The traditional cheongsam is a powerful cultural icon in contemporary Chinese society and one of the most internationally well-known intangible cultural heritage entities. The Sewing Techniques of Hong Kong-style Cheongsam is on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong.

     To showcase the city's unique arts and culture, and to promote its creative industry, the Hong Kong Arts Centre will host "The Chic of Hybridity: A Collection of Contemporary Cheongsam" exhibition in early November in Japan. It is part of Hong Kong Week in Tokyo and will feature 10 different styles of cheongsams by Hong Kong designers.

     News.gov.hk spoke to three of the designers whose cheongsams will be featured in the exhibition to find out the inspiration behind their garments.

     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (October 28) in both text and video format.

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (October 28). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure
     
     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition
     
     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     The fire danger situation today (October 28) is red and fire risk is extreme. The countryside is extremely vulnerable to fire. If you are planning to spend the day in the countryside, please take pre-cooked food for a picnic and take all measures to prevent hill fires. The penalty for lighting fires illegally in the countryside is $25,000 and a year's imprisonment.
 

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, presented honours and awards to 265 recipients at the 2018 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony held at Government House today (October 27).  Mrs Lam congratulated all recipients of honours and awards and expressed her appreciation of their distinguished achievements in their respective fields and contributions to Hong Kong. 

     Among the recipients, four received the Grand Bauhinia Medal, eight the Gold Bauhinia Star, 19 the Silver Bauhinia Star, four the Medal for Bravery (Silver), 11 the Distinguished Service Medal for the disciplined services and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), 39 the Bronze Bauhinia Star and nine the Medal for Bravery (Bronze).

     In addition, 43 recipients received the Meritorious Service Medal for the disciplined services and the ICAC, 59 the Medal of Honour, 47 the Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service and 22 the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service.

     The 2018 Honours List was issued earlier on July 1 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201807/01/P2018063000485.htm).

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, will depart for Beijing tomorrow evening (October 28) to foster closer ties and enhance exchanges with the relevant Mainland authorities in respect of matters relating to food safety and the supply of agricultural food to Hong Kong.

     Professor Chan will meet with officials from the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on October 29. She will alo sign a protocol with the General Administration of Customs on the importation of bird's nest products into the Mainland.

     Professor Chan said, "The Mainland is the major source of agricultural products, especially live and fresh food. The Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the relevant authorities in the Mainland have all along established a close liaison mechanism to safeguard the quality, safety and stable supply of food to Hong Kong. Regarding the import of bird's nest products to the Mainland, we have been following up with the General Administration of Customs on the implementation arrangements since the signing of the draft arrangements for the inspection and quarantine of the import of bird's nest products from Hong Kong in December last year. The formal signing of the protocol will help foster the trade of bird's nests between the Mainland and the SAR, and will be welcomed by the trade of the two places. On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR, I appreciate the strong support of the General Administration of Customs."

     Officials accompanying Professor Chan on the visit include the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mr Philip Yung; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, and the Controller of the Centre for Food Safety, Dr Ho Yuk-yin.

     Professor Chan will return to Hong Kong in the evening on October 29. The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, will be the Acting Secretary for Food and Health during her absence.