Latest news with #Tsang
RTHK
4 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
'E-counting system to be used for Legco election'
'E-counting system to be used for Legco election' Erick Tsang said the e-counting system will be deployed to enhance efficiency. Photo: RTHK An electronic counting system will be used for functional constituency ballots in the upcoming Legislative Council general election, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said. This came as the Registration and Electoral Office revealed that the budget for the election, to be held on December 7, would be HK$1.2 billion. Another HK$200 million would be needed for the Election Committee subsector by-elections on September 7. Speaking at a meeting of the Legco constitutional affairs panel on Monday, Tsang said the government attaches great importance to the two elections. The government will adopt optimising measures, including the implementation of an e-counting system for the Legco election's functional constituency ballots to boost efficiency, he said. Procurement of the system has been completed, he added, and testing work is under way. 'As this is a new system, to ensure the vote counting process will not encounter any error or impedance, we will formulate different backup plans," Tsang said. "Besides the main counting system, we have a backup system. If the main system fails, we will activate the backup system immediately. Only when both systems fail will we fall back on manual counting. 'Frankly speaking, the probability of both systems encountering a failure is very low, but still, it can happen, so we will still make a backup plan.' Tsang also said the government hopes to increase voter turnout through promotional work. But he said it would be 'unrealistic' to set a target for the voting rate.
HKFP
17-07-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong minister urges lawmakers to support gov't proposal to give limited rights to same-sex couples
A Hong Kong minister has urged lawmakers to be 'objective' and support the government's plan to afford limited recognition to same-sex couples registered abroad. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said during a Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting on Wednesday that he understood the bill was controversial, but insisted the proposal would not undermine traditional family values. 'We maintain that the bill has struck a balance,' he said in Cantonese. 'Under the premise of an inclusive, cohesive, and united society, we also hope that legislators can conduct a professional review of this bill in an objective, impartial and fact-based way.' Earlier this month, the government presented lawmakers with a proposal to establish a registration system for same-sex couples who were married or had formed a civil union abroad. The bill is limited to granting registered couples rights in matters relating to healthcare and death, such as hospital visits, making medical decisions, and collecting the body of a deceased partner. At least one person in the couple must be a Hong Kong resident. Many lawmakers in the opposition-free legislature have expressed opposition to the bill, calling it 'an attack' on the institution of marriage. They have also said that the proposal could pave the way for legalising same-sex marriage in Hong Kong. The LegCo no longer has any pro-democracy members after an overhaul in 2021 required lawmakers to be 'patriots' to take office. Meanwhile, LGBTQ groups have said that the proposal falls short of giving same-sex couples full recognition and protection. The bill requires couples to have their partnerships registered abroad and does not address issues such as childcare and inheritance. NGOs including Hong Kong Marriage Equality have also cited high public support in Hong Kong for LGBTQ rights, pointing to a 2023 survey that found around 60 per cent of respondents agreed with same-sex marriage. 'Legally binding' The government's proposal comes as Hong Kong has around three months left to establish a framework for recognising same-sex partnerships, following a top court ruling in 2023 that found the lack of such a mechanism unconstitutional. The Court of Final Appeal gave the government two years to put such a mechanism in place. However, no known public consultations have been held despite attempts by LGBTQ groups to share their views with the government. Speaking to lawmakers on Wednesday, Tsang said the government has a responsibility to abide by the top court's ruling. Otherwise, he added, that would undermine the city's rule of law. 'The Court of Final Appeal's ruling is absolutely legally binding… the government cannot defy the court's decision,' he said. Lawmakers will debate the bill at a House Committee meeting on Friday. According to HK01, 45 lawmakers – more than half of the 89-strong Legislative Council – have said they are inclined to vote against the bill or abstain from voting. Members of pro-establishment parties, including the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, and the Liberal Party – are expected to vote down the proposal. Only one party – the New People's Party – has said it would support the bill. Independent lawmaker Doreen Kong, and some members of the Executive Council, including Stanley Ng and Gary Chan, have indicated they would vote in favour, Ming Pao reported. Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that substantial research and consideration of legal advice went into the authorities' formulation of the proposal. He said the city's marriage system would remain 'monogamous and heterosexual,' apparently seeking to assuage lawmakers' opposition to the proposal.
