A Government spokesman said today (February 1) that the report on the postponement of the commissioning of the East Rail Line (EAL) new signalling system by the Investigation Panel (IP) and the related technical investigation report were received from the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) on January 21.
      
     Since the incident was revealed on September 10 last year, relevant government departments have been monitoring the technical investigation conducted by the MTRCL, including reviewing the data logging of the new signalling system, examining the relevant technical documents and software codes, participating in the simulation of the incident and the related testing to confirm the cause of the incident, and evaluating the remedial measures. Relevant government departments have completed the review of the reports.
      
     The IP was of the view that the route recall issue was not a safety issue, but one of service reliability. The report also pointed out that it was an error of judgment not to carry out a more detailed investigation earlier after noting the software issue that could potentially cause deviation of trains from their intended route.
      
     The Government considers that the MTRCL, being the project manager of the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project and with extensive experience in railway operations, should have been able to assess the possible consequences of the incident and take follow-up actions duly, including conducting more thorough investigations, escalating the incident internally, and reporting to the Government. The Government expresses grave disappointment that the incident has led to the postponement of the commissioning of the EAL new signalling system and mixed-fleet operation, and possible deferral of the commissioning of the cross harbour section of the EAL, and reserves the right to take further actions against the MTRCL.
      
     As for the recommendations proposed by the IP, the Government has urged for early implementation by MTRCL and would closely monitor the implementation progress and effectiveness. The Government also expects that with the establishment of the SCL Technical and Engineering Assurance Team under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer, and the implementation of other enhancement measures, the MTRCL would effectively monitor its internal governance to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.
      
     After the incident, the MTRCL reported to the Government that the software routine which caused the incident has been changed and submitted the Service Reliability Report as requested for review by relevant government departments. Upon stringent review and extensive testing, the relevant government departments confirmed that the EAL new signalling system and the new nine-car trains were safe and sound, and ready for operation. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department's relevant notification was issued to MTRCL today.
      
     The MTRCL plans to commence the operation of the EAL new signalling system and the new nine-car trains on February 6, and will progressively replace the existing 12-car trains. The Government will continue to monitor the new signalling system, the new trains and the mixed-fleet operation with new and existing trains to ensure railway safety and reliability.
     

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has launched an online jazz programme, "Jazz Composers’ Lab", featuring jazz guitarist, composer and producer Alan Kwan. In eight episodes, Alan has invited four local jazz musicians, namely Lui Ngao-yuen, Sharon Lui, Victor Chu and Ted Lo, to share their original compositions. Kwan will also introduce different jazz styles and approaches to appreciating music.
 
     Details of programme are as follows (discussion sessions are conducted in Cantonese):

Episode 1 (released)
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Lui Ngao-yuen
Topic: Milky Way
Content: When Miles Davis, renowned American jazz trumpeter, formed The Second Great Quintet, he made extensive use of non-functional harmony in his compositions, reducing the need for orderly frameworks and allowing his personal style to shine through. The works of local jazz double bassist and composer Lui Ngao-yuen also share similar elements. His "Milky Way" was conceptualised from his experience with the starry sky.
 
Episode 2
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Lui Ngao-yuen
Topic: A Simple Word Between You And Me
Content: American saxophonist Dave Liebman once said that when people who play or study jazz get to a certain level of proficiency, playing free jazz is inevitable if they want to start doing it professionally. Local jazz double bassist and composer Lui Ngao-yuen debunks the myth that free jazz has no sheet music with "A Simple Word Between You and Me".
 
Episode 3
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Sharon Lui
Topic: Sakura and…
Content: Sharon Lui, one of the few women and jazz violinists in the local jazz scene, steps into an exotic fantasy to a 5/4 signature with "Sakura And…" to introduce gypsy jazz compositions.
 
Episode 4
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Sharon Lui
Topic: Valse du Cambodge
Content: With its swinging rhythms, jazz was originally music for dancing and entertainment. "Valse du Cambodge", which incorporates waltz, is a work by local jazz violinist Sharon Lui.
 
Episode 5
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Victor Chu
Topic: Momentum
Content: Local jazz guitarist Victor Chu excels at a variety of musical styles, from rock and roll, blues, to jazz. In this episode, he will share with the host, Alan, his career as a composer and talk about the different musical styles which have influenced his work. "Momentum" is one of his signature fusion jazz pieces.
 
Episode 6
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Victor Chu
Topic: Flashback
Content: For guitarist Victor Chu, studying music in the United States was a truly enlightening experience. This is why, when he wrote "Flashback" to reminisce about the past, he added elements of neo-soul, R&B and jazz to express the rhythms of life that he wanted the piece to convey. Alan and Victor will deconstruct the way in which we listen to a fusion jazz work.
 
Episode 7
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Ted Lo
Topic: Coconuts
Content: Ted Lo, Hong Kong's own "godfather of jazz", is a wizard with the keyboard and synthesizer. He began using these electronic sounds in his compositions back when fusion jazz first gained popularity on the jazz scene. In this episode, he will reinterpret "Coconuts", a fusion jazz piece recorded in 1987, and share his thoughts on making the transition from playing traditional jazz to fusion jazz, and on the development of the music scene of the time.
 
Episode 8
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Ted Lo
Topic: Ready, Whatever!
Content: A return to the basics: in this episode, Ted Lo is invited to revisit "rhythm changes", a key framework of the bebop era, and compose a work with it. Rhythm changes originated from the popular jazz standard "I Got Rhythm", and were used by numerous bandleaders such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman to create new classics. Ted's new work "Ready, Whatever!" serves as an introduction to the style and history of bebop.
 
     Episode 1 has been released. Other episodes will be available online soon. To view the online programme, please visit the LCSD's one-stop Edutainment Channel at www.lcsd.gov.hk/edutainment/en/performing_arts/page_640.html. For programme enquiries or more information, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1082.html.

     Hong Kong Customs today (February 1) alerted members of the public to an unsafe model of toy electric guitar with a potential battery overheating hazard. Parents should immediately stop letting their children play with the toy and traders should also remove the toy from their shelves.

     Customs officers earlier test-purchased a model of toy electric guitar for safety testing from a chain toys and stationery store in Yau Tong. Test results revealed that the toy posed a potential hazard of causing burns to users as a result of batteries overheating. It therefore failed to comply with the safety standards specified in the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO).

     Customs later conducted an operation and seized a total of 142 suspected unsafe toy electric guitars of the same model from the chain store's branch in Yau Tong and a wholesaler in Kwai Chung. Prohibition notices were also served on the chain store and the wholesaler to prohibit the continued sale of the toy.

     Beyond the chain store in connection with the case, Customs officers also conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts and further seized three suspected unsafe toy electric guitars of that model from two retail shops in Ma On Shan and Kowloon City.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using toys:
 

• Do not let children play with toys alone;
• Pay attention to age recommendations shown on labels;
• Follow the instructions associated with the toys;
• Beware of whether the batteries are overheated so as to avoid causing burns to children;
• Take heed of whether the small parts of toys are easily detachable. Detached small parts may block children's throats and lead to suffocation if swallowed;
• Check the structure of the toys to see, for example, whether they have a fragile structure, hidden sharp points, rough surfaces, sharp edges or gaps that may pinch children's fingers;
• Throw away plastic packages of toys and children's products to avoid children being suffocated; and
• Stop children playing with the toys immediately if any damage is observed.

     Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on toys and children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

     Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent websites, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the websites should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, February 1, 2021 is 100.6 (up 0.1 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, January 30, 2021 was 100.5 (down 0.2 against last Friday's index).