The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold the Hong Kong Reading Week Fun Day this weekend (April 27 and 28) with diverse activities at selected public libraries across Hong Kong to encourage the public to enjoy the pleasure of reading.

     The fascinating activities of the fun day to be held at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL) on April 27 include a storytelling theatre based on the Chinese traditional folklore story "The Ten Brothers", a comedic performance featuring Chinese acrobatics, balloon twisting and a photography booth. The public libraries in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao earlier organised the 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition with the same theme of "Reading Love (Love Reading)". The HKPL will hold a prize presentation ceremony on April 27 at the HKCL to commend the participants from Hong Kong who excelled in the competition. The winning works of the three places will be on display at the Exhibition Gallery from the same date until May 1, followed by a roving exhibition at various public libraries.

     In support of the establishment of the Chinese Culture Promotion Office earlier this month, the HKPL is putting the focus of reading on books related to Chinese history, stories of celebrities and venerable traditions to promote Chinese culture. Selected public libraries will be adorned with decorations featuring rich Chinese cultural elements, and will set up thematic book displays on April 27 and 28. An array of activities with the theme of Chinese culture will also be held at libraries in different districts, including parent-child storytelling workshops, related workshops and booths of traditional handicrafts such as paper cutting, flour-doll making, movable type printing, rainbow calligraphy, as well as Chinese costume experience zones, where members of the public will be able to try on traditional Chinese costumes and take photos. For details of the activities, please visit: hkrw.readingpromotion.gov.hk/category/HKRW_Fun_Day.
 
     The Pop-up Library@Hong Kong Reading Week 2024 under the theme of Chinese culture will be held at YM2 Yue Man Square (YM2) in Kwun Tong on April 28. A specially designed truck, Library-on-Wheels, will be stationed outside YM2 during the event to provide a book-lending service and chances to experience the HKPL's electronic resources. A thematic reading zone, a book display on Chinese culture and an interactive storytelling device will be set up inside YM2. Fun-filled activities such as Chinese historical figures' cosplay, a Chinese music performance, storytelling by story ambassadors, workshops on Chinese Rainbow Calligraphy and handmade incense sticks, etc will also be held. This event is under the Chinese Culture Promotion Series of the LCSD. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.
 
     For more information about Hong Kong Reading Week, please visit the thematic website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/hkrw).

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 25) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach. 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 25) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

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 announced today (April 25) that due to power failure, Tai Kok Tsui Swimming Pool in Yau Tsim Mong District has been temporarily closed until further notice.

     Hong Kong Customs arrested two former directors of an online household product store yesterday (April 24) on suspicion of engaging in wrongly accepting payments when selling products, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     The online household product store, operated by two companies, abruptly announced its closure earlier this month. As of 8am today (April 25), Customs had received a total of 451 complaints against the online store concerned. Complainants reported making prepaid orders for various household goods, including clothing, beauty products, health food and masks, but failing to receive the goods or obtain refunds from the shop. The total amount involved in the case is approximately $400,000, with the largest individual case amounting to around $20,000.

     Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and arrested a male former director from each of the two companies. The two former directors, aged 33 and 38, are currently released on bail pending further investigation. 
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     Customs has all along been concerned about illegal online sales activities. It has strived to combat unfair trade practices on websites to protect consumers' interests.
      
     Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment of five years.
      
     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and refrain from engaging in unfair trade practices when supplying goods.
      
     Consumers should stay vigilant in regard to online shopping. They should procure products at reputable shops and keep the transaction receipts and related records, which can become the basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future. Moreover, customers could choose payment methods such as "cash on delivery" or "pay deposit first and then pay the balance" when ordering goods on the Internet.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).