Speech by SCST at "Stars of Tomorrow 2026 - The Sleeping Beauty" Gala Opening
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at "Stars of Tomorrow 2026 - The Sleeping Beauty" Gala Opening today (August 29):
Committee Members of The Tsinforn C. Wong Memorial Scholarship, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. I am delighted to join you all at the gala opening performance of "Stars of Tomorrow 2026 - The Sleeping Beauty".
For 66 remarkable years, the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet has served as a cornerstone of performing arts education in Hong Kong. Its enduring legacy is woven into the very fabric of our city's cultural identity, having nurtured generations of classically trained dancers, devoted teachers, and passionate audiences. The School has steadily elevated the standard of dance in our city, and the countless alumni now gracing local and international stages stand as a powerful testament to its vision and commitment to excellence.
Tonight, we are privileged to witness students from the School and its summer training programme bring "The Sleeping Beauty" to life. This masterpiece demands precision, grace and profound artistry. Every step and graceful poise we see tonight is the culmination of rigorous discipline and resilience - made possible by the dedication of teachers, the unwavering support of families, and a community that believes in the transformative power of the arts. We are especially enriched by the presence of guest teachers and dancers from across the globe, whose participation embodies the international spirit that defines ballet.
The "Stars of Tomorrow" gala is more than a performance; it is a celebration of tradition and innovation. Here, we see the timeless beauty of classical ballet breathe alongside the promise of fresh, contemporary interpretations. Tonight's performance not only showcases Hong Kong's creative vitality to the world but also reaffirms our city's standing as a dynamic cultural hub. Through the arts, our unique blend of Eastern and Western influences offers visitors a captivating glimpse into our cultural landscape, infusing fresh energy into our cultural tourism and reinforcing our global connectivity.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to The Tsinforn C. Wong Memorial Scholarship for its extraordinary generosity. By enabling young talents to study abroad and return with new knowledge and perspectives, this scholarship enriches our arts scene and demonstrates how giving sustains the creative spirit and ensures that our cultural ecosystem continues to thrive.
"Stars of Tomorrow" is a symbol of hope, inspiration, and above all, the passion to follow our dreams - a message at the very heart of this annual programme. The art of ballet will remain a source of pride and joy for generations to come, and I am delighted to see that Hong Kong's cultural future is indeed bright: strong in tradition, bold in innovation, and open to the world. Let us carry this spirit forward together, ensuring that our cultural life continues to flourish and that Hong Kong remains a place where creativity blossoms.
In closing, may I wish you all a truly enchanting evening under the spell of "The Sleeping Beauty". Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
CFS finds trace amount of formaldehyde in prepackaged rice vermicelli sample
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 29) announced that a prepackaged rice vermicelli sample imported from Taiwan was found to contain trace amount of formaldehyde. The CFS is following up on the incident, and urges the public not to consume the affected batch of the product concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected product if they possess it.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Hsin Tung Yang Rice Noodles
Brand: Hsin Tung Yang
Place of origin: Taiwan
Distributor: B&S Company
Net weight: 300 grams
Best-before date: April 10, 2029
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online vendor for testing under its Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained formaldehyde at a level of 12 parts per million."
The spokesman added, "The CFS has informed the vendor and the distributor concerned of the irregularity, and instructed the distributor concerned to immediately stop sales, remove from shelves, and initiate a recall of the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call the distributor's hotline at 3628 7800 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. Furthermore, the CFS' follow-up investigation found that the distributor concerned stored about 450 cartons of the affected batch of the product in its warehouse. The CFS has immediately marked and sealed the products concerned."
The CFS has also enhanced formaldehyde testing at the import and retail levels, and has recently collected over 70 food samples, including Chinese white cabbages, vegetables and rice vermicelli, for testing of formaldehyde content. Except for the rice vermicelli sample detected with formaldehyde, no other unsatisfactory testing results have been found so far. Follow-up action is ongoing.
In addition, the CFS has taken over 175 rice vermicelli samples from January 2023 to July 2026 for various tests (including formaldehyde test), and all samples passed the tests.
Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified formaldehyde as Group 1 carcinogen, it is limited to exposure via inhalation. According to the recently published information by the World Health Organization, exposure to formaldehyde via the oral route is not carcinogenic.
The spokesman said, "Based on the level of formaldehyde detected in the sample, it is unlikely to pose any adverse health effect upon normal consumption. However, under existing legislation in Hong Kong, formaldehyde is not permitted for use as a food preservative. Contravention of the law could lead to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment."
The CFS advises members of the public to patronise reliable restaurants and food retailers. As formaldehyde is water-soluble and highly volatile, washing and cooking food ingredients thoroughly before consumption can reduce the relevant risk. The trade should be cautious about the origins from which the food products are sourced, and should only obtain them from reliable sources.
The CFS has alerted the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: AI-found images
