Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (November 21). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     Ion Creangă Theatre from Romania will perform "Sleepy Little Pillow", which is tailor-made for toddlers aged 1 to 3, in December and January.
 
     The story follows two little children who don't want to go to sleep, so using their imagination they transform their bedroom into the icy cold cabin of a submarine, the world at the bottom of the sea, a hot air balloon and colourful knolls. Hugging the pillows doesn't mean children are asleep. By using their imagination, children find that pillows can be great fun. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to play games with the artists after the performance.
 
     Ion Creangă Theatre produces programmes for children up to 12, with the aim of lighting up their fantasies and developing their visual and sensory perceptions. The company also implements educational, social and cultural projects for teachers, trainers, parents and guardians, and helps organise the annual "100, 1,000, 1,000,000 stories" international theatre festival for children in Romania. Since its founding in 1964, the company has received numerous awards in Europe and has been highly acclaimed by international audiences.
 
     Details of the performances are as follows:
 
December 28 (Friday), 7.30pm
December 29 (Saturday), 11.30am and 2.30pm and 4.30pm
Black Box Theatre, Kwai Tsing Theatre
Tickets: $220  
 
December 30 (Sunday), 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm
Black Box Theatre, Tai Po Civic Centre
Tickets: $200
 
January 1 (Tuesday), 2.30pm and 4.30pm
Cultural Activities Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall
Tickets: $200
 
     Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Sleepy Little Pillow" is one of the attractions of the "Cheers!" Series. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_653.html.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, is leading a delegation of 11 Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for a national studies course and visit programme in Beijing.

     The trip seeks to reinforce delegation members' understanding of major national policies and the future development of the Mainland, and strengthen their working relations and exchanges with Mainland officials.

     The delegation today (November 20) attended a course at the Chinese Academy of Governance, and toured a major exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up at the National Museum.          

     The delegation also called at the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council and met with the Director of the HKMAO, Mr Zhang Xiaoming.

     The delegation will continue the national studies course and visit programme in Beijing tomorrow (November 21).

        

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (November 20) continued his visit to Beijing and met with financial officials of the Central Authorities.

     This morning, Mr Chan and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, met with the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Wang Zhigang. Mr Chan stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is determined to develop innovation and technology (I&T), pooling a huge amount of resources for I&T development as well as enhancing the I&T environment. It attracts leading research institutions and technology enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong, and nurtures talents for a knowledge-based economy. Mr Chan thanked the Ministry of Science and Technology for its unfailing support for I&T development in Hong Kong and for signing an arrangement with the HKSAR Government on enhancing I&T co-operation, which marked a new page for technological collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

     Later, Mr Chan, joined by Mr Lau; the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan; and the Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Mr Tim Lui, met with the Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Mr Liu Shiyu. They discussed a wide range of subjects, including Hong Kong's financial security and the latest situation of Hong Kong's property market. Both sides agreed to further enhance co-operation in regulatory work.

     Together with the Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Authority, Mr Clement Cheung, they then met with the Governor of the People's Bank of China, Mr Yi Gang, followed by a lunch. Both sides exchanged views on matters including financial regulation.

     This afternoon, accompanied by Mr Lau, Mr Norman Chan and Mr Cheung, Mr Chan met with the Vice-Chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, Mr Wang Zhaoxing, and both sides exchanged views on their respective banking and insurance industries. They also discussed ways for the Hong Kong insurance industry to help and participate in the development of the country, for example by allowing Hong Kong insurance companies to set up after-sales service centres in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to better serve the residents in the area.

     They also called on the Vice-Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Ms Shen Ying. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong has established itself as a prime platform and a key link for the Belt and Road Initiative, hoping to encourage Mainland enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform for financing Belt and Road infrastructure projects and setting up captive insurers to arrange insurance for their overseas businesses for better risk management. Mr Chan also introduced Hong Kong's work in promoting green finance.

     Tomorrow (November 21), Mr Chan will pay a courtesy call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

          

     The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (November 20) reminded the public that a temporary restricted flying zone (RFZ) will be established in the waters off Tsing Yi and over Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier from tomorrow (November 21) to November 25. All aircraft, including planes and helicopters, will be restricted from entering the area concerned. Other flying activities will also be restricted within the RFZ.

     "Due to security and safety considerations, a temporary RFZ will be established in the waters off Tsing Yi and Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier (see the area indicated by a red dotted line in the attachment) from 10am tomorrow to 1pm on November 25. No aircraft will be permitted to enter the zone," a spokesman for the CAD said.

     "Other flying activities, such as the flying of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones), model aircraft, kites and captive balloons, and mass release of small balloons, etc, will also be restricted within the temporary RFZ," he added.

     Airlines and pilots have been informed of the establishment of the temporary RFZ via the Notice to Airmen.