Secretary for Health Visits Redeveloped Kwai Chung Hospital, Enhancing Psychiatric Services and Community Support Initiatives

Secretary for Health visits Kwai Chung Hospital new blocks

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the redeveloped Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH) today (July 13) to learn about the facilities and operations of the hospital's new blocks.

Accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee; the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon West Cluster of the HA, Dr Alexander Law; and the Hospital Chief Executive of KCH, Dr Cheng Koi-man, Professor Lo visited facilities and relevant services including psychiatric wards and the Child and Adolescent Integrated Day Hospital to gain a better understanding of the new hospital blocks' design concepts and service vision of the "therapeutic village".

Professor Lo said, "The redeveloped KCH will provide holistic treatment for about one quarter of psychiatric patients in Hong Kong, significantly enhancing service standards and marking an important milestone in the development of mental health services in Hong Kong.

"The new blocks of KCH adopt the service concept of a 'therapeutic village'. In addition to in-patient services, it also offers recovery and community support services, enabling patients in recovery to receive various day rehabilitation services delivered by allied health and nursing teams in the hospital. These services simulate a real-life environment to facilitate their gradual reintegration into family, work and social roles. I look forward to the 'therapeutic village' contributing to reduce the patients' need for hospitalisation while serving as an important transitional hub for patients' gradual reintegration into the community, standing side by side with the patients and the recovered ones on their roads to recovery.

"Furthermore, the redeveloped KCH houses the only service block dedicated to child and adolescent services in Hong Kong, providing one-stop treatment services to psychiatric patients under 18 years old. The building designs, ward environment, as well as assessment and treatment plans are all centred on children, adolescents and their families to better serve their needs. The Government attaches great importance to the mental health of children and adolescents, and the enhancement of related services at KCH will help strengthen support for those in need."

Commissioned in 1981, KCH began redevelopment on its existing site in 2019 to upgrade the hospital facilities and align with modern psychiatric healthcare services. Specialist out-patient services have been relocated to new hospital blocks and services have been commenced by phases from late-March this year. Specialist out-patient services previously scattered across different districts will also be gradually integrated, with a view to enhancing synergy among healthcare teams. In-patient and day services will begin relocation from the old block to new blocks from the third quarter this year, and psychiatric bed capacity will also gradually increase to 1 000.

The total construction floor area of the new blocks will increase from about 80 000 square metres before redevelopment to about 134 000 sq m, providing more indoor and outdoor space for in-patients, while aiming to foster a homelike atmosphere by designing a comfortable and peaceful therapeutic environment to enhance treatment effectiveness. Together with various psychiatric support services provided by the day hospital, the new blocks will provide quality services for patients across all age groups.

Following the completion of the relocation, the hospital will commence subsequent project works to demolish the old block and construct a therapeutic/rehabilitation garden, further enhancing the hospital's therapeutic environment and providing better healthcare services to psychiatric patients in need.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (centre), holds a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (second right), and the management staff members of Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH) after visiting KCH today (July 13), to understand the future development of the hospital after its redevelopment. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (third left), accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (third right); the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon West Cluster of the HA, Dr Alexander Law (second right); and the Hospital Chief Executive of Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH), Dr Cheng Koi-man (first left), visits a ward at KCH today (July 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (first left), accompanied by the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon West Cluster of the Hospital Authority, Dr Alexander Law (second left), and the Hospital Chief Executive of Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH), Dr Cheng Koi-man (second right), visits the facilities of KCH today (July 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (centre), accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (first left); the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon West Cluster of the HA, Dr Alexander Law (first right), and the Hospital Chief Executive of Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH), Dr Cheng Koi-man (second right), visits KCH today (July 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (second left), accompanied by the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon West Cluster of the Hospital Authority, Dr Alexander Law (first right), and the Hospital Chief Executive of Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH), Dr Cheng Koi-man (second right), visits the facilities of KCH today (July 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with "The Banquet at Sanguan" showcasing loyal and heroic spirit

The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), has invited the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make its Hong Kong debut in August. Led by Chen Suqin, a national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH) representative bearer of Shangdang Bangzi opera and a China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winner, the troupe's outstanding performers will stage the classic masterpiece "The Banquet at Sanguan" and three selected opera excerpts. Characterised by soaring and soulful vocals, and unique stylised movements, the performances are set to display the distinctive grandeur and theatrical charm of Shangdang Bangzi opera. This programme is also part of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival.

