The inaugural Chinese Culture Festival (CCF), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will stage the award-winning dance drama "Five Stars Rising in the East" by the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera as the opening programme in early June. Centering on a cultural relic, the dance drama ingeniously merges Chinese aesthetics and the flavour of Western regions through innovative dance languages. The troupe takes the profound cultural connotation of the precious relic – an ancient brocade armguard – and 1 000 years of exchanges and integration of Chinese culture that shine on stage, demonstrating a deeper sense of cultural confidence.

     The dance drama was inspired by a piece of a Han dynasty brocade armguard unearthed in 1995 from an archaeological tomb at the Niya cultural relics site in Hotan Prefecture, at the ancient Silk Roads in Xinjiang. It is embroidered with Chinese characters in seal script that literally translate as "five stars rising in the East are auspicious signs for the Central Plain". The colours of the brocade are still bright after thousands of years, and it is now a National Class One Cultural Relic.

     The dance drama begins with the discovery of the brocade armguard at the archaeological site, as if a door to the past has been opened from the golden sand that tells the story behind the brocade; a Han dynasty general stationed at the Western border, Feng, and the son of the leader of the Northern State, Jiante, get caught in a sandstorm. They are rescued by a monk who brings them into the ancient city of Jingjue, where they meet Chunjun, the daughter of the city leader. Despite an initial animosity that leads to conflicts, the three eventually form a deep friendship. The brocade armguard that Feng left behind serves as a reminder of his duties to his land, and bears witness to his friendship with the people of the Western regions. It represents an ideal that all ethnic groups "cluster together like pomegranate seeds", forming a sense of community for Chinese nation.

     The innovative approach of the dance choreography in this production has incorporated various types of dances that showcase the colourful ethnic cultures. For example, the lantern dance in Jingjue city is infused with the Western regions' style. The group dance in the market is a mix of modern and tap dance, while the excerpt "Embroidery" is presented in a Han-Tang style classical dance. With distinctive characters, compact plot lines, as well as humorous styles, the dance drama has been performed nearly 100 times since its premiere in 2021, and has won the 16th Five One Project Award and the 17th Wenhua Grand Award. Excerpts such as "Embroidery", "Lantern Dance" and "Market Dance" were featured in a number of programmes on the Mainland, including last year's CCTV Spring Festival Gala, and has received high acclaim.

     Established in 1978, the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera is under the Beijing Performance and Arts Group as one of its nine performing arts companies. It is also the only professional performing group that specialises in song and dance performances under the administration of the Beijing Municipal Government. It has produced many award-winning productions including dance dramas "The Way to the Sky" and "Five Stars Rising in the East". It has also been invited to participate in various cultural exchange events and other large-scale performing activities at home and abroad, and has performed in more than 30 countries and regions.

     The dance drama "Five Stars Rising in the East" by the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera will be held at 8pm on June 7 and 8 (Friday and Saturday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $200, $280, $380 and $480 are 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 7323 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/opening-programme-dance-drama-five-stars-rising-in-the-east/.

     In conjunction with the grand opening of the CCF, the "Encountering Chinese Culture" carnival will be organised on June 9 (Sunday) at 2pm at the Plaza and Foyer of Sha Tin Town Hall and the Entrance Arena at L1, Phase 1 of the New Town Plaza. Alongside stage performances with Chinese cultural characteristics, a "Library-on-Wheels", inspiring cultural booths, a concert featuring Chinese music and more will be presented for all to experience the colourful Chinese culture and arts at close range. In addition, "Glowing Beauties – A Photo Exhibition on Ethnic Costumes" will be held from May 29 to June 9 at the Foyer and Exhibition Gallery of Sha Tin Town Hall. The exhibition will feature the photos of the brocade armguard behind the dance drama "Five Stars Rising in the East" and costume photos of China's 56 ethnic groups. Members of the public can learn more about their distinctive cultural practices, costumes and traditional ways of life. Admission is free for the two above-mentioned special events. Members of the public are welcome to join on the spot. For details, please visit the CCF website www.ccf.gov.hk.
 
     The programme "Five Stars Rising in the East" will also feature a session under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series". An open rehearsal of the dance drama will be held at 2.15pm on June 7 at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall with free admission for local primary and secondary school students to encourage them to participate in cultural activities and experience the wonders of Chinese culture and arts. Interested schools can call 2268 7323 for details.

