The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
         
     The Judiciary will implement the following adjustments to the civil jurisdictional limits of the District Court (DC) and the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) and the fee schedule of filing of claims at the SCT starting from December 3, 2018:
 
Jurisdictional rise of the DC and the SCT
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Revision of the fee schedule of filing of claims at the SCT
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     Ponten Pie from Spain will perform "Loo", its award-winning play for children, in January next year. The performance won awards for best kids show at Spain's Lleida Puppet Theatre Fair in 2016 and the European Performing Arts Fair for Children in Gijón, Spain, in 2017.
 
     This theatrical performance is tailor-made for children aged 2 to 5. Loo is a hot, dry wind from Asia that comes alive in summer afternoons, and the show poetically explores the activities of this wind: moving the desert sand dunes, drying up wetlands, seas and oceans, and leaving ships paralysed in the sand. The performer and the audience are seated on a boat, listening to inspiring music and observing buried objects and stunning visual effects to enjoy a unique sensorial experience on desertification.
 
     Ponten Pie is a company from Barcelona founded by the actor Sergi Ots. Under his direction, its unusual productions aim to create a unique and authentic world for each stage piece, and directly involve the audience in its stories. Its projects are also characterised by a strong, visually dominated aesthetic, in which different theatre genres are combined.
 
     Details of the performances are as follows:
 
January 4 (Friday): 2.30pm and 7.30pm
January 5 (Saturday): 11am, 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm
January 6 (Sunday): 11am and 2.30pm
Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets: $240
 
     Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Loo" 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_648.html.

     The Government Secretariat Tender Box (GSTB) located on the ground floor, East Wing of the Central Government Offices at Tamar will be re-opened to receive tenders for the Central Tender Board that close on or after November 30, 2018.
 
     Tenders must be deposited in the tender box as specified in the tender notice (Specified Tender Box) before the specified tender closing time.  Late tenders and tenders not deposited in the Specified Tender Box will not be processed.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2810 2401 between 9am and 6pm from Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays).

     Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) commended Hong Kong, China (HKC) again for its free and open trade regime at the Trade Policy Review meeting successfully concluded in Geneva, Switzerland today (November 28, Geneva time).
      
     Leading the HKC delegation, Director-General of Trade and Industry, Ms Salina Yan, shared her observation, "We are encouraged by WTO Members' commendation of our free and open trade policies as well as our unwavering support for the multilateral trading system. We are also pleased with Members' recognition of our continuous efforts in maintaining a liberal trade and investment regime, our achievements in trade facilitation and our strong engagement in various aspects of WTO work."
      
     "Over the years, the rules-based multilateral trading system has proven to be crucial to the continued growth and sustainable development of Members' economies. As a founding Member of the WTO, HKC pitches strongly for this system, and will continue to play an active and constructive role in strengthening it. When global trade development is threatened by rising protectionism, HKC will join efforts with other Members to address challenges facing the WTO," Ms Yan said at the meeting.
      
     The Discussant for the Trade Policy Review, Ambassador Alfredo Suescum of Panama, applauded HKC for its commitment to the multilateral trading system. He said, "Members clearly recognised that there has been palpable progress on many issues since the last review. Members also recognised that HKC remains a role model of openness and business friendliness." He praised the very active role played by HKC's Economic and Trade Office in Geneva.
      
     In his concluding remarks, the Chairperson of the WTO Trade Policy Review Body, Ambassador Eloi Laourou of Benin, praised HKC for maintaining one of the most open and market-oriented economies in the world, and achieving robust economic growth, despite a challenging external environment. "HKC's liberal approach to trade and investment has enabled it to obtain some of the highest rankings in major world indicators of competitiveness, economic freedom and ease of doing business," he said, adding that "HKC has set an example through its staunch commitment to the free markets and the multilateral trading system."
      
     The Review examined HKC's trade and investment regimes in detail, covering trade in both goods and services, as well as measures affecting business operations, including competition policy and the protection of intellectual property rights. It also gave an overview of its economic environment and deepening trade relationships with trading partners, including the expanding network of Free Trade Agreements and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.
      
     The WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism enhances the transparency and understanding of Members' trade policies and practices, thereby facilitating the smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, using the name "Hong Kong, China" and being a separate customs territory as provided for under the Basic Law, is a founding member of the WTO, and is subject to regular Trade Policy Reviews. The last review took place in 2014.

Police are investigating a murder case in Sham Shui Po this afternoon (November 28) in which a 40-year-old woman died.

At about 2.55pm, Police received a report from a 57-year-old man that his 40-year-old wife attempted to commit suicide inside a unit in Nam Lok House, Nam Shan Estate.

Police officers sped to the scene and found the 40-year-old woman lying unconsciously inside the unit. Sustaining injuries to her back, she was rushed to Caritas Medical Centre in unconscious state and was certified dead at 3.27pm.

Initial investigation revealed that the 57-year-old man suspected to have assaulted the deceased with a knife. He was arrested for murder, and is being detained for enquiries.

A knife in suspected connection with the case was seized at scene.

Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Sham Shui Po District is underway.