Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the opening ceremony for the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District this afternoon (January 20):
 
     It is heartening to be here with you all today to celebrate the grand opening of the Xiqu Centre, the first major performance venue of the West Kowloon Cultural District. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District since its early days in my various positions.
 
     As time goes by, it is clear to me and many people that the West Kowloon Cultural District is of huge significance to Hong Kong, and its contribution will go beyond arts and culture. Its success will enrich our quality of life, complement our economic vitality, and elevate the status of Hong Kong to among the great cities of the world.
 
     As in all world class cultural projects around the world in history, delivering this ambitious West Kowloon Cultural District project is no easy task. I wish to thank the Authority, the architects and contractors, and many parties involved in bringing Hong Kong's first venue tailored to the artistic needs of the rich traditional Chinese art form of xiqu to fruition.
 
     I would like to take this opportunity to pay particular tribute to the late Bing Thom, the lead architect of this project. Bing was born in Hong Kong, and Xiqu Centre is his home coming project. We are indebted to him for his exquisite work which has greatly enriched Hong Kong's architectural scene. On the opening of this gem, I believe that everyone who has contributed to the project would share his thought: "I like to empower everyone. If you walk here and feel a little taller, I am happy." This quote from Bing is now engraved on the sitting area in the Xiqu atrium.

     Let's work together to take Cantonese opera and the xiqu art form as a whole to the next level and to the global stage through this Xiqu Centre. And let's look forward to the commissioning of more world-class facilities in the West Kowloon Cultural District very soon. Thank you very much.

      

     Turnout rate for the 2019 Kaifong Representative Election for Cheung Chau Market Town which began at 8.30am today (January 20) is 43.93% (as at 7.30pm).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 20) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The case involves a 2-year-old boy with good past health, who has presented with fever and cough since January 19 and convulsion on January 20. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tin Shui Wai Hospital on January 20 and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day for further management.

     His nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for influenza A(H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. He is now in a critical condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.

     The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
 
     "The latest surveillance data indicated that the local seasonal influenza activity has continued to increase in the past two weeks and may continue to rise in the period ahead. We urged the community to continue heightening their vigilance against seasonal influenza. As young children are particularly affected in this influenza season, we appealed to parents who have not yet arranged vaccination for their children in this season to do so as soon as possible to strengthen their personal protection," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Apart from children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are also urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. Medical advice should be sought promptly if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people," the spokesman added.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible for personal protection, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.

     Turnout rate for the 2019 Kaifong Representative Election for Cheung Chau Market Town which began at 8.30am today (January 20) is 36.46% (as at 5.30pm).

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (January 20) visited the polling station for Kaifong Representative Election for Cheung Chau Market Town on the last polling day of the 2019 Rural Ordinary Election (ROE).

     The 2019 ROE is arranged as stipulated in the Rural Representative Election Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, which is conducted by the Home Affairs Department and supervised by the Electoral Affairs Commission. The Ordinance covers two types of rural representatives to be elected in accordance with the law, namely the Village Representatives and the Kaifong Representatives. The Village Representative (including Indigenous Inhabitant Representative and Resident Representative) Election was held on two consecutive Sundays from January 6 to 13, while today is the polling day of the Kaifong Representative Election.

     "I am delighted to see the Kaifong Representative Election is properly arranged. I believe today's election will be held smoothly," Mr Lau said.

     Mr Lau also expressed his gratitude to all supporting parties, especially the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, and Commission members Professor Fanny Cheung and Mr Arthur Luk, SC. They have been working tirelessly to monitor the polling and counting of votes to ensure the election is held in accordance with the law.

     There are 82 validly nominated candidates in the Kaifong Representative Election. 65 candidates from Cheung Chau Market Town contest for 39 seats, while the 17 candidates of the Kaifong representatives of Peng Chau Market Town were returned uncontested.