     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 amongst the people of Hong Kong, making contributions to the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems". Please visit the above-mentioned CCF website for details.

     The LCSD has long promoted 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 Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will lead a delegation of Hong Kong higher education institutions to visit Beijing from tomorrow (May 8) to May 10.
 
     Members of the delegation include the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Mr Tim Lui; the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Timothy Tong; the Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education, Dr Alex Chan; and presidents or representatives of eight UGC-funded universities, 13 degree-awarding self-financing post-secondary institutions and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
 
     The delegation will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology, visit an institution and an enterprise related to scientific research, and conduct exchange activities at a local university.
 
     Dr Choi will attend the closing ceremony of a Mainland study tour for Hong Kong's promoted teachers held at the National Academy of Education Administration on May 11, and return to Hong Kong on the afternoon.
 
     During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Global Talent Summit · Hong Kong today (May 7):
 
Honourable Minister Wang Xiaoping of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Director-General Chen Liwen of the Guangdong Provincial Government, Director-General Du Minqi of the Guangdong Provincial Government, Secretary-General Chao Chong-hang of the Talent Development Committee of the Macao SAR Government, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Welcome to Hong Kong! And welcome to the inaugural Global Talent Summit organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government.
 
     And what an inaugural Summit this is, with three high-powered, talent-driven events over these next two days: today's International Talent Forum, tomorrow's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area High-quality Talent Development Conference and, running both days, a CareerConnect Expo featuring nearly 100 exhibitors.
 
     Then there's you, the most important element of all. Each and every one of you. Some 1 000 participants from around the world are here for the Summit. More than 2 500 others have registered for online participation. And Hong Kong is at the very heart of it all.
 
     The Central Government has always been the strongest supporter of Hong Kong. As of yesterday, I'm pleased to note, the Mainland has expanded the talent exit endorsement. That means Mainland professionals in scientific research, education, healthcare, legal practice and other areas from Beijing, Shanghai, and nine Greater Bay Area cities can travel to and from Hong Kong multiple times within the validity period of their exit endorsement.
 
     The new policy will make it more convenient for Mainland professionals to travel to Hong Kong. It will also promote professional exchanges and reinforce Hong Kong's role as the country's international talent hub and gateway for Greater Bay Area professionals.
 
     My thanks to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security for its continuing support. My thanks to Minister Wang Xiaoping for leading a delegation to the Global Talent Summit.
 
Why is talent significant to economic growth?
 
     Talent is the prime resource and driving force that boosts economic development and competitiveness. Strategic professionals generate the innovative ideas that lead to new and improved products, services and technologies.
 
     Talent is often driven by a hunger for personal growth, to excel in their fields and push the boundaries of their abilities.
 
     These elements are key factors in success, not just for professionals and their industries, but more important, the success of the overall economy.
 
     With much of the world working to revive economic growth in the post-pandemic global economy, and amid rising geo-political tensions, the search for talent has become a global phenomenon and a continuous challenge.
 
Why Hong Kong?
 
     Why Hong Kong? Why relocate here? Because Hong Kong is where talent gets to thrive and grow in a world-class economy, in Asia's world city.
 
     Thanks to our "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is bestowed with prime business prospects and far-reaching promise. Hong Kong is the only place in the world where the global advantage and China advantage come together in a single city.
 
     We have the foundation well in place to succeed. Hong Kong's institutional strengths include a world-class business environment, a simple and low tax system, a highly open and internationalised market, and the free flow of information, capital, goods and people.
 
     These strengths are buttressed by the rule of law and the longstanding common law system, which is similar to that practiced in many major international financial centres around the world.
 
     Alongside our international financial and trade prowess, we are emerging as an innovation and technology hub and cultural metropolis.
 
     Hong Kong was ranked first in Asia, second globally, among the world's top 100 emerging start-up ecosystems, according to the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
 
     Hong Kong, let me add, is much more than a city of businesses and skyscrapers. We have long been one of Asia's most liveable cities.
 
     For newcomers, communication is never a problem. We have always been a bilingual community, a city where English and Chinese are official languages. It will only become even more multilingual as Hong Kong continues to thrive as an East-meets-West centre for cultural exchange.
 
