Two Hong Kong Cultural Icons Named National Intangible Heritage Bearers by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

2025-03-17 22:02 Last Updated At：22:18

Two Hong Kong representatives selected as sixth batch of representative bearers of national intangible cultural heritage

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the sixth batch of representative bearers of the national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) on March 12. A total number of 942 representative bearers of the national ICH across the country were selected, including two from Hong Kong, Mr Lau Kam-tong, bearer of Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung, and Dr Lee Yiu-fai, bearer of the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs.

In response to the invitation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for nominations for the sixth batch of representative bearers of the national ICH, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government nominated Mr Lau and Dr Lee upon consulting the ICH Advisory Committee. Mr Lau and Dr Lee have been dedicated to promoting and preserving the Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung, and the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs respectively. The HKSAR Government extended warm congratulations to the two representative bearers.

The two ICH items were inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH and the First ICH Inventory of Hong Kong respectively in 2014, as well as the Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong in 2017. Information on the two representative bearers are as follows:

(1) Mr Lau Kam-tong, representative bearer of the Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung

The Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung is a culture that has been passed down through generations among the Hakka people of the local community for more than 200 years. The Hakka people believe that the Chinese unicorn, the qilin, is an auspicious animal that can ward off evil and bring good luck. The Hakka unicorn dance is performed on all celebratory occasions such as the Chinese New Year, weddings, birthday parties, the inauguration of an ancestral hall, moving into a new home, welcoming guests, the jiao festivals, and birthdays of deities.

Mr Lau has made substantial contributions to passing on the Hakka unicorn dance culture over the past 60 years. He has been learning the Hakka unicorn dance since he was 7 years old. He established the Joint Association of Traditional Hakka Unicorn in Sai Kung and Hang Hau, Hong Kong in 2013, and has since been the chairman. He has led the community to form unicorn dance teams and arrange training courses. He has also actively promoted this ICH item in Hong Kong and on the Mainland. Under his leadership, the Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung was inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH in 2014.

(2) Dr Lee Yiu-fai, representative bearer of the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs

The folk religion of Wong Tai Sin originated in the Jinhua area of Zhejiang Province and was introduced into the Lingnan region at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Wong Tai Sin belief and customs in Hong Kong can be traced back to 1915. In 1921, Sik Sik Yuen was established to manage the Wong Tai Sin Temple. After a century of inheritance, the development of the Wong Tai Sin folk religion has nowadays incorporated charity, with the "To act benevolently, teach benevolence and grant every wish" spirit actualised through Sik Sik Yuen's provision of various social services.

Dr Lee joined the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Sik Sik Yuen in 1985 and has served as the Abbot of the Wong Tai Sin Temple since 2006. Dr Lee has been devoted to promoting the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs, organising courses, publishing ritual books and establishing the Cultural Centre for Wong Tai Sin Belief and Customs in 2021. Apart from being responsible for the religious matters of Sik Sik Yuen, Dr Lee also actively participates in public service activities, and promotes the "To act benevolently, teach benevolence" spirit. Under his stewardship, the item of Wong Tai Sin belief and customs was inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH in 2014.

The HKSAR Government will continue to preserve and promote local ICH, and encourage community participation in sustaining the development of Hong Kong's traditional culture.

Hong Kong Launches Thematic Exhibition for 10th National Security Education Day to Promote Awareness and Patriotism.

2025-03-18 21:01 Last Updated At：21:18

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 10th National Security Education Day thematic exhibition

The following is issued on behalf of the National Security Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that a thematic exhibition will be held at the National Security Exhibition Gallery to dovetail with the 10th National Security Education Day. With full support from the Department of Justice, the Education Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the opening ceremony of the 10th National Security Education Day thematic exhibition was launched today (March 18) at the Hong Kong Museum of History, marking the beginning of a series of activities on national security education. The exhibition will be open to all Hong Kong citizens from tomorrow (March 19) onwards.

As stipulated by the National Security Law of the People's Republic of China, passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in 2015, the 15th of April each year is designated as National Security Education Day. At the national level, various provinces, municipalities and regions have leveraged this special occasion as an opportunity to advance national security education under the guidance of a holistic approach to national security.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has always been committed to promoting national security education. Over the years, under the leadership of the Central Government and with the support of various offices of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, as well as the joint efforts of all sectors of society, diverse creative promotional activities have been held with widespread participation, thereby fostering a positive atmosphere where all Hong Kong citizens join hands to build the Great Wall of national security.

Since the launch of the National Security Exhibition Gallery in August last year, the Education Bureau has been inviting school sponsoring bodies and schools to organise student visits. As of the first term of the current school year, over 43000 students from about 120 primary and secondary schools have visited the gallery, and the visits have deepened their understanding of national security through display panels, a 3D theatre, interactive games, and animations.

The 15th of April this year marks the 10th National Security Education Day. The thematic exhibition adopts the national theme of "The 10th anniversary of National Security Education Day: advancing towards more in-depth and effective implementation", reflecting on the development of promoting national security education in the country and the HKSAR over the years.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, "The Education Bureau has consistently been supporting schools in enhancing national education and fostering students' sense of patriotism and awareness of national security through diverse measures, using approaches such as 'organic integration' and 'natural connection' to enhance their sense of national identity.

"National security is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the country. We will continue to work hand in hand with all sectors of society to promote national security education, with a view to strengthening the public's awareness and sense of responsibility in safeguarding national security on their own accord, and creating a positive atmosphere of patriotism and love for Hong Kong."

The HKSAR Government will continue its unwavering efforts to widen and deepen the promotion of national security education. By fostering the active participation and collective efforts of all sectors of society, especially the community and young people, wewill continue to break new ground in national security work and write new chapters in the journey towards achieving national prosperity and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.