Following a notification from the Hospital Authority on a case of carbon monoxide poisoning, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) t… read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 2) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly patho… read more
    In connection with a murder case happened in Sha Tin on March 16, Police further arrested two more men and one woman.     Police arrested a 25-year-old man at Hong Kong International Airport for murder yesterday (April 1). Police also a… read more
With the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion (ACP), internationally renowned composer and conductor Tan Dun continued to curate large-scale performing arts productions in Hong Kong in 2024, and he also lined up a number of local young artists to participate in various international performances in Mainland China, Hungary, Canada and France, consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.
Tan today (April 2) shared the achievements of performances in Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas over the past year. He also introduced this year’s major projects and engaged in a dialogue with some local young artists who have moved forward to global stages lined up by Tan, including pianist Rachel Cheung, soprano Candice Chung, percussionist Elise Liu, tenor Henry Ngan and bass-baritone Apollo Wong, sharing their experiences in the performances and how they benefited from them.
Tan expressed that there are many talented young artists in Hong Kong. By introducing them to collaborate with artists from different regions, they can gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity through the lens of arts. With his global perspective, Tan is committed to nurturing more promising local young artists, not only by providing them with a stage but also by fostering intellectual exchange and sharing innovative ideas. This, in turn, generates boundless vitality and possibilities for the future of Hong Kong’s art scene.
Last year, Tan curated the opening performance “Sound River” for the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cultural and Arts Festival in Hong Kong and also invited numerous local artists to join his performances across the globe, working alongside world-class symphony orchestras and renowned artists. The participating artists expressed heartfelt gratitude for these valuable opportunities, which allowed them to collaborate with Tan and esteemed creatives from around the globe. Highlights from the collaborations include tenor Henry Ngan’s participation in the Hungarian premiere of Tan’s “Buddha Passion” in Budapest last April, as well as violinist Liu Fangxi’s performances in concerts in Changsha and Qingdao last July, collaborating with artists of diverse cultural backgrounds in a string quartet. Soprano Candice Chung and pianist Rachel Cheung, together with the New York Bard Percussion Ensemble and Mainland artists, performed the “Deer of Nine Colours” and “Xuanzan’s Return to the East” at the “Opera and Dance Theatre” programme in Qingdao and at a concert in Shanghai last July and August respectively. Soprano Louise Kwong, mezzo-soprano Samantha Chong and bass-baritone Apollo Wong participated in the performance of “Buddha Passion” last November in Vancouver, Canada. Also, Soprano Candice Chung and percussionist Karen Yu took part in the world premiere of “Échos des grottes de Mogao” at the Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts in France last December, where they presented the rich Chinese culture of Jiuquan’s Mogao Caves to local audiences.
Tan has been appointed as Hong Kong’s first ACP by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau since January 1, 2023, and has introduced 15 local young artists to participate in 27 performances in Mainland China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Canada, France and Italy since then.
This year, the “Tan Dun-WE Festival” will return in June as part of the Chinese Culture Festival 2025, featuring three extraordinary performances, ranging from a Zen-inspired opera to dialogues between traditional and modern percussion, as well as ancient Dunhuang music and dances. Tan’s newly formed Hong Kong Women’s Percussion Ensemble and a number of local young musicians will also join in the performances, under the theme of “tea culture”, leading audiences to appreciate the charm of tea through music.
The LCSD aspires for the ACP initiative to provide local young artists with more invaluable opportunities to perform in Mainland China and overseas to enrich their experience and broaden their horizons, while showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural soft power to the world through outstanding performances and telling good stories of Hong Kong through the arts.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced today (April 2) the following updated list of qualifying arbitral and dispute resolution institutions and permanent offices under Article 2(1) of the Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Arrangement) effective from April 2, 2025, (listed in arbitrary order):
* Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
* Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group
* South China International Arbitration Center (HK)
* eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre
* Shanghai International Arbitration (Hong Kong) Center
* Asia Pacific International Arbitration Chamber Hong Kong Arbitration Center
* AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre
* China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission Hong Kong Arbitration Center
* International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce – Asia Office
Under the Arrangement signed on April 2, 2019, between the DoJ and the Supreme People’s Court, parties to arbitral proceedings seated in Hong Kong and administered by eligible arbitral institutions which have been designated would be able to apply for interim measures from the relevant Mainland courts.
The designation for institutions or permanent offices qualified under Article 2(1) of the Arrangement will be valid for a period of two years from the date of designation, ending on April 1, 2027, subject to further application for designation upon expiry.
Depending on the circumstances and operational considerations, the DoJ may update the list or consider future applications from time to time.
For details, please visit the DoJ website. read more