Radio Lantau News

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1. M+ gets first shot at Zao Wou-ki exhibition

   An exhibition by the Franco-Chinese master printmaker Zao Wou-ki opened in Hong Kong on Saturday, the first time his work has been on display in Asia. Hong Kong's M+ museum is hosting a collection of more experimental prints by the artist, who is considered a master of the lyrical abstraction movement and whose work regularly fetches vast sums at auction. Visitors can explore, in chronological and topical order, the artist's early figurative works and those inspired by Chinese calligraphy. These are followed by an explosively colourful series of abstract pieces based on the artist's vision of the elements – earth, wind and water. Chinese inks and engravings, which Zao created for poems written by his friends, Henri Michaux and Rene Char are also on display. The exhibition is being held following a donation of more than 200 prints and bibliographic books by his widow, Françoise Marquet-Zao. Born into a wealthy banking family in China in 1920, Zao discovered art through his grandfather's passion for calligraphy. He became captivated by European painters as a student at the Hangzhou Fine Arts Academy before moving to Paris in 1948 to continue his training and forging ties within the French art scene. "He didn't want to be considered as a Chinese painter" in Paris, "or to make chinoiseries," said Yann Hendgen, art director at the Zao Wou-Ki foundation. "He wanted to be a painter as Soulages," he added, referencing the French painter and graphic artist Pierre Soulages. Zao, who died in 2013, had a special relationship with Hong Kong. "In 1958, Zao Wou-Ki was invited to teach in Hong Kong for one semester," said M+ curator Mo Wan. "He had a long-lasting influence on the Hong Kong culture scene." It was his first return to Asia since departing for the French capital, which allowed him to reconnect with Chinese culture. After Hong Kong, marking the close of a period in his oeuvre, he made a decisive turn towards the abstraction movement. (AFP)

2. Police arrest four over biggest meth bust this year

   Police have arrested a man and three secondary school students over the force's biggest methamphetamine bust this year. Acting senior superintendent Kwan Chun-hin from the narcotics bureau said officers seized 242 kilogrammes of the drug, worth over HK$82 million. At a media briefing on Saturday, Kwan said the methamphetamine was flown into Hong Kong from Mexico and labelled as frozen food. The haul was later delivered to an industrial building in Kwai Chung where the four arrests were made. “This case exposes the shamelessness and despicable nature of drug trafficking syndicates. They exploited teenagers’ naivety and eagerness to make quick money, and recruited three minors to take on high-risk roles such as unloading and delivering drugs,” Kwan said. “The adult in this case merely stood outside the building as a lookout, believing that standing away could reduce the risk of being arrested.”

3. Great deals as expo starts by living up to brand

   People flocked to the annual Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo on Saturday as it got under way at Victoria Park. The 24-day fair, organised by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, is expected to attract 1.3 million visitors and generate HK$1 billion in sales by the time it ends on January 5. Many customers arrived early to buy the discounted products, including the special HK$1 deals. A woman who got her hands on one of the limited HK$1 packages said she was thrilled. “I arrived at 9am today, and I’m so happy. I will buy more products that I like and I plan to spend a few thousand dollars,” she said. An exhibitor said he was optimistic about business this year and was hoping to see business growth of 15 to 20 percent. “The Brands and Products Expo is a major event that also draws in many tourists from the mainland and overseas, so we are looking forward to it,” he said. “Although many people say there is an economic downturn at this time, we still embrace the expo with a positive attitude and we hope the outcome will turn out to be good.” Financial Secretary Paul Chan also visited the fair and splurged some HK$4,200 on a variety of products.

4. Govt 'pleased with 1.31m turnout for Legco election'

   Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said on Saturday the government was pleased and grateful to see that more than 1.31 million people had cast votes in the geographical constituencies in the Legislative Council election amid the sombre atmosphere that enveloped the city following the shocking blaze in Tai Po. Speaking on a televised programme, he said the tragedy had an impact on the turnout rate of 31.9 percent given the administration's earlier enhanced promotional efforts to stress the importance of the election. "Indeed, we had expected the turnout rate to be even higher," Tsang said. "Unfortunately, there was the Tai Po fire, and it did have a certain impact. "As for what exactly the impact was, everyone has different views. "Some said they were not in the mood to go out to cast their votes, while others said they should turn anger into power and go vote so that the governance, including disaster relief and follow up work, can be improved." The turnout rate in this election could not, Tsang said, be compared to those in the past before improvements had been made to an electoral system that saw anti-China and destabilising forces enter Legco. Technology, he added, can be a way to minimise the potential for invalid ballots and ensure voters do not forget to cast ballots. Even though the government has proposed the use of smart ballot boxes in the past, Tsang noted that the idea was shelved due to privacy concerns. He did not rule out the possibility of reviving the proposal if the public is receptive to it.

5. Ex-commerce chief Gregory So dies at the age of 67

   Former secretary for commerce and economic development Gregory So died on Saturday at the age of 67 following ill health. Chief Executive John Lee expressed sorrow over So's passing and extended his deepest condolences to his family. "Mr So had dedicated years of service to the Hong Kong community through his work in the government and different public offices, contributing to the city's development in the economy, trade, tourism, information technology, telecommunications and creative industries," he said in a statement. "Mr So had made significant contributions to Hong Kong with his professional knowledge and dedication." Before serving as the commerce chief from 2011 to 2017, So was the bureau's undersecretary. He had also served in various advisory and statutory bodies in areas that included public healthcare services and education. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau also expressed deep sorrow over the death of So, and extended his sincere condolences to the family. "During his tenure, Mr So had made immense contributions to Hong Kong's economic and trade developments by taking forward various policies and measures, and forging co-operation between Hong Kong and other economies," he said in a statement.