     Hong Kong is a splendid and diverse mix of Eastern and Western cultures, home to world-class arts and sports events.
 
     Hong Kong is also blessed with natural beauty. Some 40 per cent of our territory is given over to country parks, with endless hiking trails, stunning beaches and even a UNESCO Global Geopark.
 
     And our location, at the heart of Asia, means you can get anywhere in good time. It helps, too, that we are an international aviation hub.
 
     Our healthcare services are world-class, in quality, efficiency and reliability.
 
Hong Kong is also among the world's safest cities.
 
     In Hong Kong you don't just get world-class work opportunities – you get a satisfying life, too! Yes, choosing to relocate to Hong Kong, on your own or with your loved ones, is a big decision. But I'm here to tell you that this is the place where you can work hard, play hard and enjoy hard.
 
Nurturing and trawling for talent
 
     The Hong Kong SAR Government invests heavily in attracting, developing and retaining talent.
 
     Hong Kong is the only Asian city with as many as five universities in the world's top 100. And, let me add, Hong Kong's universities are home to some of the world's top 10 schools, covering such disciplines as dentistry, nursing, education, data science and AI (artificial intelligence), according to the latest QS World University Rankings.
 
     No less important, our doors, and our arms, are wide open to talent from all over the world.
 
     Since launching a series of talent admission programmes at the end of 2022, we have welcomed more than 120 000 talents from around the world, talents who have settled into Hong Kong. Many more will follow; of that I am confident.
 
Cross-sector Collaboration
 
     While the Government is taking the lead to attract companies and talented individuals to Hong Kong, the private sector has an important role to play in strengthening our talent base.
 
     In this regard, I wish to invite you all to pay tribute to the late Professor Tang Xiaoou.
 
     Professor Tang was a distinguished leader in our business community, and was a member of my Council of Advisors. He had tendered valuable advice to me in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, and his untimely passing was indeed a loss for Hong Kong.
 
     A computer scientist and a pioneer in the field of AI, he was among the first few in promoting the commercialisation of R&D (research and development) outcomes in Hong Kong. Some of his outstanding achievements include the founding of the Chinese University of Hong Kong's MMLab and, of course, the founding of Hong Kong's first home-grown unicorn to be listed on our very own stock exchange.
 
     No less vital was his vision and dedication in working with youth and grooming young talent. He mentored numerous outstanding AI talent here in Hong Kong and on the Mainland. Professor Tang's vision, determination and leadership will continue to inspire us all.
 
     For the business leaders and educators among us today, we need you. If we are to nurture, attract and inspire talent, if we are to take full advantage of the flourishing future there for Hong Kong and for everyone, we need your full support.
 
Supporting talent
 
     Hong Kong Talent Engage, an office set up under our Labour and Welfare Bureau, is dedicated to creating targeted recruitment and publicity for strategic international and Mainland talent.
 
     Talent Engage also provides a wide range of support services for incoming professionals, from job hunting, apartment and school searches, to banking services and networking. That includes, of course, the hosting of this inspiring Summit just a few months after its own good launch.
 
     I'm pleased to note that Talent Engage is working closely with like-minded partners in supporting talent. These partners include the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association, the Hong Kong Quality and Talent Migrants Association, the Bay Area Economic and Trade Association and, the latest addition to the list, the Hong Kong New Quality Entrepreneur Union established just yesterday.
 
     My thanks to the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Guangdong Province, and the Talent Development Committee of the Macao SAR Government. They are with us today, and also the organisers of tomorrow's Greater Bay Area Conference, the second edition following last year's inaugural event in Guangzhou.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all the best of business at the Global Talent Summit. And do take full advantage of your stay with us in Hong Kong. Embrace our wide range of museums, galleries, hiking trails and beaches. Then, indulge in our internationally celebrated wine-and-dine scene. This is how you can play hard after working hard at the conferences.
 
     And spend hard in this gourmet city and shoppers' paradise.
 
     Enjoy the Summit and all that's on offer in Hong Kong! Thank you.

    

     A woman who went missing in Tsuen Wan has been located.

     Chan Yiu-lin, aged 54, went missing after she left her residence in Chuen Lung Chun Ha Village on May 3 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on May 5.
   
     The woman was located in a hospital on Yan Chai Street last night (May 6). No suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Kam Tin this evening (May 6) in which a man died.
 
     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.