Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) have made further progress in the e-CNY pilot for cross-boundary payments, to expand the scope of e-CNY pilot in Hong Kong to facilitate the set up and the use of e-CNY wallets by Hong Kong residents, as well as the top-up of e-CNY wallets through the Faster Payment System (FPS). The interoperability between the FPS and the e-CNY system operated by the Digital Currency Institute (DCI) of the PBoC also marks the first linkage of a faster payment system with a central bank digital currency system in the world. It provides an innovative use case which underscores interoperability, a key area set out in the G20 Roadmap for enhancing cross-border payments.
      
     The expansion of the cross-boundary e-CNY pilot in Hong Kong is one of the six measures announced by the PBoC earlier this year under the “three connection, three facilitation” initiative. With the expansion of the pilot scope, users can now set up e-CNY personal wallets in Hong Kong, which requires only their Hong Kong mobile phone numbers. The e-CNY wallets can be used for cross-boundary payments but cannot be used for person-to-person transfers. Users can top up their e-CNY wallets via the FPS through 17 retail banks in Hong Kong (Annex 1). In addition to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the e-CNY can also be used in other Mainland pilot areas. Progress is being made on the interoperability of e-CNY with traditional e-payment service providers in the Mainland, which would also provide more consumption choices to Hong Kong residents in the future. 
      
     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “We are delighted that Hong Kong, being the first place in conducting cross-boundary e-CNY pilot, has also become the first place outside the Mainland that enables its residents to set up e-CNY wallets locally. By expanding the e-CNY pilot in Hong Kong and leveraging the 24×7 operating hours and real-time transfer advantages of the FPS, users may now top up their e-CNY wallets anytime, anywhere without having to open a Mainland bank account, thereby facilitating merchant payments in the Mainland by Hong Kong residents. We will continue to work closely with the PBoC to gradually expand the applications of e-CNY, enrich the range of functionalities of the e-CNY wallet available to Hong Kong residents and step up efforts in promoting the acceptance of e-CNY by more retail merchants in the two places.”
      
     The HKMA will continue working with the DCI to explore upgrading the e-CNY wallet to higher tiers through real-name verification and enhancing the interoperability in payments so as to provide more convenient user experiences, whether for individuals or merchants. Additionally, corporate use cases will also be explored with a view to facilitating cross-boundary trade settlement.
      
     The e-CNY will provide an additional safe, convenient and innovative means of cross-boundary retail payments to residents in Hong Kong and the Mainland. It will also enhance the efficiency and user experience of cross-boundary payments, and promote the interconnectivity of the GBA. read more

     The new Tai Mo Shan weather radar (TMSWR) of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) was installed in March 2024 and has come into operation to provide essential observation data for monitoring various inclement weather conditions including thunderstorms, rainstorms and tropical cyclones.
         
     The Director of the HKO, Dr Chan Pak-wai said, “Situated on the highest peak in Hong Kong, the weather radar at Tai Mo Shan has been an indispensable observing equipment for the HKO in weather monitoring. The commissioning of the new TMSWR is of paramount importance to the HKO to meet growing challenges of extreme weather”.
         
     At a cost of around $31 million, the new TMSWR is the second dual-polarisation S-band Doppler weather radar in Hong Kong. It is capable of identifying hail areas and raindrop sizes in the air, and is useful for monitoring hail and rainfall rates. Compared to the first dual-polarisation S-band Doppler weather radar at Tate’s Cairn (TCWR) that started operation in 2015, the new TMSWR is equipped with more advanced hardware and software modules, providing higher power for the transmission of radar pulses, smaller attenuation of radar signals, lower system noise, a better graphic user interface and more software utility functions for easier radar control. These new technologies enable the generation of higher-quality products to facilitate weather analysis.
 
     The new TMSWR is operating in tandem with the TCWR to provide round-the-clock radar images for severe weather monitoring. The public can access the regularly updated radar images via the HKO website and the mobile application “MyObservatory“. read more

     A red tide was sighted during the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (May 17).
      
     On May 12, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted a red tide at Shek O Beach, Hong Kong Island. The red tide has dissipated and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.
      
