Tag Archives: China

     The inaugural Chinese Culture Festival (CCF), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), has designated Shanghai as its focal city this year, and has invited two leading art groups, the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company and the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, to come to Hong Kong and stage opera and music performances for five consecutive days starting August 2. The performances will showcase the unique charm of Shanghai-style culture as well as pass down the fine traditional Chinese culture in the context of breaking new ground while upholding fundamental principles. In addition, a series of extension activities will be held to provide a platform for culture lovers from Shanghai and Hong Kong to appreciate the arts and share their experiences.
 
Peking opera programme: Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company (August 2 to 4)
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     After a hiatus of five years, the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company will present the classic play “The House of Wulong” of the Qi School and the Shanghai-style Peking opera “Seven Heroes and Five Gallants” at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from August 2 to 4. “The House of Wulong”, which originated from “The Water Margin”, is a work of Peking opera maestro Zhou Xinfang (stage name Qilintong) who is famous for the vivid portrayal of his personas. In the story, Song Jiang rescues Yan Xijiao, who has put herself up for sale to give her father a burial. Song Jiang takes her as a concubine, but they later turn against each other. Chen Shaoyun (as Song Jiang in the second half of the play), the esteemed performing artist of the Qi School and a recipient of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award (Plum Blossom Award), will lead national-class performers Lu Su (as Song Jiang in the first half of the play) and Yang Yang (as Yan Xijiao) to bring the play’s richly detailed characters to life on stage. Chen Shaoyun has mastered the distinctive styles of the Qi School, and portrays Song Jiang’s character and emotions with great delicacy. The excerpt, “Killing Xijiao”, is the climax of the play with a fast pace and a condensed plot. Opera fans should not miss this rare opportunity to savour the thrill of witnessing the master’s spectacular performance.    

     The troupe will also stage the full-length serial opera of “Seven Heroes and Five Gallants” for the first time in Hong Kong for two consecutive days. This play recreates the exquisite set design and showcases the various skills of the actors in both civil and military highlights. The story is adapted from the novel “Three Heroes and Five Gallants”. In Part One of the play, Zhan Zhao is courted by the Song Emperor and is given a royal title of “Imperial Cat”, thus angering Bai Yutang the “Brocade-Coated Rat”, who wants to engage him in a duel. In Part Two, Bai Yutang, together with Judge Bao’s apprentice Yan Chasan and other heroes, set out to punish the rebellious Prince of Xiangyang, Zhao Jue. Fu Xiru (as Bai Yutang in Part One and Yan Chasan in Part Two), renowned as the “most handsome laosheng (old male role)” and a winner of the Plum Blossom Award, will join forces with Hao Shuai (as Zhan Zhao in Part One and Bai Yutang in Part Two), National Class One performer and leading wusheng (martial male) actor of the troupe, as well as other outstanding young actors to present this performance. A tour de force of Shanghai-style Peking opera for its elaborate staging and featuring the full range of roles, this work not only features Qi-style vocal passages, but also a display of “liantan”, an extended vocal passage shared by seven actors, which is distinctly Shanghainese. The highlighted episodes “A Fish Feast that Leads to Sworn Brotherhood”, “Night Talk in the Field Headquarters” and “Meeting in an Inn” are vivid portrayals of the characters’ personalities and emotions, in particular their heroic spirits.
 
“New Oriental Chinese Music Scene” by Shanghai Chinese Orchestra (August 5 and 6)
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     Under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Tang Muhai, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra will visit Hong Kong again after a hiatus of 12 years, and present its most well-known classic music brand “New Oriental Chinese Music Scene” (concert version) by national-class musicians. The two concerts combine the delicate elegance of Jiangnan silk and bamboo music with the grandeur of ethnic orchestral music. Programme highlights include “Spirit of Chinese Calligraphy”, presenting the profound artistic realm of Chinese calligraphy with various playing techniques; “Chu-Han War” that depicts the significant historical battle between the kingdoms of Chu and Han; “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” with a melancholy and ethereal rhythm, which is created by composer Tan Dun for the film of same name; “Caterpillar Fungus” that celebrates an endless life; “Czárdás”, a concerto for erhu, depicting the intense feeling of deep autumn; the two Chinese orchestral works, “Silk Road” and “National Music Ode to China”, depicting different styles from the flavour of Western regions to the deepest praise of the motherland, fully embodying the artistic characteristics of openness and inclusiveness in Shanghai-style Chinese music.
 
