In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on May 17 to noon today (May 20), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 394 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category, in the past three days (including last Saturday and Sunday). No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
 
     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 150 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 52 527 samples of food imported from Japan (including 34 015 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 13 386 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a screening programme entitled "Integrating Traditional Morality with Modern Reality: Sil-Metropole Retrospective" from June 23 to September 22 at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Cinema of the HKFA, showcasing 16 classic films produced by the Sil-Metropole Organisation. The screening programme is one of the features of the inaugural Chinese Culture Festival (CCF).

     Since the 1950s, the Sil-Metropole Organisation and its predecessors (Great Wall Movie Enterprises Ltd, Feng Huang Motion Picture Co and Sun Luen Film Company) have produced over 500 films, which have reflected the changes in Chinese traditional culture in modern society from various perspectives.

     The programme opens with "Father and Son" (1981) (4K Digitally Restored Version) which is the debut feature of New Wave director Allen Fong. Continuing the humanistic realism of Cantonese cinema, the film realistically and delicately depicts the relationship of a father and son in a grassroots family. The film was selected for the 31st Berlin International Film Festival and won the Best Film and Best Director awards at the first Hong Kong Film Awards. The closing film is the "Butterfly Beauty" (1959) (Original Theatrical Version), featuring a cast of great Cantonese opera artists including Hung Sin Nui and Ma Si-tsang in four opera excerpts. The film is also the sole visual record of Cantonese opera virtuoso Pak Suet-sin's father Pak Kui-wing in the HKFA collection.

     Many of this Sil-Metropole selection depict various aspects of everyday life and social conditions, and the contradictions between old and new cultures. Set in Shanghai in the 1940s, "Awful Truth" (1950) satirises the people scrambling for money using foul means. "The Prodigal Son" (1952) and "Aren't the Kids Lovely?" (1953) are family melodramas. The former tells the story of a spoiled son realising the gravity of his errors after losing his family, friends and home to highlight and affirm the values of hard work and women's self-reliance. The latter encourages parents to pay more attention to their children through the story of a couple correcting their misbehaving children with the help of a friend.

     "Mutual Understanding" (1954) and "It So Happens to a Woman" (1955) are stories about women in modern times. Through the disputes between a woman and her mother-in-law, the former explores the conflict between the old and new generations of women, as well as that between superstition and science. In the latter, while audiences can watch the unfolding dilemmas faced by women seeking a balance between family and work, they can also listen to the rarely heard singing of Mandarin songs by Hung Sin Nui in the film.

     Elements of traditional art forms and various local customs can also be found in many Sil-Metropole films. "The Princess Falls in Love" (1962) is an adaptation of a Shanghai Yue opera romantic classic. With a brisk cinematic technique, the film skillfully combines the best of Yue opera and film arts. "The Golden Eagle" (1964) is the first Hong Kong film shot on location in Inner Mongolia, capturing the culture of the exotic grasslands.

     In addition, the screening programme also features masterpieces by famous directors Zhu Shilin, Johnnie To, Ann Hui, Stanley Kwan and Jacob Cheung. Directed by Zhu, the protagonists of "Festival Moon" (1953), "The Eternal Love" (1960) and "Garden of Repose" (1964) are a modern-day office worker, a scholar and his wife in ancient China, and wartime owners of a grand mansion respectively. Spanning across different eras and social strata, they all fall victim to conservative customs, revealing the devastating effects of feudal social order.

     The directorial debut of To, "The Enigmatic Case" (1980) (4K Digital Version), is based on the wuxia heroes common in classical literature and traditional opera. Though the film is the debut of Cherie Chung as the lead actress, she is already exuding a star quality in her performance. "The Romance of Book and Sword" (1987) is the only wuxia film directed by Hui. Though the film honours the original novel's dual emphasis on the wuxia spirit and history, it raises more questions about traditional values.

      "Full Moon in New York" (1990), directed by Kwan, brings together three great award-winning actresses: Sylvia Chang, Maggie Cheung and Siqin Gaowa, in an intricate psychological portrait of women in a foreign land. Directed by Jacob Cheung, "Cageman" (1992) is a realistic portrayal of the lower-class housing issues of the time. The film won the Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor awards at the 12th Hong Kong Film Awards.

     All screenings, except "Father and Son", will be accompanied by post-screening talks hosted by Cantonese opera scholars Professor Yuen Siu-fai, Professor Chan Sau-yan, and Leonard Wong; filmmakers Teddy Robin and Chu Kar-ning; and film researchers Dr Kenny Ng, Sam Ho, Eric Tsang, Matthew Cheng, Joyce Yang and Thomas Shin.

