Soul of Shaolin Martial Arts Production Opens International Arts Carnival in Hong Kong July 11-13.

2025-07-10 19:30 Last Updated At：19:38

International Arts Carnival opening programme martial arts theatre "Soul of Shaolin" to be staged tomorrow

The celebrated Henan Provincial Shaolin Wushu Center will perform a martial arts theatre production, "Soul of Shaolin", from tomorrow (July 11) to July 13 to open the International Arts Carnival (IAC), a summer arts festival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The programme has earned both Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. After more than two decades of world touring, it is finally coming to Hong Kong and is not to be missed.

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International Arts Carnival opening programme martial arts theatre "Soul of Shaolin" to be staged tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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International Arts Carnival opening programme martial arts theatre "Soul of Shaolin" to be staged tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Soul of Shaolin", featuring more than 30 elite kung fu masters from the Henan Provincial Shaolin Wushu Center, will showcase breathtaking martial arts scenes consisting of boxing, weaponry and qigong to demonstrate the harmony between the spiritual wisdom and physical strength of Chinese kung fu. Fusing masterful kung fu techniques with sophisticated stagecraft, the programme unleashes the very essence of Shaolin martial arts while delivering a heartwarming story of family bonds.

"Soul of Shaolin" will be held at 7.30pm on July 11 and 12, and 3pm on July 12 and 13 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Limited tickets priced at $250, $350, $450 and $520 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".

The programme contains loud sound effects and action scenes. The performers have been professionally trained, and audience members are advised not to imitate their acts. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk/2025/en/soulofshaolin.html.

This year's IAC will run from July 11 to August 17, featuring a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups and artists.

"Soul of Shaolin" is also one of the programmes of the Chinese Culture Festival 2025.

Court Dismisses Chow Hang Tung's Challenge to Hong Kong's Clothing Policy for Persons in Custody

HKSAR Government welcomes court's decision to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on clothing policy for persons in custody

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court today (January 13) to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on the clothing policy for persons in custody (PICs).

The court judgment pointed out that the current clothing policy for PICs, including the requirement for female PICs to wear trousers in summer daytime, was formulated by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) as authorised by the Prison Rules. The Court was satisfied that the CSD had the expertise and experience in the relevant context, and that it had carefully considered various factors, taken into account of professional opinion when making the decision, as well as reviewed the policy continuously. The Court ruled that Chow Hang Tung had failed to demonstrate that the current policy constituted less favourable treatment of a particular gender. The Court pointed out that there was currently no factual evidence to support any assertion that there was widespread concern about the health effects of wearing trousers in summer. In addition, the rule was not absolute, but instead allowed individual PICs to apply for exceptional arrangements in special circumstances. At the same time, the Court also rejected Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she had requested to the CSD in July and August 2024 to wear shorts and had been refused.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The ruling of the Court of First Instance confirmed that the CSD's approach is reasonable, justified and lawful. According to Rule 26 of the Prison Rules, the CSD must provide every PIC with a uniform that meets a scale imposed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. Over the years, the CSD had appointed task groups from time to time to review the clothing arrangements of PICs. These reviews gave ample consideration to numerous factors, including the type of correctional institutions, PICs' varying daily routines and activities involved, the need for thermal, physical and psychological comfort for PICs of different genders, privacy and decency of PICs and the security, good order and discipline of the prison, so as to continuously refine clothing arrangements according to the prevailing circumstances."

The spokesman stated, "Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she requested to wear shorts in summer and was rejected by the CSD is entirely inconsistent with the facts and was rejected by the Court. Besides, the current clothing policy for PICs already provides a degree of flexibility. For example, a PIC may make an application to wear other clothing on medical or non-medical grounds to the CSD, and the CSD would make appropriate arrangements having considered the actual circumstances and relevant factors."

The CSD will continue to impartially implement the relevant rules of the Prison Rules in accordance with the law and commit to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment.

Soul of Shaolin Martial Arts Production Opens International Arts Carnival in Hong Kong July 11-13.

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