Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (July 10):

Question:

     It is learnt that the marriage hall of Tseung Kwan O Marriage Registry, which has recently come into operation, is popular among wedding couples as it is equipped with lighting effects. Regarding the services of marriage registries, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of registered marriages in each year since 2022, together with a breakdown by venue of marriage registration (i.e.‍ marriage registries, leisure venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, other venues where marriage are solemnised by Civil Celebrants of Marriages and licensed places of worship);

(2) of the respective capacity and average usage rate of the various marriage registries for marriage ceremonies in each year since 2022;

(3) as there are views pointing out that some marriage registries in urban areas have a relatively long history, and the outdated equipment and ancillary facilities of the halls may affect the usage of such registries, of the respective time when the authorities last carried out major renovation works on the various marriage registries; whether the authorities will consider renovating the older marriage registries with the addition of design features and ancillary facilities, so as to attract public use;

(4) as many wedding couples have relayed that they would not consider celebrating their marriages in marriage registries because the time limit for using marriage halls of marriage registries is too short, whether the authorities will consider extending the time limit for wedding couples to use the marriage halls during off-peak hours and days; if not, of the reasons for that;

(5) whether it will consider enriching the services of marriage registries, such as setting up additional counters to promote premarital check-‍ups and premarital counselling, and encouraging business operators in the vicinity to offer concessions for wedding couples who celebrate their marriage in marriage registries;

(6) given that cross-boundary marriages have become increasingly common in recent years, whether the authorities will consider setting up marriage registries in the Northern Metropolis or at locations near land boundary control points in the future, so as to facilitate members of the public to register their marriages and make arrangements for marriage services; and

(7) as there are views that unique wedding experiences, such as cruise weddings, destination weddings and mass weddings held on special days, have been gaining popularity, whether the authorities will review and enhance the services of marriage registries, such as increasing the flexibility of booking marriage registration appointments, so as to provide services for people who intend to get married in Hong Kong, thereby boosting wedding-related consumption activities?

Reply:

President,

     Solemnisation of marriages in Hong Kong is governed by the Marriage Ordinance (Ordinance) (Cap. 181). According to the Ordinance, a Notice of Intended Marriage (Notice) must be given by a person intending to register marriage in Hong Kong either in person or through a civil celebrant of marriages (Civil Celebrant) in advance to the Registrar of Marriages (Registrar) regardless of how and where the marriage is going to be celebrated. A marriage must take place, within three months from the date of giving the Notice, at any one of the six marriage registries (Registries) in Hong Kong, licensed places of worship (e.g. churches or other religious venues) or in other places before a Civil Celebrant.
 
     In response to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Kenneth Leung, my reply is as follows:
 
(1) The figures of marriage registrations celebrated in Registries, licensed places of worship, and other places before Civil Celebrants from 2022 to 2024 (January to June) are tabulated below:
 

Year	Marriage Registries	Licensed Places of Worship	Other places before Civil Celebrants*	Total
2022	13 796	1 241	14 946	29 983
2023	21 555	1 129	24 834	47 518
2024 (January to June)	10 639	472	11 480	22 591

*Including venues provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and other venues, of which the Immigration Department (ImmD) does not maintain figures on the related breakdown.

(2)  The number of marriage ceremony quota available per year at each Registry and the average utilisation rates from 2022 to 2024 (January to June) are tabulated below:
 

	Number of Marriage Ceremony Quota Available at Each Registry
	2022	2023	2024 (January to June)
City Hall Marriage Registry	8 008	8 006	3 933
Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry	7 358	7 369	3 621
Tsim Sha Tsui Marriage Registry	13 232	13 262	6 183
Sha Tin Marriage Registry	10 280	10 310	5 066
Tuen Mun Marriage Registry	3 698	3 691	1 814
Tseung Kwan O Marriage Registry*	–	–	45
Average Utilisation Rate	32%	51%	51%

*The marriage hall of Tseung Kwan O Marriage Registry commenced operation on 26 June 2024.
 
     Due to the pandemic, the average utilisation rates of the Registries in 2022 were lower than usual. In 2023 and the first half of 2024, the utilisation rates were similar to that of the pre-pandemic level. Since marriage ceremonies are usually held on weekends, if considering weekend weddings only, the average utilisation rates of each of the six Registries in 2023 and the first half of 2024 ranged from around 50 per cent to nearly 90 per cent.
 
(3)  Currently, there are a total of six Registries in Hong Kong located all over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Each Registry and its wedding hall have their distinctive characteristics. The marrying couples can select their wedding venue at their own preferences.

     To ensure the provision of quality marriage registration services and venues for marrying couples to celebrate their marriages, ImmD has all along been continuously reviewing the conditions of each Registry and carrying out regular maintenance, repairs and renovation works of various scales as needed.

     Among others, the Tuen Mun Marriage Registry, originally located in the Tuen Mun Government Offices, was relocated to the new ImmD Tuen Mun Regional Office in March 2021. The new marriage hall adopts a contemporary design with high headroom and glass window walls to bring in lots of natural daylight. The designated photo corners outside the Registry and at the roof garden provide embellished spots for the newly-weds and their guests to take photos. In September of the same year, the Sha Tin Marriage Registry also underwent refurbishment works. The refurbished marriage hall adopts a novel and stylish design with warm and romantic floral arrangements.

     As for the new Tseung Kwan O Marriage Registry opened in June this year by ImmD, its marriage hall adopts a novel design featuring a specially designed wall with starlight effect and multicouloured light installation to add a touch of romance to the wedding ambience. Various photo-taking spots are set up in the marriage hall and outdoor area, including the heart-shaped garden and veil sculpture, for the newly-weds and guests to pose for photos.

     As for the City Hall Marriage Registry and Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry located at the Hong Kong City Hall and Rawlinson House, which have respectively been declared as monument and Grade 1 historic building, are not suitable to undergo major renovation works. To preserve the originality and authenticity of these buildings with outstanding historical values, ImmD will carry out maintenance and repair works based on actual needs and ensure the proper use of these venues.

     ImmD will continue to review and monitor the conditions of the Registries and their marriage halls, and suitably enhance their facilities at appropriate times based on actual needs.

(4) At present, the duration of each marriage ceremony held in a Registry is 15 minutes. Any extension in the duration of marriage ceremonies will affect the chance of other marrying couples to use the service, as well as the provision of other services by the Registries. Nonetheless, if the couples need to use the hall for a longer duration during non-peak hours, ImmD would provide flexibility and accommodate their needs as far as practicable having regard to the actual operational situation. 
 
(5) Apart from providing wedding venues, ImmD’s Registries, being Government venues, also provide various marriage registration-related public services for members of the public, including for giving of Notices, applications for search of marriage records and/or certified copies of marriage certificates, application for certificates of absence of marriage records, as well as application for post-registration of marriage. ImmD has no plan to introduce commercial activities for the promotion of marriage ceremonies at the aforementioned Government venues.
 
(6) and (7) To facilitate marrying couples in arranging marriage ceremonies, ImmD provides online and telephone appointment booking service for giving of Notices. Through the GovHK website, the couples can also check the earliest date for giving of Notice and available capacity for marriage ceremony of various Registries, as well as enquire, change or cancel an appointment.
 
     On the other hand, in response to the need for more flexible and diversified marriage ceremony services, the Government introduced the Civil Celebrants of Marriages Scheme in 2006, empowering the Registrar to appoint Civil Celebrants to exercise duties related to marriage registration, including acceptance of Notices and celebration of marriage. A marriage celebrated by a Civil Celebrant can take place at any time and place in Hong Kong (other than the Registries or licensed places of worship). By engaging a Civil Celebrant to celebrate their marriage, marrying couples can have personalised marriage ceremonies with different themes according to their needs and preferences without any time or location constraint. 

     ImmD will review the service arrangements and operational needs from time to time to explore various service enhancement measures, for example the extension of the duration of marriage ceremony and establishment of more new Registries at suitable locations with a view to providing more thoughtful and quality marriage registration-related services. read more

     The Government announced today (July 10) that the Chief Executive has appointed Ms Christina Maisenne Lee as a member of the Advisory Committee on Post-service Employment of Civil Servants (ACPE) for a term of two years fr… read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Paul Tse and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (July 10):

Question:
 
     Under the existing laws and regulations, personnel of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (Liaison Office), the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, as well as other Mainland authorities in Hong Kong are not eligible to apply for Hong Kong permanent resident (HKPR) status. It has been reported that a former director of the Liaison Office and a former director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council were moved to comment that Hong Kong was “a difficult book to read”. There are views that allowing “Hong Kong gurus”, i.e. those who have worked in Hong Kong for a long time and are familiar with the situation there, to stay in Hong Kong for a longer period after leaving their jobs, or even allowing them to be treated on an equal footing with other persons not of Chinese nationality and obtain the HKPR status in accordance with the law after having legally resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years, will enable them to effectively play the role of a bridge between the Mainland and Hong Kong and carry out the relevant work. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has approached the Central Government to gain an understanding as to why persons not of Chinese nationality who have legally resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years can generally obtain the HKPR status in accordance with the law, while those who are Chinese nationals and “Hong Kong gurus” are not entitled to the same treatment; if so, of the details; if not, whether it can seek the Central Government’s views on the matter;
 
(2) whether it has studied if granting the HKPR status to “Hong Kong gurus” and modelling on the practice of the Top Talent Pass Scheme to allow the “Hong Kong gurus” to bring along their spouses and children to settle in Hong Kong will help promote integration between the Mainland and Hong Kong; and
 
(3) it is understood that in the Mainland, the State allows public servants who are posted to work on a long-term basis in areas other than their original place of household registration or place of residence to choose to apply for household registration in the area where they work and to bring along their spouses and children to live in that area, whether the HKSAR Government has explored or studied if the relevant requirements can be enforced in Hong Kong?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The management of officials deployed to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the Central People’s Government (CPG), including the policy and arrangement for their accompanying dependants, is a matter within the purview of the Central Authorities. In consultation with the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Paul Tse is as follows:
 
     Officials deployed by the CPG to work in the CPG’s offices in the HKSAR (including the Liaison Office of the CPG in the HKSAR and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR) must enter Hong Kong on the strength of the Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao for Official Purposes (Permit) bearing an endorsement stating that “Holder of this document is a public official of the State directed to work in the Hong Kong/Macao Special Administrative Region”. Pursuant to section 2(1) of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) (Ordinance), the Permit is a prescribed CPG travel document. Section 2(4)(a)(ix) of the Ordinance states that a person shall not be treated as an ordinarily resident in Hong Kong during the period in which he or she remains in Hong Kong as a holder of a prescribed CPG travel document. Hence, these persons cannot become permanent residents of Hong Kong.
 
     The above provision originates from the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2001 (Bill) proposed by the HKSAR Government in 2001 and subsequently passed by the Legislative Council through three readings on November 6, 2002. The amendment provides that if the travel document held by a Mainland official deployed to work in Hong Kong specifies that he or she is directed to work in Hong Kong in his or her official capacity, then the official shall not be treated as an ordinarily resident in Hong Kong during the period that he or she remains in Hong Kong.
 
     At that time, the HKSAR Government stated that, like members of the Hong Kong Garrison, Mainland officials are posted to Hong Kong in their official capacity. According to the CPG’s policy, these officials are required to return to the Mainland upon expiry of their working assignment in Hong Kong. It was not intended that they enter Hong Kong for the purpose of settlement in accordance with paragraph 4 in Article 22 of the Basic Law. As such, they should not form part of Hong Kong’s permanent population, and thus should fall within the scope of persons not ordinarily residents in Hong Kong. At that time, the HKSAR Government also affirmed that the Bill was fully consistent with the requirements in the Basic Law. read more

The following press release is issued on behalf of the Independent Commission Against Corruption:

     The ICAC noted in its latest annual report issued today (July 10) that 2023 was “a year of fruitful endeavours and accomplishments” as the Commission advanced towards its golden jubilee. The ICAC sought to safeguard the remarkable achievements made in the past 50 years in combating corruption, contribute to the country’s “Belt and Road” Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development strategy and the advancement of the global anti-corruption cause by synergising the tripartite partnership formed with the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) and the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption (HKIAAC).
      
     Tabling the 2023 ICAC Annual Report at the Legislative Council today, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption and legislator, Mr Martin Liao, commended and thanked ICAC officers for steadfastly carrying out the anti-corruption mission through the years, continuously bringing the anti-corruption work of Hong Kong to new heights.
      
     Mr Liao noted that the fruitful achievements made by the ICAC in the past 50 years were reflected in the findings of ICAC Annual Surveys and continued recognitions from the international community.
      
     According to the newly published 2023 ICAC Annual Survey, members of the public continued to show zero tolerance to corruption. On a rating scale of 0 to 10, of which 0 represented total rejection and 10 total tolerance of corruption, the mean score for 2023 was 0.3. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority (96.7 per cent) of respondents believed that integrity was important for Hong Kong’s development, indicating that the core value of integrity was deeply rooted in Hong Kong.
      
