The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 is 103.4 (same as last Saturday’s index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, July 15, 2023 was 103.4 (up 0.3 against last Friday’s index).
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Hong Kong Customs stepped up enforcement at Hong Kong International Airport from January to June this year to combat the smuggling of dangerous drugs through air cargo and air passenger channels. A total of 604 dangerous d… read more
The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) announced today (July 18) the results of the first round of applications to the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) in 2023-24.
The PPRFS is a government-financed funding scheme dedicated to supporting evidence-based local public policy research by higher education institutions and think tanks in Hong Kong. The CEPU is its secretariat. As the Government’s internal research unit, the CEPU is set up to enhance the Government’s capabilities in research and advocacy on long-term and strategic issues. One of its tasks is to build up an external policy research capacity through measures including administering the PPRFS. This will be conducive to the achievement of the CEPU’s objectives, including to advocate for and assist in the formulation of long-term and strategic policies from a forward-thinking perspective; to keep abreast of national development and analyse and suggest areas of significance in the integration into national development; to examine international relations and situations, and analyse opportunities and risks; and to grasp the sentiments of Hong Kong citizens to understand the general direction and focus of their concerns.
A total of 26 applications were received under the first round exercise in 2023-24. On the advice of the Assessment Panel, the CEPU has supported seven projects with a total funding of about $4.3 million. The seven funded projects cover research areas relating to innovation and technology, livelihood issues, education, youth development, tourism development, environmental sustainability, etc.
Applications to the PPRFS are accepted throughout the year and assessed by the Assessment Panel which comprises scholars with ample experience. Research quality and the relevance of the proposal to the public policy development needs of Hong Kong are the principal criteria of assessment. The Assessment Panel will also take into account comments of outside reviewers who are experienced scholars and experts during the assessment process, and suggestions and views of relevant government bureaux/departments. A declaration of interests system is in place to ensure that the assessments are fair and impartial.
Details of the funded projects have been uploaded onto the CEPU’s webpage (www.cepu.gov.hk/en/PRFS/ppr-granted.html). read more
Hongkong Post announced today (July 18) that with the gradual scaling up of air freight capacity and provision of transit assistance by other postal administrations, airmail services to four destinations will resume from tomorrow (July 19). Details are given below:
| Service to resume | Destinations |
| Speedpost | New Zealand, Saudi Arabia |
| Air parcel | Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia |
| Air letter and packet | Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
　　Internationally renowned composer and conductor Tan Dun, appointed as Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion (ACP) earlier by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, has recently lined up Hong Kong young soprano Candice Chung to take part in the 76th edition of the Holland Festival in Amsterdam, with the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and participate in the world premiere of his new work “Requiem for Nature”.
　　The Holland Festival is the oldest and largest annual international performing arts festival in the Netherlands. Tan’s liaison enabled Chung to join the performance of the “Requiem for Nature” in Amsterdam on June 30 and July 1, and helped to groom local young artistic talent and promote East-meets-West cultural exchanges. Tan specially added Cantonese, Tibetan and Mongolian elements into his work and, by allowing a vocalist to play four roles in the opera through changes in languages and tones, enhanced the dramatic effects of the work.
　　Local-born soprano Candice Chung was thankful to Tan for inviting her to join the magnificent world premiere. “It is really a dream come true for a musician to sing with the world-renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and to be able to work with Pierre Audi, one of the world’s leading opera directors, is also inspiring,” she said.
　　To achieve a better performance, Chung took extra lessons with a Cantonese opera teacher, hoping to enhance the sense of authenticity for her interpretation of the performing role, and she found the preparation process an eye-opening experience. In return, she wowed the audience with her bright tone while the “Requiem for Nature” also received critical acclaim.
　　Tan has been serving as the ACP since January 1 this year for a period of five years. The LCSD hoped that the ACP, through inviting local young artists to participate in international arts festivals and outbound performances, can equip them with global perspectives. Prior to Chung’s successful debut in the Holland Festival, Tan had also invited local young tenor and soprano Chen Chen and Louise Kwong to stage the “Buddha Passion” together with cross-strait musicians in Fuzhou this April.
　　Tan will continue to explore opportunities for local young artists to perform on global stages in the coming months to enrich their experience and broaden their international vision, so as to tie in with the strategy of the National 14th Five-Year Plan that supports Hong Kong to develop into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges. The LCSD will continue to work with Tan to bring local young artists to out of Hong Kong, telling good stories of China and Hong Kong with arts.
　　Tan is currently the Dean of the Bard College Conservatory of Music in New York and an Honorary Artistic Director of the China National Symphony Orchestra. He has been promoting the messages of peace and green environment throughout the years. His music has made an indelible mark on the world’s music scene, which earned him many prestigious honours. In March this year, Tan was presented the Abu Dhabi Festival Award 2023 in recognition of his outstanding lifetime achievements and contributions to music. This December, he will present the WE-make Series to Hong Kong audiences, joining hands with local, international and Mainland artists to showcase a wide range of art forms including orchestra, rock, opera and dance, to bring new experience to audiences.