     The “New Oriental Chinese Music Scene” is a refreshing mix of classic melodies and new arrangements, bringing audiences an extraordinary impression of Chinese music. It has been performed over 100 times in major concert halls around the world, and has been well received by audiences at home and abroad. This time, the Hong Kong concerts are further highlighted with the presence of renowned conductor Tang Muhai. Tang is now serving as the Conductor Emeritus of the China National Symphony Orchestra and the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra. He is also the first Resident Conductor for the China Shanghai International Arts Festival. Tang rose to international prominence in 1983 when he was invited by conductor Herbert von Karajan to conduct the Berliner Philharmoniker. Since then, he has been invited to work with the Berliner Philharmoniker on numerous occasions, as well as many other world-renowned orchestras, including the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. Among Tang’s many recordings, he won a Grammy Award in 2002 for his collaboration with the Gulbenkian Orchestra.
 
     The three performances by the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, namely “The House of Wulong” at 7.30pm on August 2 (Friday), the “Seven Heroes and Five Gallants” – Part One at 2.30pm on August 3 (Saturday) and the “Seven Heroes and Five Gallants” – Part Two at 7.30pm on August 4 (Sunday), will be held at the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Lyrics and dialogues are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $220, $320, $420 and $520 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/shanghai-jingju-theatre-company/. This programme is one of the highlights of the 12th Chinese Opera Festival, and a celebratory programme of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
 
     The first concert of “New Oriental Chinese Music Scene” by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra will be held at 8pm on August 5 (Monday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets are priced at $200, $280, $360 and $440. The second concert will be held at 8pm on August 6 (Tuesday) at the Auditorium of Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets are priced at $200, $260, $320 and $380. They are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/new-oriental-chinese-music-scene/.
 
     In order to let the members of the public understand the artistic characteristics of Peking opera and Chinese music in Shanghai styles, a number of extension activities will be held, with details as follows:
 
     For the performances of the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, a meet-the-artists session entitled “On the Artistic Features of the Shanghai-Style and Qi School” (in Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm on August 1 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include performers of the troupe Chen Shaoyun, Fu Xiru and Lu Su, while Chinese opera researcher Hu Guangming will be the moderator. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1716.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, a demonstration performance of the extracts of Peking opera “Picking Up the Jade Bracelet” will be held at 5.30pm on August 3 (Saturday) at the Foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free. This demonstration is one of the major activities for the LCSD Photo-taking and Video-shooting Competition. Members of the public are welcome to join. Please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ptvsc/index.html for more details.
 
     National Class One musicians Yu Bing, Hu Chenyun and Wang Yinrui will deliver three masterclasses (in Putonghua) from 10am to 1pm (one hour per session) on pipa, suona and percussion respectively on August 5 (Monday) at the Recital Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Pak Tak-wan, Head of Academic Studies in Music of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will be the moderator. Online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1692.html#tab_8_0 ). Also, a pre-concert meet-the-artist session (in Putonghua) will be held at 6.45pm on August 5 at the Recital Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. The speaker will be Yao Shenshen, resident conductor of Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, with Dr Jim Chang, part-time lecturer of the Academy of Music of Hong Kong Baptist University, who will be the moderator. Also, a pre-concert talk entitled “Shanghai Chinese Orchestra – About ‘He Wuqi'” (in Cantonese) will be held at 7pm on August 6 (Tuesday) at the Cultural Activities Hall of Tsuen Wan Town Hall. The speaker will be Dr Jim Chang. Admissions are free for these masterclasses and talks, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     The above-mentioned performances by the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company and the “New Oriental Chinese Music Scene” by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra are the programmes of “City in Focus: Shanghai” of the inaugural CCF and Shanghai Culture Week. Another spectacular programme showcasing the cultural charm of Shanghai styles is the exhibition “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Fragrance of Time – In Search of Chinese Art of Scent” being held at the Hong Kong Museum of Art until October 16 (Wednesday). Shanghai Culture Week is co-presented by the LCSD, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and the Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival with an opening reception and ceremony at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on August 2.
 