     A spokesman for the working group said, “The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic.”
      
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Po Toi fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
      
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public. read more

     The inaugural Chinese Culture Festival (CCF), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will stage three performances of “Cyrano de Bergerac” – A Cantonese Opera Interpretation in mid-June. This play is an adaptation of a French classic piece of the same title. Cantonese opera virtuoso Law Ka-ying – playwright, director and actor all rolled into one – will partner with famous veterans Liza Wang and Sun Kim Long to present this romantic story of a love triangle. This production is a contemporary work developed with traditional Cantonese opera form, showcasing Hong Kong’s strength to serve an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. This new opera is also the opening programme of the 12th Chinese Opera Festival and one of the highlights of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

     “Cyrano de Bergerac” – A Cantonese Opera Interpretation is a play developed by Law over a decade. The story has been transposed from the French battlefield in the original play to Tumu Crisis in the Ming dynasty. The strong cast will delicately interpret the political disputes within the story as well as the complex emotions of love and friendship, through close-knit scenes. This adaptation exhibits an exquisite combination of the plot and musical elements of Western drama while preserving the performing techniques, traditional forms and artistic charm of Cantonese opera. It serves as a demonstration of the eclecticism of the art form, contributing to the promotion of the creative transformation and development of fine traditional Chinese culture.
      
     The play tells the story of Zhu Bufan, a captain of the noble guard, and his best friend Zhu Yihao, both falling in love with Princess Xu Qishan. Bufan, embarrassed by his large nose, hesitates to confess his love to Qishan, while Yihao, though handsome, is naturally shy and lacks the courage to approach the princess. Bufan then offers to write love letters in Yihao’s name, conveying his own heartfelt feelings to Qishan through these letters. Later, Yihao dies in a battle. Qishan goes to a convent for retreat and Bufan regularly visits her. During one visit, Qishan asks the wounded Bufan to read out Yihao’s love letters and discovers that he can recite those letters. She finally recognises the true heart behind the writings by Bufan.

     The “Cyrano de Bergerac” – A Cantonese Opera Interpretation will be held at 7.30pm on June 14 and 15, 2024 (Friday and Saturday), and at 2.30pm on June 16 (Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $220, $320, $420 and $520 is now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) and the Xiqu Centre Ticket Office. 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/chinese-opera-festival-2024-cyrano-de-bergerac-a-cantonese-opera-interpretation.

     The programme offers a pre-performance talk and a post-performance talk in Cantonese. The pre-performance talk will be held at 7.30pm on June 3 (Monday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers include Law and Wang. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1716.html#tab_13_0). The post-performance talk will be held after the performance on June 16 (Sunday). The speakers are Law, Wang and Sun. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.
      
     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 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 enhancing national identity among 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€‹The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, led a Hong Kong film industry delegation to the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France. On May 16 (Cannes time), Mr Yeung attended the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on film and television co-operation between Create Hong Kong, represented by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Joe Wong, and the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée.
      
     Mr Yeung said, “The MOU marks closer ties between Hong Kong and France. It provides a framework to facilitate collaboration and exchanges in the area of film and television, strengthening connections and deepening mutual understanding. The MOU will start a new chapter in co-production films, film and television talent and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and France. I look forward to seeing more collaboration programmes in the future.”
      
     Mr Yeung was the officiating guest at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the Cannes Film Market on May 15 (Cannes time). He also attended events of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, including thematic seminars, Midnight Screening of the Hong Kong film, “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”, the Hong Kong Night reception, the China’s New Talents Going Global Night, as well as meetings and exchanges with members of the film industry from all over the world.
      
     In his speeches delivered at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion and the Hong Kong Night reception separately, Mr Yeung mentioned the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s staunch support for the Hong Kong film industry. In addition to the injection of about $3 billion into the Film Development Fund since 2005, the Government is also strengthening the local industry’s participation in international film festivals, which has increased the exposure of Hong Kong cinema. Mr Yeung also introduced the launch of the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme, which was initiated after the Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme, with a view to reinforcing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
      
     Mr Yeung will depart from Cannes on May 18 (Cannes time) for Hong Kong.