6. Disaster displaced 'may get new HOS flats in Tai Po'

   Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong says the government is confident it can build subsidised homes in the same district for residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. Speaking on Commercial Radio on Saturday, he said the government would collect residents’ views through social workers in the coming weeks on potential rehousing arrangements. Wong pointed out that residents would also need time to come to a decision on the matter. It was still too early, he added, for the government to select a site for rehousing as authorities would have to carry out all the necessary assessments. But he said the government would finish the assessments quickly and find a suitable location. “Originally, there was to be no supply of new Home Ownership Scheme flats in Tai Po in the coming years,” Wong said. “But now we are confident of finding a site in Tai Po to provide subsidised flats for the affected residents within a few years, as many of them still want to live in the same district.” Speaking on the same programme, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said contributions to the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court had now reached HK$3.6 billion and that disbursements were proceeding well.

7. Fire-probe body 'can work faster than commission'

   Liberal Party chairman Tommy Cheung said on Saturday that the independent committee set up to probe the cause of the Tai Po fire could come up with its findings much faster than an inquiry commission. Led by Electoral Affairs Commission head David Lok and assisted by outgoing lawmaker Chan Kin-por and departing MTR Corporation chairman Rex Auyeung, the panel is expected to submit a report within nine months. Chief Executive John Lee has said the panel will be given investigative powers if needed. Speaking on Commercial Radio, Cheung said he expects the committee's report to be more comprehensive than one with legal powers. "Looking back, an inquiry commission wouldn't take just nine months to complete its probe, it would take even longer," he said. "The chief executive has said that different departments will look into different matters, instead of just relying on the three-member independent committee to look into everything. So everyone is working together. "An inquiry commission was set up before because we were worried that a person summoned would not turn up, or that a necessary document was not going to be given to the body. "But I am not too worried about this now because many departments are probing the case... I think the independent committee's work will be done quickly, and it will be very comprehensive." Legislator Lo Wai-kwok, who chairs the Business and Professionals Alliance, said on the same show that the nine-month period given to the panel to work on the investigation meets public expectations. He anticipates the committee will also make suggestions on improving the regulations for building renovations and addressing safety issues. Lo, who represents the engineering sector in the Legislative Council, said he was disheartened and furious to see that the industry had come under suspicion of breaching laws and regulations, but stressed that offenders comprised only a minority. Meanwhile, ahead of the end of the Legco term, both Cheung and Lo said they would help familiarise their successors with the duties required by the functional constituencies before their departure. They both also said they would continue to serve society through other means.

8. One hurt, 400 evacuated in Tin Shui Wai fire

   A 51-year-old man suffered multiple burns to his body in a Tin Shui Wai flat fire early on Saturday. Police received reports of the blaze at a residential unit in Chak Yun House on Tin Chak Estate at around 4.15 am. Around 400 people were evacuated. Police said the injured man was in a critical condition in hospital. Chief Inspector Sin Ka-yiu reporters they believe the man started the fire himself. "A preliminary probe by the Fire Services Department and government laboratory suggests the blaze started in the kitchen," she said. "As the cause of the fire is suspicious, the case is now classified as arson." _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-12-13 HKT 17:46

9. Hong Kong pays tribute to Nanjing Massacre victims

   Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday led top officials in a ceremony at Central Government Offices in Admiralty to commemorate the more than 300,000 people who died in the Nanjing Massacre. A two-minute silence was observed after the playing of the national anthem. During the ceremony, Lee laid a wreath to the victims and led participants in signing the memorial book. Representatives of the Central People's Government offices in Hong Kong, SAR deputies to the National People's Congress, and former chief executives Carrie Lam and Donald Tsang were among those at the event. The Nanjing Massacre occurred after Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on December 13, 1937. Over six weeks, they killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.

10. HK to spare no effort in hosting Apec meeting: CE

    The SAR on Friday welcomed Beijing's decision that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) finance ministers' meeting 2026 would be held in Hong Kong. The decision on the October meeting also came as China, as the host of Apec, said it has confirmed the schedule for a series of gatherings for the bloc throughout the year. Chief Executive John Lee said in a statement the SAR would spare no effort in making "comprehensive and meticulous" preparations in organising the finance ministers' meeting, which would be Hong Kong's first. "We are grateful for the central government's trust and support," he said. "The HKSAR government will leverage Hong Kong's experience and strengths as an international financial centre to ensure the successful organisation of the finance ministers' meeting in Hong Kong. "Hong Kong will also seize this opportunity to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, better integrating into and serving the overall national development." The finance ministers' meeting will be hosted by the Ministry of Finance, but organised by and held in the SAR. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui will lead a dedicated task force in co-ordination efforts for the meeting. As Apec host, China will also be responsible for preparing for and chairing a raft of ministerial meetings, as well as the leaders' summit set to be held in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19. In all, about 300 events will take place across the country during the 2026 Apec "China Year". The Apec Symposium and Informal Senior Officials' Meeting (ISOM), held in Shenzhen on Thursday and Friday, marked the first event organised by China as Apec host. The ISOM unanimously approved a Chinese proposal to set openness, innovation and cooperation as the three priorities for the Apec "China Year", and "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together" as its theme. (Additional reporting by Xinhua)