Attention radio/TV announcers: Please broadcast the following at suitable intervals: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department reminds people to keep places clean tonight (December 31) while ce… read more
With the approach of the Year of the Rat, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 31) commenced a three-week year-end clean-up campaign across the territory.
“To tie in with the tradition of cleaning up before the Lunar New Year, the annual year-end clean-up campaign is being conducted from today to January 20 next year to call for public support and efforts to maintain cleanliness in the household, the community and public places to welcome the coming Lunar New Year,” an FEHD spokesman said.
During the campaign, the FEHD will step up the cleaning of public facilities under the department’s management including public markets, cooked food centres, hawker bazaars, public toilets and refuse collection points. Cleaning of problematic sites of illegal refuse dumping and other public cleanliness offences will also be enhanced in all districts. In addition, the FEHD will conduct mosquito and rodent prevention and control operations targeting places such as old tenement buildings, streets, rear lanes, village houses and construction sites, according to each district’s circumstances. Temporary junk collection points will be set up for residents to discard large items of household waste.
The spokesman also reminded operators of food premises to pay attention to hygiene conditions on their premises and urged holders of hawker stalls to clean up their stalls.
“To ensure the cleanliness of public places, we will strengthen enforcement actions and issue fixed penalty notices to offenders in breach of the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance for littering, spitting, illegal posting of bills or posters, feeding of pigeons or other feral birds causing dirtiness to public places, and dog fouling,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman added that maintaining a clean and hygienic community hinges on the co-operation and participation of everyone. He called for the concerted efforts of every member of the public to maintain environmental hygiene and enjoy a clean environment in the Year of the Rat.
“Four Decades of Artistry Brought Together on One Stage” featuring two classic repertories – “The Sword of the Valiant” and “Death of a Loyal Warrior” – will be presented in February by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
　　　
The story of “The Sword of the Valiant” takes place during the mid-Ming dynasty. The fatuous Emperor causes suffering to his people. The minister who holds sway over state affairs, Meng Kui, colludes with Japanese pirates, while a righteous man called Xun Ru happens to know that Meng will be passing through Huainan and plots to assassinate him. Xun knows that the patriotic Long family have an heirloom, a sword with a hidden blade, which could help him succeed. Dowager Long sends her grandson Jialie to bring the sword and be the assassin. She also urges him to be ready to die if he fails.
Jialie’s sister, Jiajie, is worried about her younger brother going on this deadly mission alone. She dresses as a man and trails him in order to protect him. Jialie manages to get close to Meng but despite wielding the special sword, he fails to kill Meng. Jialie is driven off a cliff. At the news of the death, Jiajie hurries to the camp, where an ambush is waiting. During the fight, Jiajie’s pendant is lost, while Meng recognises the Long family’s treasure. Later, on Dowager Long’s birthday, Meng presents her with a box containing the head of her son. Meng claims that Jialie tried to assassinate him on the evidence of the jade pendant. The Dowager replies that he has stolen it to incriminate them. Meng gives the Long family five days to surrender, otherwise the whole family will be punished by death.
　　
Performing will be Wai Chun-fai, Chong Yuen-sin, Liu Kwok-sum, Wan Yuk-yu, Chor Ling-yan, Pui Chun-hin, Lung Ting-sang, Sze Yuen-ying and Ho Yuen-sze. “The Sword of the Valiant” will be staged at 7.30pm on February 4 (Tuesday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall; and at 7.30pm on February 17 (Monday) at the Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing. Tickets are priced from $140 to $380.
The story of “Death of a Loyal Warrior” takes place during the Ming dynasty. The Emperor is facing serious troubles within his empire and abroad. The frontier is guarded by the patriotic family of Marshal Zhong Yujun, whose elder son Xiaoquan is talented in both literary and martial arts, and has been ordered to embark on an expedition. In the meantime, the father of the Emperor’s consort slanders Xiaoquan before the Emperor. Xiaoquan is thus summoned by the Emperor, and is subject to military discipline if he defies the order. While everyone is in disarray, the consort’s father arrives with a golden token from the Emperor, threatening to execute the entire Zhong family if Xiaoquan does not return to the court immediately. Xiaoquan has no choice but to follow the order.
Deceived by rumours, the Emperor dismisses Xiaoquan from his position. Xiaoquan’s father also falls into the villianous trap, believing that the ruthlessness of his son has triggered an enemy invasion. He strikes Xiaoquan in anger with his sabre, wanting to execute him. At the same time, the consort’s father arrives with a royal decree and announces that Xiaoquan is to be executed. Despite coming back with the proof of the consort’s father’s treason, it is already too late for Xiaoyi to rescue his twin brother Xiaoquan, who has been executed by the consort’s father. To avenge his brother, Xiaoyi wields his sabre and kills the villain on the spot.
Performing will be Wai Chun-fai, Pui Chun-hin, Chong Yuen-sin, Chor Ling-yan, Lung Ting-sang, Kwong Tsz-wong, Liu Kwok-sum, Wan Yuk-yu, Sze Yuen-ying, Ho Yuen-sze, Ng Lap-hei and Kwok Chun-hang. “Death of a Loyal Warrior” will be staged at 7.30pm on February 18 (Tuesday) at the Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing. Tickets are priced from $140 to $320.
