The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, June 5, 2023 is 103.6 (up 0.2 against last Saturday’s index).
​The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, June 3, 2023 was 103.4 (up 0.2 against last Friday’s index). read more
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department… read more
To facilitate the development of Smart Government, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), announced today (June 5) the launch of the Catch the Innovation Campaign again, after the one held in 2020, to promote innovation in government departments, with a view to enhancing quality and efficiency in public services. Commencing today, government personnel can submit innovative proposals for the Innovative Application with AI (artificial intelligence) competition, which is the Campaign’s highlight. Winning proposals may be implemented in relevant departments to improve public services.
The first stage of the Innovative Application with AI competition started today. Government personnel are invited to submit conceptual proposals for enhancing public services with AI in teams of two persons or above until August 4. Ten finalists will be shortlisted by the Selection Panel to enter the second stage of the competition. The Smart Government Innovation Lab (Smart Lab) of the OGCIO will match the 10 proposals with technology solutions of the industry including local start-ups, for a six-month proof-of-concept exercise to test their feasibility and examine how well they can enhance the quality and efficiency of public services. Ten finalists will compete for awards including the grand award, the first runner-up and the second runner-up in March next year.
The Catch the Innovation Campaign also comprises a series of thematic seminars, workshops and technology forums. The OGCIO aims to connect government departments with the industry, strengthen government personnel’s know-how in applying innovative technologies including AI, and stimulate their creativity, thus facilitating various departments’ applications of different technologies to enhance public services and bring benefits and convenience to the public.
​The Catch the Innovation Campaign is organised by the OGCIO. Details of the Campaign and the competition, as well as government departments’ success stories in applying AI are available on the theme page of the Smart Lab (www.smartlab.gov.hk/en/competition/index.html). read more
International renowned music maestro and Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion, Tan Dun, presented his new work “Tan Dun’s Sound Vision in Chi Lin Nunnery” in December last year, among which the world premiere of “Purity . Transcendence” – Immersive Operas in the Courtyard of Chi Lin Nunnery was well received by the audience. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold two free online replay sessions for the performance during the coming weekend (June 10 and 11), allowing more members of the public to enjoy this spectacular work.
Created by Tan Dun based on the unique outdoor environments of the Chi Lin Nunnery, the “Purity . Transcendence” – Immersive Operas in the Courtyard of Chi Lin Nunnery is an immersive site-specific performance combining elements of architecture and music, as well as Dunhuang murals and dance. Under the setting sun, the courtyards and gardens of the Chi Lin Nunnery were turned into a stage of dreams and fantasy. Tan Dun invited a group of promising young local musicians and dancers to join the performance and showcase the beauty of Chinese culture in a novel and artistic way, offering audiences a soul-liberating experience.
The two free online replay sessions of “Purity . Transcendence” – Immersive Operas in the Courtyard of Chi Lin Nunnery will be held at 9pm on June 10 and 11 (Saturday and Sunday) at the programme website of “Tan Dun’s Sound Vision in Chi Lin Nunnery” (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/programs_1561.html). Each session will run for approximately 45 minutes. The songs will be sung in Putonghua with Chinese and English subtitles. For programme enquiries or more information, please call 2268 7325 or visit the above-mentioned programme website.
The programme is under the exclusive sponsorship of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), and is one of the many initiatives supported by the HKJC’s approved donation of $630 million to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, demonstrating that the HKJC is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society, all in support of creating stronger communities together.
In view of the overwhelming response to the theatre production “DingDing: Our Friending Tram”, which is part of the summer festival International Arts Carnival (IAC), an additional performance will be arranged and details are as follows:
Date and time: August 13 (Sunday), 11am
Venue: Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre
Prices: $160, $240 and $280
“DingDing: Our Friending Tram” is produced by Fong Fong Projet d’Art. The theatre group’s programme “Our Little Tram: DingDing”, injecting performance elements into a tram journey, received a popular response in 2021. In the coming production “DingDing: Our Friending Tram”, audiences are invited to enjoy the scenery along a tram journey inside the theatre, enabling them to savour local wonders and peer into the future. The programme is performed in Cantonese.
The additional performance is presented by Fong Fong Projet d’Art. Tickets for the additional performance will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from tomorrow (June 6). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app “URBTIX”.
The IAC, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will run from July 14 to August 13. Overseas and local arts groups will present a splendid array of interesting and creative programmes, offering families and children a fun-filled summer party.
For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk. read more