Grammy Award-winning pianist Pablo Ziegler will collaborate with versatile guitarist Quique Sinesi and remarkable bandoneon player Walter Castro for a Latin jazz performance in Hong Kong in October.
 
     Featuring part of their 2015 release "Desperate Dance", the concert will be staged at 8pm on October 16 (Tuesday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall as one of the programmes of this year's "Jazz Up" series.
 
     Pablo Ziegler graduated from the Buenos Aires Conservatory and debuted as a classical pianist at the age of 14. His playing style, both sharply percussive and metallically lyrical, is instantly recognisable and bears some similarities to that of Vladimir Horowitz as well as some of the wistfulness of Bill Evans' approach. For decades, Ziegler has been one of the most important figures in Argentine new tango, the vibrant musical hybrid of traditional tango, American jazz and European art music. After performing in tango grand-maestro Astor Piazzolla's legendary quintet for over a decade, Ziegler has led his own groups for over 25 years, refining and reimagining the bounds of the modern tango tradition.
 
     Quique Sinesi is one of the most versatile guitarists from Argentina. As a composer for classical guitar, Sinesi has established a great reputation for his insightful, meticulous and virtuosic interpretation of the genre. Walter Castro, who is an integral figure on the tango scene with his remarkable bandoneon playing, shines in ensembles large and small.
 
     While each member is a master in his own right, the trio have together written new arrangements and compositions that have won them an enthusiastic following who love their incredible talents, and have set new standards in tango nuevo.
 
     The concert by Pablo Ziegler Latin Jazz Trio is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $180, $250, $350 and $420 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 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_626.html.

     The Government announced today (September 28) that the Chief Executive has appointed Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung as Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) for two years with effect from October 1, 2018. Professor Cheung will succeed Mr Larry Kwok Lam-kwong, who has served as Chairman of the TAC for six years. The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Ms Shalini Mahtani to the TAC for a period of two years from the same date. The appointments are published in the Gazette today.
 
     In announcing the Chief Executive's decision, a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said, "We are most grateful to Mr Kwok for his dedication to transport matters and his contributions to the TAC during his term of office. Under his sterling leadership, the TAC has dealt with many important and challenging transport issues in the past six years, including the submission of the Report on Study of Road Traffic Congestion in Hong Kong to the Government in 2014.
 
     "We are confident that under Professor Cheung's leadership, the TAC will continue to tender impartial advice on transport issues to the Government," said the spokesman.
 
     The TAC is a key advisory body to the Government on broad issues of transport policy and major transport-related proposals. Currently, the TAC comprises 14 non-official members, including the Chairman, and three ex-officio members. Its membership and terms of reference are available at www.thb.gov.hk/eng/boards/transport/land/tac.htm.

     The Government announced today (September 28) that the Financial Secretary, in exercise of the authority under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (MPFSO) delegated to him by the Chief Executive, has appointed Ms Yvonne Cheng Wai-sum, SC, as a Non-executive Director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA).

     The appointment will take effect from October 1, 2018 for a term of two years to September 30, 2020, both dates inclusive.

     Announcing the appointment, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, said, "Ms Cheng is a well-respected member in the legal field. In addition to her passion for the law, Ms Cheng has demonstrated an enthusiasm for public services. We welcome Ms Cheng to the MPFA and believe she will contribute greatly to the work of the Authority."

     Ms Cheng is a Senior Counsel. Her practice spans a broad range of areas of civil and commercial law. In addition to her service as a Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, she is also a member in a number of statutory advisory boards and committees, including the Financial Reporting Review Panel and the Securities and Futures Appeal Tribunal.

     Mr Lau also thanked the outgoing non-executive director, Mr Horace Wong Yuk-lun, SC, for his valuable advice to the MPFA during his term.

     The MPFA is a statutory body established in September 1998 under the MPFSO for the regulation and supervision of the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System. The MPF System commenced operation in December 2000, covering more than 2.8 million scheme members with a total net asset value of more than $860 billion as at end July 2018.
 
