Month: March 2025

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To address the impact of U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese companies operating overseas, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has commissioned the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to implement various support measures, thereby enabling businesses to make adjustments to supply chains and investment strategies. These support measures include:

1. Establishing a Task Force and Consultation Hotline for Immediate Assistance
TAITRA has set up task forces in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and South Asia to provide real-time support. A consultation hotline is available at +886-2-27577190.

2. Providing Customized Services for Businesses to Expand Overseas Deployments
The MOEA offers market insights for businesses relocating to the U.S. or other regions, which include investment locations, regulations, and partnership opportunities. Companies shifting production to supply local domestic markets receive regulatory guidance and networking support.

3. Establishing a Service Center for Investment and Trade in the U.S. to Support Supply Chain Relocation
Under the policy of “Connecting Taiwan to the World”, the MOEA will establish a Taiwan Investment and Trade Center in the U.S. It will help businesses assess investment environments, shift supply chains, and link with local partners.

4. Strengthening Taiwan-U.S. Industrial Collaboration and Assisting Taiwanese Businesses with Innovation and Upgrading
ITRI’s North America office will actively promote R&D and manufacturing collaborations, assist businesses in finding local partners, facilitate technological advancement, and boost competitiveness.

The MOEA will remain committed to monitoring global trade trends and supporting Taiwanese businesses in adapting to market changes.

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The Taiwan Water Corporation Customer Service Hotline 1910 is still on 24/7 while TWC offices will be closed during the Lunar New Year. Users with any questions,such as water using,bills,reporting water leaking,can get assistance by calling 1910.

TWC provides a variety of convenient payment methods. Users can easily pay through the following methods during the Lunar New Year.
1.Taiwan Water Corporation official website.
2.Taiwan Water Corporation APP.
3.Mobile payment:JKOPay,iPASS MONEY,TCPASS,GAMAPAY,PiAPP,icash Pay,ezPay,beePay,TaiwanPay,Easy Wallet,PXPay and PlusPAY.
4.At convenience stores:Pay water bill at 7-11,Family Mart,Hi-Life,OK and Simple Mart. Users without water bills,can print them with KIOSK Machines,like ibon,OKGo,Fami Port,Life-ET.

Before returning to hometown for reunions,please check the water equipment at home,TWC offices will be open on February 3rd,2025.

Ministry of Economic Affairs Taiwan Water Company
Spokesman:Vice President Wu, Jing-Wen
Contact Number:04-22244191 Ext.205,Mobile Phone:0934-262835
Email:jingwen@mail.water.gov.tw

Business Contact:Director, Dept. of Business LIN,MENG-ZHU
Contact Number:04-22244191 Ext.400,Mobile Phone:0952-402749
Email:moju @mail.water.gov.tw

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On January 8, foreign media outlet MIT Technology Review inaccurately reported that the Taiwan government would assist Chinese companies in establishing operations in Taiwan to circumvent US tariffs. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) regrets that the report was published without prior verification with the ministry. A formal letter has been sent to the media requesting a correction. The MOEA solemnly clarifies that its long-standing efforts have been directed toward assisting Taiwanese enterprises, not Chinese companies as the report incorrectly claimed. In response to the potential imposition of higher tariffs on Chinese products by the new U.S. administration, Minister Kuo has consistently emphasized the ministry’s support for Taiwanese businesses operating in China to relocate their production lines back to Taiwan or to other regions not affected by tariffs, including the United States.

The MOEA will continue to provide systematic support and resources based on the needs of businesses to help them diversify their investment strategies and build a resilient supply chain. Through the Taiwan Desk and the Connecting Taiwan to the World Policy, the ministry offers investment services to Taiwanese enterprises in eight New Southbound Policy countries, as well as in Japan and the Czech Republic. Additionally, economic divisions stationed in major countries and Taiwan Trade Centers are available to provide further assistance. In response to US policies and to meet the demands of Taiwanese enterprises’ clients, the government will continue to collaborate with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) to invite domestic industry associations and enterprises to participate in the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, strengthening their presence in the US market.

Furthermore, Taiwanese businesses can take advantage of the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan, which facilitate the relocation of high-end production capacity back to Taiwan. The program has been extended to 2027, with revised eligibility criteria to expand coverage to overseas Taiwanese enterprises and foreign-invested companies. The program focuses on five trusted industries, the service sector, and the healthcare industry, with a mandatory requirement for AI applications to enhance the resilience of the supply chain. These measures are designed to encourage the return of Taiwanese businesses from China.

