Hongkong Post announced today (June 4) that a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Declared Monuments in Hong Kong II" will be released for sale on June 20 (Thursday).
 
     Hong Kong is a city where East meets West and tradition intertwines with modernity, boasting an abundance of historic buildings. Historic buildings are symbols of cultural identity and continuity. They also carry significant academic and aesthetic value. At present, there are a total of 134 declared monuments in the territory, which are invaluable and need proper preservation.
 
     With a view to fostering the public's understanding and appreciation of historic buildings in Hong Kong, Hongkong Post will issue a set of six stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Declared Monuments in Hong Kong II", as a sequel to the "Declared Monuments in Hong Kong" issue released in 2007. This collection features a delicate watercolour style that highlights the historical beauty of the precious historic monuments.

     Official first day covers for "Declared Monuments in Hong Kong II" will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from June 5 (Wednesday). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from June 20, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps, postcards and maximum cards will be available at philatelic offices only.
 
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on June 20 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
 
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) and in the ShopThruPost mobile app.

          

     Local veteran pianist Hui Ling will stage a recital in July as part of the "Hong Kong Artists" Series, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). She will lead the audience into her music world with her superb piano skills and unique personal interpretation style.

     The first half of the recital features two classical masterpieces, Haydn's "Sonata in D, Hob. XVI: 42" and Brahms's "7 Fantasien, Op. 116". The second half contains two works from the 20th century, Scriabin's "Two Poems, Op. 32" and Prokofiev's "Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 84", drawing this musical journey of piano to a perfect ending.

     Born into a musical family in Beijing, Hui studied in the secondary school of the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and obtained her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has performed in many international music festivals, and has collaborated with various orchestras, including the Queensland Youth Orchestra of Australia and the Marin Symphony in California. She has actively engaged in educational work, and teaches at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Baptist University.

     The "Hong Kong Artists" Series: Piano Recital by Hui Ling will be staged at 8pm on July 5 (Friday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $240 and $280 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Package discounts will be available for the recitals under the "Hong Kong Artists" Series (including the Huqin Recital by Mak Ka-yin on August 13 and the Piano Duo Recital by Stephen Wong and Amy Sze on November 2). For discount schemes and programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1685.html.

     The LCSD has launched the new "Hong Kong Artists" Series with an aim to provide a new platform for local artists to showcase their remarkable talents. In addition to individual performances, the series also encourages cross-genre works to highlight their unique styles. This year's series will first introduce six distinguished musicians in four stunning recitals, featuring the flute and bassoon, piano, and huqin, to bring enchanting music to the stage of Hong Kong City Hall and further enrich the diverse cultural ambience of the city. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1688.html.

    

     Two co-owners were convicted and fined about $70,000 in total at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts last month for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

     The case involved some unauthorised structures with a total area of about 40 square metres on the roof of a composite building on Boundary Street, Kowloon. The roof is co-owned by two owners. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without the prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owners under section 24(1) of the BO.

     Failing to comply with the removal order, the two owners were prosecuted by the BD and were fined a total of $69,680, of which $61,680 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on May 22.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (June 4), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with the removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."

     Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 4) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach in Islands District; and Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Attention TV/radio announcers:
 
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
 
     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
 
     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 4) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department, the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index of Silver Mine Bay Beach in Islands District is 4, which means the water quality is "Very Poor". The red flag has been hoisted and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.