To promote the health benefits of walking, the Department of Health (DH) launched the "10 000 Steps a Day" Campaign in 2022 to encourage members of the public to increase their physical activities. The DH said today (September 25) that as the third phase of the Walking Challenge, this year's event coincides with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The Health Bureau (HHB) and the DH will for the first time partner with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Mainland cities to jointly promote walking to mark the celebration.

     According to the Population Health Survey 2020-22 conducted by the DH, nearly a quarter (24.8 per cent) of persons aged 18 or above performed an insufficient level of physical activities, and about one in seven (14.9 per cent) persons aged 15 or above reported spending 10 hours or longer sitting or reclining each day.

     A spokesman for the DH said, "Walking is a simple form of physical activity that many of us engage in daily, and it brings us plenty of health benefits including improving cardiopulmonary function, strengthening muscles and bones, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, as well as relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression.

     "Adults are recommended to gradually increase their daily step goal to 10 000 based on an individual's own physical conditions, abilities, pace and circumstances. Any amount of walking is better than sitting, even if the goal cannot be reached yet."

     Features of this year's Walking Challenge are as follows:
 

1. The Walking Challenge is one of the events marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. Hong Kong and the GBA Mainland cities will organise walking activities at the same period under the common theme of "Walking Together in Healthy Bay Area".
2. Participants are required to enrol in the Walking Challenge and record their step count during the challenge period through "e+Life", the recently launched health challenge platform under the eHealth app. Participants reaching a daily average of 10 000 steps (around 7.5 kilometres in distance) during the challenge period can be awarded an electronic certificate of achievement from the "e+Life" platform.
3. With the slogan "Shall We Walk and Talk", the Walking Challenge includes a Workplace Organisation Walking Challenge, which aims to raise public awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of walking, encourage friends and colleagues to support each other and walk 10 000 steps daily.

     Details of the Walking Challenge in Hong Kong are as follows:

• Target participants: adults aged 18 or above
• Individual enrolment period: October 1 to 31
• Workplace organisation enrolment period: On or before October 15; after the workplace organisations are successfully enrolled, their staff members can enrol from October 1 to 31 and select their representing organisations
• Challenge period: November 1 to 30

     Interested individuals can enrol through "e+Life" by logging into the eHealth app, commencing on October 1. Interested workplace organisations can register with the DH for the Walking Challenge on or before October 15. After successful enrolment of the workplace organisation, their staff will be able to select their respective organisations when enrolling through "e+Life", and the step counts of participating staff will be attributed to the organisation they choose. Moreover, participants only need to connect the "e+Life" platform with their mobile health tracking apps of their own mobile phones during the challenge, and their steps will be recorded on the "e+Life" platform. This initiative encourages everyone to walk 10 000 steps with friends for health.

     For details, please visit the event website of the Walking Challenge (www.10000stepsaday.hk/?lang=en) and the website of "e+Life" (app.ehealth.gov.hk/elife-overview). 

     Moreover, the HHB launched the new "e+Life" health challenge platform in September to allow eHealth users to join various health challenges, log their daily exercises and accumulate health coins by interfacing with tracking applications. In collaboration with the Education Bureau, the DH and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the HHB rolled out earlier the first health challenge, the "e+ Go to Park" game, on September 14. The "e+ Go to Park", primarily targeting students, is similar to the "10 000 Steps a Day" Campaign, which encourages members of the public to increase their physical activities. By utilising various game modes in "e+ Go to Park", students are expected to be motivated to go outdoors with their parents and friends, and enjoy the fun of playing games and exercising together. More health challenges will be introduced on the "e+Life" platform to improve the public's physical and mental health.

　　The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will host the Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Symposium 2024, one of the highlight events of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, on October 25 and 26 (Friday and Saturday). The Symposium, organised by the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong), brings together industry leaders from across the Bay Area and other Mainland cities to explore the latest trends in arts and cultural developments in the region. It aims to provide an interactive platform to promote close co-operation among arts and cultural practitioners, organisations and performing art venues in the Bay Area.

　　The Symposium will feature a diverse range of free activities for public participation, including public seminars and a roundtable conference. Details are as follows:
 
Public Seminars
———————
Date: October 25 (Friday)
Venue: Auditorium of Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

Public Seminar 1 Topic: Co- Creation: Cultural Integration and Creative Collaboration
Time: 2.45pm to 4pm
Speakers: Chen Rui, General Manager, Zhuhai Jinwan Art Center and Producer of Musical "I Am What I Am"
                Naomi Chung, Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts, West Kowloon Cultural District
Moderator: Tseng Sun-man, Chairman of Advisory Group, University Arts Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

　　Artists and producers from different cities are together exploring their creativity and producing new works. This kind of collaboration has become a new trend in the creation of performing arts. Speakers will share their valuable experiences and insights and reflect on the possibilities of co-production in the future.
 
Public Seminar 2 Topic: Sustainability: Cultural Tourism and Audience Development
Time: 4.45pm to 6pm
Speakers: Chang Hsien Ching, Director, Shekou Theatre Festival
                Benny Lim, Associate Professor of Practice in Cultural Management and Director of the Master of Arts in Cultural Management Programme at The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Moderator: Anna Chan, Dean, School of Dance, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

　　Speakers will share how to transform cultural resources into sustainable tourism experiences, attract more audiences and stand out from the competition as well as their views on the benefits and challenges of integrating culture and tourism.
 