Spokesperson: MOEA DOIP Deputy Director, Rio Lu
Tel: (02) 2389-2111 ext. 812
E-mail: rio@moea.gov.tw

Contact: MOEA DOIP Section Chief, Chuang Wen-Chang
Tel: (02) 2389-2111 ext. 110, 0922-007-093
E-mail: wcchuang@moea.gov.tw

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Water Supplies Department today announced that it will hold the Water Save Carnival from December 5 to 15 at HarbourChill, Wan Chai to raise public awareness about water conservation, working together to create a sustainable future without water shortages.

Under the theme “Save Water Today for a Sustainable Future”, the carnival features a variety of activities such as water conservation workshops, interactive games, and a Water Save Dave mascot meet-and-greet.

A giant crystal droplet will also be set up on-site, allowing the public to step inside for photos and pledge their commitment to the vision of “Cherish Every Drop, Sustain a Better Life”. 

The department said all activities at the carnival are free of charge, with some requiring pre-registration.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Long Valley Nature Park officially opened today for public visits, with Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan and Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn officiating at the opening ceremony.

Covering an area of approximately 37 hectares, the park adopts an open design divided into three management zones – the Biodiversity Zone for core conservation, the Agriculture Zone for eco-friendly farming, and the Visitor Zone equipped with facilities for visitors and educational activities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tse stated that the establishment of the park for active conservation of Long Valley by the Government represents a breakthrough.

By proactively restoring abandoned farmlands and some dry farmlands into various wetland habitats, including wet farmlands, a water flea pond, shallow ponds and marshes, as well as constructing irrigation channels to nurture various wildlife and facilitate eco-friendly farming practices, the park not only better conserves Long Valley but also achieves the complementary objectives of ecological conservation and agriculture.

He added that since construction began in 2019, the park has achieved encouraging conservation results. Over the past three years, the numbers of critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting, nests of Black-winged Stilt, and endangered Black-faced spoonbill have all increased severalfold.

Ms Linn said in her speech that the park possesses high ecological value and has effectively enhanced the wetland habitats. The necessary supporting infrastructure and visitor facilities have also been built, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to feature “Urban-Rural Integration and Co-existence of Development and Conservation” in the development of the Northern Metropolis.

The Opening Fun Day will be held at the park today and tomorrow, featuring in-depth tours, a farmers’ market, game booths, art and crafts workshops, and music performances. Admission is free. There are also free shuttle bus services between MTR Fanling Station and the park.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The first Hong Kong Fashion Fest will be held between November 20 and December 4 at various locations in the city, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung announced.

Mr Yeung today attended the Hong Kong Fashion Fest Preview, which was held to raise the curtain on the inaugural Hong Kong Fashion Design Week.

Speaking at the preview, the culture chief said the fashion fest will be an annual signature event signifying Hong Kong as Asia’s fashion design hub.

He outlined that there will be a variety of programmes, including a summit and a forum for high-level discussions on the development of the industry, fashion shows and exhibitions showcasing the work of local and overseas designers in haute couture fashion, workwear, evening wear and other types of clothing, and a cross-sector soiree.

“Not only will the Hong Kong Fashion Fest showcase the soft power of Hong Kong in fashion design, it will be a platform for local and international fashion designers and brands, and enhance collaboration of Hong Kong’s fashion design industries with the rest of the world. 

“We envisage that the Hong Kong Fashion Fest will attract 150,000 participants from over 15 countries and regions. It will fully demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange,” he added.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture & Arts Festival opened today at the Hong Kong Coliseum, kicking off over 260 events to be held in the “9+2” cities in the Greater Bay Area from today to November 24, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department said.

In a video speech addressing the opening ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said the festival is an annual mega event for the arts and culture industry in the bay area, adding that this year also marks the first time for Hong Kong to be the event’s host city, presenting audiences with the rich arts and cultural essence of bay area cities.

The event is presented by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government.

Mr Lee thanked the Ministry of Culture & Tourism for its ongoing support to the arts and cultural exchanges and collaborations in the bay area, enriching the cultural soft power of the region.

He expressed confidence that this year’s festival could further promote cultural integration and talent exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, and inject new creativity and vitality into arts and cultural development, while showcasing to the world the new landscape of a bay area for culture.

The Chief Executive also noted that with the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is dedicated to developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, and has been steadfastly presenting rich and diverse arts and cultural mega events.

Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique advantages of enjoying strong national support while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world under the principle of “one country, two systems”, thereby driving its cultural exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland and overseas countries, promoting Chinese culture, and telling the good stories of China on the global stage, he added.

Department of Culture & Tourism of Guangdong Province Deputy Director General Zhao Hong also gave a video speech at the ceremony. 

Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, Department of Publicity, Cultural & Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Deputy Director General Li Shuguang and Cultural Affairs Bureau Macao Special Administrative Region Vice President Cheang Kai-Meng officiated at the opening ceremony tonight.

