Latest news with #LeisureandCulturalServicesDepartment
HKFP
3 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong police mull access to gov't departments, MTR surveillance feeds, reports say
Hong Kong police may gain access to surveillance footage from government departments and the railway operator, which would be included in its 'SmartView' CCTV programme, according to media reports. The police force is considering gaining access to video surveillance feeds from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Transport Department, and the Housing Department, as well as the MTR Corporation (MTRC) within the year, local media reported, citing unnamed sources. The SmartView programme is an initiative, implemented by the police in collaboration with government departments, to install closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in public places with high crime rates and pedestrian flow to prevent and help fight crime. In a response to enquiries from local media, including Ming Pao newspaper, the MTRC said that it would comply with the orders to hand over footage to the police for law enforcement purposes and 'to maintain public safety of the railway network.' In the case of any changes from existing arrangements, the MTRC will conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment to ensure it complies with laws and regulations, it said. According to a 2013 report published by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, the city's privacy watchdog, the MTRC had 3,342 cameras in stations and 429 cameras fitted in 78 of its 347 trains. Local paper Sing Tao reported on Sunday that police officers with inspector-level authorisation would have direct access to government departments' and the MTRC's surveillance footage for investigation purposes. The police are also mulling the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify suspects, with a source comparing such a policy to the UK's use of facial recognition software. HKFP has reached out to the rail operator, the police, and the government departments for comment. 7,000 cameras by 2027 The push for surveillance access comes amid a broader police drive to install up to 7,000 surveillance cameras citywide by 2027. Having installed more than 600 cameras last year, the force aims to install a total of 1,385 by the end of 2025. Secretary for Security Chris Tang said in July last year that the government planned to introduce AI-powered facial identification software in the thousands of new cameras the police were setting up. With those new cameras and the ones under the three government departments, the police would have access to 20,000 more surveillance feeds by the end of the year, the force told local media. Last month, the police began a separate trial project using Transport Department surveillance footage to tackle illegal parking and other traffic violations at four intersections in Central and Causeway Bay.
RTHK
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Walled City expo turnout beats 10,000 in first week
Walled City expo turnout beats 10,000 in first week Rosanna Law predicts a 16 percent spike in mainland visitors this weekend due to the Dragon Boat Festival. File photo: RTHK Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said on Saturday more than 10,000 people have visited a new exhibition held at Kowloon Walled City Park, the original site of the former Walled City, in just the first week of its opening. The 'Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey' exhibition, which features replicas of movie sets from the award-winning film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, opened to public last Saturday in a three-year run. To augment the experience as well as manage the flow of visitors, Law said the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has put in place a special ticket arrangement that allows visitors to enter the exhibition at designated times. "The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services has told me that the new [system] has been successful,' she said on a Commercial Radio programme. 'Of course, visitors still need to wait, but they are happier if they can take a break from queueing. "Having breakfast nearby is very convenient; it only takes five to seven minutes to get to Kowloon City.' Law also said four concurrent concerts held last weekend brought out almost 100,000 fans on a single night. She said an essential principle in tourism is that 'when popularity flourishes, wealth and good luck follow' and stressed that Hong Kong should not belittle itself as being an unappealing travel destination. However, she conceded that some people did not stay overnight after attending the concerts and said the sector should come up with measures to attract overnight spending, including packages that include hotel and concert tickets. Law also predicted there would be a 16 percent increase in visits from the mainland this weekend compared to a typical weekend due to the Dragon Boat Festival. However, she gave an assurance, saying the authorities are experienced in managing such influxes. This weekend also sees the last testing event for the 15th National Games in Hong Kong. The test event, featuring the Challenge Cups Fencing Championships, will conclude on Sunday. Law estimates that around 100,000 visitors will attend the National Games events in Hong Kong, scheduled to take place between November 9 and 21. She added that ticketing arrangements will be announced this summer, with both online and offline sales available.
RTHK
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
HK to showcase intangible cultural heritage
HK to showcase intangible cultural heritage The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's ICH office says the event acts as a platform to showcase some of the over 500 ICH items in the SAR. Photo: RTHK More than 100,000 people are expected to participate or turn out for Hong Kong's first Intangible Cultural Heritage Month. Photo: RTHK More than 100,000 people are expected to participate or turn out for Hong Kong's first Intangible Cultural Heritage Month in June. The month will feature more than 100 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) programmes, which aim to protect and promote the nation and the city's unique cultures. The event was first proposed by Chief Executive John Lee in his Policy Address in October. It also coincides with the nation's Cultural and Heritage Day, which is held on the second Saturday of June each year. Themed "ICH Around Town", activities span field trips to outlying islands and Eastern district to carnivals that showcase a variety of traditional events such as the Cheung Chau floats parade, Pok Fu Lam fire dragon dance and Cantonese opera. All admissions are free of charge. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's ICH office said the month acts as a platform to showcase some of the over 500 ICH events and items in the SAR. 'There are a lot of ICH events and items in Hong Kong,' said Judith Ng, who heads the office. "When you walk on the streets, you can taste herbal tea, egg tarts and milk tea. "A lot of people also like to go to restaurants for dim sum, and the techniques for making dim sum are also an intangible cultural heritage item. 'We want the public to know more about ICH items around themselves and to appreciate our cultural essence." Ng added that the office would collaborate with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to draw in overseas tourists. 'Tourists can join the tours organised by the office [during the month]," she said. "If they cannot join, our office will also upload the relevant maps and videos on our website for them to follow and download. "Tourists can refer to them to explore ICH items by themselves.' The office hopes to make the event a yearly attraction as a way of strengthening the local characteristics of different districts.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Hong Kong sculpture with yellow raincoats won't return outside Cultural Centre