     In addition, 98.9 per cent of respondents said they had not personally encountered corruption in the past year. Similar findings were recorded in the past 10 years, reflecting that Hong Kong was a very clean society.
      
     On the international front, Hong Kong ranked 14th out of 180 countries and territories rated in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 released by the Transparency International. In the World Justice Project’s 2023 Rule of Law Index, Hong Kong ranked 9th under the factor of “absence of corruption” out of 142 countries/territories. These rankings not only reflected Hong Kong’s effective anti-corruption work, but also the city’s sound rule of law.
      
     Meanwhile, in the newly issued World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, Hong Kong’s competitiveness improved by two places to 5th among 67 economies. Under the indicator “bribery and corruption do not exist”, Hong Kong jumped six places to 4th from 10th last year, topping the Asia-Pacific region. The result reflected that enterprises and investors were confident of Hong Kong’s business environment and anti-corruption work.
      
     In the 2023 ICAC Annual Report, the ICAC Commissioner, Mr Woo Ying-ming, noted that the year was “a year of fruitful endeavours and accomplishments”. The Commission leveraged Hong Kong’s unique advantage of being “backed by the motherland and connected to the world” in fostering closer collaboration with anti-corruption counterparts worldwide and embarking on a new chapter in global graft fight.
      
     Last year, the ICAC fostered a closer co-operation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Apart from hosting an anti-corruption workshop for members of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) in Vienna, the Commission also organised a training programme for GlobE Network in Hong Kong in February this year. The ICAC and UNODC also jointly developed the “Global Policy Guide for Strengthening Youth Engagement in Anti-Corruption Initiatives”, which served as a practical reference for anti-graft agencies around the world to promote youth engagement in the fight against corruption.
      
     To further contribute to the national and global anti-corruption cause, the HKIAAC was conceived last year and pilot courses were organised for a number of overseas anti-corruption agencies. Upon its official establishment this February, a robust tripartite partnership was formed amongst the ICAC, the HKIAAC and the IAACA, of which the ICAC Commissioner, Mr Woo Ying-ming, serves as President to promote global anti-corruption collaboration. Moreover, the ICAC maintained close liaison with the National Commission of Supervision and played an active role in promoting the integrity building in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
      
     “This new strategy will bring the ICAC’s work to the next level, solidifying Hong Kong’s reputation as a city of probity and providing solid support for Hong Kong’s advancement from stability to prosperity whereby Hong Kong can make substantial contribution to the country’s development and continue to tell the good stories of China, ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and our city to the international community,” Mr Woo noted.
      
     ICAC’s determination to forge ahead against all difficulties to combat corruption with its holistic “three-pronged” strategy has helped maintain Hong Kong as one of the cleanest places in the world. Last year, the corruption situation in Hong Kong continued to remain well under control. The Commission received 2 001 non-election related corruption complaints. Although the figure registered an increase of 9 per cent compared with 2022, the number represented a drop of 13 per cent when compared to the pre-pandemic period in 2019. The rise was mainly due to the gradual recovery of Hong Kong’s economic activities after the pandemic, as evidenced in a corresponding increase of complaints concerning the private sector.
      
     Building Management, Finance and Insurance, and the Construction Industry were the three private sector industries attracting most complaints. Last year, the ICAC smashed the largest corruption case over building maintenance and launched the new “Corruption Prevention Guide for Property Management Companies” to assist property management companies to effectively prevent corruption and enhance anti-graft capabilities.
      
     To promote integrity management in the construction industry, the ICAC teamed up with the Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council to launch an anti-corruption summit. The ICAC had also strengthened co-operation with regulatory agencies in the financial and insurance industries to leverage synergy and consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.
      
     Civil service in the public sector remained clean. The ICAC would continue to collaborate with the Civil Service Bureau to implement the Ethical Leadership Programme. To deepen the integrity culture in government departments, the ICAC would also conduct exchanges with senior to directorate civil servants in courses organised by the Civil Service College. During the year, the ICAC conducted 65 assignment reports for government departments and public bodies to plug corruption loopholes.
      
     The ICAC adopted an “all-embracing” education and publicity strategy to ensure the 2023 Rural Ordinary Election and the 2023 District Council Ordinary Elections were conducted in a fair, open and just manner.