The festival’s opening programme, “Sound River”, featured a new work of the same name written by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun.

Under Mr Tan’s baton, the concert featured the newly formed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture & Arts Festival Orchestra, comprising over 100 members from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and the Macao Orchestra, to perform the world premiere of “Sound River”. 

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Office under the Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is staging the “Celebrating National Day – Auspicious Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Greater Bay Area” Exhibition at the Heritage Museum from today to March 31 next year. Admission is free.

The exhibition is being hosted to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and to tie in with the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture & Arts Festival as well as the “Cultured Bay Area, Brilliant ICH-2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Intangible Cultural Heritage Show”, the department said.

This is the first roving exhibition with the theme of ICH items in the bay area, with Hong Kong as the first stop, followed by Shenzhen and Macau.

Featuring auspicious animals that symbolise good fortune as the main theme, the exhibition showcases performing arts, traditional craftsmanship, festive events and other ICH items of the 11 bay area cities to visitors through interactive exhibits, graphic panels, video screenings and experiential activities.

Addressing the exhibition’s opening ceremony today, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung said that President Xi Jinping has emphasised the importance of promoting cultural confidence and strength by enhancing the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage on the report to the 20th National Congress to promote the fine traditional Chinese culture.

He also noted that the bay area cities, which are mainly of Lingnan culture, have rich regional characteristics and form their own unique culture.

They own ICH items such as Cantonese opera and Canton music, which are important representatives of Chinese culture, giving a significant meaning in demonstrating and preserving the diversity and uniqueness of the fine traditional culture of the nation.

Mr Yeung pointed out that Hong Kong, with its attributes of diversity, openness and a mix of Eastern and Western cultures, will develop into an East-meets-West platform for international cultural exchange as advocated in the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for promoting traditional Chinese culture.

Hong Kong will also collaborate with other bay area cities to jointly shape and enrich the sense of humanity and enhance the cultural identity and cohesion of the region, he said.

The exhibition is presented by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Department of Culture & Tourism of Guangdong Province and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administration Region; organised by the LCSD, the Division of Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Department of Culture & Tourism of Guangdong Province and the Macao Museum; curated by the ICH Office and the Culture, Media, Tourism & Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, with the support of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung

Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xia Baolong recently said that Hong Kong was named after being a port and thrives by leveraging its ports advantages. We will continue to strengthen our land, sea and air ports. Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 (HKMW), which concluded today, featured seven days of activities with approximately 14,500 participants, including multiple leaders from the global maritime industry. I know many of you are concerned about the prospects of Hong Kong’s maritime development, the ardent response received from the HKMW reflects the global recognition of Hong Kong’s traditional advantages in the maritime front, allowing the global attendees to experience the vitality and charm of Hong Kong, as well as the city’s determination and advantages in consolidating its position as an international maritime centre.

A name built on the port

The origin of the name “Hong Kong” is widely debated. Some suggest it refers to the abundance of fragrant woods transported via waterways to the mainland along rivers and coastal areas. In 16th and 17th Century maps, Hong Kong Island was recorded as “Red Incense Burner,” possibly named after a red incense burner that drifted ashore. All these stories shared one thing in common: Hong Kong is surrounded by water and the name originated from its maritime and trading nature. For those interested in the history of local ports, you may find the thematic webpage on the history of the port of Hong Kong and Marine Department quite intriguing.

Hong Kong was the world’s tenth largest merchandise trading economy in 2023, according to the World Trade Organisation, with flourishing international trade. Over 80%-90% of world trade volume is carried by sea, and port is of course a crucial component. Hong Kong’s shipping business composed of port and maritime services. While we consolidate our port development, we also attach significant emphasis on high-value maritime services. Hong Kong boasts a vibrant maritime services cluster comprising more than 1,100 companies that provide shipping and maritime business services, providing comprehensive professional services, including ship management, shipping brokerage, ship financing, maritime insurance, and maritime law.

Our flagship event, Hong Kong Maritime Week, serves as the best chance for us to showcase what our maritime industries are capable of in providing top-notch maritime services to the world, with Hong Kong’s strength such as our highly internationalised system.

An unprecedented maritime week

The eighth edition of Hong Kong Maritime Week, which kicked off on Sunday (November 17), saw over 80 maritime organisations hosting more than 50 industry and public events and this year’s edition also marked several new milestones.

The International Chamber of Shipping, a world’s principal shipping organisation for shipowners and operators which has been established for over a century, held its inaugural two-day high-level Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit (November 17-18). Ministers from different countries and heads of multinational enterprises gathered in Hong Kong to discuss innovative strategies for addressing pressing challenges facing the maritime industry.

