The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) will hold the HKO Open Day on November 30 and December 1 (Saturday and Sunday), with the theme "Working Together for a Better Climate".

     This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Open Day activities will not only showcase the various services of the HKO and enhance public understanding and awareness of climate change and extreme weather, but they will also provide a brief overview of the long-standing collaboration between the HKO and meteorological authorities in Mainland China and around the world over the years.

     Online pre-registration is required for the Open Day activities. Each applicant may request a maximum of four tickets free of charge. If there is an oversubscription, selection will be made by computer balloting. The online registration system will accept applications from today (October 17) to noon on November 1. Successful applicants will receive tickets with a QR code by email on or before November 16.

     Open Day details:

Venue: Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters (134A Nathan Road, Kowloon)
Date: November 30 and December 1 (Saturday and Sunday)
Time: 9.30am to 5pm
Remarks: The duration of each session is around one hour

     For more information on the Open Day activities, please visit the HKO website: www.hkoopenday.gov.hk/en/registration.
 

     The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) issued letters today (October 17) to remind payers of rates and/or Government rent who have not yet responded to the requisition form (Form R1A) issued to them in August to complete and return the form to the RVD immediately. They can complete and submit an electronic form (Form e-R1A) by using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the RVD website (www.rvd.gov.hk). The website also provides answers to commonly asked questions on completing the form.

     The RVD issued about 350 000 R1A forms to payers of rates and/or Government rent in August to obtain occupation particulars, rents and tenancy details for different types of properties for assessing rateable values for the next general revaluation.

     "Irrespective of whether premises are vacant, let or owner-occupied, payers of rates and/or Government rent should complete and return the form within the specified period," a spokesman for the RVD said.

     Under the Rating Ordinance or the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, any person who knowingly makes a false statement or refuses to furnish any of the particulars specified in the form commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $25,000 or $10,000 respectively and an additional fine equivalent to three times the amount of rates and/or Government rent undercharged.

     Payers of rates and/or Government rent are reminded to affix sufficient postage if they return the form by post to ensure a timely and successful postal delivery.

     The opening ceremony and programme "Sound River" of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum this Saturday (October 19). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has arranged a live broadcast of the programme at 8pm that night. Members of the public should not miss the concert.
      
     The music piece "Sound River" is a new work by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. It will be performed by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra, newly formed by members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and the Macao Orchestra, under the baton of Tan as the world premiere. Sixteen meticulously crafted videos capturing precious footage during Tan's journey from Europe, through the Arab world to Central Asia, then to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area over the past 12 years, will be screened during the performance. Through an audio-visual process, audience members can explore the past and future of the "Silk Road of sound". The programme will also feature a performance by distinguished Mainland singer Zhou Shen as a special guest.
      
     Members of the public can enjoy the live radio, television and online broadcast of the programme at 8pm on RTHK Radio 4 (FM97.6-98.9), RTHK TV32, Phoenix Hong Kong Channel (Channel 85), Festival's website (www.gbacxlo.gov.hk), RTHK website (www.rthk.hk), Ifeng (www.ifeng.com) and Feng Show APP. For more information about the programme and live broadcast, please call 2734 2960 or visit the above-mentioned website.
      
     The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival is presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong is the host city of the festival for the first time this year. It is organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the "9+2" cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line up of the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

  

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (October 17) removed four compact fluorescent lamp models, one washing machine model and three induction cooker models from the record of listed models under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (the Ordinance). Supply of such products is no longer allowed in Hong Kong with immediate effect.
 
     Details of the products are as follows:
 
Compact fluorescent lamp

 
Washing machine

 
Induction cooker

 
     The EMSD administers the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance and selects samples of the listed models regularly for conducting compliance monitoring tests to check whether they conform with the energy efficiency and performance characteristics submitted to the EMSD. As the test results of the products concerned showed that they failed to reach the relevant energy efficiency and/or performance characteristics, the EMSD has decided to remove such products from the record of listed models.
 
     The EMSD has served notices under the Ordinance to the importers concerned. The importers will publish newspaper notices to announce the termination of supply of the products concerned.
 
     Members of the public can contact the above importers for enquiries.

                        

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 (October 17) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach in Islands District; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.