A Hong Kong art installation featuring yellow raincoats and an umbrella will not be put back on display at a popular piazza where it was removed for restoration works last year, authorities have said, without explaining whether political considerations were behind the decision. One prominent art commentator said on Monday that the piece was unrelated to protest movements and such 'unnecessary' moves did not look good to an overseas audience, given the city wanted to cement its role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Lining Up , a row of 10 cast bronze sculptures of everyday people by the late Taiwanese artist Ju Ming, had stood outside the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui for years before the Leisure and Cultural Services Department began its maintenance work on the installation. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Two of the figures are dressed in yellow raincoats and a third carries an umbrella in the same colour. In Hong Kong, the colour is associated with anti-government protesters. The department enclosed the sculptures with hoarding in April last year. A repeating photo of the work had been wrapped around the boards. But at some point in May last year, the department inserted grey panels covering each photo at the spot where they show the two sculptures in the line-up dressed in yellow raincoats. While the work was completed far before the 2014 'umbrella movement' took shape, the figures wearing yellow raincoats took on an added significance for some after a demonstrator dressed in the attire – later dubbed the 'raincoat man' – fell to his death in Admiralty in the early days of the 2019 social unrest. Protesters in both movements adopted the colour. In a reply to the Post on Monday, the department confirmed that the work would not be reinstalled outside the centre. 'As the sculpture concerned had been on display at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza for many years since 2017, it would not be reinstalled in situ,' a spokeswoman of the department said. She noted that the work had been removed earlier for restoration due to wear and tear. The repair works were now complete, with the installation currently under the department's care in storage. The department did not say whether its latest decision was related to the yellow raincoats. It also did not give details on storage arrangements or whether keeping it out of public view would be a waste of resources. The piazza currently displays two mascots – Xi Yang Yang and Le Rong Rong – for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. The Juming Museum in Taipei said the department owned the work, which is carved in Ju's recognisable minimalist style that earned him worldwide fame. John Batten, a Hong Kong-based art critic, called the decision not to reinstall the work unnecessary and an overreaction given the piece was not political. He said the decision was not beneficial for the city's art image overseas. 'It's a much loved work by the public, a very interactive work in a prominent position also with mainlanders going to the area. No one sees that yellow raincoat colour as a political work,' Batten said. 'What happened in 2019 is still a strong feeling for everyone in Hong Kong, [but] we all sort of know the boundaries now. The piece was never part of the protest ... It's unnecessary.' He said public speculation on the decision was unlikely to be the government's concern. 'I would ask that people, the art lovers in Hong Kong, be respected and the artwork is put back on display,' he said, adding that it could be exhibited at a different location. The sculpture was also temporarily enclosed in 2021, sparking similar speculation among internet users. Authorities said at the time that it was closed for regular maintenance, and it later reopened for public display. Ju's other works have been featured in major public spaces and galleries in Hong Kong and beyond. Sculptures from his Tai Chi series have also been on display at Exchange Square in Central as well as the Chinese University of Hong Kong for years. His works regularly appear in auctions and can fetch millions. Single Whip, one of his bronze sculptures from the Tai Chi series, was sold for HK$20.8 million in October 2011 at Sotheby's. The artist died in April 2023 aged 85, leaving behind a legacy of reframing elements of traditional Chinese culture for the modern era. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
South China Morning Post
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Success of ‘Art March Hong Kong' reaffirms city's status as dynamic international art hub
03:39 Major events reaffirm Hong Kong as a global art hub Major events reaffirm Hong Kong as a global art hub Visitors to Hong Kong last month would have seen first-hand how the dynamic metropolis has fully embraced art. Advertisement Major international events, including the 12th edition of Art Basel Hong Kong and the city's own Art Central fair, had – very visibly – taken up residency in the heart of the city, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Central Harbourfront, where local galleries hosted exhibitions and parties. Other activities including special auctions under the 'Art March Hong Kong 2025' celebration initiated by Hong Kong's art and culture hub, the West Kowloon Cultural District, and the fourth Museum Summit, organised by the city's Leisure and Cultural Services Department, emphasised how Hong Kong has achieved its aim to become an international art hub. It is now also the third-largest centre for art auctions in the world. Art patron Alia Al-Senussi (left) and painter Fatina Kong believe the Hong Kong government's efforts have helped the city to achieve its aim to become a global art hub. Organisers say this year's three-day Art Basel Hong Kong drew an estimated 91,000 visitors, including 'prominent private collectors and art patrons from over 70 countries and territories', who came to look at artworks from the collections of 240 galleries from across the globe. Among them was collector and art patron Alia Al-Senussi, who has also served as Art Basel's United Kingdom, Middle East and North Africa representative for over a decade. She believes international art galleries and artists are drawn to Hong Kong because it offers both inclusivity and opportunity. 'People travelling to a new place often get intimidated by the idea of something foreign or different to them,' she says. 'But when artists and collectors in the art world come to Hong Kong, they understand how to make those connections to people, even from their own hometowns – and so, being in Hong Kong makes the world small, but in the most special way. Advertisement 'Whether it's at Duddell's over lunch, or in the convention centre at a booth, or over a drink at Dragon-i late at night … it's a really perfect place to come and be able to make those connections.' Her Libyan heritage and education in the UK and the United States have made her an ideal interlocutor for the global art scene. For years, she has visited Hong Kong for art collaborations and curated exhibitions, including one at restaurant and cultural space Duddell's in Central, featuring Saudi Arabian artist and doctor Ahmed Mater, believed to be the first artist from that country to showcase his work in the city.