Before the official opening of Hong Kong Maritime Week (November 18), the Hong Kong Maritime & Port Board seized the opportunity to sign a memorandum of understanding with the International Group of P&I Clubs, which provide liability cover for 90% of the world’s ocean going tonnage. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in marine insurance talent training and facilitates further collaboration between Hong Kong, the Mainland and the rest of the world.

For the first time post-pandemic, Maritime London held activities during Hong Kong Maritime Week. They co-organised the Hong Kong-UK Shipping Forum with the UK Shipping Concierge under UK government’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency, in partnership with the British Consulate General Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Maritime & Port Board. Permanent Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan introduced several initiatives from the Action Plan on Maritime & Port Development as well as the 2024 Policy Address to promote the tax concession measures for ship lessors and shipping commercial principals, encouraging them to consider establishing their presence in Hong Kong.

The convergence of financial and shipping strength here in Hong Kong has attracted the attention of the International Maritime Organisation, which proposed hosting a new seminar focusing on ship recycling industry during Maritime Week. This seminar aims to connect the ship recycling sector with financial institutions to discuss solutions that can help the transformation of the industry into an example of sustainability an environmental compliance.

In addition to various meetings, Hong Kong Maritime Week also has a lighter side. Last Sunday, I, along with guests who came from all over the world to join Hong Kong for Maritime Week, took a ride on the Marine Department’s vessel Tin Hau from Central to Kwai Tsing Container Terminal to enjoy the world-famous Victoria Harbour scenery. The Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council also arranged a traditional Chinese junk for friends from the global shipping industry to tour Victoria Harbour on Tuesday night. This allowed them to see for themselves the charm of Hong Kong, a place named after its port nature, leaving them with a more vivid impression of the city.

To promote Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 and the latest developments in Hong Kong’s shipping industry, the Transport & Logistics Bureau and TVB have jointly produced a TV drama series titled Maritime Mission. The series was recently broadcast on TVB’s channels and has recorded approximately 10 million views to date. You may visit the Transport & Logistics Bureau and the Hong Kong Maritime & Port Board’s Facebook pages for replay.

The global logistics supply chain has undergone profound changes after the pandemic, compounded by geopolitical instability and uncertain economic prospects, presenting unprecedented challenges to the global maritime industry. In this shifting landscape of global trade and transportation, this year’s Maritime Week brought together Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport, PRC Fu Xuyin along with ministers and vice ministers responsible for shipping and transport from countries in Europe, Central Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to discuss new opportunities and challenges facing the shipping industry. This underscores that Hong Kong Maritime Week is not only about solidifying Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre but also about serving the global shipping community.

In addition, as one of the flagship events of Maritime Week, the Asian Logistics, Maritime & Aviation Conference attracted about 2,200 participants from over 30 countries and territories, as well as over 80 relevant industry leaders as speakers, including the ministers or deputy ministers overseeing transport-related matters from four ASEAN countries participating for the first time on invitation for making special addresses, reflecting Hong Kong’s edge in having a high level of internationalisation.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung wrote this article and posted it on his blog on November 23.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The chance of the Feed-in Tariff Scheme (FiT Scheme) being extended beyond 2033 is slim, Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan told lawmakers today.

The FiT Scheme, implemented under the Scheme of Control Agreements (SCAs) which will run till the end of 2033, was launched in 2018 by the Government in collaboration with the city’s two power companies – CLP Power Hong Kong (CLP) and Hongkong Electric Company (HKE). Under the FiT Scheme, the power companies purchase renewable energy generated by citizens at a rate higher than the normal electricity tariff rate.

As at September 2024, some 26,000 applications have been approved by CLP and HKE. About 399 million and 15 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity can be generated for CLP and HKE respectively each year, accounting for about 0.85% and 0.03% of the two power companies’ fuel mix for electricity generation, and sufficient to meet the electricity demand of about 126,000 households.

Besides, the Government has earmarked a total of $3 billion for installing renewable energy facilities at government buildings and facilities since 2017-18, of which about $2.2 billion has been approved for more than 250 projects, which are expected to generate about 26 million kWh of electricity annually.

Coupling these with the projects implemented through interdepartmental collaboration and optimising the use of space in the public sector, Mr Tse said the Government is confident in achieving the target of meeting 1% to 2% of Hong Kong’s electricity demand with solar energy by 2035, meeting the target set in the Climate Action Plan 2050.

The environment chief also noted that as renewable energy technologies are becoming mature, the trends in the Mainland and the international arena are to gradually reduce and cease subsidies for renewable energy.

Looking ahead, as many places in the world have completely ceased subsidising renewable energy, the chance of the FiT Scheme being extended beyond the expiration of the SCAs in 2033 is believed to be slim, he added.