St. James' Settlement has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (April 5), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 
      
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
      
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     St. James' Settlement has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (April 5), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 
      
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
      
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     St. James' Settlement has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (April 5), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 
      
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
      
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

      The opening ceremony of the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival (PCF) was held today (April 4) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the PCF this year is themed "More Than Joy". Audiences can appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible in addition to joy and laughter.
 
     The Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; and an actor of the opening film "The Banquet" (1991), Mr Eric Tsang, officiated at the opening ceremony.
 
     The opening programme, "Silhouette Resonance x The Banquet (1991)", began after the ceremony. Pop singer Alfred Hui, a cappella choral theatre company Yat Po Singers, and beatboxer Heartgrey (Eric So) together with a live band performed songs from classic comedy films with fresh arrangements by renowned musician Ng Cheuk-yin. The digitally restored version of "The Banquet" (1991) was screened following the performance. Blending entertainment with cultural artistry, the audience was offered a fresh and inspiring perspective on the vibrancy of Hong Kong's pop culture.
 
     Another highlight programme that kicks off the PCF is outdoor music carnival "ImagineLand 2025" to be held tomorrow (April 5) and on Sunday (April 6) at the HKCC Piazza, and the Central Lawn & Event Trellis of Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars free of charge. Supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, "ImagineLand 2025" features both daytime and evening programmes, encompassing music, films, comics, and more.
 
    During "ImagineLand 2025", "Go Beyond Concert", "Comics Fun Experience Gallery" and "Funarts Corner" will be available during the day, while film programme "Movie Under the Stars" will be held at night. Over 35 musicians and artists from Hong Kong and eight countries and regions including the Mainland, Japan, Korea, the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine will perform on the three stages of "Go Beyond Concert", showcasing boundless possibilities of music across the performances. Major line-ups of local artists include Ivana Wong, Joey Tang, Yatfung, Cloud, Ashley Lin, Pandora, Wan Pin Chu and more, performing mesmerising popular songs and original works.
 
     At "Comics Fun Experience Gallery", Hong Kong comics and animation from different eras will be displayed to highlight the creativity of local artists with immersive photo-taking opportunities. The exhibition also features the works of local humourist cartoonists and explores how comics intertwine with the city's pop culture. Workshops on art, music, and crafts will be available for the public at "Funarts Corner". In the evenings, two comedies, "Table For Six" (2022) and "Forbidden City Cop" (1996)", will be screened at "Movie Under the Stars" tomorrow and on Sunday respectively, allowing audiences to enjoy outdoor films while relaxing on the lawn.
 
     Other highlights include the "Laughter Double Bill: Hong Kong Comedy Film Spectacular" film screening programme; exhibitions "Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics" and "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s"; concerts "The 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras-Bands 'The Animated Melodies – Our Nostalgic Memories'", "Ko Shan Fest" and "Music & Laughs", and more. To support the PCF's theme of "More Than Joy", the Hong Kong Public Libraries will also organise book displays and subject talks in a series of activities under the theme of "Happy Reading".
 
      Several industry partners are also offering a range of events as part of the festival, which are not to be missed.
 
     Hong Kong's pop culture has drawn inspiration particularly from humour, a constant trendsetter that has left a deep footprint on many aspects of the city's rich and colourful pop cultural landscape. The PCF 2025, with more than 20 programmes, not only delights audiences with exciting performances and works but also offers insight into the development paths of Hong Kong's pop culture along the line of "happiness". By participating in these activities, audiences will be able to discover their own happiness.
 
     For more details, please visit the website: www.pcf.gov.hk, or call 2601 8703.

              

     Following the receipt of the Gold Award of the International Water Association Project Innovation Awards last August, the Territory-wide Sewage Surveillance Programme has achieved another remarkable milestone by winning the Excellence Award in the Innovation Category (2010-Present) of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE)'s 50th Anniversary Legacy Award. This honour not only recognises the programme's groundbreaking achievements in engineering technology, but also highlights its outstanding contributions to safeguarding public health and protecting the well-being of Hong Kong citizens, making it a source of pride for Hong Kong's engineering community.

     To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the HKIE established the Legacy Award, comprising three categories, namely Innovation, Industry, and Infrastructure, to honour exceptional engineering projects and technologies that have delivered profound benefits to the engineering sector, industry and society in Hong Kong and globally over the past half-century. The Territory-wide Sewage Surveillance Programme stood out among more than 100 nominated projects as one of the 19 award recipients, securing the Excellence Award in the Innovation Category. This success is attributed to its forward-thinking technological applications, interdisciplinary collaboration, and significant societal impact. The judging panel highly commended the programme for leveraging innovative technology to support epidemic prevention and control, showcasing the professionalism and creativity of Hong Kong's engineering sector.

     The award presentation ceremony was held last night (April 3) during the HKIE's 50th Anniversary Dinner. The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, together with the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Edwin Tsui, led a delegation to receive the award.

     During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), in collaboration with the Drainage Services Department and the DH, formed an interdepartmental team that successfully developed a real-time predictive model based on sewage virus monitoring. By analysing SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in sewage, the system accurately tracked viral transmission dynamics within communities and identified potential outbreak hotspots in advance, providing critical data support for the Government's swift deployment of anti-epidemic measures. The system's efficient operation not only helped detect hidden cases and break transmission chains, but also significantly reduced new infections during peak outbreaks, bringing Hong Kong's pandemic under control within two months.

     Dr Chui said, "The success of this technology is not just a breakthrough in science and engineering. It's also a story of resilience and dedication. At the most challenging times of the pandemic, our team worked tirelessly around the clock to protect the health of every citizen. The fact that this technology successfully uncovered hidden transmission chains and helped Hong Kong emerge swiftly from the shadow of the pandemic made all our efforts worthwhile. We are also deeply grateful for the public's support. Winning the HKIE's 50th Anniversary Legacy Award is not only a recognition of our team but also a powerful reflection of the collective efforts of all Hong Kong people in combating the pandemic together."

     He added that the Government has expanded the application of sewage surveillance technology to monitor other infectious diseases, such as seasonal influenza, to build a more comprehensive public health surveillance network. Looking ahead, the EPD will actively share this successful experience with Belt and Road (B&R) countries, fostering international collaboration through technology exchange to support the vision of green development under the B&R Initiative, and contribute Hong Kong's expertise to global public health efforts.