The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 5) announced that a prepackaged cucumber sample was found to have pesticide residue at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CF… read more
The Development Bureau announced today (July 5) that four projects proposed by non-profit-making organisations (NPOs) have been selected to revitalise Roberts Block of the Old Victoria Barracks in Central, Luen Wo Market in Fanling, the Former Lau Fau Shan Police Station in Yuen Long and Watervale House of the Former Gordon Hard Camp in Tuen Mun under Batch V of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme).
Roberts Block of the Old Victoria Barracks (a Grade 1 historic building) will be converted into the Roberts Block Open HeArts Centre by Christian Oi Hip Fellowship Limited together with Art Hub Asia Company Limited. The Centre will organise a series of creative arts workshops and therapy programmes to promote psychological and emotional wellness, and provide useful skills for people in need to reduce stress. Guided tours will also be arranged for the public to learn more about the history and architectural features of the building.
Luen Wo Market (a Grade 3 historic building) will be turned into Luen Wo Market – House of Urban and Rural Living by Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service, LC-HKS. The project will revive traditional market operations with stalls and shops selling local vegetables, farm products and daily necessities. Through a variety of guided tours, workshops and activities, the project will show visitors the history and changes of Luen Wo Market and its surrounding rural area, thereby enhancing their understanding of rural lives.
The Former Lau Fau Shan Police Station (a Grade 3 historic building) will be revitalised into Former Lau Fau Shan Police Station – Hong Kong Guide Dogs Academy by Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association Limited. Guide dogs will be bred and trained at the site to provide service to the visually impaired. Some dogs will be trained to provide therapy for people in need, such as children who suffer from autism and communicative problems. The Academy will also display the history and architectural merit of the police station building as well as the development of oyster farming and the fisheries industry in the Lau Fau Shan area through organising different displays and guided tours.
Watervale House of the Former Gordon Hard Camp (a Grade 2 historic building) will be revitalised by the Tuen Mun Soul Oasis Foundation Limited into the Tuen Mun Soul Oasis, promoting a positive lifestyle through workshops, talks and courses on positive thinking and spiritual development. Themed guided tours and workshops will be arranged to introduce the history and heritage of the military site and the Tuen Mun area. There will be a featured restaurant with a menu including Gurkha food to promote Gurkha food culture.
The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, said at the press conference, “The Development Bureau launched the Revitalisation Scheme in 2008. Through collaboration with NPOs, historic buildings are preserved, revitalised and put into good use. Under the scheme, historic buildings are given a new lease of life and the public has the opportunity to visit and appreciate these old buildings with heritage value. It is also expected that, through the revitalisation projects, old communities are rebuilt, employment opportunities are created, the local economy is stimulated, and niche social services are provided.
“The Scheme has been in place for 10 years. Including the four projects announced today, there are a total of 19 projects. Nine of them are already in operation and had received about 4.6 million visitors by the end of May this year. Among them, five scooped up United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This proves that our adaptive re-use of historic buildings has won international recognition and the results are truly heartening.”
Mr Wong thanked members of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation for their professionalism and dedication in selecting the best adaptive re-use for the historic buildings under Batch V of the Revitalisation Scheme.
The Government will earmark funding of about $365 million to renovate the four historic buildings and a further $18 million for subsidising the initial operation of the projects. The projects in this batch are expected to be completed and come into operation from 2022 to 2023, and will create over 120 full-time or part-time jobs.
The Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation assessed 34 applications received under Batch V of the Revitalisation Scheme in accordance with the following five criteria:
* reflection of historical value and significance;
* technical aspects;
* social value and social enterprise operation;
* financial viability; and
* management capability and other considerations.
For Fong Yuen Study Hall (a Grade 3 historic building) in Ma Wan under the same batch of the Revitalisation Scheme, the Committee did not recommend any proposal.
The Chairman of the Committee, Professor Lau Chi-pang, said, “The Committee has concluded after in-depth deliberation that the proposals had failed to meet the selection threshold in all five assessment aspects.”
Fong Yuen Study Hall will continue to be managed by the Government and open to the public for the time being. The Government will examine the site’s long-term use, including a relaunch of the building in the next batch of the Revitalisation Scheme for applications from NPOs.
Details of the selected projects can be found at the heritage conservation website at www.heritage.gov.hk.
The Government launched the Revitalisation Scheme in 2008 to invite proposals from NPOs to revitalise selected government-owned historic buildings in the form of social enterprises. Where justified, the Government will provide financial support to the selected organisations, including one-off grants to cover the cost of major renovation of the buildings, in part or in full; nominal rental for the buildings; and one-off grants to meet the starting costs and operating deficits of the social enterprises for a maximum of the first two years of operation at a ceiling of $5 million per project, on the prerequisite that the selected proposal is projected to become self-sustainable after this initial period.
The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (July 5) that the Government will seek Executive Council (ExCo) approval for an in-situ land exchange for waterfront development in place of the industrial building (IB) under development on two private lots at Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay (IL 8590 RP and IL 8723 RP), subject to the development proposal obtaining endorsement by the Town Planning Board (TPB).
A spokesman for the DEVB said, “The community has been expressing the wish that the IB should not proceed at the harbourfront and instead be replaced by a development that is more compatible with the surrounding environment. We are pleased that the lot owner has responded positively with an alternative proposal involving a waterfront leisure, tourism and commercial development providing retail, hotel and office facilities, to be developed on a strip of land straddling a portion of the private lots and extending into adjoining government land at the prominent waterfront location. That strip of land is zoned ‘Other Specified Uses’ annotated ‘Cultural and/or Commercial, Leisure and Tourism Related Uses’ on the Quarry Bay Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H21/28, with the stipulation that any proposal for development on it has to be submitted to the TPB for approval.
“Having worked with the lot owner closely to explore the idea in the past few months and in the interest of upholding transparency, the Government considers now is the opportune time to share the latest progress with the public.”
The development proposal is subject to planning approval and land administration procedures. To take things forward, the lot owner has engaged consultants to undertake detailed design and technical studies for the proposed development in preparation for a consultation with the Eastern District Council (EDC) and the Harbourfront Commission (HC), as well as the submission to be made to the TPB later this year.
The lot owner’s latest proposal comprises several tower blocks, the height of which will take into account the building height requirement for the area, hence representing a significant reduction from the 25 storeys for the original IB. The total gross floor area of the proposed development will be 37 155 square metres (which is comparable to the original permitted gross floor area of 37 161 sq m for the IB) and will be mainly for retail, hotel, leisure and office uses. Taking advantage of the harbourfront setting, the facilities will help turn the area into a leisure and tourism node. A 10-metre-wide promenade will also be maintained along the Hoi Yu Street waterfront for public enjoyment, and pedestrian access will be provided to enhance the connectivity to and vibrancy of the waterfront. The lot owner’s consultants are preparing further details of the development scheme for submission to the EDC sub-committee and the HC in the near future.
Taking into account the gross floor area of the proposed development and the current height restriction of the area, the development will need to take up additional government land in addition to the land owned by the lot owner. This will be effected by an in-situ land exchange subject to payment of full market premium that requires the ExCo’s approval following the TPB’s endorsement. According to the initial estimate, the lot owner will surrender the two private lots with total area of 2 477 sq m in return for a re-grant of 8 532 sq m of land from the Government.
By way of background, the two private lots are permitted for industrial and/or godown purposes and a set of building plans for an IB development was approved in 2001. It was not until April 2003 that the lots and adjacent government land were rezoned to “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Cultural and/or Commercial, Leisure and Tourism Related Uses” and “Open Space”. The proposed IB development on the private lots is not in contravention of any planning and building regulations or lease conditions. Construction of the IB commenced around mid-2017. The DEVB and the lot owner have since been working closely to explore the idea of an alternative proposal that can better address the local aspirations and achieve the planning intent of the “Other Specified Uses” zone. read more
Hong Kong audiences have been awaiting a rerun of the Cantonese opera “The Return of Lady Wenji”, and their wait will finally be over in August. Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the opera forms part of its “Chinese Opera Festival”. Performers will include Cantonese opera stars Yuen Siu-fai, Chan Ho-kau, Yau Sing-po, together with renowned artists Lee Lung, Chan Wing-yee and Lai Yiu-wai.
The original script of the play and the character of Cai Wenji were written and tailored for Chan Ho-kau by playwrights Yuen Siu-fai and the late Yip Siu-tak in 1997. The story depicts the helplessness and sadness of Wenji as she returns from foreign lands to her homeland, leaving her husband and son behind. In particular, Yip was invited to write the lyrics for the singing part in the scene “Farewell to the Wife”. When the play debuted, the superb performances of Yuen Siu-fai and Chan Ho-kau and their intricate interpretation brought out the most intense melancholy of the couple’s eternal farewell and the separation of mother and son.
For the return journey to Han, Chan Ho-kau brilliantly interpreted Wenji’s yearning for her husband and son, her complete devastation striking the hearts of the audience. In this rerun, Lee Lung and Chan Wing-yee have been specially invited to act as Dong Si and Lady Bian respectively. The accompanying percussion and ensemble music by the Ko brothers complement and highlight the emotional performance of the opera stars of different generations. Cao Cao, another of the play’s leading characters, will be played by Yau Sing-po. In the end, Cao’s wife, Lady Bian, speaks of how Cao has ruined Wenji’s happiness, despite his good intentions. Performing the theme song in the final scene, Chan Ho-kau brings out the desolation of a mother and a wife who can never reunite with her family, to an accompaniment by the Ko brothers.
The story takes place in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). Cai Wenji, the daughter of Cai Yong, is famous for her accomplishments in literature and music. She is captured by a Xiongnu (Huns) chieftan, the Wise Prince of the Left, during the chaotic times of war. He admires her artistic gifts and finally wins her heart, so the two become husband and wife. Twelve years later, Cao Cao has gained power and is the prime minister of Han. He remembers his old friend, the historian Cai Yong, who had left no heir to continue his monumental written work, “The Book of Han”. So he sends an envoy to the Huns, expressing his willingness to pay a large ransom for Cai’s release and return to Han. He envisions that she will pick up the work from where her father left off, and, feeling grateful and indebted to him, she would write him favourably into the historical archives. What Cao has misunderstood is that while he may have had good intent, the heartless severance of Cai from her family in Hun will take away all her happiness. A wife and mother, she will never be able to see her husband and son again. She is so heartbroken that she grieves to the end. On her long journey back to Han, Lady Cai pours out her heart in a song cycle with lyrics, which she writes, and which includes the masterpiece, “Eighteen Variations on a Hu Pipe Melody”.
“The Return of Lady Wenji” will be staged at 7.30pm on August 7 and 8 (Tuesday and Wednesday) at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre; and at 2.30pm on August 12 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall. Tickets priced from $150 to $450 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 7325 or visit www.cof.gov.hk.
A Meet-the-Artists session featuring Yuen Siu-fai and Lai Yiu-wai with Barbara Tang as moderator will be held at 7.30pm on August 15 (Wednesday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free. Limited seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
HKMC Annuity Limited (HKMCA), wholly-owned by The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC), announced today (July 5) the official launch of the life annuity scheme and named the scheme “HKMC Annuity Plan” (the Plan). Hong Kong Permanent Residents aged 65 years or above can register their intent to subscribe for the Plan within the Registration Period which will last for three weeks’ time from July 19 to August 8.
The HKMCA held a launch ceremony for HKMC Annuity Plan today. The Chairman of the HKMC and the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said at the ceremony, “The Plan launched today will offer another option of financial arrangement for retired people. Under the Plan, retirees can turn part of their savings into life-long streams of guaranteed, stable and fixed annuity income, so that they can make early planning and better enjoy their retirement lives. Since the Annuity Plan was announced last year, the feedback from the community has been very positive. I am glad to announce that if there is an oversubscription of the Plan by the public, the HKMCA is prepared to double the first tranche quota from currently HK$10 billion to HK$20 billion.”
The Plan is an insurance product. The insured can immediately receive a guaranteed stream of fixed income after paying a single premium. The annuity is payable monthly for the whole of life of the insured.
The Chairman and Executive Director of the HKMCA and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Norman Chan, said, “The HKMA will lend its full support and collaboration to the Plan. Apart from providing the capital required, the HKMA will invest and manage the premium received by the HKMCA, with a view to obtaining a stable long-term investment return, in order to provide a solid foundation to ensure the financial viability and sustainability of the Plan. The Plan can offer the public an attractive financial arrangement for retirement and can also foster the development of the local annuity market.”
The distribution channel of the Plan covers 20 retail banks in Hong Kong (see Annex 3) with a total of around 700 designated branches. There is a two-stage distribution process:
First stage – Registration of Subscription Intention (July 19 to August 8)
Applicants can obtain the Subscription Intention Forms at any one of the Agent Banks’ designated branches* starting from next Monday (July 9), and submit the completed Subscription Intention Forms within the Registration Period (July 19 to August 8). Alternatively they can register online their intent to subscribe for the Plan at the HKMCA website within the Registration Period. The applicant is not required to pay premium at this stage but will need to fill in some basic personal information, the Intended Subscription Amount and choose three Intended Agent Banks which will assist in completing the application procedures in the second stage. Applicants should fill in the Intended Subscription Amount according to their needs and affordability.
A random balloting will be conducted by the HKMCA for all eligible applicants to determine their application sequence. According to this application sequence and the order of preference of the three Intended Agent Banks as indicated in the Subscription Intention Form by the applicant, the applicant will be assigned to an Agent Bank to attend a scheduled sales meeting.
The HKMCA will try its best to satisfy the demand of the applicants as much as possible under prudent risk management principles. The HKMCA will set an allotment threshold if the total subscription amount exceeds the final issue size. Applicants whose Intended Subscription Amounts are smaller than or equal to the threshold will be fully allotted. Other applicants will only be allotted up to that threshold. However this only represents the Allotted Amount to the applicant in the first stage because the final premium amount that can be accepted will depend on the results of the financial needs analysis conducted for the applicant within the second stage of the application process.
Second Stage – Completion of the application procedures (End-September 2018 to March 2019)
Applicants will receive the notices of allotment result in succession starting from mid-September, and will be arranged to attend the sales meetings to complete the application procedures. Financial needs analysis will be conducted during the sales meeting to confirm whether it is appropriate for the applicant to fully purchase the Allotted Amount. The applicant will pay the premium after the sales meeting, and receive the Guaranteed Monthly Annuity Payment commencing from the next month. Due to an expected large number of applicants, the sales period for the Plan this time to complete all of the distribution procedures is expected to last for half a year until March 2019.
In case the processing capacity of the applicant’s three Intended Agent Banks is fully-utilised, the applicant may be assigned to other Agent Banks with capacity or to the Application Servicing Centre set up by the HKMCA to complete the application procedures.
Detailed information of the Plan will be uploaded to the HKMCA website (www.hkmca.hk) next Monday. The public can also obtain an illustration summary of the annuity benefits for reference through the HKMC Annuity Plan Online Calculator from next Monday onwards. For public enquiries, please call 2512 5000.
*Not only confined to the designated branches of the three Intended Agent Banks chosen by the applicant. The list of designated branches of the Agent Banks participating in the distribution of the Plan can be found at the HKMCA website.
