Author Archives: hksar gov

     Two new general air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) set up by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in Southern and North Districts started operation today (July 10) to provide more air quality information to the public.

     The new AQMSs are located on the rooftop of the Aberdeen Tennis and Squash Centre and the Po Wing Road Sports Centre in Sheung Shui, and are in close proximity to the town centres. The data gathered will reflect the air quality of the more populated areas in the districts. The EPD has consulted the Southern and North District Councils respectively on the proposed locations of the new monitoring stations during the planning stage, with the proposal supported by the Council members. Apart from air quality monitoring equipment, solar panels have also been installed at the two stations, providing renewable energy to the facilities therein.

     “The primary objectives of setting up the air quality monitoring network are to collect data for assessing the impact of air quality on the public, facilitate the formulation of air quality management strategy and evaluate its effectiveness. Factors considered in designing the network include the spatial distribution of the network, coverage of existing AQMSs, types of land development, local population, the distribution of traffic flow and pollution sources, topography and future district development plans. As such, a network of AQMSs is set up at various representative locations to reflect the overall condition of Hong Kong’s air quality, instead of establishing a large number of monitoring stations all over the territory. The EPD also conducts review from time to time to enhance the network,” a spokesman for the EPD said.

     The EPD commenced construction of AQMSs in the 1980s to build up an air quality monitoring network, which is designed and operated to meet the highest international standards. With the opening of the two new monitoring stations, the number of AQMSs operated by the EPD has increased to 18, comprising 15 general stations and three roadside stations for measuring concentrations of major air pollutants at ambient and roadside levels respectively. Major air pollutants measured include respirable suspended particles (PM10), fine suspended particles (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone.

     For more information on the AQMS network and air quality monitoring data, please visit the thematic website of the Air Quality Health Index (www.aqhi.gov.hk).

    

     The Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Michael John Hartmann, a former Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, as Chairman of the Market Misconduct Tribunal (MMT) for a term of three years from December 1, 2020 to Novembe… read more

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 (July 10) that due to big wa… read more

     San Francisco’s annual Hong Kong Cinema series will take place from July 12 to August 5 (San Francisco time) as an online showcase of four Hong Kong films, complete with live-streamed moderated conversations with film directors or special guests. SFFILM and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco announced the line-up on July 8 (San Francisco time) in a virtual preview night.

     Though unable to be held as an in-person event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s programme offers unique opportunities to virtually engage with Hong Kong talent in front of and behind the camera.

     “Though COVID-19 creates numerous hurdles for us all, it’s exciting that this year’s Hong Kong Cinema seeks to reach its widest audience yet since we are not limited to one geographic region,” the Associate Director of Programming at SFFILM, Mr Rod Armstrong, said. “It’s also thrilling that we’ll be able to have guests for every screening so that attendees can get the broadest perspective possible of current filmmaking trends in the region.”

     The four movies in the line-up are “Still Human”, “Twilight’s Kiss” (a.k.a. “Suk Suk”), “Lion Rock” and “Mad World”. Ticket buyers and registrants will be sent private links to stream each film online, and will be provided access to the respective live-streamed Q&A session with filmmakers and special guests from Hong Kong.  

     The weekly online screenings will have the following moderated conversations with speakers including key cast members as highlights: 

July 12, 5pm (San Francisco Time): Q&A with Crisel Consunji, lead actress of “Still Human” 
July 22, 7pm (San Francisco Time): Q&A with Ray Yeung, director of “Twilight’s Kiss”
July 29, 7pm (San Francisco Time): Q&A with Nick Leung, director of “Lion Rock”, as well as lead actor Alex Lam and subject Lai Chi-wai
August 5, 7pm (San Francisco Time): Q&A with Wong Chun, director of “Mad World”

     The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, said, “Amid the pandemic, we are thrilled to be able to continue this annual festival by moving it online and that film directors, cast members and a special guest in Hong Kong will be able to join the live-streamed conversations. This truly connects us across the Pacific.”

     He added, “Our office is committed to continue promoting Hong Kong movies to a wider audience and this online edition will surely serve the purpose.”

     He said he was grateful for the dedicated effort of SFFILM and its appreciation of Hong Kong movies and emerging talents. Two movies in the line-up were winning projects of the First Feature Film Initiative, launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in 2013 to identify and nurture talent through a competition focusing on screenplays and production proposals. 

     The 10th anniversary edition of Hong Kong Cinema is presented by SFFILM in association with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco. For complete programme details, please visit sffilm.org/presents. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (July 9) that, in view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the following enhancement measures on prevention and control of the infection will be introduced.
      
     Playgrounds for children and road safety towns will be temporarily closed from July 11 (Saturday). Rows of spectator stands at leisure venues will open alternately. For activities held at dance rooms/activity rooms with more than eight people, the number of participants in each group must limit to eight or below. A distance of 1.5 metres between each group should be maintained.
      
     For public swimming pools, the number of users in swimming pools will be limited to maintain distance among swimmers. Leisure pools, children pools and toddlers’ pools will continue to be closed. Only some swimming pool facilities such as main pools, secondary pools, training pools or teaching pools will open.
      
     Venue users must put on masks before and after exercising and comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap 599G) on the prohibition of group gatherings of more than the number of people as stipulated by the law. The LCSD will adopt special measures at leisure facilities. Measures include stepping up cleansing work and arranging temperature screening for all people entering indoor venues.

     For cultural facilities, all LCSD’s museums and libraries will also tighten precautionary measures. Museums will adopt admission quotas to limit visitor flow. Visitors will enter on a first-come, first-served basis. Some interactive exhibits of the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum will be closed. Enhanced cleansing of exhibits will be conducted and children facilities in all museums will remain closed. While public libraries will maintain the current admission arrangement, enhanced precautionary measures will be adopted. The cleansing session will remain and seating will be reduced for social distancing.
      
     Public members entering the museums and libraries will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Children aged under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
      
     The LCSD will continue to monitor the situation closely and review the arrangements in a timely manner. read more