The sixth edition of the Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale opened at the Beijing Minsheng Art Museum today (August 31). The Hong Kong exhibition at the Biennale displays interactive installation designs by eight local artists specialising in architecture to highlight the role of space design in shaping urban life. The exhibition will also be staged in Dunhuang and Hangzhou after its first stop in Beijing.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is honoured to participate in the Biennale this year and to show the works of Hong Kong artists to audiences in Beijing, Dunhuang and Hangzhou. She added that in addition to displaying artworks from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, this year the Biennale has also launched an artist-in-residence programme, allowing young artists from the three places to gather in Hangzhou and focus on their art creations.
 
     She said that Hong Kong will continue to maintain close contact with the Mainland and Macao through the Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Co-operation Meeting, so as to foster further co-operation in different forms of art in order to bring a variety of cultural events to people of the three places.
 
     This year the Biennale is themed "Urban Touch". After its first stop at the Beijing Minsheng Art Museum, which lasts until September 6, the exhibition will be staged at Dunhuang in Gansu as part of the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo from September 27 to October 15. It will then move to the Zhejiang Art Museum in Hangzhou from October 30 to November 11.
 
     Under the theme "A Dialogue with the City Encounters", the Hong Kong Biennale exhibition is divided into four parts, namely "Separation", "Impression", "Home" and "Memory", showcasing interactive installation designs by the eight participating artists. The artists made use of different materials and media to depict the element of space and city spirit from different angles and perspectives, delving into the relationship between man and the city as well as human interconnections.
 
     The eight Hong Kong participating artists are Choi Kit-wang, Stefan Chui, Hikoko Ito, Dylan Kwok, Ng Hoi-chi, Patrick Ng, Tsoi Wai-kuen and Robert Wong.
 
     The 2018 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale is hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Home Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Government of the Macao SAR, with partners including the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao SAR, the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture. It is presented by the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the China International Exhibition Agency, and co-ordinated by the Art Promotion Office (APO) of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, the Division of Visual Art, the Department of Exhibition and Museums, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao SAR and the One Bite Foundation Association.
 
     For details of the Biennale, please visit the website of the APO at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/APO/zh_TW/web/apo/2018_hk_macau_visual_art_biennale.html

     Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation codenamed "Summer" during the summer holidays at the airport, land boundary, railway and ferry control points in a bid to combat smuggling and other illegal activities through passenger channels.

     Starting on June 1 and concluding yesterday (August 30), a total of 2 791 cases were detected in the three-month operation, resulting in the seizure of items with an estimated value of $17.5 million and the arrest of 2 786 persons.

     On the anti-narcotics front, 53 dangerous drug cases were detected with the arrest of 53 persons, including five young people aged under 21. About 24 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs with an estimated market value of $9.6 million were seized. Most of the intercepted items were methamphetamine (commonly known as "ice"), cannabis resin and cocaine found mainly from inbound air passengers.

     During the operation, Customs officers also seized about 910 000 suspected illicit cigarettes and 126 litres of dutiable liquor with an estimated duty potential of $1.93 million in the passenger channels at various control points. Of the 2 482 persons arrested, 179 were prosecuted and 2 303 others were fined.

     Customs officers also detected 117 smuggling cases involving items of suspected endangered species, including American ginseng, dried seahorse, rhino horn, agarwood and controlled frog species with an estimated value of $3.5 million. Five hundred and sixty kilograms of meat and poultry without a health certificate were also seized. The cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department respectively for follow-up.

     Reiterating that Customs has always adopted a zero tolerance approach towards cross-boundary smuggling activities, a department spokesman said that the operation was successful in hitting smuggling and other illegal activities through passenger channels.

     The spokesman reminds members of the public, particularly young people, not to engage in drug trafficking and smuggling activities. "It is anticipated that criminals may make use of cross-boundary students for smuggling of various prohibited and controlled items when the school year starts. Hong Kong Customs pledges to step up enforcement action against smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis."

     Smuggling is a serious offence. The spokesman urges parents and guardians not to make use of children as smuggling tools.

      

      The Process Review Panel in relation to the Regulation of Mandatory Provident Fund Intermediaries (PRP) published its 2018 Annual Report today (August 31), covering the work of the PRP in the current review cycle, from November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017, the 12 months after the last review.
 
     Welcoming the publication of the 2018 Annual Report, the PRP Chairman, Dr Eddy Fong, said, "In the current review cycle, there were a total of 41 completed conduct cases relating to Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) intermediaries. Among all, the PRP selected 14 cases for detailed review. Leveraging on our members' professional knowledge, the PRP has made constructive comments and suggestions to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) for enhancing the regulatory regime. I am also pleased to note the MPFA's favourable response and actions taken in response to the PRP's recommendations in past Annual Reports."
 
     Dr Fong added, "I am grateful to the MPFA for co-operating closely with the PRP, and their continuous dedication to perfecting the regulatory regime for MPF intermediaries."
 
     The 2018 Annual Report has been uploaded to the website of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau at (www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/topical/doc/prp_mpfi_2018_e.pdf).
 
     Following the commencement of the statutory regime for the regulation of MPF intermediaries in November 2012, the Chief Executive appointed the PRP in November 2013 to review and advise the MPFA on the adequacy and consistency of its internal procedures and operational guidelines governing its actions and operational decisions in the regulation of MPF intermediaries and associated matters.
 
     The PRP attaches great importance to the views of the public and market participants. Comments relating to the PRP’s work can be referred to the Secretariat of the PRP via email at enq@fstb.gov.hk.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
  
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced that in accordance with the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (the Ordinance), the Monetary Authority (MA) published in the Gazette today (August 31) notices to designate the relevant retail payment systems operated respectively by Joint Electronic Teller Services Limited and EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (designated systems), as well as to declare activities that are allowed to be carried out through the relevant designated systems (Annex). 
 
     The Ordinance empowers the MA to designate important retail payment systems and oversee their operations. Implementation of the designation regime for retail payment systems will enhance the operating standards of the local retail payment industry. It will also help strengthen public confidence in the payment systems.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (August 31) announced that the 37th invitation exercise in the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be launched on September 1.

     "Starting from September 1, applications are invited under the 37th invitation exercise for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the department no later than September 30. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot," a TD spokesman said.

     Interested persons should complete and submit the application forms (TD569). Those who possess a digital certificate may also make use of the online application service at the GovHK website (www.gov.hk).

     Application forms (TD569) and Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or obtained from the TD's Licensing Offices as well as the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Completed applications can be put in the drop-in box at any of the TD's Licensing Offices or posted to Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, Room 506-508, 5/F, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Applications received by mail will be dated by the postmark. No payment of deposit is required at this stage.

     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application forms. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service at the GovHK webpage at www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/onlineservices.htm.

     Each applicant may submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, none of his/her applications will be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.

     An acknowledgement will immediately be sent to the applicant upon successful submission of online application. Those who submit the applications by TD569 will receive TD's acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call the TD hotline at 2804 2600.