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     To mark the centenary of the May Fourth Movement, the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum will launch the exhibition “The Awakening of a Generation: The May Fourth and New Culture Movement” tomorrow (April 26). The exhibition will feature 81 sets of precious artefacts and historical documents to revisit the movement that illustrated the patriotism and national awareness of the Chinese people, and to let visitors understand its impact and significance in the development of modern China.

     Highlight exhibits include “Qingnian Zazhi” (Youth Magazine or La Jeunesse) founded by Chen Duxiu in 1915; the “Xinchao” (The Renaissance) magazine sent by Fu Sinian to his friend; the appointment letter issued to Lu Xun by the Chinese Department of Peking University; “Wuren Zuihou Zhi Juewu” (Our Final Awakening) written by Chen Duxiu in 1916; “Kexue Huabao” (Popular Science) published in 1933; Hu Shih’s “Wenxue Gailiang Chuyi” (Preliminary Discussion on Literature Reform) copied by Qian Xuantong in 1920; and the first edition of Lu Xun’s first collection of short stories, “Nahan” (Call to Arms).

     To coincide with the exhibition, Associate Professor of the Academy of Visual Arts of the Hong Kong Baptist University Dr Daniel Lau, along with students and alumni of the academy, were invited to create a series of artworks on the exhibition theme to echo the spirit and patriotic feelings of students 100 years ago. These artworks will also be displayed in the exhibition.

     Officiating at the opening ceremony today (April 25) were the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Ms Belinda Wong; the Assistant Director of the Beijing Lu Xun Museum (the New Culture Movement Memorial of Beijing) Mr Li Zhanqi; and Museum Expert Advisor Professor Chow Kai-wing.

     The exhibition will run until August 25 and admission is free. It is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Beijing Lu Xun Museum (the New Culture Movement Memorial of Beijing), and organised by the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum. For details of the exhibition, please visit hk.drsunyatsen.museum/en_US/web/sysm/exhibition/special_exh_may_fourth.html, or call 2367 6373.

     The Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum is located at 7 Castle Road, Mid-Levels, Central.
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     Led by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, a high-level Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation comprising senior government officials and members of various sectors of Hong Kong participated actively in the thematic forums of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing today (April 25).

     Mrs Lam delivered keynote speeches at the opening sessions of the thematic forums on sub-national co-operation and financial connectivity. Addressing the international audience at the thematic forum on sub-national co-operation, she highlighted Hong Kong’s unique advantages, including its strategic geographic location as a bi-directional gateway connecting the Mainland and other Belt and Road countries, and the “one country, two systems” principle which enables Hong Kong to enjoy a high degree of autonomy in conducting its external affairs and establishing extensive and strong overseas connections. She added that as a well-developed city with rich experience in city management, Hong Kong is prepared to share its knowledge and expertise with the Belt and Road counterparts to contribute to people-to-people connectivity. These unique advantages position Hong Kong well to play a pivotal role in enhancing international and regional co-operation in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.

     At the thematic forum on financial connectivity, Mrs Lam pointed out that the single most relevant advantage of Hong Kong that could best meet the country’s needs is its financial services given its status as a global financial centre. According to the Global Financial Centres Index, Hong Kong is ranked number three globally, just behind New York and London. She said that with its deep capital market, as one of the largest bond markets in the region and as the biggest offshore Renminbi centre in the world, Hong Kong is a one-stop destination of choice to serve as a premier financial and risk management centre for the Belt and Road’s big-ticket projects.

     At the thematic forum on sub-national co-operation, there was a dedicated session themed “Belt and Road: Hong Kong IN”. Mrs Lam delivered opening remarks and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Mrs Laura M Cha, served as the moderator of the session. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan; Senior Counsel Mr Rimsky Yuen; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi; the Chairman of the Insurance Authority, Dr Moses Cheng; the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam; and the Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Henry Tang, joined the session as panellists. They shared their insights on Hong Kong’s position as the Belt and Road hub in many aspects, ranging from finance and investment, legal and dispute resolution services, business and trade, professional services and capacity building to cultural exchange.

     In addition to attending the thematic forums on financial connectivity and sub-national co-operation, the Hong Kong delegation attended 10 other thematic forums on policy, infrastructure, trade and people-to-people connectivity, think-tank exchanges, clean silk road, digital silk road, green silk road, silk road of innovation, and economic and trade co-operation zone promotion. They also participated in the CEO Conference.

     Hong Kong delegates including the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; Non-official Member of the Executive Council Mr Joseph Yam; Co-chair of the Executive Committee of the Maritime Silk Road Society Mrs Regina Ip; Mr Tang; Mr Yuen; the President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Shyy Wei; the Chairman of the Esquel Group, Ms Marjorie Yang; Dr Choi; and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai, were moderators or guest speakers at other thematic forums and the CEO Conference. They spoke with the forum participants on Hong Kong’s contributions in respect of promoting global connectivity and win-win development, and Hong Kong’s work in the Belt and Road.

     Mrs Lam, together with the Hong Kong delegates, will attend the opening ceremony and the high-level meetings of the Forum tomorrow (April 26). She will also attend the welcome dinner and cultural performance with the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and Mr Yau in the evening.

              

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at the thematic forum on policy co-ordination of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing this morning (April 25):
 
Your excellency, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) straddles different borders, cultures and legal systems. It reflects the design of the new type of international relations, featuring win-win co-operation. It creates a new globalism, and advocates harmony, multilateralism and inclusiveness. It resonates with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and reinforces each other.
 