Tickets 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 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_940.html.
There will be talks (to be conducted in Cantonese) with free admission on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pre-Performance Talk
January 13 (Monday) 7.30pm
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Mak Wai-man, Liu Kwok-sum, Wai Chun-fai, Chong Yuen-sin, Chor Ling-yan, Sze Yuen-ying, Ho Yuen-sze and Lung Ting-sang
Post-Performance Talk
March 10 (Tuesday) 7.30pm
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Mak Wai-man, Liu Kwok-sum, Wai Chun-fai, Chong Yuen-sin, Pui Chun-hin, Chor Ling-yan, Sze Yuen-ying, Ho Yuen-sze and Lung Ting-sang read more
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 31) announced that the amended Public Bus Services Regulations (Cap. 230A) will take effect tomorrow (January 1). The amended Regulations allow access to franchised buses for persons carrying compressed oxygen cylinders for self-medical use when travelling provided that the total number of compressed oxygen cylinders being carried on board each bus does not exceed two.
“At present, patients having certain illnesses (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases) require oxygen therapy and have to carry oxygen cylinders, which contain compressed oxygen, for self-medical use when travelling. However, under the Public Bus Services Regulations, they shall not bring along compressed oxygen cylinders for self-medical use when travelling on franchised buses. Under the ‘Transport for All’ policy objective, the Government is committed to providing appropriate public transport services for members of the public with different needs, including persons who require oxygen therapy and therefore need to bring along compressed oxygen cylinders for self-medical use when travelling,” a department spokesman said.
The amended Public Bus Services Regulations will take effect tomorrow. Under the amended Regulations, a passenger may bring onto a bus compressed oxygen cylinder(s) required for his/her own medical use if the following conditions are met before paying any fare:
1. the passenger shows that the compressed oxygen is required for his/her own medical use by inhaling the oxygen through a nasal cannula or oxygen mask connected to the cylinder;
2. the passenger advises the driver of the number of compressed oxygen cylinders that he/she is carrying; and
3. after declaring the number of compressed oxygen cylinders that he/she is carrying, the passenger has not been advised by the driver that the total number of oxygen cylinders on board the bus will exceed two if he/she brings the oxygen cylinder(s) onto the bus.
For details, please visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or call 2804 2600. read more
Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between January and April 2020. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2020 was provided to the media in September 2019. No change has been made to the original schedule.
| January 2020 | |
| ======== | |
| Date | Press Release |
| —– | —————- |
| 3 | Retail sales statistics for November 2019 |
| 16 | Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for November 2019 |
| 17 | Business expectations for first quarter 2020 |
| 20 | Unemployment and underemployment statistics for October – December 2019 |
| 21 | Consumer Price Index for December 2019 |
| 30 | External merchandise trade statistics for December 2019 |
| February 2020 | |
| ========= | |
| Date | Press Release |
| —– | —————- |
| 3 | Advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product for fourth quarter and whole year of 2019 (Note) |
| 4 | Retail sales statistics for December 2019 |
| 5 | Restaurant receipts and purchases statistics for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 18 | Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for December 2019 |
| 18 | Unemployment and underemployment statistics for November 2019 – January 2020 |
| 18 | Year-end population for 2019 |
| 20 | Consumer Price Index for January 2020 |
| 25 | External merchandise trade statistics for January 2020 |
| 26 | Revised figures on Gross Domestic Product for fourth quarter and whole year of 2019 : data contained in the Budget supporting documents (Note) |
| March 2020 | |
| ======= | |
| Date | Press Release |
| —– | ————— |
| 2 | Retail sales statistics for January 2020 |
| 3 | Statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 10 | Quarterly business receipts indices for service industries for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 12 | Construction output statistics for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 12 | Statistics on trade involving outward processing in the mainland of China for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 13 | Index of industrial production and producer price index for the industrial sector for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 16 | Gross National Income and external primary income flows for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 17 | Unemployment and underemployment statistics for December 2019 – February 2020 |
| 19 | Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for January 2020 |
| 19 | Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by economic activity for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 20 | Employment and vacancies statistics for December 2019 |
| 23 | Balance of Payments and International Investment Position statistics for fourth quarter 2019 |
| 23 | Consumer Price Index for February 2020 |
| 26 | External merchandise trade statistics for February 2020 |
| 26 | Wage and payroll statistics for December 2019 |
| 31 | Retail sales statistics for February 2020 |
| April 2020 | |
| ======= | |
| 16 | Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for February 2020 |
| 20 | Unemployment and underemployment statistics for January – March 2020 |
| 23 | Consumer Price Index for March 2020 |
| 24 | Business expectations for second quarter 2020 |
| 27 | External merchandise trade statistics for March 2020 |
| Note: | The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) will issue press releases on quarterly advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The C&SD will compile and release revised figures on GDP in the “Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly) Report” when more data become available. The revised GDP figures for the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2019, together with other supporting materials, will also be released along with the Financial Secretary’s “Budget Speech”. According to the Financial Secretary’s Office, the Budget is scheduled to be delivered on 26 February 2020. No separate press release will be issued by the C&SD in respect of the revised GDP figures. |