      "The Prodigal Son", "Aren't the Kids Lovely?", "Festival Moon", "Mutual Understanding", "It So Happens to a Woman" and "Cageman" are without subtitles. "Butterfly Beauty" is with Chinese subtitles. Other films are with Chinese and English subtitles. "Cageman" is rated Category III and restricted to viewers aged 18 or above.
 
     Tickets priced at $45 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from May 24. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Those who purchase tickets of six different screenings, are eligible to enrol in a guided tour to visit the Clear Water Bay Film Studio in Hang Hau, Sai Kung, with limited space available on a first-come, first-served basis. The enrolment method and details will be available on the HKFA website (www.filmarchive.gov.hk).

     For programme details, please call 2739 2139 or visit the HKFA website: www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2024/silver/pe-event-2024-silver.html.

     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the LCSD and the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, aims to enhance the public appreciation of Chinese culture and cultivate citizens' national identity and cultural confidence. The inaugural CCF will be 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 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.

        

     The Buildings Department (BD) today (May 20) launched a new set of television and radio announcements in the public interest to remind members of the public that the alteration or removal of structural walls without prior approval and consent from the BD constitutes unauthorised building works (UBWs). Removal of a structural wall is not only illegal, but can also lead to serious consequences. If such cases are found, the BD will take enforcement actions, including serving statutory orders requiring the owners to rectify the UBWs. The BD will also carry out investigations and instigate prosecution against persons involved in such illegal works.
 
     A spokesman for the BD stressed that owners should not carry out any UBWs and it is their responsibility to keep their premises free of UBWs. Any person who intends to carry out alteration and addition works (A&A works) is advised to consult building professionals for advice, including the feasibility of the works, and where necessary, apply for approval and consent from the BD to ensure building safety and compliance with the Buildings Ordinance (BO).
 
     In addition, building professionals and contractors are required to carefully examine the approved plans and other relevant documents to observe the relevant requirements under the BO, and to ascertain whether prior approval from the BD should be obtained before commencement of the works, to ensure safety of the occupants and structural safety of the building. 
 
     According to the provisions of the BO, any person who wants to carry out building works (including A&A works) in private buildings, except works that are exempted under the BO or minor works that may be carried out under the simplified procedures of the Minor Works Control System, should appoint an authorised person to submit the plans to the BD for approval and obtain consent from the department before commencing such works by a registered contractor. It is a serious offence for any person who knowingly carries out any building works without prior approval. If convicted, the person is liable to a maximum fine of $400,000 and two years' imprisonment. Moreover, any person who carries out works in such a manner that it causes or is likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for three years.
 
     Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a removal order against UBWs shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for one year, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence has continued.
 
     The spokesman said that before carrying out A&A works in buildings, members of the public may inspect and order copies of the approved plans and relevant structural calculation documents, as well as minor works records, through the BD's Building Records Access and Viewing On-line (BRAVO) system.
 
     The BD's Building Information Centre will organise briefing sessions on Basic Information on Approved Plans to enable the public to understand the basic information on the plans, including how to distinguish structural walls from non-structural walls. Upcoming briefings will be held on June 12, July 17 and August 14. Interested persons may visit the BD's website for more details and reservations.
 
     The BD has also published a new pamphlet entitled "A Simple Guide to Alteration and Addition Works in Domestic Premises", which sets out the major considerations when carrying out A&A works in domestic premises. The pamphlet and a set of frequently asked questions and answers are available on the BD website for public reference.

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting tenders for a three-year tenancy of a fee-paying public car park on portions of the Ground Floor, Level Mezzanine, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8 of a building within Fanling Sheung Shui Town Lot No. 301, San Wan Road, Sheung Shui, New Territories, Hong Kong.

     The premises should only be used for the purpose of a fee-paying public car park for the parking of private cars, van-type light goods vehicles, taxis and light goods vehicles.

     The tender notice was uploaded today (May 20) to the GPA Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk/en/index.html. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the GPA Property Portal.

     Interested tenderers who wish to attend a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the GPA by calling 3842 6913 on or before May 27.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on June 11. Late tenders will not be accepted.

     The services provided by Mobile Library 5 have been suspended until further notice for urgent repair works, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (May 20).
 
     The affected service points are Ta Kwu Ling in North District; Hin Keng Estate, Kam Ying Court, Kam Tai Court, Mei Tin Estate, Yan On Estate and Yiu On Estate in Sha Tin; Ming Tak Estate, Yee Ming Estate and Mang Kung Uk Road in Sai Kung; and Tai Wo Estate, Nai Chung, On Ho Lane, Fu Shin Estate and Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po. For enquiries about Mobile Library 5 services, please call 2696 5842.
 
     Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension period. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.