Hongkong Post announced today (April 23) that a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Intangible Cultural Heritage – Cheung Chau Jiao Festival" will be released for sale on May 9 (Thursday).
 
     Cheung Chau Jiao Festival was inscribed onto the third National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011, and the first Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2017. Held from the fifth to ninth days of the fourth lunar month every year, the activity has been practised for more than a century. Jiao Festival is the time for Cheung Chau residents to express gratitude to Pak Tai for dispelling disasters and blessing the local community with peace. During the Jiao Festival, various folk crafts and folk performing arts of Cheung Chau, such as unicorn dance, gongs and drums and Piu Sik Parade, are showcased.
 
     Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps, two stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Intangible Cultural Heritage – Cheung Chau Jiao Festival" to promote this intangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong, in the hope that this traditional festival and the folk crafts can pass down through generations.
 
     Official first day covers for "Intangible Cultural Heritage – Cheung Chau Jiao Festival" will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from April 24 (Wednesday). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from May 9, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps will be available at philatelic offices only.
 
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on May 9 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.

          

     The Water Supplies Department (WSD) announced today (April 23) that the services of Tai Kok Tsui Customer Enquiry Centre will be suspended on April 25 and 26 for an underground pipeline repair in the building. The centre will resume operation on April 29.
 
     Members of the public applying for fishing or plumber's licenses may visit the Wan Chai Customer Enquiry Centre for services. Customers who wish to purchase water tickets may visit the Shau Kei Wan Marine Office located at 10 Tam Kung Temple Road, Shau Kei Wan. For its service hours, please call the enquiry hotline of the Marine Department at 2542 3711.
 
     Members of the public requiring other services may visit the WSD's Customer Enquiry Centres located in Wan Chai, Sha Tin, Tai Po and Tuen Mun, or through the WSD Customer Services Hotline 2824 5000, or by email (wsdinfo@wsd.gov.hk) for enquiries.

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 23) that the red tide off Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District has dissipated and the water quality of the beach is suitable for swimming.

     However, due to inclement weather, the red flag has been hoisted at the beach. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

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 23) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited Frankfurt, Germany, on April 21 and 22 (Frankfurt time) to learn about the local developments in vocational and professional education and training (VPET).
 
     On April 22 (Frankfurt time), Dr Choi visited the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, one of the largest universities of applied sciences (UAS) in Germany, and exchanged views with its President, Professor Dr Arnd Steinmetz, on VPET developments. She also learned about how the University ensures that its programmes keep pace with the times to meet the manpower needs of industries and gain recognition from enterprises.
 
     She said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been promoting VPET through the strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development under a multipronged approach. Related measures include proactively pressing ahead with the establishment of UAS. The HKSAR Government announced last month that the Hong Kong Metropolitan University has become the first UAS in Hong Kong. It has also granted a start-up fund of $100 million to support UAS and prospective post-secondary institutions to form an alliance of UAS for joint promotion, including networking and collaboration with leading UAS overseas.
 
     On the afternoon of the same day, Dr Choi met the Managing Director, Training and Further Education, Vocational Training Committee of the Frankfurt am Main Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Brigitte Scheuerle, to know about how the chamber, as one of the largest chambers of commerce and industry in Germany, promotes VPET and relevant education work.
 
     On April 21 (Frankfurt time), Dr Choi met Hong Kong youngsters working in Germany and learned about their life there. She also shared with them the latest developments in Hong Kong.
 
     Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on April 23 (Frankfurt time).