Hong Kong artists shine at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 reception in London ETO.

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh

​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) hosted a networking reception in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom (UK), on August 9 (London time) evening, for about 180 guests in celebrating the participation of Hong Kong artists in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The audience included members of the Scottish Parliament, local council members and leading figures in the local academic, arts and cultural sector.

Speaking at the reception, the Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, mentioned that the London ETO is pleased to support four troupes and two street performance artists to join the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024. He emphasised Hong Kong's commitment to developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

"In elevating Hong Kong into a world-class hub for performing arts, we will host the very first Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) from October 14 to 18. As a flagship platform for performing arts, HKPAX is set to facilitate art and cultural exchange between China including Hong Kong, and the rest of the world; expand trading market of performing arts programmes; and explore new opportunities for arts practitioners from the region and beyond," he added.

The reception featured an excerpt of the performances of One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation, TS Crew, Lai Yee, and Lyson Sze.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 runs from August 2 to 26 in Edinburgh, UK. "Cantonese Opera x Children's Interactive Theatre: Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground" by One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation plays at theSpace@Surgeons' Hall till August 10. "Must I Cry" by Theatre du Pif plays at Paradise in Augustines till August 25. "No Dragon No Lion" by TS Crew plays at C Arts, Lauriston Halls till August 25. "It's Not My Body Chapter 3.5 / This Is" by Wong Tan-ki and Dick Wong plays at Assembly @ Dance Base till August 11. Flow artist Lai Yee and freestyle football player Lyson Sze's performances are staged throughout the streets of Edinburgh.

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO Summer Night reception celebrates Hong Kong artists in Edinburgh Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Concrete batching plants in Yau Tong convicted for violating Air Pollution Control Ordinance

​Two concrete batching plants (CBPs) of China Concrete Company Limited located at 20 and 22 Tung Yuen Street, Yau Tong, were charged with conducting illegal cement works without a valid specified process (SP) licence and failing to comply with an air pollution abatement notice served, contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO). The company pleaded guilty to 28 summonses at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court today (April 7) and was fined a total of $212,000.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that the department has been making unremitting efforts to follow up on the illegal operations of the two CBPs. To date, the EPD has issued a total of 39 summonses for criminal prosecution against the company, with 30 charges successfully convicted so far, while the remaining nine cases of non-compliance are still in process.

Moreover, new amendments to the APCO, taking effect on April 11, empower the Director of Environmental Protection to issue a closure notice to premises if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that unlicensed SP operations are taking place. The amended APCO has proven decisive in addressing the illegal operations by the two CBPs. The EPD has received a notification from the China Concrete Company Limited earlier indicating that they will cease all operations of the concrete batching process and related operations by early April. The EPD has been closely monitoring the situation, and its latest observations revealed that the two CBPs will cease operation.

The spokesperson added, "The EPD will continue to closely monitor the situation. Should the two CBPs be found to continue the unlicensed operations after the amended APCO takes effect, the department will take stringent action in accordance with the law."