      Following is the membership of the MPFA with effect from October 1, 2018:
 
Chairman
———-
Dr David Wong Yau-kar
 
 
Deputy Chairlady
——————
Ms Alice Law Shing-Mui
 
 
Non-Executive Directors
————————-
Mr Chan Kam-lam
Ms Yvonne Cheng Wai-Sum
Dr Bankee Kwan Pak-hoo
Mrs Ayesha Macpherson Lau
Mr Poon Siu-ping
Mr Abraham Shek Lai-him
Mr Simon Wong Kit-lung
Mr Kingsley Wong Kwok
 
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) as alternate)
 
Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare as alternate)
 
Executive Directors
——————–
Mr Cheng Yan-chee
Ms Cynthia Hui Wai-yee
Ms Gabriella Yee Gar-bo

     The Government announced in the Gazette today (September 28) appointments to the Occupational Retirement Schemes Appeal Board (ORSAB).

     The Financial Secretary, in exercise of the authority under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (Cap 426) (ORSO) delegated to him by the Chief Executive, has re-appointed Ms Cynthia Chung Wing-suet and Ms Giovanna Kwong Fung-ping as the Chairlady and Deputy Chairlady of the ORSAB respectively.

     At the same time, the Financial Secretary has also appointed Mr Eric Tong and re-appointed Mr Kenny Chan Ngai-sang and Ms Miranda So Man-wah as members of the ORSAB.

     The above appointments and re-appointments will take effect from October 1, 2018, for a period of two years until September 30, 2020, both dates inclusive.

     Welcoming the appointments and re-appointments, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, said, "The ORSAB is made up of distinguished members from the legal and accounting sectors. With members' professional expertise and experience, I am confident that the Appeal Board will continue to operate effectively and uphold its impartiality."

     Mr Lau also thanked Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han, the outgoing member of the ORSAB for her dedicated service on the Board.

     The ORSAB was established in accordance with Section 61 of the ORSO to determine appeals against decisions of the Registrar of Occupational Retirement Schemes as specified in the ORSO.

     The membership of the ORSAB with effect from October 1, 2018, is as follows:

Chairlady
———-
Ms Cynthia Chung Wing-suet

Deputy Chairlady
——————
Ms Giovanna Kwong Fung-ping

Members
———
Mr Kenny Chan Ngai-sang
Ms Miranda So Man-wah
Mr Eric Tong

     The Government today (September 28) announced the re-appointment of Mr Antonio Kwong Cho-shing and Ms Yolanda Ng Yuen-ting as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health respectively, as well as the re-appointment of four incumbent members and the appointment of seven new members.

     The four incumbent members re-appointed are Miss Ada Ho, Ms Hsu Siu-man, Mr Richard Tsang Lap-ki and Professor Samuel Wong Yeung-shan. The seven newly appointed members are Dr David Lam Tzit-yuen, Dr Haston Liu Wai-ming, Dr Loletta So Kit-ying, Mr Teddy Tang Chun-keung, Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai, Dr Stewart Tung Yuk and Dr Kelvin Wang Man-ping.  

     All appointments will be effective from October 1, 2018, for a term of two years.  

     The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health is an independent statutory body established in 1987 to advise the Government on matters related to smoking and health. It is also tasked to advance public education concerning the effects of smoking on the community and individuals as well as to engage in smoking-related research.

     The full membership of the Council with effect from October 1, 2018, is as follows: 

Mr Antonio Kwong Cho-shing (Chairman)
Ms Yolanda Ng Yuen-ting (Vice-Chairman)
Miss Ada Ho
Dr Daniel Ho Sai-yin
Ms Hsu Siu-man
Dr David Lam Tzit-yuen
Dr Haston Liu Wai-ming
Dr Christina Maw Kit-chee
Dr Loletta So Kit-ying 
Mr Teddy Tang Chun-keung
Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai
Mr Richard Tsang Lap-ki
Dr Stewart Tung Yuk
Dr Kelvin Wang Man-ping
Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee
Professor Samuel Wong Yeung-shan
Deputy Director of Health