Author Archives: hksar gov

     A photo exhibition on Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage (ICH) themed “I SEE HONG KONG”, featuring the work of 20 aspiring young photographers, will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre foyer from January 4 to 11, 2020.

     The exhibition aims to arouse public interest in Hong Kong’s unique ICH by showcasing the work of the young photographers who took part in the inaugural National Geographic (NatGeo) photo camp in the city earlier this year.
 
     Curated by NatGeo’s professional photographers, the exhibition features six ICH items: Cantonese opera, Hakka unicorn dance, Cheongsam (qipao) making, Chinese betrothal cake making, birdcage making, and paper crafting.

     The NatGeo Photo Camp was held in April this year. It was co-organised by NatGeo, The Hong Kong Award for Young People (AYP) and Brand Hong Kong.
 
     During the camp, 20 talented youth selected by AYP explored Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage, guided and mentored by NatGeo professionals. The budding photojournalists documented interesting stories about how the community keeps various forms of ICH alive.

     The exhibition also underscores the Government’s commitment to collaborate with ICH practitioners and related organisations to enhance community engagement in the preservation, promotion and transmission of Hong Kong’s precious cultural heritage.
 
     The exhibition will be open from 1pm to 9pm on January 4 and from 9am to 9pm from January 5 to 11. Admission is free.
 
     The “I SEE HONG KONG” exhibition will also be held from March 12 to 21 at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum in Central.
 
     Photos, articles introducing Hong Kong’s ICH and a video on the photo camp can be viewed at the “I See Hong Kong” content hub (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/iseehongkong). read more

     The Government today (December 27) announced the appointment of six new members and the re-appointment of six incumbent members to the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee (BLPSC). Six new members and five incumbent members a… read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 27) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.     
   
     Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:         

Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach
Golden Beach
Silverstrand Beach

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, comprising Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department’s website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. read more

     A man was fined $8,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts today (December 27) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in May this year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), the Home Affairs Department, inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse on Tin Kwai Road in Tin Shui Wai. During the inspection, the OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis.

     According to the OLA’s record, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The man responsible for managing the premises was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.

     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and can lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application “Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses”. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, December 27, 2019 is 106.4 (down 0.1 against Tuesday’s index). read more