Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will hold Festival Hong Kong 2019 – A Cultural Extravaganza@Shanghai in Shanghai from November 1 to 23 next year, showcasing arts of Hong Kong with cultural creativity, connectivity between Shanghai and Hong Kong and youthful vitality as focuses.
 
     Speaking at the press conference today (October 16), the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse, said that Festival Hong Kong 2019 – A Cultural Extravaganza@Shanghai is the first major cultural exchange activity to be organised by the HKSAR Government since the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and is aimed at providing a platform for Hong Kong arts groups and artists to showcase their creativity while demonstrating Hong Kong’s diverse culture in creative industries.
 
     Mrs Tse said that there will be a strong line-up of participating local arts groups and artists who will collaborate with cultural venues, museums and cultural organisations in Shanghai. She added that the cultural collaboration between the two cities will fully demonstrate the spirit of Shanghai and Hong Kong working together as a family.
 
     Festival Hong Kong 2019 – A Cultural Extravaganza@Shanghai is co-ordinated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Around 20 programmes are under planning, including cultural performances, film screenings, exhibitions and an outdoor carnival. The event will provide a platform for Hong Kong artists from different sectors to showcase their talents and for cultural exchanges with Mainland counterparts.
 
     A series of cultural performances will be presented in Shanghai featuring Chinese and Western music, dance, theatre, Chinese opera and multimedia. Arts organisations planning to participate are the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Dance Company, the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Chung Ying Theatre Company, Zuni Icosahedron, the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society. There will also be four programmes co-ordinated by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council featuring music, dance, theatre and Chinese opera. Some programmes will be featured in Hong Kong Culture Week of the 21st China Shanghai International Arts Festival.
 
     The Hong Kong Film Archive will organise the film series “One Tale, Two Cinemas”, screening films from the 1930s and ’40s involving Shanghai film companies or producers and Hong Kong classic works from the 1980s and ’90s with old Shanghai as the story background. Seminars and exhibitions on qipao costumes and film posters will also be arranged to demonstrate the close connection between Shanghai and Hong Kong in film culture. In addition, Festival Hong Kong 2019 – A Cultural Extravaganza@Shanghai will feature an exhibition on intangible cultural heritage items to display various forms of traditional craftsmanship, as well as an illustration-themed exhibition curated by Create Hong Kong.
 
     Other guests attending the press conference today included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr Jaap van Zweden; the Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Mr Chew Hee Chiat; the Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Dance Company, Mr Yang Yuntao; the Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Ballet, Mr Septime Webre; the Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Mr Anthony Chan; the Artistic Director of Chung Ying Theatre Company, Mr Ko Tin-lung; the Artistic Director of “Legend of White Snake” by the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, Mr Sun Kim-long; the Director of “Pavilion of a Hundred Flowers”, Dr Fredric Mao; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Ms Tisa Ho; and guest performer of Zuni Icosahedron Mr Wong Ka-jeng.

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     Police will implement special traffic arrangements tomorrow (October 17) to facilitate two public events to be held on Hong Kong Island. (1)      The following special traffic arrangements wi… read more

     Police will implement the following special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave-sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Chung Yeung Festival. Cha… read more

     Police today (October 16) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Kwai Chung.      Zhang Cheng, aged 36, went missing after she was last seen in a hostel on Tai Loong Street … read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 16) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a secondary school in Southern District, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 22 male students, aged 12 to 17, who have developed oral ulcers, rash and vesicles over hands or feet since September 27. All of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     “HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     “HFMD occurs throughout the year. While the disease activity is usually higher from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact,” the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP’s page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information. read more