Hong Kong Customs seizes illegally imported live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) seized two illegally imported live birds of a suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $5,000, at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming 46-year-old local female passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said Control Point yesterday. Upon examination, the two live birds were seized from her backpack. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and confirmed that the two live birds were of an endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.
Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) seized two illegally imported live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $5,000, at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Photo shows the live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Culture Festival 2026 to present 10 opera films screening masters of Peking, Yu and Cantonese operas to revive heroic legends
The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Featuring a curated selection of 10 classic Chinese opera films from the 1950s to the 1960s, the line-up spans Peking opera, Yu opera and Cantonese opera. The programme invites audiences to revisit timeless tales of loyalty and righteousness as well as folk legends beloved across generations while promoting the appreciation of Chinese opera. This programme is also part of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival.
Chinese opera films
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Five cinematic masterpieces of Peking and Yu opera have been selected, capturing the virtuosic movements and expressions of Peking opera legends such as Zhang Junqiu, Gai Jiaotian, Li Shaochun and Wang Jinghua, as well as Yu opera master Ma Jinfeng, on the silver screen. These films vividly showcase the artistic splendour of both operatic genres.
Adapted from the classic novel "The Water Margin", "The Boar Forest" (1962) follows Lin Chong as he seeks refuge on Liangshan after being framed by the treacherous Gao Qiu and his son. "Wu Song" (1963) depicts the classic tale of Wu Song avenging his brother's death by slaying Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing. Both films brilliantly embody a heroic spirit that fiercely opposes evil. "The Case of Killing Chen Shimei" (1964) champions justice through the gripping story of upright judge Bao Zheng ordering the execution of the unfaithful Chen Shimei. Following these are "The Lady Warriors of the Yang Family" (1960) and "Mu Guiying Takes Command" (1958), both of which focus on the unwavering loyalty of the Yang clan. The former tells of Dowager She taking command to defeat the enemy forces after the death of General Yang Zongbao, while the latter portrays Mu Guiying donning her armour once more to lead troops to the border and quell a rebellion.
Cantonese opera films
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The five films spotlight the heyday of Hong Kong's Cantonese opera cinema during the late 1950s and the early 1960s.
Starring Sun Ma Si Tsang and Fung Wong Nui, "Mo Chung Fights the Tiger" (1959) similarly features the plot where Mo Chung (Wu Song) furiously executes Poon Kam-lin (Pan Jinlian) and Saimoon Hing (Ximen Qing), showcasing the fearless character of a righteous figure. Centred on the legendary tales of Sit Ding-shan and Fan Lei-fa, "Fan Lei-fa" (1960) and "The Chilly River Pass" (1961) feature Yam Kim-fai paired with Yu Lai-zhen, and So Siu-tong with Law Yim-hing respectively. Audiences will witness how the witty and courageous Fan Lei-fa defeats her enemies, resolves marital misunderstandings, and overcomes both internal turmoil and external invasions. Reuniting the celebrated pairing of Yam Kim-fai and Yu Lai-zhen, "Law Shing at the Gate" (1962) recounts the tragic plight of the famous General Law Shing. Persecuted by treacherous officials, he is barred from entering the city gates upon his return, and writes a plea for help in his own blood. "Lodging of a Complaint Before the Imperial Court by the Young Amazons" (1961), starring the classic duo Yu So-chow and Mak Bing-wing, delivers a moving tale of loyalty and sacrifice, detailing the wrongful deaths of Yeung Yip and his son Yeung Chat-long, followed by Chat-long's widow taking her grievance to the imperial court and subsequently the Yeung heroines slay the culprit with their own hands.
Please refer to the Annex for details of the above-mentioned screenings. Tickets priced at $70 per screening are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced "Generations Together 1+1" discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/chinese-opera-film-shows-2.
The programme will also host two sessions under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series", featuring the Yu opera film "Mu Guiying Takes Command" (1958), to be held at 10.30am and 2.30pm on September 9 (Wednesday) at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive. Free admission is offered specially to local primary and secondary school students, allowing them to appreciate the vivid heroism of characters in traditional operas and the artistic essence of Yu opera through this timeless masterpiece. Interested schools can call 2268 7325 for details.
The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. This year's CCF is held from June to September. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Photo shows a film still of "Lodging of a Complaint Before the Imperial Court by the Young Amazons" (1961). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Photo shows a film still of "Law Shing at the Gate" (1962). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Photo shows a film still of "Fan Lei-fa" (1960). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Photo shows a film still of "The Chilly River Pass" (1961). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Photo shows a film still of "Mo Chung Fights the Tiger" (1959). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Photo shows a film still of "Mu Guiying Taks Command" (1958). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Photo shows a film still of "Wu Song" (1963). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