Roundtable Discussion
——————————
Date: October 26 (Saturday)
Time: 10am to 1pm
Venue: Auditorium of Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
Moderator: Louis Yu, Veteran Arts Administrator
 
Part 1: Cultural Space: Cross-boundary Exploration of Memory and Creativity
Speakers: Annie Feng, Consultant of Beijing Nanyang Theatre and Suzhou Suyi Show Zone
               Mok Sio Chong, President, Macao Theatre Culture Institute
               Liu Hankun, Founder and CEO of Focustage
               Liu Xiaoyi, Artistic Director, Emergency Stairs in Singapore

　　The four speakers will discuss the operational strategies of emerging cultural spaces in Mainland China in recent years, the advantages and challenges of site-specific creations and mobile performances in Macau, the production and theatre operation of cultural spaces, as well as the benefits of combining culture and space for cultural development from different perspectives.
 
Part 2: Strategies and Perspectives on Audience Development
Speakers: Li Siyao, Founder and Artistic Director of "Yao Theatre", drama educator
                Joe Li, Producer of Frankenstein by Nick Dear, President of Beijing ATW Culture Media
                Mia Shen, Founder of Mad Attic
                Yang Xiaoluan, Founder of the drama self-media "Theater Ferris Wheel"
                Erik Kuong, Managing & Creative Director, Creative Links Limited

　　Based on their own experiences, the five speakers will share strategies for expanding the audience for children's theatre, analyse the shift in Mainland audience consumption patterns before and after the pandemic and share how producers respond to the shift, as well as how specific themes can stimulate audience reflection and development. The speakers will also analyse the characteristics of Mainland audiences and the role of self-media in audience development, and discuss the characteristics of the Greater Bay Area audience and share how to introduce programmes to target audiences.

　　Admission to the above-mentioned public seminars and roundtable discussion is free and members of the public are welcome to join. Online registration is required (www.art-mate.net/doc/77002) with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme details, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/greater-bay-area-culture-and-arts-symposium-2024. For enquiries about event registration arrangements, please contact the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong) at 2974 0542.
 
　　The Symposium has also invited industry practitioners to participate in workshops and city walks, with a view to enhancing exchanges among participants and showcasing the unique cultural expressions of Hong Kong. The four topics of the workshops are "Latest Development of Performing Arts Spaces", "Promotional Collaboration and Social Media", "Arts Festivals and Exploration of Cultural and Creative Development" and "Art Organisation in Rural Areas and the Revitalisation of Art Space". The instructors include Drama Producer and Production Director of Real Atypical Omnipotent Theatre, Wang Ruipu; Head of Marketing and Development of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Tracy Huang; Founder and Manager of Xixi and Vice President of Hangzhou Binjiang District Drama Association, Dong Yunyan; and Producer of Ergao Dance Production Group Pan Xiong. The city walks will explore four communities – Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po, Central and Sheung Wan, and To Kwa Wan – examining Hong Kong's cultural strategies for conservation, revitalisation and community innovation from different perspectives.
 
　　Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It organises and co-ordinates 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 exchange and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

     The Government's latest yearbook, "Hong Kong 2023", went on sale today (September 25). The online version is available for free at www.yearbook.gov.hk.

     The publication provides readers with an overview of life in Hong Kong in the year 2023, covering the administration, legislature, legal system and economy, detailing the Government's policies and achievements as well as the development of Hong Kong.

     The cover illustration shows the National Day Fireworks over Victoria Harbour, held for the first time in five years. There are 10 photo sections with more than 100 pictures in the yearbook, exploring different aspects of Hong Kong in 2023, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region search and rescue team's heroic operation in quake-stricken areas in Türkiye, a glimpse into the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area that has been gradually opening up to tourists, the beautification of the cityscape of Hong Kong, visits of the home-developed aircraft C919 and ARJ21 and a look at a China Manned Space delegation.

     "Hong Kong 2023", priced at $450, is available at the online Government Bookstore at www.bookstore.gov.hk and the Information Services Department's Publications Sales Unit at Room 626, 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point. Orders can also be placed by:
 

• calling the Publications Sales Unit on 2537 1910;
• filling in an order form from the department's website and submitting it online or by fax to 2523 7195; or
• emailing puborder@isd.gov.hk.

  

     â€‹The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, will lead a delegation for a two-day visit to Beijing this afternoon (September 25) to call on relevant Mainland ministries to introduce the latest developments of and seek support for various healthcare reforms of Hong Kong, with a view to further deepening exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland on healthcare-related areas.

     Members of the delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Sam Hui; the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan; and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko. Professor Lo will return to Hong Kong on September 27. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, will be the Acting Secretary for Health.

     Five property owners were convicted and fined over $63,000 in total at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 10 for failing to comply with fire safety directions issued under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (FS(B)O) (Cap. 572).

     The Buildings Department (BD) issued fire safety directions under section 5(2)(a)(ii) of the FS(B)O to five owners of the respective three domestic flats in a 44-year-old composite building on Yan Hing Street, Tai Po, requiring them to comply with the fire safety construction requirements by providing fire-rated doors and modifying metal gates at the unit entrances, which open directly to a staircase.

     Failing to comply with the statutory directions, the five owners were prosecuted by the BD and were convicted by the court. Two co-owners were each fined about $11,060, another two co-owners were each fined about $12,560, and a single owner was fined about $16,580.

     "According to the FS(B)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner", a spokesman for the BD said today (September 25).

     Pursuant to section 5(8) of the FS(B)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to the court for a Fire Safety Compliance Order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(B)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction.