Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Arts Development:

     The Advisory Committee on Arts Development (ACAD) today (December 22) launched the 10th-round funding exercise under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme (ACDFS).
 
     Given modern-day technological advancements, the integration of arts and innovation and technology has become a new trend in arts development. A new category, “Arts Technology”, has been included in the 10th-round funding exercise with a view to supporting proposals that promote the convergence of arts and technology. Applicants are encouraged to present their artistic vision and aspiration through the use of technology in a creative manner by submitting proposals that exemplify and achieve the four objectives of the ACDFS, namely development of arts practitioners, arts groups, art forms and/or the arts sector; programme/content development; audience building; and arts education.
 
     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, said, “We welcome the new initiative of the ACDFS which would strongly help develop and promote arts technology. It will also empower the arts and culture industry to expand the horizons for creativity and to enrich the experience of the audience. As announced in ‘The Chief Executive’s 2020 Policy Address’, I will take the lead in setting up a task force comprising representatives of the Innovation and Technology Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Education Bureau to formulate strategies and measures to develop and promote arts technology. We look forward to receiving innovative proposals from the arts and culture industry through the ACDFS.”
 
     The ACDFS provides funding support for innovative and impactful proposals that contribute to the aforesaid objectives. Over 100 successful applications have received funding in the previous nine rounds to implement large-scale and cross-year arts and cultural initiatives, covering various art forms and practices such as performing arts, visual/media arts, multi-disciplinary arts, community arts, arts education/appreciation and arts administration.
 
     The assessment criteria for applications include artistic/professional merit, creativity and originality, impact on the arts sector and the community, technical feasibility of the proposed initiatives/activities, capacity in financial planning and management, and the management ability of the applicant and the project team.
 
     The ACDFS will continue to provide two types of grants, namely Springboard Grants and Project Grants. Springboard Grants are matching grants that support arts groups in their overall development, elevating them to a higher level of professional operation. The minimum pledged income or sponsorship of arts groups is $1 million, of which not less than $250,000 has to come from non-government sponsorships and/or private donations. A 200 per cent matching grant up to a maximum amount of $4 million may be provided and the funding period may last for a maximum of two years. Successful applicants with proven performance may apply for a second Springboard Grant up to a maximum amount of $5.5 million with a funding period of three years at most. For a second Springboard Grant, the minimum pledged income or sponsorship of arts groups is $1.5 million, of which not less than $375,000 has to come from non-government sponsorships and/or private donations. It is envisaged that a maximum grant of $9.5 million for two terms of support in five years will help promote the growth of an arts group.
 
     Project Grants are direct grants which provide successful applicants with funding support up to a ceiling of $3 million to organise large-scale and impactful projects, which may require a longer duration for implementation. The overall expenditure of the proposed activities in an application should be at or above $800,000.
 
     Online application has been introduced in the 10th-round funding exercise as an alternative to assist the applicants in submission, in addition to delivery by post and by hand. The application period starts today and will close at 6pm on February 17, 2021. The Guide to Application and relevant materials have been uploaded to the website of the Home Affairs Bureau (www.hab.gov.hk). Two briefings are scheduled for December 29 and 30. For details and the latest arrangements due to COVID-19, please refer to the above website. The ACAD expects that application results will be released around July 2021. read more

     Hongkong Post announced today (December 22) that selected philatelic products issued by the Mainland, Macao and overseas postal administrations will be put on sale from December 23 (Wednesday).
      
     Given the popularity of the “Doraemon” series stamps, Hongkong Post is launching another round of “Doraemon” series seal-type stamps by Japan Post for order by stamp lovers and the public. For those who fancy cartoon characters, the issue of “Miffy” series seal-type stamps by Japan Post as well is another collection that one cannot miss. The two seal-type souvenir sheets of JPY 84 and JPY 63 overflowing with Miffy’s cuteness are awaiting customers to bring them home for collecting. Each of the philatelic products above has a limited stock of 800 copies and a maximum of two copies can be purchased each time on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
      
     In view of the public health crisis triggered by COVID-19, the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau and the Isle of Man Post Office respectively issued stamps on the theme of “Fight Against the Epidemic Together” and “#CarryUsThrough”. During the COVID-19 lockdown, New Zealand families were entertained and delighted by the phenomenon of the bear hunt. “New Zealand Bear Hunt” issued by New Zealand Post recorded how their people enjoyed this relieving experience during a stressful time.
      
     For those who are fond of nature, the stamp products “Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Booby Birds”, “Art of the Desert” and “Norfolk Island: Norfolk Blue” issued by Australia Post are not to be missed. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, Royal Mail and New Zealand Post launched the issues “End of the Second World War” and “WWII 75 Years” respectively, enabling philatelists to recall together this critical moment in time.
      
