Tag Archives: China

     The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (September 19) released the Preliminary Report and Public Notice PLR-2024-03 on a serious incident concerning engine fire of an Airbus A350-1041 passenger aircraft (registration mark B-LXI) operated by Cathay Pacific Airways at Hong Kong International Airport on September 2, 2024.  

     A spokesperson for the AAIA said that the Preliminary Report has been published to provide factual information established in the investigation’s early-evidence collection phase to both the aviation industry and general public in a timely manner, and should be regarded as tentative. The full report is available for download from the AAIA webpage (www.tlb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.html).
                     
     “The investigation team is conducting a detailed analysis of the data and information collected in order to determine the circumstances and causes of this occurrence with a view to preventing a recurrence in conjunction with identifying areas for further investigation or lines of inquiry to follow up,” the spokesperson said.  

     The AAIA, an independent investigation authority formed under the Transport and Logistics Bureau, is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and incidents in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B) and with reference to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards. read more

     The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) published the World Talent Ranking 2024 today (September 19). Hong Kong’s ranking rose visibly to nine, from 16 last year, returning to the top 10 for the first time since 2016.

     Hong Kong improved across all three talent competitiveness factors in the Ranking as compared to last year. Its position rose from six to four in “readiness”, and from 15 to 13 in “investment and development”. Hong Kong’s ranking in “appeal” also rose from 32 to 28. Among the indicators, Hong Kong topped the ranking in the percentage of graduates in sciences, and was among the global top five in the availability of finance skills, effectiveness of management education and remuneration of management.

     A Government spokesperson said, “The return of Hong Kong to amongst the top 10 in the IMD’s Ranking is clear evidence that the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in education and talent admission has made remarkable achievements. Hong Kong has a sound education infrastructure, world-renowned universities and outstanding research talent. The quality of our teaching and learning is ranked among the top in various international comparative studies. Moreover, the HKSAR Government announced in the 2022 Policy Address an array of admission measures to entice global talent to come to Hong Kong. These include the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which targets high-income talent and graduates from the world’s top universities, as well as enhancement of various talent admission schemes to trawl for outside quality talent to enrich the local talent pool.”

     The spokesman said, “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address has set out clearly the strategic directions and objectives for enhancing the quality of education in Hong Kong, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an ‘international post-secondary education hub and a cradle of future talent’, nurturing a diversified talent pool, and enhancing Hong Kong’s development momentum while promoting people-to-people exchanges and contributing to national development. On the other hand, as at end-August this year, over 360 000 applications were received under various talent admission schemes, with nearly 230 000 applications approved. During the same period, over 150 000 people of talent arrived in Hong Kong through various talent admission schemes. The arrivals of outside quality talent and their family members boost Hong Kong’s labour force and inject new momentum into our local economy. The HKSAR Government established the Hong Kong Talent Engage in end-October 2023 to provide one-stop support services to incoming talent to enable their settlement in Hong Kong.” read more

     The New Cantonese Opera “Princess Wencheng” by Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre Company will be staged at the Sha Tin Town Hall in Hong Kong in October. Featuring a star-studded lineup of virtuosi, the opera reshapes the legendary life of this iconic woman to praise her commitment to values and her love for her family and country, demonstrating the unity and solidarity of the country’s ethnic groups and the inheritance of national spirit through generations. The programme is part of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival and the Guangzhou Culture Week.
 
     The New Cantonese Opera “Princess Wencheng” is an epic opera based on the history of Princess Wencheng’s marriage to the King of Ancient Tibet in the Tang dynasty. Unlike the traditional melancholic image of a princess in a political marriage, the play portrays Princess Wencheng as an intelligent, playful, courageous and responsible woman. It also captures the unwavering commitment to her values, relentless pursuit of ideals, and chosen path in life, paving the way for establishing a new era in Han-Tibetan relations.
 
     On the basis of inheriting and promoting Cantonese opera, the music of the play integrates the melodies from the Tang dynasty, and with Tibetan, Buddhist and modern elements. Through spectacular and elegant stage design, lighting, and costumes reflecting both Han and Tibetan styles, the audience will be able to experience the prosperous atmosphere of ancient Tang and the beauty of national harmony from a thousand years ago.

     The production will also feature an impressive lineup of outstanding artists. Among them, Li Jiayi, who portrays Princess Wencheng from the age of 15 to 55 and with roles ranging from xiaosheng (young male), huadan (female lead), daomadan (female warrior), qingyi (virtuous female) to laodan (old woman), has won the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award for this play. Other performers include two-time recipient of the Plum Blossom Award Ou Kaiming, who plays the role of Songtsen Gampo, and Plum Blossom Award winners Li Junsheng and Chen Yunhong, who portray Tang Hao and Madam Li respectively. More than 100 performers and backstage staff from the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre Company will participate in the performances.
 
     The play tells the story of Li Xueyan, who is designated as Princess Wencheng and sent to marry in the distant land of TÇ”fÄ�n (or Great Tibet). Though torn by internal turmoil, she accepts her fate, viewing it as her duty to serve her country, and sets off for her new home far away without qualms. On her journey, she has an accident near a cliff but is saved by the King of Ancient Tibet Songtsen Gampo, who has come to welcome his bride. It is love at first sight. Despite facing numerous trials and enduring severe challenges to her familial ties, love, loyalty to her country and even her own life, Princess Wencheng overcomes them all with a benevolent heart, wisdom, and courage. She devotes 40 years of her life to assisting her husband in governing the country. She also becomes a close friend of Ancient Tibet’s Tang Hao, fostering cultural exchange and integration between the peoples of Han and Ancient Tibet.
 
