To prepare for six digital TV programme channels using new transmitting frequencies from 0.00am on December 1 this year, those channels will be broadcast on both existing and new transmitting frequencies (digital simulcast) for the period starting from today (April 1) to November 30. The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) appeals to owners or property managers to reconfigure the communal aerial systems in their buildings within this period.

     The six digital TV programme channels involved are Jade 81 of Television Broadcasts Limited, ViuTVsix 96 and ViuTV 99 of HK Television Entertainment Company Limited, and RTHK TV 31, RTHK TV 32 and RTHK TV 33 of Radio Television Hong Kong.

     "Public housing estates, private residential estates/buildings and commercial and industrial buildings generally use common antenna broadcast distribution systems or in-building coaxial cable distribution systems (collectively known as communal aerial systems) for TV reception. Depending on the design of individual systems, reconfiguration may be required for the reception of new transmitting frequencies. Owners or property managers should engage contractors as early as practicable to reconfigure their communal aerial systems within the digital simulcast period, and inform residents/users whether or not they need to rescan for TV programme channels on their digital terrestrial television (DTT) receivers for continued reception of the TV programme channels concerned," a spokesman for OFCA said.

     "For households using self-provided antennae, including residents of village houses, bungalows and old tenement buildings, they should be able to receive the existing digital TV programme channels as usual during the digital simulcast period and do not need to adjust their DTT receivers or antennae over this period. If these households cannot receive any of the above TV programme channels after 0.00am on December 1, they can rescan for TV programme channels on their DTT receivers for the continued reception of the TV programme channels concerned," the spokesman continued.

     The spokesman said that the channel numbers of all digital TV programme channels, including the abovementioned numbers 31, 32, 33, 81, 96 and 99, will remain unchanged. Members of the public do not need to replace their TV sets or DTT receivers.

     OFCA has issued letters to building management offices, incorporated owners of buildings and communal aerial system contractors to notify them of the relevant details, and will further launch a series of publicity programmes to inform the public of the relevant arrangements and the preparatory work required. The publicity programmes cover TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest as well as putting up posters and distributing flyers in public housing estates and private residential buildings/estates. OFCA will provide further information and assistance to households using self-provided antennae in the second half of this year.

     Further details about the migration of six digital TV programme channels to new transmitting frequencies can be found on the thematic webpage on OFCA's website (www.ofca.gov.hk/channel_migration). For enquiries, please call OFCA's hotline at 2961 6333.

     â€‹The Government Gazette published today (April 1) contains a Legal Notice to the effect that the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury has authorised a change in the rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates. From April 7, 2021, the new annual rate of interest will be 0.1167 per cent against the current rate of 0.15 per cent, i.e. the new rate will be $0.0097 per month per $100.

     Tax Reserve Certificates bear simple interest, and interest is calculated monthly (including part of a month) from the date of purchase to the date of payment of tax.

     Interest is only credited when certificates are used to pay tax and no interest is due where the principal value of a certificate is repaid to its holder.

     The rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates is periodically revised in line with the market trend. Currently, it is reviewed every month based on the average prevailing interest rate for the 12-month time deposit for $100,000 to $499,999 offered by the three note-issuing banks.  

     The new rate will apply to all certificates purchased on or after April 7, 2021. Certificates purchased before April 7, 2021, will continue to earn interest at the rates prevailing on their respective purchase dates. Below is a summary of the interest rates for the past periods:
 

     This is always subject to the general rule that interest ceases to accrue after 36 complete months. 

     Promising local huqin performer Wong Lok-ting will give a recital in May.
 
     Wong will join other three musicians, namely Cheng Wai (piano), Chan Tin-chi (guzheng), and Yanki Ma (yangqin), to perform classic works including "Three Variations on Yangguan", "To the West Wind", "Hard to Part", "Derelict Landscape" and "Erhu Concerto No. 3 – The Soul of a Poet", as well as the world premiere of "Ballad of the Army Carts".
 
     Born in Hong Kong, Wong Lok-ting graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) with a Bachelor's degree in Music in 2001, where she majored in erhu under Tong Leung-tak, with a double minor in banhu (also under Tong) and in guqin under Leung Lai-wan. She was awarded scholarships to further her studies in the Mainland under erhu masters including Chen Yaoxing, Min Huifen and Shen Cheng. In 2005, she formed the huqin ensemble "Hulala" with other alumni of the HKAPA to promote innovative huqin music. Wong joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in 2006 and was Huqin Co-principal and Gaohu Principal between 2015 and 2018.
 
     "City Hall Virtuosi Series: Erhu Recital by Wong Lok-ting" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be staged at 8pm on May 5 (Wednesday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $180 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_943.html. The other programme in this year's "City Hall Virtuosi Series" is "The Milestone – Harmonica Recital by CY Leo" (June 29).

     The Government gazetted today (April 1) the proposed road works to provide engineering infrastructure works necessary for the public housing development at Area 48, Fanling.

     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre, 
G/F, Harbour Building, 
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories

District Lands Office, North,
6/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories 

     The gazette notice, scheme, plan, resumption plan and location plan are available at www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.htm.

     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Housing an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Housing Bureau's drop-in box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettethb@thb.gov.hk.

     A notice of objection should describe the objector's interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Housing not later than May 31, 2021.

     The Education Bureau today (April 1) announced the re-appointment of the Chairman and seven members, as well as the appointment of three new members, to the Advisory Committee on Gifted Education (ACGE) for a term of two years with effect from April 1, 2021.

     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, expressed his appreciation to the ACGE for its dedication to promoting gifted education in Hong Kong, particularly in providing valuable advice on the "Off-school Advanced Learning Programmes" launched in the 2019/20 school year and funded by the Gifted Education Fund. The related strategies and initiatives enable more gifted students to have access to high quality and challenging learning experiences, thereby developing their potential and expanding the talent pool of Hong Kong.

     He said, "I am pleased to have Dr Pang Yiu-kai and the incumbent members continuing to serve on the ACGE. I also welcome the participation of three new members. Given their rich experience in the education and professional sectors, I am confident that they will further enhance the development of gifted education in Hong Kong."

     Mr Yeung also expressed gratitude to the three outgoing members, Ms Sonia Cheng Chi-man, Professor Cheng Shuk-han and Dr Allen Fung Yuk-lun, for their valuable contributions to the ACGE.
     
     The membership list of the ACGE with effect from April 1, 2021, is set out below:

Chairman
———–
Dr Pang Yiu-kai
 
Non-official Members
———————–
Mr Eric Chan Sze-yuen*
Mr Brian Cheng Ho-wai
Ms Joanne Chong Sze-pui*
Professor Chui Yat-hung
Sister Anita Kwok Ming-ying
Ms Cecilia Lee Sau-wai
Ms Carrie Leung Ka-lai
Ms Ada Li Yuen-yung
Dr John Tan Kang
Professor Tse Chi-kong*
 
Ex-officio Members
———————
Permanent Secretary for Education
Deputy Secretary for Education (5)
Chairman, Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education
Chairperson, Committee on Gifted Education of the Curriculum Development Council
 
*new members

     The ACGE was set up in April 2017 to advise the Secretary for Education on the use and management of the Gifted Education Fund, the long-term development of gifted education in Hong Kong, and measures and initiatives for promoting gifted education.