The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, November 14, 2019 is 106.3 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present "Multifarious Arrays of Weaponry in Hong Kong Cinema" as part of the "Morning Matinee" series at 11am on Fridays from December to March next year. Sixteen kung fu and wuxia films will be screened for film buffs to witness the power of a wide range of weapons and magnificent action choreography on screen. Some of the films will be accompanied by post-screening talks, to be hosted by film critics David Chan, Lau Yam and Po Fung. The talks will be conducted in Cantonese with free admission.
 
     In Tsui Hark's notable kung fu film "Once Upon a Time in China II" (1992), Jet Li and Donnie Yen give a mesmerising display of long staff fighting styles, ranging from spins to slams and from thrusts to undercuts.  
 
     Bruce Lee in "Fist of Fury" (1972) wields nunchaku with unimaginable speed to decimate his opponents from unpredictable angles.
 
     Directed and scripted by Lau Kar-leung and starring him too, "Legendary Weapons of China" (1982) is filled with fantasy duels of witchcraft and magic in the first half. The second half features a series of combat scenes that show an array of Chinese weapons and the unique techniques in using them.
 
     "Heroes of the East" (1978) offers a combined showcase of both Chinese and Japanese martial arts. Building off a playful argument between a Chinese man and his Japanese wife, who is a martial arts enthusiast, the story turns out to highlight a series of spectacular combat sequences between the husband and various Japanese martial arts masters.   
 
     "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" (1977) follows Gordon Liu as he goes through martial arts training in the Shaolin Temple, where he displays the techniques of many kinds of weapons, in particular the three-part staff.
 
     In "Odd Couple" (1979), Lau Kar-wing and Sammo Hung both play dual roles as long-time rivals using sabre and spear as weapons and as each other's apprentice. With their distinctive personas, the duo give vivid and entertaining performances.

     Yuen Woo-ping's "Iron Monkey" (1993) features the adaptability of Wong Fei-hung's umbrella, which can strike like a whip and defend like a shield.
 
     Starring and directed by Jackie Chan, "The Young Master" (1980) features the classic elements of Hong Kong kung fu cinema, in which ordinary objects of daily life such as a paper fan and a bench can become weapons.
 
     "Story of the Sword and the Sabre, Part One" (1963) tells of a legend that whoever owns a sacred sabre runs the martial world. A series of battles therefore break out among warriors to fight for the ultimate weapon.
 
     "The Flying Guillotine" (1974) follows a member of the legendary secret Flying Guillotine squad. When he tries to quit, he finds himself being hunted by his former teammates. The flying guillotine in the film is a deadly hat-like weapon that is thrown at its victims and decapitates them.
 
     In Chang Cheh's "One-armed Swordsman" (1967), the protagonist's arm is taken by his master's reckless daughter. With strong determination, he teaches himself unique one-armed swordplay and even saves the master's family.
 
     With great imagination, director Chor Yuen and martial arts choreographer Tong Kai created a half tonfa, half épée blade in "The Magic Blade" (1976). The weapon can be wielded horizontally as a metaphor for the composed but valiant character of the protagonist.
 
     Directed by Patrick Tam, "The Sword" (1980) depicts the Qiwu Sword, which is dark and evil in nature, endangering the life of whoever owns it. When its owner tries to avert ill fortune by living in seclusion for years, many in the martial world continue to seek him out to battle for the famous weapon.
 
     In "The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter" (1983), the Yang Spear, which is a family heirloom of the famed generals of the Yang family, is unbeatable until the Liao kingdom invents a new weapon. The fifth son of the Yang family then develops his own move, the Eight Diagram Pole, for revenge.
 
     After the parents of the two lead characters in "Holy Flame of the Martial World" (1983) are killed over a pair of flame-shaped blades, the siblings, each possessing one of the blades, are raised and separately trained to become martial arts masters by a hero and a villain.
 
     "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) follows Jen, a daughter from a rich family, who steals the Green Destiny Sword and leaves home to pursue independence in the martial world. Ang Lee's direction and Yuen Woo-ping's martial arts choreography won this film the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001.
 
     "The Flying Guillotine", "One-armed Swordsman", "The Magic Blade" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" are in Mandarin and the other films are in Cantonese. "Iron Monkey", "Story of the Sword and the Sabre, Part One" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" are without subtitles and the other films have Chinese and English subtitles.
  
     Tickets priced at $30 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme details, please call 2739 2139 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/HKFA/en_US/web/hkfa/programmesandexhibitions/programmes/weaponry/index.html.

  

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 14) that a public auction for stalls at the 2020 New Year Fair at Fong Ma Po, Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, will be held on November 22 (Friday).
 
     A spokesman for the FEHD said the annual fair will be held for 15 days from January 25 to February 8, 2020. The opening prices for the 22 dry goods stalls and six wet goods stalls are both $650.
 
     The auction will begin at 9.30am at the Assembly Hall, G/F, Tai Wo Neighbourhood Community Centre, Tai Wo Estate, Tai Po. Dry goods stalls will be auctioned first, followed by wet goods stalls.
 
     Bidders must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.
    
     Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or will forfeit the rights to operate the stall.
 
     The spokesman said that successful bidders should comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.
 
     For the conservation of the Wish-Making Trees, stall operators will not be allowed to sell placards tied to any heavy object (including fruit). The licence agreements of those who fail to comply with the requirement will be terminated.
 
     The fair site will be made available three days in advance for the setting up of stalls from January 22 to 24, 2020. However, no business shall be conducted on these three days. The Government may without cause postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the licensed period (including the duration for setting up stalls and business period of the fair), or suspend or cancel the fair in whole or in part. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the affected licensee on a pro-rata basis without interest. The licensee and his employees or agents must vacate the licenced area no later than the time specified by the Government verbally (by way of press release, public announcement or other similar communications) or in writing.
      
     The FEHD reminded licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licenced area. If the FEHD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show or sell any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, immoral or incompatible with the object of the Fair, the FEHD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such an activity and the licensee must immediately comply with such direction.
      
     Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at and in the vicinity of the stall. They shall completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or otherwise), from the licensed area before 6pm on February 8, 2020.
 
     For more information about the auction, please call the FEHD's Tai Po District Environmental Hygiene Office at 3183 9162 or 2657 1137. Details are also available on the FEHD website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (November 14) that as public transport services and some major traffic lines have been seriously affected, all nine Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs) of the ImmD will be closed at 7pm. Members of the public who have appointments for today may proceed to the SIDCCs at an earlier time today or on later days for identity card replacements and they need not make another appointment. Before proceeding to Replacement Centres, applicants are advised to browse the latest Government press release, or to call the Replacement Centres during working hours.
 

     Taking into consideration transportation service disruptions, and to ensure the safety of patients and staff members, the Department of Health today (November 14) announced that the operation arrangements of its methadone clinics have been adjusted today. Further to the announcement earlier about Yau Ma Tei Methadone Clinic not opening today, Sha Tin (Tai Wai) Methadone Clinic will also not open today. Meanwhile, the rest of the methadone clinics will provide services to those who have been receiving methadone treatment until 8pm.

     Please visit the following website for the information of methadone clinics: www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_mc.html.