The Department of Health (DH) today (June 19) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product named SPARKLE TWINS as it was found to contain an undeclared and banned drug ingredient that might be dangerous to health.
 
     The DH commenced investigation upon receipt of a notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) regarding a 29-year-old female patient admitted to hospital for emotional disturbance with a history of consuming the above slimming product.
 
     According to testing results by the HA, which were later confirmed by the Government Laboratory, the sample of the product provided by the patient was found to contain the banned substance sibutramine.
 
     Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient purchased the product through a social media network platform. The DH's investigation is continuing.
 
     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk.
 
     The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.
 
     Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control.
 
     The public may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for health messages on overweight problem and slimming products and information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients.
 
     People who have purchased the product may submit it to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

  

     Representatives of the Film Services Office of Create Hong Kong (FSO) under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Police today (June 19) met with representatives of the film and television sectors to explain the application procedures and requirements for using props currency notes for filming purposes and to discuss the way forward to enhance the trade's understanding of the relevant guidelines.

     Attending the meeting were representatives of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, the Hong Kong Televisions Association, the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, the Hong Kong Film Assistant Directors' Association, the Hong Kong Film Arts Association and the Hong Kong Movie Production Executives Association.

     The HKMA said at the meeting that henceforth a set of samples will be attached to the existing guidelines to demonstrate the required size of the props currency notes and the distinguishing designs and features required to set them apart from genuine banknotes. An application form will also be attached to the guidelines to assist applicants in providing the required information. Where an application does not fulfill all the requirements, the applicant may make amendments and updates to the application. Where an application is approved, the HKMA will provide the applicant with the contact information of the three note-issuing banks, the Information Services Department and the Police to facilitate the necessary follow-ups.

     At the meeting, to ease the concerns of the trade, the Police elaborated on their established follow-up arrangements, including the controls and requirements for storage and destruction of prop notes. The FSO also undertook to continue to maintain close contact with the industry to help resolve any filming issues, and will update the "Guide to Filming in Hong Kong" published by Create Hong Kong for the trade's reference.

     In addition, HKMA has already uploaded the application guidelines to its website (www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-functions/monetary-stability/notes-and-coins/Stage_money_Guidelines_and_general_conditions_eng.pdf). A link to the guidelines has also been provided in FSO's website (www.fso-createhk.gov.hk/en/links).

     Should the trade have any enquiries about using props money for filming purposes, they are welcome to contact the FSO (email: fso@createhk.gov.hkï¼›tel.: 2594 5745ï¼›fax.: 2824 0595). The FSO also stands ready to provide to the trade with contacts in the HKMA and the Police to assist the trade if there are queries in relation to application procedures and follow-ups.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee to Follow Up the Issues Related to the Wang Chau Development Project conducted a site visit to Wang Chau in Yuen Long today (June 19) to understand the latest development of the Wang Chau development project.
 
     With the company of representatives of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Housing Department and the Lands Department (LandsD), Members visited Wang Chau Phase 1 development area, which covers an area of about 5.6 hectares. It is expected to provide around 4 000 public housing units.

     During the visit, Members were briefed by government representatives on the latest development of the project. They also exchanged views with the affected residents to learn more about their needs. LandsD had conducted a pre-clearance freezing survey in the areas involved in the development concerned on October 30, 2015. A total of about 180 households, involving about 400 clearees, were registered in the survey. As at end-May 2018, LandsD has met with 169 registered households to explain to them the relevant rehousing and ex-gratia allowance arrangements.

     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Ms Alice Mak; Subcommittee Members Ir Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Andrew Wan, Mr Chu Hoi-dick and Mr Kwong Chun-yu.

    

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold the "Creators‧Break the Infinity" community thematic carnival this Sunday (June 24) from 3.30pm to 6pm at Fung Kam Street Sports Centre in Yuen Long, featuring a variety of performances, heritage guided tours, workshops and fringe activities to display the vibrancy and creativity of Yuen Long. Members of the public are welcome to join in the fun with free admission.

     Artist Joanne Ho will be the emcee of the carnival. Dynamic entertainment will include pop and rock music performances by emerging bands and local singer-songwriters, while dance performances including robot and hip-hop moves will be showcased to display the vitality of the young generation. To enhance the public’s knowledge of the history and cultural heritage of Yuen Long, the carnival will also feature two sessions of heritage guided tours and a photo exhibition displaying scenes of the streets of Yuen Long past and present.
 
     Workshops on beatboxing, hip-hop dance, juggling, blues harmonica, community arts, garlic flower lamp making and natural dyeing will also be held for public enjoyment. In addition, a comic portrait drawing stall will be set up and roving artists will tour around entertaining carnival-goers.
 
     Fung Kam Street Sports Centre is located at 20 Fung Yau Street North, Yuen Long. For enquiries about the carnival, please call 2591 1340 or visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/territoryevents/communitythematic/ctc2018_yl.html.

      

     The Community Oral History Theatre Project – Sai Kung District co-organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Chung Ying Theatre Company, Caritas Hong Kong and the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council (NAAC) will be launched in mid-July, beginning with an oral history theatre demonstration performance and sharing session at 3pm on July 19 (Thursday) at Hang Hau Community Hall. The opening event aims to introduce oral history theatre to senior citizens and other residents in Sai Kung District and attract the elderly to join the project. Admission is free with tickets.
 
     During the demonstration performance, an excerpt of a drama production entitled "A Tale of Two Circles" (in Cantonese) will be performed. Featuring the development of the Central and Western districts, the show will be performed by elderly participants of the Community Oral History Theatre Project – Central and Western District. The performers will share stories of their past life in the districts during the show, and in the sharing session they will discuss their joy in joining the project.
 
     Free tickets with free seating will be distributed from today (June 19) with a maximum of four tickets per person at the following locations on a first-come, first-served basis:
 
* Caritas Elderly Centre – Sai Kung (G/F, 69-73 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung);
* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O);
* Nga Yin Association Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, NAAC (1/F, Lung Cheung Garden, 26 Praya, Kennedy Town);
* Enquiry Counter, Hong Kong Cultural Centre (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui); and
* Enquiry Counter, Hong Kong City Hall Low Block (5 Edinburgh Place, Central).
 
     Elderly residents of Sai Kung District who are interested in participating in the coming project can complete and return the application form on-site after the demonstration performance. The application form can also be downloaded from the website of the Audience Building Office of the LCSD (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/ab/img/pdf/application%20form_saikung.pdf). Completed forms should reach the Office by fax or by post on or before August 17 (Friday). If the number of applications exceeds the quota, auditions will be arranged to select suitable candidates.
 
     Since its launch in 2009, the Community Oral History Theatre Project has been implemented in several districts, namely Sham Shui Po District, Kwun Tong District, Islands District (Tai O), Eastern District and Sha Tin District, and it is now being run in Central and Western District. A series of workshops offering drama training to elderly participants will be arranged and their personal experiences and recollections in the district will be compiled and developed into plays, providing an opportunity for the elderly to recount their stories onstage. In addition, the younger generation may understand the days of previous generations and reflect on their own lives.
 
     Hang Hau Community Hall is located at G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O. For enquiries, please call 2591 1300 (LCSD), 8106 8336 (Chung Ying Theatre Company), 2792 6205 (Caritas Hong Kong) or 2819 8727 (NAAC), or visit
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/ab/en/OH_details_saikung.php.