     A policy angle that I would like to talk about is the rule of law and one facet of it is dispute resolution. The number of co-operation agreements and memorandums of understanding that have been signed under the BRI is 176 and the number is still growing. Yet, the implementation may create differences leading to conflicts and disputes. It is of paramount importance that a dispute avoidance and resolution system which echoes the spirit of the initiative be developed to ensure that the common cause of this new international co-operation for development remains the priority.
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is keen to collaborate and develop such a system. Hong Kong is privileged to have a sound and robust legal system, coupled with up-to-date and fair arbitration and mediation laws and practice that have earned international recognition.
 
     To address the characteristics of Belt and Road-related transaction disputes, we propose two points for consideration.
 
     Firstly, thought should be given as to whether a body established through collaboration, based on creditability and sensitive to cultural diversity, be set up.
 
     Secondly, consideration should also be given to look at how to enhance the system of dispute resolution and to be innovative so as to provide an inclusive and affordable mechanism that leads to a win-win solution.
 
     Under the principle of shared growth through discussion and collaboration, active consideration may be given to the provision of diversified dispute resolution services for Belt and Road countries.
 
     Hong Kong hopes to contribute to the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and facilitate the communication and collaboration of different countries, thereby ushering in an all-win situation hand in hand, and contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 16 which promotes the rule of law, peace, justice and strong institutions. Thank you very much.

  

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 (April 25… read more

     Land nurtures different cultures and has a close relationship with humanity. For “Critics’ Choice 2019 – Land and Cinema”, film critics Cheng Chuen-wai, Thomas Shin, William Cheung, Winnie Fu, Joyce Yang and Lau Yam selected six movies through which the audience can explore the eternal dialogue between mankind and the earth.
 
     The series is presented by the Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and organised by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society. The films will be screened from May 25 to August 31 at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive.
 
     Post-screening seminars in Cantonese, with free admission, will be arranged for all of the screenings. The seminars will be hosted by the six critics and guests, namely Chan Lai-kuen, Matthew Cheng, William Lau, Timmy Chen, Law Kar and Ka Ming.
 
     Critic Cheng Chuen-wai described “Earth” (1939) as “an elegy on the farmer’s lot” and “a sharp critique on Japan’s land policy”. Japanese film master Tomu Uchida’s “Earth” is a loyal reflection of the traditional Japanese agricultural society of the time. The story on a poor farmer’s family being bullied by a landlord reveals the farmers’ struggle for survival in the early 20th century. The striking visuals and rare pre-war content from the farmers’ viewpoint made “Earth” a hit among the wartime movies. The film won the first place in Kinema Junpo’s Top 10 of 1939.
 
     Impressed by the “poetic and dazzling images”, critic Thomas Shin commented that “Japón” (2002) is “an unforgettable healing voyage rebuilding the ties of humans and earth”. A handicapped and severely depressed painter’s healing voyage from the busy Mexico City finishes on raw and yellowish land at a forbidden village. The rich yet desolate visuals of the village, a massive canyon, plateau landscapes and a wide mountain range create a strong contrast between the vastness of nature and the tininess of humans. The film earned Best Original Screenplay and Best First Work awards at Mexico’s Ariel Awards 2004, and was chosen for Golden Camera – Special Mention at the Cannes Film Festival 2002.
 
     Critic William Cheung considered “The Emigrants” (1971) “the Swedish epic on emigration starring two masterly actors best known for their Ingmar Bergman films”. Peasants living on infertile land suffer from insufficient food supply. “The Emigrants” features a peasant family short in food moving from a Swedish village to an undeveloped area in the US. The film records peasants’ determination to follow their dreams, as well as their agony of being forced to leave home. The film won Best Foreign Film – Foreign Language as well as Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globe Awards 1973, and received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress in the Academy Awards in the same year.
 
     Critic Winnie Fu described “People of the Mountains” (1942) as a “spectacular capture of the mysterious Transylvanian mountains” and wrote, “Its humanism is hailed as the herald of Italian Neorealism.” The snowy scenery of the Carpathian Mountains is breathtaking. However, instead of leading a tranquil life, people there face everyday challenges brought about by the extreme terrains. The movie describes in detail how people seek a peaceful coexistence with nature and their struggle against timber factory exploits. Being hit doubly hard, people brave enough to leave home however end up dead. The film was hailed as a forerunner of Italian Neorealism and won the Biennale Award at the Venice Film Festival 1942.
 
     Writing on “In the Wild Mountains” (1985), critic Joyce Yang commented on the film as being “a modernist look on the Chinese countryside” and “a landmark achievement of 1980s Chinese Neorealism”. Adapted from a novel by Jia Pingwa, the movie is a story of two brothers in which one prefers starting a business in the city while the other prefers staying on his farm. Both do not gain their wife’s support but are recognised by the other’s wife. The two couples then swap their partners in an attempt to rectify the “mismatch in values”. The film won four awards, namely Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Rooster Awards 1986. It was also selected for Golden Montgolfiere at the 1986 Festival of the 3 Continents in Nantes.
 
     In critic Lau Yam’s words, “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940) is “John Ford’s memorial of traumatised land and people”, with “lost innocence immortalised by utmost solemnity and a most balanced structure”. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, peasants lose their land due to sandstorms and oppression from urban capitalists. Uprooted from their land, peasants become migrants who fail to find a place to settle down. The film lacks shots of land as if it is a low-key funeral for the lost land and humanity. The film won Best Director and Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards 1941 and was selected as Best Film at the New York Film Critics Awards 1940.
 
     All films have Chinese and English subtitles. “Japón” is classified as Category III and only persons aged 18 or above will be admitted.
 
     Tickets priced at $60 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or visit (www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/cc2019/index.html). read more