LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present Cello Recital by Alex Lau in September
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s "Hong Kong Artists" Series will present a cello recital by Alex Lau in September. The emerging young cellist will collaborate with Japanese pianist Naoko Sonoda to perform an exquisite selection of cello sonatas spanning different eras, showcasing his outstanding talent and superb technique.
In the first half of the recital, Lau and Sonoda will perform Beethoven's "Cello Sonata No. 4 in C, Op. 102, No. 1" and Brahms' "Cello Sonata in F, Op. 99". The second half will feature two works from the mid-20th century, beginning with Lau's solo interpretation of Ligeti's "Sonata for Solo Cello", culminating in a rendition of Prokofiev's "Cello Sonata in C, Op. 119" with Sonoda.
Lau is pursuing a bachelor's degree at the Munich University of Music and Performing Arts. He has performed around Europe, the United States (US) and Asia at prestigious venues such as the Victoria Hall in Geneva, the Berliner Philharmonie and the Flagey in Brussels. He has also been invited to perform at international festivals including the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival in the US and the NUME Academy & Festival in Italy. He was a first-prize winner at the Ai Qin Bei International Cello Competition in China, the Nouvelles Étoiles International Music Competition in France and the Primuz International Strings Competition in Poland.
The "Hong Kong Artists" Series: Cello Recital by Alex Lau will be staged at 8pm on September 9 (Tuesday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $200 and $240 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Package discounts will be available for purchasing different recitals under the "Hong Kong Artists" Series 2025 (including the Vocal Recital by Viola Cheung on November 13 and the Guzheng Recital by Grammy Yeung on December 1). For discount schemes and programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1834.html.
The "Hong Kong Artists" Series of the LCSD aims to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their remarkable talent. In addition to individual performances, it also encourages cross-genre works to highlight their unique styles. This year's series introduces 10 distinguished musicians in six stunning programmes, featuring violin, piano, cello, guzheng and vocal arts. Among them, a cross-genre performance of music and painting was staged to showcase Hong Kong's unique cultural character, embracing diversity and innovation. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1823.html.
LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present Cello Recital by Alex Lau in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present Cello Recital by Alex Lau in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government implements multiple measures to promote smart, green and modern logistics development
The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) announced today (January 16) the implementation of various measures, including the formal rollout of the Port Community System (PCS) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Data Collection Tools, as well as the release of the findings of the planning study on the development of a modern logistics cluster in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA), with a view to promoting the smart, green, sustainable and modern development of Hong Kong's logistics industry through a multipronged approach.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), Photo by Bastille Post
The Secretary of Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said, "Our country has long been providing solid backing for Hong Kong's maritime development. The Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (FYP) recently promulgated have clearly stated the objective of consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre. The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area also mentioned the active implementation of various measures to promote Hong Kong's maritime development. Since the Action Plan on the Modern Logistics Development (the Action Plan) has been promulgated for two years, with the full co-operation of the industry, we have completely implemented all action measures and been leading the Hong Kong logistics industry's transition towards high technology adoption and sustainable growth, thereby enhancing the industry's international competitiveness. We will continue to follow the guidance of the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th FYP, leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world to maintain our position as the region's leading international logistics hub, thereby better integrating into and serving the overall national development."
The logistics industry is one of the pillar industries of Hong Kong. To promote the sustainable and high-quality development of the industry, the Government promulgated the Action Plan in 2023, which formulated eight strategies and 24 action measures to assist the industry in embracing the new era of smart, green and modern logistics. Apart from a number of subsidy schemes to assist the industry in upgrading their operations by adopting smart and green logistics solutions and taking relevant training courses, as well as release land parcels to meet the industry's demand for premium logistics sites in the short to medium term, the Government is also working at full steam to build the new image of modern logistics as "smart, innovative, high-end" and reach out to young people on campus through the Curriculum on Logistics Industry and internship scheme, among others in order to attract young people to join the industry. Externally, on one hand, we commenced logistics co-operation with Guangxi, Chongqing and Chengdu with a view to exploring new cargo sources for Hong Kong. On the other hand, we enhanced overseas promotions to explore business opportunities together with the industry in Belt and Road countries.
PCS
In terms of smart logistics, the PCS, a critical digital infrastructure developed by the Government with over $200 million in funding, was formally rolled out today. It marks a significant milestone for the digital transformation of Hong Kong's port and logistics development.
The system provides one-stop, round-the-clock, real-time cargo tracking and links up sea, land, and air transport networks, thereby holistically enhancing the transparency, efficiency and interconnectivity of the logistics chain. Apart from its core function of real-time cargo tracking, the system will also offer value-added electronic services such as the "One-Data-Multiple-Declarations" function. By facilitating cargo import and export declarations by the industry, the system will provide one-stop services for local logistics and trading companies, thereby supporting the upgrading of the industry.
At today's PCS rollout ceremony, the TLB also signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre and a local logistics start-up company, FUNDel, to accelerate the connection between the PCS and data platforms of the logistics industry, as well as study the utilisation of the trusted cargo flow data on the PCS to help financial institutions assess trade finance applications filed by relevant logistics small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby supporting the sustainable development of the logistics industry.
Findings of the planning study on the development of Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen modern logistics cluster
The findings of the planning study on the development of a modern logistics cluster in the HSK/HT NDA were also announced today. To address the industry's long-term demand for logistics sites, the Government proposed to develop modern logistics clusters in the HSK/HT NDA. The relevant planning study commenced in March 2024 and was completed at the end of 2025.
After conducting a comprehensive consultation with the trade and considering comments from various stakeholders, the study suggests that the logistics cluster should adopt three major development directions, namely be "enterprise-oriented", have a "market-enabling environment" and an "innovative approach to drive industry development". It also suggests measures such as providing tailor-made entry terms for anchor enterprises and increasing the flexibility of development modes, with a view to ensuring the development of the logistics cluster meets the trends and demands of the market.
The TLB plans to invite the industry to submit expressions of interest for the first logistics cluster site this year, and will draw up the relevant land lease terms and development mode after taking into account the intents of the industry to ensure that they keep pace with industry's development needs.
The Study Report has been uploaded to the website of the planning study on the development of a modern logistics cluster in HSK/HT NDA (www.lc-hskht.hk).
ESG Data Collection Tools
ESG is a new international development trend for the logistics trade. Further to the Government's announcement of the Roadmap for ESG Development for Logistics Industry in June 2025 which has outlined a clear way forward for adopting ESG by logistics SMEs, the TLB today further released a set of ESG Data Collection Tools (the Toolkit) tailored for logistics SMEs, with a view to assisting them in taking the first step towards putting ESG into practice.
The Toolkit includes a user-friendly data collection template, a data dictionary and a user manual. It aims to equip SMEs with the ability to collect and record ESG data early and use the collected data to prepare ESG data reports that fulfil international ESG disclosure requirements. In the long run, logistics SMEs may even utilise the data for reviewing and improving their ESG performance, thereby helping to build up Hong Kong logistics industry's sustainability credentials and enhance its competitiveness. Interested companies may register at the ESG Resource Centre on the website of Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (www.logisticshk.gov.hk/en/ESG/ESG_collection.php) to obtain the Toolkit for free.
The TLB will continue to closely liaise and co-operate with the industry, and further consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international logistics hub through various policies and measures. The Government will also ensure that the logistics industry will maintain its edge in the international market and drive the development of trading and maritime industries at the same time by seizing the enormous opportunities brought by national and regional development, thereby promoting the high-quality development of Hong Kong's economy.
The future development of a modern logistics cluster in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA), Photo source: the official website of the Lands Department