     Under the current epidemic situation, Hongkong Post will adopt a special sales arrangement for the Mainland, Macao and overseas philatelic products to be put on sale on December 23, so as to achieve social distancing and prevent crowds from gathering. The above philatelic products will only be available at the Hongkong Post online shopping mall “ShopThruPost” (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) starting from 8am on the same day.
      
     Details of the philatelic products are set out in the Appendix. For further information, please visit stamps.hongkongpost.hk or call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.

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     The commissioning of the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel (Tunnel) will take place at 8am on December 27 (Sunday). The Transport Department (TD) today (December 22) reminded members of the public to be alert to the respective traffic and public transport arrangements.
 
1. Traffic arrangements
 
     Upon the commissioning of the Tunnel, the routes from the Northwest New Territories, such as Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, to North Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport will be adjusted. Motorists can use the Tunnel to travel to and from the Northwest New Territories and North Lantau in addition to the original routes through Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel. Signage has been installed by the TD and the Highways Department at appropriate locations to guide motorists. 
 
     The northern entrance and exit of the Tunnel is located at Tuen Mun Area 40. Motorists can use Lung Fu Road and Lung Mun Road to travel to and from various areas in Tuen Mun. Its southern entrance and exit is located on the artificial island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port. Motorists can use Chek Lap Kok Road to travel to and from the airport and the HZMB Hong Kong Port, or use Shun Long Road to travel to and from Tung Chung and North Lantau Highway.
 
     The TD reminded members of the public that the traffic at the main road sections of the Tuen Mun area connecting the Tunnel, including Tuen Mun Road (Town Centre Section) and Wong Chu Road, will sometimes remain busy after the commissioning of the Tunnel. Depending on the traffic conditions, motorists in the Tuen Mun area may access the Tunnel via local roads such as Ming Kum Road, Tsing Wun Road and Lung Mun Road instead of via Tuen Mun Road and Wong Chu Road which will help distribute traffic among these two roads. Upon its commissioning, the traffic flow at the Lung Fu Road roundabout, which is the entrance and exit of the tunnel in Tuen Mun, will be changed. The TD appealed to motorists to pay attention to the signage at the scene, reduce speed before entering the roundabout, notice vehicles at the merging point and drive carefully.
 
2. Public transport arrangements
 
     Six franchised bus routes plying between North Lantau and Northwest New Territories operated by Long Win Bus Company Limited (LW) will be diverted via the Tunnel with effect from the first departure on December 28 (Monday). The six routes are namely:
 

• Route No. A33 (Tuen Mun Road Bus-Bus Interchange-Airport (Ground Transportation Centre));
• Route No. A33X (Tuen Mun (Fu Tai)-Airport (Ground Transportation Centre));
• Route No. A34 (Hung Shui Kiu (Hung Yuen Road)-Airport (Ground Transportation Centre)) (New Route);
• Route No. E33 (Tuen Mun Central-Airport (Ground Transportation Centre));
• Route No. E33P (Siu Hong Station (South)-Airport (Ground Transportation Centre)); and
• Route No. NA33 (Tuen Mun (Fu Tai)-Airport (Cathay Pacific City)).

 
     Please refer to the annex for the brief introduction of the six routes.
 
     The Bus-Bus Interchange on Tuen Mun Chek Lap Kok Tunnel Road will be commissioned on December 28. The above bus routes will observe the Bus-Bus Interchange for enabling passengers to interchange bus routes to/from various destinations between North Lantau and Tuen Mun. 

     The TD reminded the passengers that the bus routes will no longer travel via Lantau Link after the diversion and passengers cannot interchange at the bus stop at Lantau Link Toll Plaza. Some of the current routings or the bus stops might also change. Passengers are asked to note the bus diversion and interchange arrangements early to avoid affecting their journey, and obtain more information on the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/tmclkl/index.html) or LW’s website (www.lwb.hk/en/tmclk.html) and mobile application. 
 
     The TD appealed to motorists to pay attention to the traffic signs erected on roads in the vicinity and drive carefully when plying between Tuen Mun and the airport and North Lantau through the Tunnel. Members of the public and motorists are advised to plan their trips well in advance and visit the TD’s mobile application “HKeMobility” or the abovementioned TD’s website for details of traffic and transport arrangements. read more

     In light of the announcement of the Government that the special work arrangements for government employees will be extended until January 6, 2021, a spokesman for the Marine Department (MD) announced today (December 22) that the licensing and port formalities services at the Yau Ma Tei Marine Office, the Tuen Mun Marine Office, the Sai Kung Marine Office, the Tai Po Marine Office, the Aberdeen Marine Office, the Cheung Chau Marine Office and the Shau Kei Wan Marine Office; the seafarers’ examination and certification services; mercantile marine services; and local vessel surveying and enquiry services, will continue to be suspended until January 6, 2021. Those who have made an appointment for services or examinations will be separately informed of alternative arrangements.

     The licensing and port formalities services at the Central Marine Office and other services provided by the MD will remain unaffected. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public ho… read more