The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 4) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).   
   
     Thirty-two beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and seven as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:
     

 
Grade 2 beaches are:
 

 
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The Lands Department (LandsD) issued nine pre-sale consents for residential developments in the first quarter of 2019.

     The nine pre-sale consents for eight residential developments (of which one is a phased development) involve a total of 3 880 residential units. One development in Sai Kung, comprising five residential units, is expected to be completed in 2019. Three developments in Yau Tong, in Sha Tin and on Lantau Island, comprising a total of 670 residential units, are expected to be completed in 2020. Three developments in Ho Man Tin, Ma Tau Kok and Tai Po and two phases of one phased development in Tuen Mun, comprising a total of 3 205 residential units, are expected to be completed in 2021. 
      
     As at the end of March 2019, 24 applications for pre-sale consent for residential developments and one application for pre-sale consent for non-residential development were being processed.
      
     The 24 applications in respect of residential developments being processed involve a total of 10 232 residential units. Details are set out as follows:
 

     In addition, six applications for consent to assign involving a total of 5 339 residential units and one application for consent to assign for non-residential development are being processed.
      
     Members of the public can obtain up-to-date information on consents issued for the past quarter and cases pending approval as at the end of March 2019 by visiting the LandsD's website (www.landsd.gov.hk).
      
     Intending purchasers are advised to study carefully the details of the development and the sale procedures, through information available from public advertisements, and sales brochures and price lists released by the developer, before making a deposit for purchase. The sales brochure for a development also contain a summary of the provisions of the Deed of Mutual Covenant, including information on the common parts, the number of undivided shares assigned to each unit, the term of years for which the manager is appointed, the basis on which the management expenses are shared among the owners of the units, the basis on which the management fee deposit is fixed and the retained areas (if any), as well as a summary of the provisions of the government land grant, which intending purchasers are recommended to read carefully.

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (April 4) that according to the notification of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Authority, the toll-free policy for small passenger vehicles will be implemented on the HZMB for three consecutive days from 0.00am on April 5 to midnight on April 7. During the period, small passenger vehicles travelling to the Zhuhai or Macao Ports via the Toll Plaza of the HZMB will not be required to pay the toll of RMB150, while the arrangements for small passenger vehicles to pass through the electronic toll lanes (i.e. non-stop) and manual toll lanes (i.e. stop to pay) will remain unchanged. Small passenger vehicles are passenger carrying vehicles with seven seats or less (including the driver's seat), i.e. private cars and hire cars.
 
     The HZMB Main Bridge is located within Mainland waters and the Toll Plaza is also situated in the Mainland. According to the territoriality principle, the HZMB Authority, which is responsible for the operation of the Main Bridge, will implement the Mainland's nationwide toll-free policy on small passenger vehicles during the Ching Ming holiday (from April 5 to 7).  

     Members of the public are reminded that if they wish to drive their private cars going to or returning from Zhuhai or Macao, the private car must possess a valid HZMB private car regular quota permit and licences and permits issued by the three governments, or have completed registration of the HZMB Macao Port Park-and-Ride Scheme and obtained a valid permit, including reserving a parking space for the East Car Park of the HZMB Frontier Post at the Macao Port.
 
     A spokesman for the TD advised that owners of Hong Kong-Guangdong cross-boundary private cars under the regular quota for using Shenzhen Bay Port cannot go through the HZMB to travel to/from Zhuhai during the Ching Ming holiday (from April 5 to April 7). The trial arrangement (for a period of two years) for these vehicles, without additional procedures, to use the HZMB to/from Zhuhai will only be implemented on April 29. As for the Hong Kong-Guangdong cross-boundary private cars under the regular quota for using boundary crossings at Lok Ma Chau (Huanggang), Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok, they have been allowed to use the HZMB for trial for two years from February 25 this year.

     In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement in 2019, the "May Fourth Movement and Modern Chinese Drama" Lecture Series will be presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in May and June with six sessions covering different topics. Theatre veteran Dr Lo Wai-luk will share his insights on how the trends of thought set off by the May Fourth Movement inspired the development of contemporary Chinese drama.
 
     Dr Lo is the chairman of the Arts Criticism Group of Hong Kong Arts Development Council. He is also a renowned practitioner of dramatic arts, cinema and television as well as an advocate of creative writing. His specialties are scriptwriting, film and theatre aesthetics, and stage productions. Dr Lo possesses both theoretical and practical knowledge in the field. He has worked as a producer for radio and television programmes, and is active as a radio programme host, a theatre critic, a director and an actor.
 
     Dr Lo will explore the various facets of the movement with the audience in the lecture series, shedding light on how they inspired the development of modern Chinese drama and the relationship between the May Fourth spirit and contemporary culture. Details of the lecture series are as follows:
 
May 5 (Sunday)
Topic: Introduction: The Revolution is Yet to Succeed – From "Shaonian Zhongguo" (Young China) to "Xinqingnian" (New Youth)
 
May 12 (Sunday)
Topic: 1920s: Drama in the New Culture Movement – Amateur Drama, School Drama, Women’s Awakening; Hong Shen, Tian Han, Pu Shunqing
 
May 19 (Sunday)
Topic: 1930s: Leftist Thoughts, National Crisis, Suppression of Individuality; Ouyang Yuqian, Xia Yan, Cao Yu, Ba Jin
 
May 26 (Sunday)
Topic: Lifelong Contribution to the Chinese Drama Movement – Two May Fourth Youth; Yao Ke, Lu Dun
 
June 2 (Sunday)
Topic: May Fourth as Subject Matter: Plays Adapted from Works of May Fourth Writers
 
June 9 (Sunday)
Topic: May Fourth as Subject Matter: Performances Involving May Fourth Historical Figures
 
     The lectures, to be conducted in Cantonese, will be held at 3pm at the Special Exhibition Gallery of the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum. Tickets priced at $60 for each lecture (free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/programs_787.html.

     Three red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 4).
 
     Two of the red tides were spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on March 30 at Anglers' Beach, Tsuen Wan, and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach. Another red tide was spotted by a mariculturist at Tolo Harbour including the Yim Tin Tsai and Yim Tin Tsai (East) fish culture zones on the same day.
     
     All red tides have dissipated and no associated death of fish has been reported so far.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tides at Anglers' Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach were formed by Mesodinium rubrum. The red tide at Tolo Harbour was formed by Heterosigma akashiwo. Mesodinium rubrum is non-toxic, while Heterosigma akashiwo might be capable of producing toxins which are harmful to fish according to overseas studies. Both algae are commonly found in Hong Kong waters."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Wan, Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat 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 monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.