The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:

     The Chairman, Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah and member, Mr Arthur Luk, SC, of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) visited the polling and counting station of the 2019 Kaifong Representative Election for the Market Town of Cheung Chau today (January 20) to observe its operation.

     "During the poll which ended at 9.30pm, the EAC member Mr Arthur Luk, SC, and I visited the polling station in Cheung Chau. The EAC is satisfied with the electoral arrangements which were generally in good order," Mr Justice Fung said.

     Polls for the 2019 Rural Ordinary Election were held on three consecutive Sundays from January 6. The Village Representative Elections were completed smoothly over the past two Sundays. In addition, 17 candidates of the Peng Chau Market Town were returned uncontested.

     "Poll was only held for the Cheung Chau Market Town today to return 39 Kaifong Representatives. After the completion of the count tonight, the whole 2019 Rural Ordinary Election will also come to an end. On behalf of the EAC, I express gratitude to all electoral staff, as well as departments involved, for making proper arrangements for the election," he said.

     The EAC will review various arrangements of the election and submit a report to the Chief Executive within three months.

    

     The polling day of 2019 Kaifong Representative Election for Cheung Chau Market Town ended at 9.30pm today (January 20). A total of 65 candidates contested for 39 seats.

     A total of 3 553 out of the 7 104 registered voters cast their votes, representing an overall turnout of 50.01%.

     Turnout rate for the 2019 Kaifong Representative Election for Cheung Chau Market Town which began at 8.30am today (January 20) is 50.01% (as at 9.30pm).

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the opening ceremony for the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District this afternoon (January 20):
 
     It is heartening to be here with you all today to celebrate the grand opening of the Xiqu Centre, the first major performance venue of the West Kowloon Cultural District. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District since its early days in my various positions.
 
     As time goes by, it is clear to me and many people that the West Kowloon Cultural District is of huge significance to Hong Kong, and its contribution will go beyond arts and culture. Its success will enrich our quality of life, complement our economic vitality, and elevate the status of Hong Kong to among the great cities of the world.
 
     As in all world class cultural projects around the world in history, delivering this ambitious West Kowloon Cultural District project is no easy task. I wish to thank the Authority, the architects and contractors, and many parties involved in bringing Hong Kong's first venue tailored to the artistic needs of the rich traditional Chinese art form of xiqu to fruition.
 
     I would like to take this opportunity to pay particular tribute to the late Bing Thom, the lead architect of this project. Bing was born in Hong Kong, and Xiqu Centre is his home coming project. We are indebted to him for his exquisite work which has greatly enriched Hong Kong's architectural scene. On the opening of this gem, I believe that everyone who has contributed to the project would share his thought: "I like to empower everyone. If you walk here and feel a little taller, I am happy." This quote from Bing is now engraved on the sitting area in the Xiqu atrium.

     Let's work together to take Cantonese opera and the xiqu art form as a whole to the next level and to the global stage through this Xiqu Centre. And let's look forward to the commissioning of more world-class facilities in the West Kowloon Cultural District very soon. Thank you very much.

      

     Turnout rate for the 2019 Kaifong Representative Election for Cheung Chau Market Town which began at 8.30am today (January 20) is 43.93% (as at 7.30pm).