     “Over the past 50 years, the ICAC has been demonstrating its extraordinary strength by fighting corruption unwaveringly without fear or favour. As the Commission looks to the next 50 years, the organisation will continue to make relentless efforts, leaving no foothold for corruption and ensure that corruption has nowhere to run, and their illicit proceeds have no place to hide. The ICAC will continue to strive to keep Hong Kong prosperous, stable, clean and fair,” Mr Woo noted.
 
2023 ICAC Annual Report: www.icac.org.hk/icac/annual-report/2023/
Findings of 2023 ICAC Annual Survey: www.icac.org.hk/en/about/report/survey/finding/index.html read more

     The inaugural Chinese Culture Festival (CCF), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will launch the screening programme “Chinese Opera Film Shows” in August and September. Ten selected opera films will be presented, allowing Chinese opera enthusiasts to relive the classic movies and revisit the craft and charms of the opera greats on the big screen. This programme is also one of the extension activities of the 12th Chinese Opera Festival.
 
　　To align with the fusion of Eastern and Western elements in the CCF programme “Cyrano de Bergerac” – A Cantonese Opera Interpretation, the “Chinese Opera Film Shows” will feature five Cantonese operatic song films adapted from Western films or classics, allowing Chinese opera fans to appreciate the new audio-visual experiences created by Cantonese cinema’s incorporation of Western elements. Details are as follows:
 
“Bitter Phoenix, Sorrowful Oriole” (1947)
—————————————————————-
Date: August 10 (Saturday)
Starring: Ma Si-tsang, Cheung Yuet-yee, Lam Mui-mui, Lau Hark-suen
Synopsis: A famous detective is framed for murder when he investigates the disappearance of a millionaire.
 
“Prince of Thieves” (1958)
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Date: August 24 (Saturday)
Starring: Ho Fei-fan, Mui Yee, Lam Kau, Lee Bo-ying
Synopsis: When Princess Coral seeks suitors, a nefarious prince assassinates the strongest contender. The assassinated suitor is then impersonated by a heroic outlaw, who competes for the princess’s heart.
 
“The White Gold Dragon, Part Two” (1937)
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Date: August 31 (Saturday)
Starring: Tong Suet-hing, Wong Man-lei, Lam Mui-mui, Fan Kok-fei
Synopsis: The rich young man Pak Kam-lung accompanies his fiancée Cheung Yuk-neong to Singapore to manage the rubber plantation of his future father-in-law. Socialite Ng Ma-li is sent to poach Pak and seduce him. Luckily, Cheung’s cousin Yuk-sim thwarts the scheme and saves the relationship between Pak and Cheung.
 
“My Kingdom for a Husband” (1957)
—————————————————————-
Date: September 7 (Saturday)
Starring: Tam Lan-hing, Cheung Ying, Leung Sing-por, Ning Meng
Synopsis: A wandering musician meets the Queen of Snow Kingdom and settles down in marriage. However, the luxurious married life he gains comes at a cost, as he soon finds that he is losing his freedom and personal dignity under the Queen’s power, and decides to run away. In the end, the Queen gives up her throne to reconcile with the love of her life.
 
“Madam Butterfly” (1954)
—————————————————————-
Date: September 14 (Saturday)
Starring: Sun Ma Si-tsang, Chow Kwun-ling, Yee Chau-sui, Wong Cho-san
Synopsis: The sailor Ma Yuanxiang travels to Japan and meets a geisha named Butterfly, whom he marries. Shortly after, when his ship sets sail for Hong Kong, Yuanxiang bids farewell to the pregnant Butterfly. Once back home, Yuanxiang marries Lucy, the manager’s daughter. Three years later, Butterfly is still waiting day and night for Yuanxiang’s return, with her son by her side.
 
     In addition, the “Chinese Opera Film Shows” will present five Chinese opera films. Apart from films on the Shanghai-style and Qi School of Peking opera, those about Wukong the Monkey King, Bony Demon and Mu Guiying will also be featured, making an interesting contrast between the stage performances and film screenings for similar repertories at the festival. Details are as follows:
 
“Wu Song” (1963)
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Date: August 7 (Wednesday)
Starring: Gai Jiaotian, Zhang Youfu, Ai Shiju
Synopsis: On his way to visit his elder brother Wu Dalang, Wu Song passes by Jingyang Knoll in Yanggu County and kills a fierce tiger, thus ridding the area of a menace. Dalang’s wife, Pan Jinlian, has an affair with the local bully, Ximen Qing, and they conspire to poison Dalang to death. Upon discovering the truth, Wu Song avenges his brother by killing the two adulterers.
 
