The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 11) that due to special circumstances which happened nearby, Tung Chung Swimming Pool in Islands district is closed to ensure the safety of venue use… read more
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, (London ETO) took part in the City of London Lord Mayor’s Show on November 9 (London time) for the 15th year with a float highlighting Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage by creating a replica of the dragon boats used in the annual festival known as Tai O’s dragon boat water parade, one of the more traditional aspects of Hong Kong’s culture.
The London ETO’s float, complete with a dragon-styled body, and a team of paddlers wielding LED light displays, celebrated the Dragon Boat Water Parade of Tai O, an annual festival with more than 100 years of history. The accompanying dancers and the loud Chinese drumming evoked memories of the sight and sound of the river that the boat would race on.
The Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Winky So, whose office devised and organised Hong Kong’s float, said, “We congratulate the new Lord Mayor of London, Alderman William Russell, and look forward to working with him over the coming year.” Miss So added, “While Hong Kong is best known as an international business and financial centre, our float this year brings out a more traditional side of our city. The Dragon Boat Water Parade of Tai O is an important part of our intangible cultural heritage that bonds the local communities together.”
The annual Lord Mayor’s Show celebrates the swearing-in of the new Lord Mayor of London, who serves as a global ambassador for the United Kingdom’s financial services sector. This year, Alderman William Russell of the Ward of Bread Street became the 692nd Lord Mayor of London. He was Lord Mayor Elect until the day before the Show and followed the parade in his gold state coach to the Royal Court of Justice to swear allegiance to the Queen. More than half a million people take to the streets to see the parade each year, while the BBC broadcasts it live to millions of people in Britain and globally.
London ETO has been taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show since 2005, with colourful and exciting displays highlighting the different facets of the city, including cultural heritage, tourism attractions, creativity and innovation, and popular cultures.
A large number of violent protestors committed organised destructive acts, assaulted Police officers and blocked traffic in various districts of Hong Kong yesterday (November 10). Police express severe condemnation against rioters.
Since 2pm yesterday, radical protestors gathered in multiple locations across the territories, including Kowloon Tong, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun ,Tseung Kwan O, Tai Po and Mong Kong. Protestors vandalised shops and facilities in several malls, causing breach of the peace. They stormed a restaurant near Sha Tin Town Hall and blocked exits of a mall in Sha Tin, neglecting safety of members of the public at scene and their rights to use public facilities. Protestors also vandalised facilities of Sha Tin MTR Station, posing danger to the railway safety.
Since there was crime committed in various malls, Police have the responsibility and legal power to enter the malls for investigation and arrest actions. At around 4.30pm, some violent protestors recklessly damaged shops in Kowloon Tong Festival Walk. To stop the crime, some plainclothes Police officers attended scene and arrested several offenders. During the arrest, a large group of protestors were clamouring, some even attacked police officers and attempted to snatch away the arrested person. Police officers therefore used minimum necessary force to conduct the arrest action.
At night, some protestors occupied roads in various locations including Tuen Mun, Mong Kok and Tsuen Wan by setting barriers and burning miscellaneous objects, paralysing the traffic in the vicinity. Police used minimum necessary force to disperse.
In the dispersal operation yesterday, Police deployed the specialised crowd management vehicles and used tear gases to stop the illegal acts of the protestors. As at 11.30pm yesterday (November 10), 88 persons were arrested for offences of unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapon, criminal damage, and using facial covering while at an unlawful assembly, etc.
Police strongly condemn rioters’ violent and vandalistic acts. Police reiterate that no violent behaviour will be tolerated. Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action so as to safeguard the city’s public safety and bring all lawbreakers to justice. read more
Masked rioters today (November 10) extensively vandalised shops and public utilities in various districts. They also blocked roads, set fires and attacked police officers, seriously breaching public peace. A Government spokesman strongly condemns rioters’ acts.
Masked rioters rampaged at various shopping malls this afternoon and vandalised shops they selected, including restaurants which were in operation, frightening staff and customers with young children. They attacked police officers in a shopping mall to enable an arrested person to escape. Some rioters also blocked roads in various districts and set fire to barricades.
The masked rioters completely disregard law and order as well as other people’s safety and rights. Their acts are outrageous. The spokesman reiterated that the Government will not tolerate these violent acts. The Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action to bring all lawbreakers to justice. read more
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals: As the night fell, a large group of radical protestors gathered … read more