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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 13) that Sheung Shui Swimming Pool in the North District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 8.10pm today.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     â€‹The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, will tomorrow (August 14) lead about 40 members of the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum and non-Chinese speaking students of Project Lighthouse, both of which were established by the Security Bureau last year, to visit Shaanxi and Beijing to enhance their understanding of the history, culture and latest development of the country.

     During the eight-day study tour, the group will visit Xi'an and Yan'an in Shaanxi Province as well as Beijing from August 14 to 21. Mr Tang will return to Hong Kong on the evening of August 16 upon completion of the Xi'an leg. He will join the visit to Beijing on August 19 and return to Hong Kong the next day. The Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li, will join part of the Xi'an visit and the whole Yan'an leg.

     During Mr Tang's absence, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, will be the Acting Secretary for Security.

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will depart for Seattle, the United States (US), tomorrow (August 14) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM).
 
     Mr Tse will attend the APEC EMM on August 15 and 16 (US time) which has "Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All" as its theme. During the two-day meeting, energy ministers and senior officials from 21 APEC member economies will have an extensive dialogue to strengthen co-operation to accelerate progress towards a clean energy transition while ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the region. The discussion will cover progress of decarbonisation for the power sectors, advancing energy resilience and energy security across the region, and setting of new energy goals for the APEC community.
 
     At the discussion session on "Power Sector Decarbonization" on August 15 (US time), Mr Tse will share with APEC member economies the strategies and work of Hong Kong on decarbonising the power sector, including developing new energy facilities, such as the offshore liquefied natural gas terminal; setting the target to cease using coal for daily electricity generation by 2035; accelerating the development of renewable energy and exploring collaboration with neighbouring regions to increase the use of zero-carbon energy.
 
     During his stay in the US, Mr Tse will have bilateral meetings with representatives from other APEC member economies to exchange views on strengthening co-operation on energy matters. In addition, Mr Tse will visit new energy facilities, including the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center.
 
     Deputy Director of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Mr Raymond Poon will also attend the EMM.
 
     Mr Tse will conclude his visit and depart for Hong Kong in the morning of August 17 (US time). During his absence, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, will be the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology.

     To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of superstar Leslie Cheung, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) is staging "Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition". The exhibition has received overwhelming response from the local public and visitors since its opening on March 29 and it welcomed its 300 000th visitor today (August 13).

     To celebrate this special moment, the HKHM has prepared a surprise gift for the 300 000th visitor. The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; one of the guest curators of the exhibition Ms Florence Chan; and the Museum Director (Heritage Museum), Mr Brian Lam, presented the visitor a packet of thoughtful souvenirs today which included an exhibition poster with autographs of the three guest curators namely Mr William Chang, Mr Wing Shya and Ms Chan, complimentary tickets for the Hong Kong Film Archive's film screening programme "Revisiting the Glory Days – The Legacy of Leslie and Anita", Leslie Cheung's 20th Anniversary Antique Rose Commemorative Medal and a gift pack of "Hong Kong Pop 60+". The 300 000th visitor is from the Lee family. Both Mr and Mrs Lee love to listen to Leslie Cheung's songs. They are happy to appreciate Leslie Cheung's concert costumes at the exhibition, thinking that he is the collective memory of Hong Kong people. The Lee family often visits the HKHM and is delighted to see that the museum has various exhibitions on the themes of Hong Kong pop culture. Besides the Leslie Cheung exhibition, they are also impressed by the Bruce Lee and "Hong Kong Pop 60+" exhibition.

     On the other hand, September 12 (Tuesday) is the 67th birthday of Leslie Cheung. The HKHM will make a special arrangement to open the museum which is originally scheduled to be closed on Tuesday to commemorate this all-time superstar with the public. The museum will also offer free screening of two movies acted by Leslie Cheung at the theatre on the first floor of the museum. "Okinawa Rendez-vous" and "Ashes of Time" will be screened at 11am and 3pm respectively. Audiences can queue up for admission 15 minutes before the programme commences. Admission is free with limited quota on a first-come, first-served basis.

     With exceptional talent and a unique style, Leslie Cheung became one of Hong Kong's influential superstars. His numerous music, film and TV works over the years established his status as an icon in the glory days of Cantopop and Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s and 1990s. His artistic achievements have transcended time and space. He has profound influence on local pop culture.

     The Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2023 organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present free music performances, Busking@Museum at the museum lobby on four Sundays in September from 2pm to 5pm. Visitors can enjoy classic hits of Leslie Cheung and other pop songs performed by five local musicians and groups. There will be no admission tickets required and no seating for the performances.

     "Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition" currently held at 2/F, Open Space of the HKHM, showcases a total of 61 exhibits. Precious exhibits on display include four concert costumes worn by Leslie Cheung, such as the red cloak and suit with stonework and the pair of red high heels in his "Live in Concert 97", the outfit with white feathers and the pair of blue embellished jeans worn by him in his "Passion Tour" concert, and the meticulously crafted seashell culottes designed for him by a famous French designer. The exhibition also presents some of his vinyl records, such as the vinyl record of "For Your Heart Only" (White Edition), the vinyl record of "Stand Up" (Purple Edition); music, movie and TV awards like the Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Presentation – "Monica" and the Best Film Song of the 14th Hong Kong Film Awards – "Chase", and the Best Album Award of the Four Channels Song Award – "Untitled". Visitors can also revisit Leslie Cheung's photo album "Celebration", photographed by Mr Shya and some concert photos. Presented by the LCSD and organised by the HKHM, the exhibition is supported by Les FANmily and will run until October 9 at the HKHM (1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin) with free admission. It is one of the pre-festival programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2023. The organiser extends special thanks to Mr Daffy Tong for sharing the personal collection of Leslie Cheung. For details of the exhibition, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid276.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.

     Apart from "Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition", visitors are also welcome to visit "Out of Thin Air: Hong Kong Film Arts and Costumes" exhibition, "Bruce Lee: a Timeless Classic" pop-up display, "A Man Beyond the Ordinary: Bruce Lee" exhibition and "Hong Kong Pop 60+" permanent exhibition to learn more about Hong Kong pop culture.

     The first Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival organised by the LCSD aims to offer an array of programmes, from pop concerts and performances to thematic exhibitions, film screenings, outdoor and outreach activities, showcasing Hong Kong's unique cultural creativity and vibrancy. For more information on other fascinating programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.

          

     Hong Kong Customs on August 11 seized about 2 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A 65-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on August 11. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside the interlinings of three book covers in his rucksack. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 14).

     Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).