Missing man in Cheung Sha Wan located

     A man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan has been located.

     Ho Yee, aged 70, went missing after he left a hostel in Nam Cheong Street on January 18 morning. Staff of the hostel made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located on Tai Po Road, Cheung Sha Wan last night (January 21).




Main round registration for Certificate of Sponsorship under Hong Kong/United Kingdom Working Holiday Scheme to open on February 18

     The Labour Department (LD) announced today (January 21) that the main round registration for the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) under the Hong Kong/United Kingdom (UK) Working Holiday Scheme will commence on February 18. Youths holding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport and interested in participating in the UK's Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) may submit their registrations for the CoS to the LD from February 18 to March 1 this year (both dates inclusive), before applying for a Tier 5 (YMS) visa with the UK from April 10 to July 9 this year (both dates inclusive).

     According to the arrangement agreed between Hong Kong and the UK, youths from Hong Kong can apply for a Tier 5 (YMS) visa allowing them to stay in the UK for up to two years, during which they can engage in short-term employment to finance their stay, privately funded studies and/or voluntary work of choice. The annual quota is 1 000 for HKSAR passport holders.

     Applicants for the CoS have to meet the following eligibility criteria:

– The applicant must be a holder of a valid HKSAR passport;

– The applicant must be aged between 18 and 30 on the day the visa application is made; and

– The applicant must not have previously spent time in the UK as a "Working Holidaymaker" or a YMS temporary migrant.

     Applicants who wish to obtain a CoS can download the relevant registration form online (www.whs.gov.hk/res/pdf/UK_regform.pdf) and submit the completed registration form together with the required supporting documents to the LD during the registration period. Applications submitted outside the registration period will not be processed. In the event that there are more eligible registrants than the available quota (i.e. 1 000 for the main round registration), a computer ballot will be drawn to randomly select successful registrants.

     Holders of the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport do not need to apply for the CoS and can submit their applications for the Tier 5 (YMS) visa directly to the UK Visa Application Centre in Hong Kong.

     For details on obtaining a CoS, please refer to the LD's website: www.whs.gov.hk/en/partners.php?location=UK#cos. Please also visit www.whs.gov.hk for details relating to the Working Holiday Scheme.




Temporary traffic arrangements for tram track renewal works in Central district from this Saturday

     The Transport Department (TD) today (January 21) reminded the public that to facilitate the tram track renewal works on Des Voeux Road Central, part of the traffic lanes of Pedder Street will be temporarily closed from about 10am this Saturday (January 26) to 6am next Monday (January 28).
 
     Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the above road sections will be relatively busy. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media or the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).




Application forms for Caring and Sharing Scheme available from today

     The Government announced today (January 21) that application forms and related documents for the Caring and Sharing Scheme (CSS) are available from today.
 
     "Application forms and related documents are available from today on the dedicated website (css.gov.hk), or at the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department and the Working Family Allowance Office (WFAO) or Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency," a government spokesman said.
 
     Application for CSS will be open from February 1 to April 30, 2019. An applicant may submit the completed application form and documentary proof in an envelope with sufficient postage affixed and send it to PO Box No. 2600 of Mong Kok Post Office. An applicant may also submit the application documents by using the Drop-in Boxes for the Scheme. Details of the locations of Drop-in Boxes are at Annex, which are also available on the following website: www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/careandshare/en/how_to_apply.htm#session2;   
 
     Other details of the Scheme are available on the dedicated website. For enquiries, please call the 24-hour hotline 3897 1088.
 




Guangdong Music Series to feature delightful programmes

     The Guangdong Music Series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will be held in March and April, featuring a range of concerts and talks to delight Guangdong music followers.
 
     The programmes are as follows:
 
Lecture Series: Cantonese Music in Hong Kong
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March 6 to April 10 (each Wednesday), 7.30pm
Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum
Speakers: Ho Kang-ming and Chan Chi-chun
Tickets: $50 (for each lecture)
 
Music Under the Tree
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Chaozhou Music
March 9 (Saturday), 2.30pm
Cantonese Music
March 10 (Sunday), 2.30pm
Six Arts Terrace, Kowloon Walled City Park
Free admission
 
Cantonese Music Assembly – Together We Make New Sounds
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March 29 (Friday), 8pm
Theatre, Yau Ma Tei Theatre
March 30 (Saturday), 8pm
Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre
Tickets: $180 and $300
 
A Promenade through Time: Cantonese Pipa Concert by Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble
(Presented by Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble)
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April 6 (Saturday), 8pm
Cultural Activities Hall, Sha Tin Town Hall
April 7 (Sunday), 4pm
Theatre, Yau Ma Tei Theatre
Tickets: $150, $200 and $300
 
Lecture Demonstration: The Art of Pipa
(Presented by Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble)
———————————————————
April 5 (Friday), 7.30pm
AC1, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Free admission
 
Concert by Wang Peiyu and Xianshi Ensemble of Shantou
—————————————————————–
April 13 (Saturday), 8pm
Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre
Tickets: $160 and $260
 
A Concert of Hakka and Hailufeng Folk Music – Baizi Opera, Huachao Opera and Hakka Folk Song
————————————————————————————————————-
April 19 (Friday), 8pm
Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
Tickets: $160 and $260
 
     Tickets 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 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_690.html.