Calgary Herald
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
360 Riot Walk reclaims forgotten Vancouver history at Eastside Arts Festival
Article content 'It's not just about what happened then — it's about how that history continues to shape our city and who feels welcome in it,' says Tsang, who developed the project in partnership with the Powell Street Festival Society. Article content While the 360 Riot Walk is available year-round as a self-guided experience via the Eastside Arts Festival includes guided group tours followed by post-walk discussions, often led by Tsang himself. Article content These walking tours are just one element of an expanded festival. This year's edition features the most artmaking workshops in its history — including first-time offerings like eco-printing with indigo artist Naomi Yamamoto, goldwork embroidery with textile artist Candice Weber, and felted Mason jar cozies with felting expert Chantal Cardinal. Workshops are held at artist studios and breweries across east Vancouver and are priced at $35. Article content Article content Article content The festival is also teaming up with the Rickshaw Theatre for a ticketed live show on July 25 featuring local indie acts Young Friend, Babe Corner and Kylie V. Other live events include The Dance Deck with Belle Spirale Dance Projects and the Big Print Powell Street/Paueru Gai carving demonstration on July 24. Article content A free, all-day outdoor celebration takes over MacLean Park on July 26, with live music, hands-on art activities, food trucks and a beer garden hosted by Strange Fellows Brewing. Musical guests include Janky Bungag, Twin River, the ReViberators and Madelyn Read. A second day of free music follows on July 27, courtesy of the MacLean Park Music Series. Article content
Vancouver Sun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
360 Riot Walk reclaims forgotten Vancouver history at Eastside Arts Festival
When: July 18-27 Where: Various Eastside Arts District (EAD) studios, breweries, and performance venues, plus an all-day outdoor musical event at MacLean Park. Tickets and info: When Vancouver artist Henry Tsang first learned about the city's 1907 anti-Asian riot, he was in his 20s — and stunned. 'I grew up here,' he says, 'and had no idea this happened. It wasn't in school. No one talked about it.' That sense of disbelief eventually sparked what would become the 360 Riot Walk: a self-guided, 360-degree video walking tour that brings one of Vancouver's buried stories back into public view. This summer, the Eastside Arts Festival invites audiences to step into that history — and see the city in a new light. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'There's more appetite now for these conversations,' says Tsang. 'And the Riot Walk helps ground them in place.' Now in its fifth year, the Eastside Arts Festival (formerly CREATE!), brings this project to the forefront with three guided sessions of the 360 Riot Walk, running July 19, 20 and 24, alongside a full slate of multidisciplinary arts programming. Produced by the Eastside Arts Society, the festival features more than two weeks of live performances, hands-on workshops, outdoor markets and neighbourhood walking tours designed to engage audiences across generations. The 360 Riot Walk traces the route of the 1907 riot, which began as a parade organized by the Vancouver chapter of the Asiatic Exclusion League and escalated into mob violence through Chinatown and the Powell Street area. Just three days earlier, a similar riot had taken place in Bellingham, Wash., where a mob attacked and drove out a group of Punjabi mill workers. 'The ones who could still walk, some of them ended up in Vancouver in time to watch another riot — this one against the Chinese and the Japanese,' says Tsang. The tour begins in Gastown's Maple Tree Square, then proceeds down Carroll Street and along Hastings, stopping near the Carnegie Centre (formerly City Hall). Participants use a tablet or smartphone to access 360-degree video content at each site, with historical images overlaid on modern-day views. As they turn their bodies, the screen shifts with them, offering an immersive experience that merges past and present. 'It's not just about what happened then — it's about how that history continues to shape our city and who feels welcome in it,' says Tsang, who developed the project in partnership with the Powell Street Festival Society. While the 360 Riot Walk is available year-round as a self-guided experience via , the Eastside Arts Festival includes guided group tours followed by post-walk discussions, often led by Tsang himself. These walking tours are just one element of an expanded festival. This year's edition features the most artmaking workshops in its history — including first-time offerings like eco-printing with indigo artist Naomi Yamamoto, goldwork embroidery with textile artist Candice Weber, and felted Mason jar cozies with felting expert Chantal Cardinal. Workshops are held at artist studios and breweries across east Vancouver and are priced at $35. The festival is also teaming up with the Rickshaw Theatre for a ticketed live show on July 25 featuring local indie acts Young Friend, Babe Corner and Kylie V. Other live events include The Dance Deck with Belle Spirale Dance Projects and the Big Print Powell Street/Paueru Gai carving demonstration on July 24. A free, all-day outdoor celebration takes over MacLean Park on July 26, with live music, hands-on art activities, food trucks and a beer garden hosted by Strange Fellows Brewing. Musical guests include Janky Bungag, Twin River, the ReViberators and Madelyn Read. A second day of free music follows on July 27, courtesy of the MacLean Park Music Series. Festivalgoers can also sample the wares of some of the neighbourhood's craft breweries through the new Eastside Beer Passport. For $35, participants can enjoy pints at four to eight local sudsmakers, including East Van Brewing, Luppolo, Off the Rail, Parallel 49, Storm, Superflux, Strathcona, and Strange Fellows. Proceeds go toward Eastside Arts Society programming.
RTHK
05-07-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Erick Tsang sees partnership in games and election
Erick Tsang sees partnership in games and election The constitutional affairs minister was speaking in an interview with RTHK. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang says Hong Kong could soon see a promotional campaign where the National Games and the SAR's legislative election will be featured together. He made the remarks as the SAR gears up to co-host the National Games in November with the Legislative Council election taking place the following month. "There's a lot of public attention on the National Games which happen to be taking place at the end of the year. So, when we were coming up with a promotion strategy for the elections, we were hoping to generate a reciprocally positive effect. For example, we could use sports as a theme when promoting the elections, or there could be some interaction between the mascots. The most important thing is to have a teaser effect," Tsang said in an interview with RTHK to mark the third anniversary of Chief Executive John Lee's administration. Tsang also said electronic polling and vote-counting at the Legco election would mean that results would be known earlier. He said automatic vote-counting would be used in the functional constituencies and that there were back-up plans in case of any problems. "Currently, we have two systems to conduct automatic vote-counting with one being the main system. We also have a secondary system that can be immediately activated in case of any problems. And if the secondary system also encounters problems, we'll switch to manual vote-counting, so there are three layers of protection. And rest assured we'll go through many rounds of testing. We'll even have independent contractors look at the security, privacy, and other aspects of the ballots, so we can make sure that the systems are reliable." The coming legislative election will see candidates compete for 90 seats, with 40 reserved for the Election Committee constituency, 30 for trade-based functional constituencies and 20 for geographical constituencies. Tsang added that the government might add more voting stations near the border to help Hongkongers living or working on the mainland to vote in the election.