Shangdang Bangzi opera, one of the four major Bangzi opera systems of Shanxi, is popular in the southeastern region of Shanxi, an area historically known as Shangdang Prefecture during the Qin and Han dynasties. It entered its golden age during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing dynasty, giving rise to two distinct schools: the Zhoudi and Lufu schools. The singing is rooted in the "banqiang" (rhythmic-melodic) system, and the male and female roles share the same tonal register. Its musical style is steady and vigorous, while the performance aesthetic is bold and impassioned. The traditional repertoire focuses on paodai (court and martial costume) plays, notably featuring the heroic sagas of the generals of the Yang family and the troops under Yue Fei. Shangdang Bangzi opera was inscribed on the First National List of ICH in 2006.

Details of the two performances are as follows:

"The Banquet at Sanguan"

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Date and time: August 14 (Friday), 7.30pm

"The Banquet at Sanguan" is one of the representative works of Shangdang Bangzi opera. Adapted from the story of Yang Yanhui (Silang, the fourth son of the Yang family) being recruited as the son-in-law of the Liao Kingdom, it tells the tragedy of Silang's mother, Dowager She, exposing Silang's true identity in front of Empress Dowager Xiao, which drives Princess Taohua to crash against a pillar in shame and fury, and leads Silang to take his own life. Through this unique lens, the play condemns Silang's treason for personal gain while honouring Dowager She's unwavering patriotism. Chen Suqin will perform with Class One performers Qi Suzhen and Zheng Fagen, vividly capturing Empress Dowager Xiao's grief over the loss of her daughter, Dowager She's sacrifice of personal feelings for the greater cause, and Silang's agonising inner turmoil. Paired with traditional percussion and unique costume designs, the production fully embodies the authentic flavour of Shangdang heritage.

Excerpts

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Date and time: August 15 (Saturday), 7.30pm

This programme features a selection of three classic Shangdang Bangzi opera excerpts. "To Kill His Wife" is a representative work of vocal innovation within the genre. Its classic aria, "The Plum Tree by the Window is My Friend", features beautiful lyrics and melody, fully displaying Chen Suqin's deep vocal prowess. Representing the martial tradition, "Assassinating Empress Dowager Xiao" and "The Great Battle" from "Yanmen Pass" belong to the classic Yang family saga. The high-pitched, robust vocals are paired with a continuous display of spectacular stunts, such as hair flinging, flips and splits. The finale, "Forced into Insanity" from "Incidents at the Temporary Imperial Palace", places equal emphasis on singing and acting. Chen Suqin employs soaring, impassioned vocals to chart the protagonist's psychological breakdown - from terror to madness due to her beloved child's ordeal in palace intrigue - portraying it to the fullest and unleashing the overwhelming emotional force of Shangdang Bangzi opera.

Founded in 1938, the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City is widely acclaimed as the "premier Shangdang bangzi troupe". With a steadfast commitment to both preserving heritage and fostering innovation, the troupe has nurtured a lineage of stellar artists across four generations. Its repertoire features the enduring classic "The Banquet at Sanguan", alongside new productions such as "Tai Hang Niang Qin" (Mother of Tai Hang) and "Mother and Son of Han Dynasty", which have garnered numerous awards. While actively engaging in cultural exchanges both at home and abroad, the troupe remains deeply rooted in the community, staging more than 300 performances annually.

The two performances will be held at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $190, $290 and $390 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/shangdang-bangzi-opera-theatre-of-jincheng-city/.

A meet-the-artists session entitled "The Unique Artistic Features and Vocal Characteristics of Shangdang Bangzi Opera" (in Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm on August 13 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Chen Suqin will be the speaker while Chinese opera researcher Sheng Yihui will be the moderator. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). If the spaces for online registration are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue's entrance for a standby space on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis.

The programme will also feature a session under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" to be held at 2.30pm on August 15 (Saturday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, with free admission for local primary and secondary school students. Artists of the troupe will perform the "The Great Battle" from "Yanmen Pass", a classic excerpt about the saga of the loyal Yang family generals. Through a series of traditional operatic stylised techniques, including bazigong (acrobatic fighting with traditional Chinese weapons), hair flinging and flipping, performers will recount the intense, heroic spirit of the battlefield, which serves as an engaging guide for students to discover and appreciate the artistic style of Chinese regional opera.

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.

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with "The Banquet at Sanguan" showcasing loyal and heroic spirit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with "The Banquet at Sanguan" showcasing loyal and heroic spirit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with "The Banquet at Sanguan" showcasing loyal and heroic spirit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with "The Banquet at Sanguan" showcasing loyal and heroic spirit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases