Upon the invitation of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Grammy-nominated Tajik maestro Sirojiddin Juraev will make his Hong Kong debut and stage a concert in June. Together with two Tajik musicians, Juraev will perform classical pieces with traditional Central Asian musical instruments. He will also play his original compositions with local musicians, allowing audiences to enjoy the ancient rhythms and modern tunes of the Silk Road.
 
　　Located in Central Asia, the geographical crossroads of East and West, Tajikistan inherits a rich, colourful urban cultural tradition from ancient Persia, medieval Islamic lands, and the confluence of neighbouring cultures. During the concert, Juraev from Tajikistan will perform solo Tajik traditional repertoires with Central Asian musical instruments such as the dutar, tanbur and sato. He will also join musician Shavkatjon Okilov (playing a Central Asian musical instrument called the ghijak) and singer-musician Bekhruz Naimzoda (playing Central Asian musical instruments tanbur and doira) to present a number of Tajik musical gems, including excerpts from the classical "Shashmaqom", which is on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In addition, Juraev will present his original compositions, inspired as much by musical tradition as by his collaborations with musicians from around the world. Local dutar performer Eugene Leung and guzheng performer Jessie Law will participate in the performance, further enriching the musical diversity of the concert.

　　Juraev is a master performer on long-necked lutes from Central Asia. He was born into a musical family in northern Tajikistan, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album in 2007. He was an artist-in-residence at Harvard University, and has been the music director of Tajikistan's State Ensemble of Shashmaqom since 2020, by which he has performed and promoted Tajik music around the world. He has also collaborated with a wide range of musicians from the East and the West, including pipa virtuoso Wu Man, the Kronos Quartet and more.
 
　　The "Tajik Music with Sirojiddin Juraev – Tradition and Innovation on the Silk Road" concert will be staged at 8pm on June 17 (Monday) 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. A meet-the-artist session will be held after the performance. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1703.html. 

          

     The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (April 26) reminded members of the public that they may search for rateable values effective from April 1 this year on the Valuation List and the Government Rent Roll on the RVD's website (www.rvd.gov.hk) or its Property Information Online website (www.rvdpi.gov.hk) by May 31.

     Proposals to alter the new rateable values must be served on the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation (the Commissioner) by May 31 by submitting an electronic form (Form e-R20A) using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the RVD website, or on the specified form (Form R20A). Form R20A is available from the RVD's website, or at the RVD's office or any Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Completed forms must be served on the Commissioner by personal service or by post.  Proposals served by fax will not be accepted.

     A spokesman for the RVD emphasised that under the Rating Ordinance and the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, proposals served on the Commissioner after May 31 would not be accepted.

     "Notwithstanding the lodging of a proposal, payers of rates and Government rent must pay rates and Government rent by the last day for payment shown on the demand notes. We will carefully consider all proposals and inform the proposers of our decisions before December 1. Any changes in rates and Government rent payable resulting from such decisions will date back to April 1 this year and any overpayment will be adjusted in subsequent demands," the spokesman said.

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (April 26) announced that the tender period for the contract for Shek Kip Mei Stormwater Storage Scheme and Drainage Improvement Works in Eastern District and Lei Yue Mun (Contract No. DC/2024/06) has been extended to noon on May 17.

     The DSD invited tenders for the contract on March 22. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on May 3.

     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available at the DSD's website (www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Tender_Notices/Current_Tenders/index.html).

     The DSD has commissioned Binnies Hong Kong Limited to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please call the company at 2601 1000 during office hours.

     â€‹The Government announced today (April 26) the reappointments of Mr Samuel Chan Ka-yan as the Chairperson and nine incumbent members of the Competition Commission (the Commission), and the appointments of six new members. All the appointments are for a term of two years from May 1, 2024.
      
     The reappointed incumbent members are Ms Jennifer Chan Pui-kwan, Professor Fong Yuk-fai, Ms Sabrina Ho Shuk-ying, Professor Vincent Lau Kin-nang, Mr Patrick Law Fu-yuen, Mr Roy Ng Chun-tat, Mr Jimmy Ng Wing-ka, Professor Anna Wong Wai-kwan and Mr Eric Xin Yue-sheng.
      
     Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung, Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai, Mr Matthew Lam Kin-hong, Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi, Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah and Mr Symon Wong Yu-wing have been newly appointed to the Commission.
      
     Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, "The Commission is committed to promoting competition and combating anti-competitive conduct, and actively enforces the Competition Ordinance (the Ordinance) and spearheads various aspects of its work under the Ordinance. I am confident that under the leadership of the Chairperson, Mr Samuel Chan, the Commission will continue to make important contributions to safeguarding competition in Hong Kong. I also thank the five outgoing members, namely Professor K C Chan, Ms Rachel Lam Yan-kay, Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun, Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee and Mr Tony Yung Kam-fai, for their valuable advice rendered during their tenure."
      
     Established under the Ordinance, the Commission investigates possible contraventions of the competition rules, promotes public understanding of the Ordinance, conducts market studies and advises the Government on competition matters.
      
     The membership of the Commission with effect from May 1, 2024, is as follows:
 
Chairperson:
—————
Mr Samuel Chan Ka-yan
 
Members:
————
Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung
Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai
Ms Jennifer Chan Pui-kwan
Professor Fong Yuk-fai
Ms Sabrina Ho Shuk-ying
Mr Matthew Lam Kin-hong
Professor Vincent Lau Kin-nang
Mr Patrick Law Fu-yuen
Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi
Mr Roy Ng Chun-tat
Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah
Mr Jimmy Ng Wing-ka
Professor Anna Wong Wai-kwan
Mr Symon Wong Yu-wing
Mr Eric Xin Yue-sheng

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 (April 26) that due to big waves and inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District; and Hap Mun Bay Beach and Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.