     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 being 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 amongst 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.

                  

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more

     The Government announced today (July 5) the appointment of Mr Herman Hui Chung-shing as the Chairperson of the Social Workers Registration Board and Miss Grace Chan Man-yee as the Deputy Chairperson of the Board, as well as the appo… read more

     The Instrumental Music Training Scheme, organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is now recruiting beginners for its 2024-25 Elementary Year 1 courses. Children and youths aged between 6 and 14 with no instrumental experience with the selected instruments are welcome to apply. The deadline for applications is August 5.
 
     The scheme provides training in almost 30 Chinese and Western musical instruments including erhu, pipa, suona, sheng, zhongruan, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone, euphonium, violin, viola, cello, double bass and others, with supplementary training in musicianship and theory for children and youths to develop their interest and potential in music.
 
     One-hour group lessons are conducted weekly in Cantonese at the Music Office’s five music centres in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. An annual tuition fee of $2,124 for the first year and $2,596 for the second year are payable in four instalments. A fee remission scheme is available for trainees in need of financial assistance.
 
     Interested persons can visit the Music Office website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/training/instrumentalmusictrainingscheme.html) for more details and application submission. Course pamphlets and application forms are also available at all of the Music Office’s music centres. Applicants who meet the age requirement will be invited to attend a music aptitude test and an interview on August 25. They will be notified of the results in October and the training will commence in November.
 
     For enquiries, please call the Music Office’s music centres at 2802 0657 (Wan Chai), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan). read more

     Demand notes for rates and/or Government rent for the quarter from July to September 2024 have been issued, and payment should be made by July 31, 2024.

     Payment can be made:

(1) by using autopay, PPS, bank automated teller machines (ATMs), the Faster Payment System (FPS) or Internet banking;

(2) by uploading an e-Cheque/e-Cashier’s Order via the Pay e-Cheque portal: www.payecheque.gov.hk;

(3) by sending a crossed cheque to the Treasury, PO Box No. 28000, Sham Shui Po Post Office, Hong Kong (please note that mail with insufficient postage will be rejected); or

(4) in person at any of the post offices or designated convenience stores in Hong Kong (i.e. 7-Eleven, Circle K, VanGo or U select). For the addresses and opening hours of post offices, please call Hongkong Post’s enquiry hotline on 2921 2222 or visit its website: www.hongkongpost.hk.

     If payers have not received the demand notes, they may obtain replacement demand notes or enquire as to the amount payable by (i) visiting the Rating and Valuation Department website: www.rvd.gov.hk; (ii) calling 2152 0111; (iii) fax 2152 0113; or (iv) visiting in person at the Rating and Valuation Department, 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

     Please note that there will be no rates concession for this and the next two quarters. The total amount due is shown on the demand note. Non-receipt or late receipt of demand note does not alter the requirement that the total amount due must be paid on or before July 31, 2024. A surcharge of 5 per cent will be imposed for late payment. A further surcharge of 10 per cent will be levied on the amount (including the 5 per cent surcharge) which remains unpaid six months after the last day for payment.

     For payment by autopay, the rates and/or Government rent will be debited from payers’ bank accounts on July 31, 2024. Payers should ensure that there are sufficient funds in their bank accounts to meet the payments on that date until settlement.

     To support environmental protection, payers are advised to utilise the Rating and Valuation Department’s free eRVD Bill service to receive e-bills and make payments. Payers are also encouraged to settle bills by autopay or other means of e-payment (e.g. PPS, ATMs, Internet banking or e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order) in order to save queuing time. Application forms for autopay are obtainable from the Rating and Valuation Department, District Offices and major banks in Hong Kong or by telephoning 2152 0111. Payers may also download the form from the Rating and Valuation Department website. read more