     The Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre Company was established as the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Workshop in 1953 through the merger of the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Troupe and the Guangzhou Hongdou Cantonese Opera Troupe. The troupe’s notable productions include “Guan Hanqing”, “The Crafty Princess and Her Reckless Husband, and “Revolution Comes to the Mountain Villages”. Upholding the principles of “Preservation, Reform, Innovation, and Development”, the troupe is dedicated to grooming talents and staging outstanding productions as its core mission. With these principles, it steadfastly moves along the path of sustainable development for the Chinese opera art form, exploring scientific and modern practices, and strives to promote this rich art of South China.
 
     The New Cantonese Opera “Princess Wencheng” by Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre Company will be held at 7.30pm on October 22 (Tuesday) and 23 (Wednesday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Lyrics and dialogues are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $180, $260, $340 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Discount schemes are available for the programmes under the Guangzhou Culture Week (including Grand Chinese Dance Drama “Awakening Lion” by Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre on October 26 and 27), including “Guangzhou Culture Week” package discount, group booking discount and concessionary tickets. Additional early bird discount is available until September 26 for purchasing the above-mentioned programmes through any of the discount schemes. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1770.html.

     The programme will feature a creative sharing session and a post-performance talk. Both sessions will be conducted in Cantonese. The creative sharing session will be held at 7.30pm on October 20 (Sunday) at AC1, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include Li Jiayi, Ou Kaiming, Li Junsheng, Chen Yunhong and renowned local Cantonese opera artist Lau Wai-ming, while local young Chinese opera performer Lam Wai-ting will be the moderator. Admission is free and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1770.html#tab_5_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The post-performance talk will be held after the performance on October 22 (Tuesday). The speakers include Li Jiayi, Ou Kaiming, Li Junsheng and Chen Yunhong. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.
 
     In addition, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold the “Guangzhou Culture Week” Programme Exhibition from October 8 to 27 at the Foyer of Sha Tin Town Hall. The exhibition will feature the costumes and props of the Cantonese opera “Princess Wencheng” and dance drama “Awakening Lion”. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join on the spot. The Guangzhou Culture Week is jointly organised by the LCSD and the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau.
 
     Hong Kong is hosting city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time. 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.

          

     To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Transport Department (TD) today (September 19) announced that a bus parade cum exhibition will be held from October 19 to 22 to engage with the public to witness the development of bus services to celebrate the occasion.
 
     The bus parade cum exhibition will feature buses from the past and present. Co-organising the event, three franchised bus operators (FBOs) will each present different types of bus models in the parade to be held on the morning of October 19. They will depart from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay for Central Ferry Piers along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. Members of the public are welcome to enjoy the sight of the buses along the route across the districts. On the afternoon of the same day, a four-day exhibition will be held at the soccer pitches of Victoria Park, featuring a number of retired and in-service buses (including the newly introduced new-energy buses), as well as various kinds of bus service-related memorabilia.
 
     A spokesman for the TD said, “Buses have been one of the most popular modes of public transport in the city. As the first bus parade cum exhibition to be held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government amid National Day celebrations, the public can take the opportunity to view the various bus models and valuable exhibits contributed by FBOs in one go, and review the development of franchised bus services in Hong Kong over the past 75 years, which is an invaluable opportunity and of great significance. Members of the public are welcome to join the event and share the joy of the celebrations together.”
 
     Admission is free for the bus exhibition. Members of the public may register and pre-book the date and time slot of their visits through Cityline (www.cityline.com) from 11am tomorrow (September 20). Quotas are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon successful registration, they can visit the exhibition with a QR code at the selected time slot. Each visitor can obtain one commemorative ticket on-site. Details of the bus parade will be announced later.
 
     The bus parade and exhibition is fully supported by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). The TD will present the development of bus services and event details through RTHK’s various platforms and programmes, the media and the social media during the following month. The public may refer to the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk) and Cityline’s website or mobile application for the latest updates.

  

     To mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Labour Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) will hold the National Day Celebration and Occupational Health Carnival this weekend (September 21 and 22).
 
     The two-day carnival, offering a diverse range of activities, will be held from 11am to 6pm each day at the Atrium of D·PARK, Tsuen Wan, to raise the public’s awareness of occupational health. Apart from a variety of performances, booth games, occupational health talks as well as photo corners, health risk assessment stations will also be available, where registered nurses will offer complimentary health checks including measurements of blood pressure, waist circumference and body fat percentage to enhance public awareness of personal health and well-being.
 
     Meanwhile, the Award Ceremony for Heart Caring Campaign will be held on-site at 2.30pm on Saturday (September 21). Winners from two organisations are invited to share their successful experiences in implementing the Heart Caring Charter, which encourages employers and employees in the construction and property management industries to pay attention to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and establish a healthy lifestyle.
 
     Admission is free and no reservation is required. Members of the public are welcome to join. For event details, arrangements under inclement weather conditions and relevant information, please visit the OSHC website (www.oshc.org.hk) or call the enquiry hotline at 2739 9000. read more