A Mars perihelic opposition will occur on the night of July 27 (Friday), followed by a total lunar eclipse in the early morning of the next day. The two astronomical events will be visible if weather permits.
 
     During Mars opposition, Mars, the Earth and the Sun lie on a straight line, with Mars and the Sun located exactly on the opposite sides of the Earth. When Mars is at its perihelion (Note) during the opposition, it is called the Mars perihelic opposition (Figure 1). During the event, Mars is also closest to the Earth, and therefore the planet will look brighter than usual. Mars perihelic opposition occurs every 15 or 17 years. The last Mars perihelic opposition took place in 2003, and members of the public may have the chance to witness the event again with the naked eye on July 27. Mars will appear as a bright reddish orange dot in the nights around the opposition, with its brightness second only to the Moon and Venus in the night sky. Details of the coming Mars perihelic opposition are as follows:
 

  
     Members of the public may also observe the second total lunar eclipse of the year in the early hours of July 28. The eclipse will begin at 1.13am, with the stage of total eclipse lasting for 1 hour and 44 minutes, the longest duration since 2000. The event will be visible at most places with an unobstructed view to the southwest till moonset at 6am (Figures 2 and 3). Details of the total lunar eclipse are as follows:
 

 
     Members of the public can watch the whole event via a webcast to be jointly provided by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre, the Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Solar Tower‧Camp on the following webpage:
www.hko.gov.hk/gts/event/webcast-20180728.htm.
 
     For the weather on July 27 and 28, please refer to the latest nine-day weather forecast issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at the following webpage:
www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm.
 
     As regards the astronomical observation conditions for that night, please refer to the "Weather Information for Astronomical Observation" webpage:
www.hko.gov.hk/gts/astronomy/astro_portal.html.
 
     The next lunar eclipse visible in Hong Kong will occur on July 17, 2019, and will be a partial lunar eclipse.
 
Note: Perihelion is the point in the planet's orbit when it is closest to the Sun.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, after officiating at the "Plastic Free Beach, Tableware First" campaign today (July 19):
 
Reporter: Secretary, two questions. Firstly, on the levy of glass bottles, some lawmakers argue today it may not be effective to really promote glass recycling, what do you think of that? Do you think the cost will be passed to customers? Secondly, on this campaign, the restaurants are just trying to avoid plastics, there is no total ban. Do you think that's good enough?
 
Secretary for the Environment: On the first question about the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) on Glass Beverage Containers, we are making reference to overseas successful practices. So we think that it would be useful and would result in a higher level of recycling for Hong Kong, since under the scheme we engage the contractor and set a performance pledge to improve Hong Kong's recycling level of glass incrementally. So we are confident that it should be okay. Certainly, all these kind of PRSs are based on the polluter pays principle. That means the more you use, you have to be responsible for the associated cost. It's a fair system. Under the new scheme, we set the performance (pledge). The recycling level will be incrementally improved, it will be our goal. Your second question about these schemes set in other cities or countries – an incremental approach is also being taken. One very important thing is public education and campaign. Today's launch is to promote wider public education. The gazetted beaches, in particular during summer time, will be a very good timing and venue for us to talk about this. It is a very good venue associated with the ocean and marine lives. We can work together with our volunteers and green groups to promote that change. But we are not stopping here. As I have said, we will have other initiatives to promote similar practices in the government premises managed by the government and owned by the government. At the same time, we have the R&D (research and development team) to consider the overseas relevant laws and how they could be applied to Hong Kong. So we have a stepped-up approach to achieve our objective, that is to reduce disposable plastic in the ocean in Hong Kong and elsewhere.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (July 19) announced that Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd has generously donated its private collection of 355 Chinese painting and calligraphy artworks to the museum for its permanent collection. Of the donated works, the most outstanding pieces comprise Chinese painting and calligraphy artworks from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, rare treasures well known among the international art and museum community. The donation attests to the collector's recognition of the museum's efforts to conserve art treasures and promote historic arts. Furthermore, it recognises Hong Kong's leading role in the preservation of Chinese art and cultural heritage as well as its status as a hub for cultural exchange between the East and the West.
 
      Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd was established by the late Mr Ho Iu-kwong (1907-2006) in 1985 with a mission to preserve Chinese painting and calligraphy and promote the art and cultural heritage of China. His studio was named Chih Lo Lou, meaning "bliss", for the pleasure that one derives from appreciating ancient masterpieces, and alludes to a Chinese saying that it is blissful to perform good deeds. The collection is one of the three major private collections of ancient Chinese painting and calligraphy in Hong Kong.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Donation Ceremony today at Government House and presented a certificate of appreciation to Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd, which was represented by its Chairman, Mr Ho Sai-chu. Mrs Lam also commended the selfless and passionate dedication of the late Mr Ho Iu-kwong – the original owner of the Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy – in preserving Chinese cultural heritage.
 
     The donated works span from the Song dynasty to the 20th century, with late Ming and early Qing paintings and calligraphy being the most numerous, and chronicle the aesthetics of different times and regions. The collection comprises works by members of the Four Ming Masters, including Wen Zhengming and Tang Yin, and their followers. Among others, the works reflect the supremacy of the Suzhou art circle; Lan Ying during the late Ming dynasty; and the Songjiang School of painting led by Dong Qichang, who advocated the theory of the Northern and Southern schools of painting and established a proprietary orthodoxy followed by Wang Shimin and Wang Hui of the Four Wangs of the early Qing dynasty. In addition, the collection also includes innovative and individualistic works by Hua Yan and Jin Nong, members of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou during the mid-Qing dynasty.

     The collection is being donated unrecompensed by the Ho family to the Hong Kong Museum of Art for permanent preservation and exhibition. When the museum reopens at the end of 2019, a dedicated gallery named the "Chih Lo Lou Gallery of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy" will be established for permanent display of the collection. A curator and a supporting team will organise exhibitions and undertake research and educational initiatives to promote Chinese art through the collection. Hong Kong residents and art enthusiasts from around the world will be able to visit and appreciate this remarkable collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy and reflect on, as well as empathise with, the vision and dedication of the late Mr Ho.
 
     The most significant and prestigious artworks in the collection are those by the Ming loyalists in the Qing dynasty, which depict their lofty aspirations and noble integrity. The patriotic and principled Ming loyalists coped with their desolation by immersing themselves in travel, painting and writing. Their virtue and nobility still shines from the artworks they left behind. Mr Ho Iu-kwong held high regard and admiration for artists of this period. He also insisted that the artist's temperament should take precedence over the artwork's quality, and thus resolved to collect only works by artists of irreproachable character. The Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy includes works by members of the Four Monks, namely Bada Shanren and Shitao; also Cheng Sui and Dai Benxiao of the Huangshan School; Cantonese loyalists Kwang Lu and Li Suiqiu; and also Huang Daozhou, Fu Shan, Yang Wencong, Chen Hongshou and Gong Xian.
 
     Holding the belief that we should all contribute to society, Chih Lo Lou donated its invaluable collection to the Hong Kong Museum of Art for permanent exhibition and education purposes. This generous act not only justifies Mr Ho's tireless mission in preserving traditional Chinese art and culture, but also continues his philosophy of recognising Chinese noble virtue. Chih Lo Lou has published more than 40 publications and organised international academic symposia on Chinese art and literature, sparing no effort in advocating traditional Chinese art and culture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Art Museum of the Chinse University of Hong Kong have each organised well-received exhibitions and international academic symposia related to the Chih Lo Lou Collection in the past.

                

     Correctional officers stopped a 54-year-old male person in custody attempting suicide by hanging at Tai Lam Correctional Institution today (July 19).

     At 5.15am today, a correctional officer found the person in custody attempting suicide by hanging himself with a bedsheet tied to the grille bars of the cell. The officer immediately called for reinforcement to stop the act. The person in custody was found conscious and was subsequently sent to a public hospital for further treatment. A clinical psychologist will follow up on the case.

     A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department uses all possible measures to prevent persons in its custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, the improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first aid services."

     The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of robbery in July 2014.

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for April – June 2018) released today (July 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 2.8% in April – June 2018, same as that in March – May 2018. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.0% in the two periods.

     Comparing April – June 2018 with March – May 2018, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but were generally small in magnitude.

     Total employment increased by around 4 900 from 3 864 900 in March – May 2018 to 3 869 800 in April – June 2018. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 5 000 from 3 977 200 to 3 982 200.

     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) in April – June 2018 was 112 400, about the same as that in March – May 2018 (112 300). The number of underemployed persons in April – June 2018 was 41 400, also about the same as that in March – May 2018 (41 000).

Commentary

     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, said, "Labour market stayed tight in April – June 2018, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate holding steady at 2.8%. The underemployment rate likewise remained unchanged at 1.0%. Total employment sustained solid growth on a year-on-year basis."

     "Changes in jobless rates for most sectors were minimal when compared to the preceding three-month period. On a year-on-year comparison to net out seasonal fluctuations, most of the major service sectors witnessed improvement in unemployment situation, particularly so in the trade- and tourism-related industries such as import and export trade, retail, and accommodation services."

     Looking ahead, Dr Law said, "In the near term, the overall labour market is expected to remain tight on the back of a vibrant local economy. Yet, we will stay vigilant to the evolving external uncertainties and monitor their potential impact on the local labour market closely."

     He noted that the Labour Department (LD) has adopted a series of on-going measures to promote the employment of elderly persons, such as setting up special counters at job centres to provide priority registration and job referral services for elderly job seekers, organising tailor-made employment briefings for the elderly, setting up a dedicated webpage for elderly job seekers on the Interactive Employment Service website and enhancing the functions of the vacancy search terminals to facilitate their access to employment information and search for suitable vacancies.

     On large-scale job fairs, the LD will stage the Kowloon West Job Fair on August 9 and 10 at the Lai Kok Community Hall in Cheung Sha Wan. About 40 employers would participate, offering around 3 400 vacancies from various industries. The LD will also organise the Job Fair for Middle-aged and Elderly Employment on September 20 and 21 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. In addition, industry-based or district-based job fairs are regularly organised at the LD's industry-based recruitment centres and job centres located across the territory.

Further Information

     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

     The survey for April – June 2018 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 75 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.

     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization.

     Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the publication contains statistics for the quarter January – March 2018 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2018 will be available by end August 2018. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp200.jsp?productCode=B1050001).

     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the Household Statistics Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).