphasis on poetic ambience, the company’s staging of this classic in the repertoire of the Yuan school has been hailed as one of the most faithful adaptations of the original play among contemporary works. "Meng Lijun", a comedy with an imperial court setting, follows the repertoire of the Wang school. The libretto is based on the the "tanci" lyrics of "Eternal Happiness" by the poetess Chen Duansheng of the Qing period. The light-hearted comedy, "Tale of the West Garden", is the signature play of the legendary duo of Yue Opera, Xu Yulan and Wang Wenjuan. The script is based on the work of the same title by dramatist Wu Bing from the late Ming period, as well as the Kunqu Opera adaptation by dramatist Bei Geng in the 1960's. The play moves at a lively pace and is presented with graceful staging and design. The story of "Southeast the Peacocks Fly" originates from "An Ancient Poem Written for the Wife of Jiao Zhongqing" of the East Han period and is in the stock repertoire of the Fan and Fu (Quanxiang) schools. The arias, "The Lonely Chamber after That Person is Gone" and "A Fond Farewell", have become classics and remain popular to this day.
 
     Performances (with Chinese and English surtitles) details are as follows:
 
July 25 (Thursday); 7.30pm
"Romance of the West Chamber"
Main cast: Fang Yafen, Qian Huili
 
July 26 (Friday); 7.30pm
"Meng Lijun"
Main cast: Shan Yangping, Zhang Ruihong, Ding Xiaowa
 
July 27 (Saturday); 7.30pm
"Tale of the West Garden"
Main cast: Qian Huili, Huang Hui, Wang Zhiping
 
July 28 (Sunday); 2.30pm
"Southeast the Peacocks Fly"
Main cast: Zhang Ruihong, Chen Ying
 
     Performances will be staged at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $180, $280, $380 and $480 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) and the Xiqu Centre Ticket Office. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.cof.gov.hk/2019/en/yue.html.
      
     A meet-the-artists session entitled "A Guided Appreciation of the Artistic Features of Yue Opera Classics" will be held at 7.30pm on July 24 (Wednesday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include Qian Huili, Shan Yangping, Zhang Ruihong, Fang Yafen and Wang Zhiping as well as Elbe Lau as moderator. Admission is free. Limited seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.