Hong Kong Launches First ICH Month in June with Free Cultural Heritage Tours and Activities

Registration for LCSD's ICH Highlight Tours starts on May 16

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the first Hong Kong ICH Month in June with the theme of ICH Around Town, presenting a series of rich and diversified activities. The highlight programme, ICH Highlight Tours, recommends six handpicked districts, bringing the public to explore Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)-related traditional craftsmanship or other items and to feel the richness and diversity of ICH. Registration for the field trips will start on Friday (May 16). Admission is free.

There will be a total of 15 field trips for the ICH Highlight Tours, which will visit Yau Tsim Mong, Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Sha Tin, Eastern District, and Islands District respectively. With 20 participants per tour, the tour, conducted in Cantonese, will run for approximately two hours. Members of the public can register through the ICHO website (www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/hk_ich_month_2025_tours.html), from 10.30am on May 16 to 6.30pm on May 17. Each applicant can only register for a maximum of two persons in the same tour. In case of excess applications, all quotas will be allocated by ballot. Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email by May 23.

The dates and relevant ICH items of the field trips include:

Islands District - Tai O (May 31, two tours in total)

Salted Fish Making Technique, Shrimp Paste Blocks and Shrimp Paste Making Technique and Fishing Net Plaiting Technique, etc, and enjoying Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade.

Tai Po District (June 1 and 7, three tours in total)

Soybean Product Making Technique, Cha Kwo (Steamed Sticky Rice Dumpling) Making Technique and Noodles Making Technique, etc.

Yau Tsim Mong District (June 7 and 8, three tours in total)

Steamer Making Technique, Wood Carving Technique and Mahjong Tile Making Technique, etc.

Tsuen Wan District (June 15, two tours in total)

Unicorn Dance, Traditional Architectuer Presrvation Technique and Melon Seed Making Technique, etc.

Sha Tin District (June 21, two tours in total)

Lion Dance, Patterned Band Weaving Technique and Paper Crafting Technique, etc.

Eastern District (June 28 and 29, three tours in total)

Wooden Boat Building Technique, Noodles Making Technique and Hung Gar Kuen Style, etc.

Moreover, the ICHO collaborates with the Hong Kong Tourism Board in organising ICH Highlight Tours at Yau Tsim Mong District for tourists. Details will be announced later.

Hong Kong ICH Month 2025 is presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the ICHO of the LCSD, with ICH June as a strategic partner. Highlight activates also include carnivals or fun days in various districts across Hong Kong on several weekends and Sundays in June, an exhibition, a seminar, talks and workshops, which welcome members of the public and tourists to join. For details of the programmes, please visit the websitewww.icho.hk/en/web/icho/hk_ich_month_2025.html.

Registration for LCSD's ICH Highlight Tours starts on May 16 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Registration for LCSD's ICH Highlight Tours starts on May 16 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Registration for LCSD's ICH Highlight Tours starts on May 16 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Registration for LCSD's ICH Highlight Tours starts on May 16 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Registration for LCSD's ICH Highlight Tours starts on May 16 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Registration for LCSD's ICH Highlight Tours starts on May 16 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Notice on appointments to advisory and statutory bodies

A Government spokesman said today (January 12) that Mr Chan Kin-por recently sought approval from the Chief Executive to suspend his three public positions as appointed by the Chief Executive, until the completion of the work of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Independent Committee). Mr Chan made this request to allow himself more time to dedicate to the work of the Independent Committee. After due consideration, the Chief Executive has agreed to and approved this request. The three public positions are: (1) Chairman of Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee on Corruption; (2) Non-executive Director of Urban Renewal Authority Board; and (3) Member of Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.

On December 12, 2025, the Government established the Independent Committee to examine the causes of the incident and related issues, ascertain the facts, and make recommendations on preventing similar tragedies and on improvement measures. The Independent Committee is chaired by Mr Justice David Lok, with Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen serving as members. The Independent Committee held its first meeting on December 19 last year and aims to complete its work within nine months of commencing operations.

Mr Chan Kin-por wrote earlier to the Chief Executive, expressing his wish to suspend the aforementioned three public positions until the Independent Committee completes its work, in order to dedicate more time and focus to the Independent Committee's tasks. The Chief Executive has agreed to and approved the request.

A Government spokesperson said that since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, both the Government and the wider community have been highly concerned about the causes of the incident and the follow-up work. The scope of the Independent Committee's work is extensive, particularly concerning systemic issues related to bid-rigging and connected interests. Given the numerous issues involved and their complex nature, the Government will fully co-operate with the Independent Committee to ensure that it can complete its work and compile its report within nine months. The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Chan for accepting the appointment as a member of the Independent Committee and for his professional and conscientious approach to the Committee's work. When the Independent Committee's work is completed, the Government looks forward to Mr Chan's continuous contribution through his aforementioned public positions.

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