Tag Archives: China

     The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the premiere of the 4K restored version of “The Wild, Wild Rose” (1960) at 7.30pm on July 30 (Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Meanwhile, the HKFA will schedule another screening at 7pm on October 27 (Friday) at its cinema, accompanied by a post-screening talk with veteran film researchers Shu Kei and Sam Ho as the speakers in support of the annual World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

     “The Wild, Wild Rose” is the HKFA’s second 4K digitally restored film, following “The Valiant Ones” (1975). After digital restoration and colour adjustment, more details and texture of the original version are refurbished for the audiences. Film restoration not only breathes new life into cinematic treasures, it also augments the viewing experience for many generations to come.

     The film is a masterpiece of Mandarin musicals, and also one of the HKFA’s “100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies”. It is an adapted movie, tailor-made by scriptwriter Qin Yifu (also known as Chin Yu) for the always-enchanting actress Grace Chang as an Eastern version of Bizet’s opera “Carmen”. Through the camera of director Wong Tin-lam, it tells the story of a heartbreaking romance between a sultry nightclub songstress with a heart of gold, played by Chang, and an honest and straightforward pianist played by Chang Yang. Shot by the director in high-contrast black and white, the film features stylised lighting, sets and art direction, painting an enticing portrait of the smoky, alcohol-spiked atmosphere of 1950-60s nightlife. Meanwhile, the jazz-inspired film score by Yao Min, and songs delicately combining Chinese and Western cultural elements composed by Ryoichi Hattori with lyrics by Li Junqing, all became popular classics after Chang’s superb song and dance performances in the film. 

     The film is in Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles. Tickets priced at $45 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from tomorrow (July 1). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/pe-event-2023-wr.html or call 2739 2139. 

     In 2005, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated October 27 of every year as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. It promotes awareness of the importance of preserving audiovisual documents from the past, which play an integral role in recording local and regional cultures. read more

​     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 30) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 8 400 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for nine unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
 
     A CFS spokesman said about 2 200 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 6 200 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.
 
     The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.
 
     The samples comprised about 3 600 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 700 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 700 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 1 100 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 900 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 400 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).
 
     The nine unsatisfactory samples comprised two cake samples found with excessive Bacillus cereus, two ice-cream samples detected with coliform bacteria exceeding the legal limit, two fresh beef samples found to contain sulphur dioxide, a pickled vegetable sample detected with a preservative exceeding the legal limit, a Chinese amaranth sample detected with an excessive pesticide residue and a prepackaged pancake mix sample detected with a non-permitted preservative.
 
     The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.
 
     The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.
 
     Separately, to fully prepare in response to Japan’s discharge plan of wastewater from Fukushima nuclear power plant, the CFS has gradually stepped up radiological tests on imported Japanese food products. For details of the test results, the public can visit the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/monthly_japan_nuclear_incidents.html). read more

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (June 30) met with the Head of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province, Mr Cui Jian, to exchange views on the preparatory work of the 15th National Games to be co-hosted by the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao authorities as well as the collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong on the sports front. The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Miss Winnie Chui; and the Acting Commissioner for Sports, Mr Paul Cheng, were also present.

     Mr Yeung said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is grateful for the trust and support of the Central Government in providing the opportunity for us to co-host the National Games 2025 with Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR. We will maintain close communication with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Macao SAR Government on the preparatory work of the sports competitions to conduct ‘simple, safe and wonderful’ National Games. We will also deepen the collaboration among Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on the sports front, and join hands in telling the good stories of China.”

     The delegation of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province visited the venues and facilities of the Hong Kong Velodrome this morning to learn about its experience in hosting large-scale events. In the afternoon, they will visit the soon-to-be-completed Kai Tak Sports Park to learn about the construction works of various venues and the preparatory work of the National Games.

    

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more

     The Government today (June 30) announced that the Financial Secretary has appointed four new members to the Board of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), and reappointed two incumbent members.

     Ms Jennifer Chan, Mr Eugene Chan, Mr Hon Chi-keung and Dr Philip Zhai are appointed as new members of the Board of the HKSTPC for a period of two years from July 1, 2023.

     Ms Angel Ng and the Hon Elizabeth Quat have been reappointed as members of the Board of the HKSTPC for a period of two years with effect from July 1, 2023.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, “As the organisation that manages Hong Kong’s important innovation and technology (I&T) flagship, the HKSTPC, under the guidance of the Board, has been cultivating a vibrant I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong through providing I&T infrastructure facilities, introducing measures to incubate start-ups and support technology enterprises, as well as nurturing and pooling I&T talent. The HKSTPC is proactively taking forward a number of I&T infrastructure projects, including Phase 2 of the Science Park Expansion Programme and the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long InnoPark. I am confident that with their devotion, extensive experience and professional knowledge, members of the Board will continue to guide the HKSTPC to fulfil its public mission effectively and further strengthen Hong Kong’s competiveness as a leading international I&T hub.”

     The tenure of four incumbent members of the Board, Ms Cordelia Chung, Mr Kent Ho, Dr Kim Mak and Mr Chen Shuang, will also end today.

     “The four outgoing members have actively participated in the work of the Board over the past few years and have provided valuable contribution to the local I&T development. I sincerely thank them for their valuable advice on the HKSTPC and strong support to the I&T development in Hong Kong,” Professor Sun said.

     The HKSTPC, which began operation in 2001, manages the Hong Kong Science Park, three InnoParks and the InnoCentre. It provides a comprehensive range of services to support I&T enterprises and to nurture start-ups, as well as land and relevant facilities for the industry. read more