Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Scout Association of Hong Kong (SAHK) decided earlier to make arrangements for members participating in the World Scout Jamboree held at Saemangeum, Korea, to be relocated to a safe location and return to Hong Kong as early as possible. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) today (August 9) noted that members are arriving Hong Kong today in groups.

     In response to the decision of the SAHK to return to Hong Kong early, the HYAB immediately contacted the SAHK, the Immigration Department and the relevant airline to allow members of the SAHK to return to Hong Kong smoothly. The HYAB is grateful for assistance offered by all relevant departments and organisations, including the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Gwangju, for arranging transportation to the airport for members.

     As Typhoon Khanun is approaching Korea and the local weather is expected to deteriorate rapidly, the HYAB has been keeping close contact with the SAHK and noted that the SAHK has implemented relevant measures to ensure the safety of members who stay behind to participate in the remaining events organised by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. read more

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Cheung Sha Wan today (August 9) in which a 63-year-old man died.      At 10.34am, a minibus driven by a 45-year-old man was travelling along Un Chau Street towards Castle Peak Road. W… read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present the Great Music 2023 from September to November. Various renowned musicians and ensembles from all over the world will gather in Hong Kong to perform an array of exciting and diversified music programmes. Programme tickets will be available from tomorrow (August 10, Thursday).
 
     Brief introductions are as follows:
 
Warabe by Kodo
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Date and time: September 8 and 9 (Friday and Saturday), 7.30pm
Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket prices: $180 to $480
 
     Japanese leading taiko performing group Kodo will stage its 40th anniversary commemorative performance “Warabe” in Hong Kong to raise the curtain on the Great Music 2023. The production blends the simplicity of Japanese taiko drumming with the ensemble’s unique sound, resonance and physicality, allowing audiences to experience the soul-stirring rhythm of life.
 
Piano Duo Recital by Lucas & Arthur Jussen
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Date and time: September 18 (Monday), 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Ticket prices: $200 to $420
 
     Sought-after young Dutch pianists the Jussen Brothers will visit Hong Kong in September when audiences will be able to appreciate the well-co-ordinated duo-piano performance. Apart from playing Bach’s works with four hands, the duo will render Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and also classic works by Mozart and Ravel.
 
A Cappella Concert by Naturally 7
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Date and time: September 28 (Thursday), 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Ticket prices: $200 to $420
 
     Critically acclaimed and popular for their unique “vocal play” technique, American male a cappella group Naturally 7 will come to Hong Kong in late September to stage a mastery of vocal performance where the group will not only sing but transform their voices into actual human instruments, demonstrating the many possibilities of the human voice.
 
Violin Recital by Leonidas Kavakos
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Date and time: October 23 (Monday), 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket prices: $200 to $520
 
     World-renowned Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos will perform a recital in Hong Kong in October, bringing music fans a selection of works by Ravel, Poulenc, Debussy and Franck to demonstrate his masterful demeanour with superb and meticulous interpretation.
 
China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra
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Date and time: October 24 (Tuesday), 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket prices: $200 to $440
 
Date and time: October 25 (Wednesday), 8pm
Venue: Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Ticket prices: $200 to $380
 
    Following its last visit in 2005, the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra, a national-level orchestra, will stage two concerts in Hong Kong in October. Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Pang Kapang will lead the Orchestra to perform original works and adaptations by maestro Peng Xiuwen in the first concert, while National Class One Conductor Chen Xieyang will lead the Orchestra to play the works by contemporary composers with renowned recitalists including Jiang Kemei (jinghu), Tang Junqiao (dizi) and Yu Hongmei (erhu) in the second concert.
 
Jazz Concert by Eliane Elias
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Date and time: November 23 (Thursday), 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Ticket prices: $200 to $520
 
     Internationally acclaimed Brazilian pianist and singer Eliane Elias will perform her hit compositions, combining jazz, Brazilian, classical and pop music styles, to showcase her musical talents with unique presentations to Hong Kong audiences.
 
     Tickets for the above programmes will be available from August 10 (Thursday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1576.html.
 
     Moreover, two eye-catching recitals of the Great Music 2023 “Duo Recital by Yo-Yo Ma (Cello) & Kathryn Stott (Piano)” and “Piano Recital by Seong-Jin Cho” will be held on November 6 and 28 respectively at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Programme details and booking schedule will be announced later. Music fans should stay tuned.

                

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (August 9) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of August 28, 2023 up to November 5, 2023. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
      
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to July 31, 2023, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1,102,000 transactions, collecting 873 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,363 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
      
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts’ own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
      
     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
      
     The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time, and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Chong Hing Bank Limited relating to fraudulent websites, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. read more