“The Stage Craft of Zhou Xinfang” (1961)
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Date: August 14 (Wednesday)
Starring: Zhou Xinfang, Wang Zhikui, Zhao Xiaolan, Wang Zhengping
Synopsis: This film documents two renowned works of Zhou Xinfang (stage name Qilintong), “Xu Ce Running across the City” and “Delivering the Letter and Killing Yan Xijiao”. “Xu Ce Running across the City” is a production that Zhou meticulously honed over decades to portray a righteous character who is willing to lay down his life for a just cause. “Delivering the Letter and Killing Yan Xijiao” originally consisted of two acts from “The House of Wulong”, but Zhou rewrote it to give it a better structure. Through cinematic techniques, the film captures the maestro’s consummate performance and striking stage presence, thus preserving the stylistic legacy of the Qi School.
 
“Murder in the Oratory” (1937)
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Date: August 21 (Wednesday)
Starring: Zhou Xinfang, Yuan Meiyun
Synopsis: Wang Mang usurps the Han throne and issues an edict to apprehend Liu Xiu. When Liu Xiu is captured at Tongguan Pass by General Wu Han, Wu Han’s mother is furious and reveals to her son how Wang Mang has murdered the emperor and killed Wu Han’s father. She orders Wu Han to release Liu Xiu, leave his official post and kill his own wife, who is Wang Mang’s daughter.
 
“Mu Guiying Routing Hongzhou” (1963)
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Date: August 28 (Wednesday)
Starring: Liu Xiurong, Zhang Chunxiao
Synopsis: General Bai Tianzuo of Liao is invading the northern border, and the Song army’s commander, Yang Yanzhao, is besieged. Yang Zongbao rides alone to the capital to seek reinforcements. However, none of the available generals are capable of undertaking the rescue mission. Consequently, Mu Guiying, the wife of Zongbao, despite being pregnant, takes command and leads the troops into battle.
 
“Sun Wu Kong Thrice Beat the Bony Demon” (1960)
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Date: September 4 (Wednesday)
Starring: Liu Lingtong, Xiao Changshun, Qi Lingtong, Fu Machao, Xiao Yanqiu
Synopsis: Monk Tripitaka and his three disciples are on their pilgrimage to bring back the sacred scrolls to China. On reaching the foot of White Tiger Mountain, the adept shapeshifting Skeleton Demon disguises itself as a village girl, an old woman, and an old man in turn to fulfil its desire to eat Tripitaka’s flesh. Its antics are seen through by Wukong the Monkey King who breaks its spells with his magic staff every time. However, Tripitaka sees Wukong’s acts as repeated manslaughter and angrily banishes him back to Flower Fruit Mountain. Tripitaka then falls into the clutches of the demon once again.
 
     Traditional Chinese subtitles will be provided for lyrics of the Cantonese operatic song films “Prince of Thieves”, “My Kingdom for a Husband” and “Madam Butterfly”. Simplified Chinese subtitles will be provided for lyrics of the Chinese opera films “Wu Song”, “Mu Guiying Routing Hongzhou” and “Sun Wu Kong Thrice Beat the Bony Demon”, while simplified Chinese subtitles will be provided for lyrics and dialogues of “The Stage Craft of Zhou Xinfang” and “Murder in the Oratory”.
 
     The above-mentioned Cantonese operatic song films will be screened at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum at 7.45pm, and the Chinese opera films will be screened at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at $70 per screening are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/chinese-opera-festival-2024-chinese-opera-film-shows/.
 
     The programme will also feature two sessions under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” on September 9 (Monday) at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive, with free admission specially for primary and secondary school students. Featuring the film of Shao opera “Sun Wu Kong Thrice Beat the Bony Demon” (1960), students will have a chance to learn more about and appreciate the artistic style of Chinese regional opera through the big screen and to experience the wonders of Chinese culture and arts.
 
     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the LCSD’s Chinese Culture Promotion Office, aims to enhance the public’s appreciation of Chinese culture and cultivate citizens’ national identity and cultural confidence. The inaugural CCF is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the Chinese Opera Festival, exemplary local arts projects recognised by the China National Arts Fund, performing arts programmes from arts and cultural organisations, film screenings, exhibitions, talks and more, the festival allows members of the public and visitors to experience the broad and profound Chinese culture with a view to promoting Chinese culture and patriotic education as well as enhancing national identity among the people of Hong Kong, making contributions to the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”. For details, please visit the CCF website www.ccf.gov.hk.

     The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

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