The Civil Service Bureau today conducted a tabletop exercise, testing the mobilisation efficiency of all government departments to further familiarise them with the operation of the mobilisation protocol and enhance the Government’s emergency response capabilities.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which a super typhoon was approaching Hong Kong and its associated torrential rain might result in serious flooding in some low-lying areas.
As a consequence, it was necessary for the Government to promptly mobilise a significant number of staff across departments to form a quick response unit accordingly to provide timely support.
In accordance with the requirement of the “government-wide mobilisation” level, all bureaus and departments, as well as the Independent Commission Against Corruption, have to arrange around 10,000 personnel on standby through an interdepartmental communication mechanism established for the “government-wide mobilisation” level.
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung, who was briefed on the communications among the different departments during the exercise, noted that the exercise was generally smooth, fully demonstrating the departments’ progressive enhancements in alertness and responsiveness under the “government-wide mobilisation” level.
The interdepartmental communication mechanism can also continue to support the operation of the mobilisation protocol in a highly efficient manner, Mrs Yeung said, adding that the exercise’s successful completion is an affirmation of the mature operation of the mobilisation protocol, and showcases the flexibility, efficiency and solidarity of the civil service.
In September 2023, the Government activated the mobilisation protocol twice, mobilising more than 600 government staff from 16 bureaus and department to take part in the operations that assisted in the recovery work in the wake of Super Typhoon Saola and the torrential rain.
The Chief Executive-in-Council has accepted all the recommendations of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) regarding the boundaries and names of geographical constituencies (GCs) for the eighth-term Legislative Council general election in 2025.
The EAC recommended, with the exception of including the Loop in the only contiguous New Territories North (LC7) GC, to maintain the boundaries of the nine remaining GCs, and retain the existing names and codes of the 10 GCs.
The 10 GCs are Hong Kong Island East (LC1), Hong Kong Island West (LC2), Kowloon East (LC3), Kowloon West (LC4), Kowloon Central (LC5), New Territories South East (LC6), New Territories North (LC7), New Territories North West (LC8), New Territories South West (LC9), and New Territories North East (LC10).
Before submitting a report to the Chief Executive on June 13, the EAC conducted a public consultation from May 2 to 31, gave careful consideration to all the representations received, and examined the content of the representations having regard to the relevant statutory requirements and working principles.
The decision of the Chief Executive-in-Council would be effected by way of the Declaration of Geographical Constituencies (Legislative Council) Order 2025, which will be published in the Government Gazette on Friday and tabled at LegCo next Wednesday for negative vetting.
The report was tabled at LegCo today as required by law. It is also available on the EAC’s website.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Lai Tung-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
President Lai Ching-Te led a delegation, including Presidential Secretary-General Pan Men-An, Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-Hui, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-Hsin, Minister of Economic Affairs Ku Jyh-Huei, and the administrative team, on an “Industrial Listening Tour” at New Taipei Industrial Park on May 2. The delegation engaged in in-depth exchanges with important representatives from the region’s electronics, textile, medical equipment, HVAC, and defense industries.
On April 3, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would impose a 32% reciprocal tariff on Taiwan. President Lai immediately convened industry representatives to his official residence on April 5 to listen to their concerns and officially announced the government’s response measures to the public on the afternoon of April 6, which specifically demonstrated the government’s determination to overcome difficulties with the industry. In the face of US tariff policy, the government has launched the first round of negotiations and continues to negotiate based on the three principles of ensuring national interests, maintaining Taiwan’s industrial development space, and protecting Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem.
To respond to industry concerns, President Lai and Premier Cho have conducted nearly 20 listening tours. The Executive Yuan has approved a special bill allocating NT$410 billion, including NT$93 billion to support impacted industries and NT$100 billion to subsidize Taiwan Power Company for stable electricity supply, easing operational burdens on business.
At the forum, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-Ih and Legislators Su Chiao-Hui, Wu Ping-Jui, Lin Shu-Fen, Lee Kuen-Cheng and Hung Mong-Kai attended to show their support for local industries. Industry representatives raised concerns such as ensuring a stable electricity supply, promoting the integration of SMEs into the semiconductor supply chain, shortening medical device review processes, and implementing ESCO energy-saving technologies for net-zero transformation. President Lai responded that deep energy-saving through ESCOs not only improves energy efficiency but also qualifies for tax credits of equipment investment. Minister Kuo noted that the ministry has budgeted for deep energy-saving projects that offer financial incentives based on actual savings, potentially reducing business power costs by 8-12%. Secretary-General Kung added that the government’s A+ Program encourages innovative R&D and allows companies to hire full-time professionals to support their projects.
President Lai pointed out that according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast, amid the turbulent international economic situation, the economic growth rate of most countries has declined, but Taiwan has increased its forecast from 2.7% to 2.9%, demonstrating the international community’s high recognition of Taiwan’s economic prospects and the high resilience of Taiwan’s industries. He highlighted that Taiwan has consistently grown stronger through adversity –this is the spirit of Taiwan and the hallmark of its industries.
In conclusion, the President reaffirmed that the government will adhere to the principle of “Speed and order in balance” to advance negotiations in the face of Trump’s tariff policy. It should not only focus on speed but also ensure the overall interests of the country and promote the three major industrial strategies for the future development of Taiwan’s industries, including:
1. Foresight and sustainability through smart innovation;
2. Competing in space and exploring the oceans;
3. Rooted in Taiwan, expanding globally, strengthening ties with the U.S., and promoting Taiwan to the world.
The government is committed to driving industrial AI adoption, advancing marine industry development, transitioning to diverse green energy sources reinforcing power system resilience, and pursuing regional economic integration through bilateral investment agreements with democratic partners. With the enduring spirit of Taiwan, we are fully capable of building a resilient economy and achieving a new economic miracle together.
Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government completes tabletop exercise under “government-wide mobilisation” level to consolidate and enhance mobilisation capabilities (with photo)Issued at HKT 15:25
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Quat and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
The Health Bureau’s Primary Healthcare Commission announced today that, starting from July 2, occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) participating in government-subsidised primary healthcare programmes must first be enlisted in the Primary Care Directory and join eHealth.
It explained that to allow sufficient time for the professions to complete the enrolment process, a two-month grace period until September 1 will be provided.
The commission encourages OTs and PTs to register as early as possible, so that they can continue to provide relevant government-subsidised services to members of the public.
The Primary Healthcare Blueprint recommended expanding the directory to cover more healthcare professionals and developing sub-directories for allied health professionals, including OTs and PTs, with a view to ensuring their participation in continuing medical education or professional development programmes relevant to their disciplines.
In addition, the blueprint recommended requiring all primary healthcare service providers to use eHealth to promote continuity of healthcare services and cross-sector collaboration.
Those OTs and PTs currently participating in relevant government-subsidised programmes but who are yet to be enlisted in the directory and join eHealth by the end of the grace period will no longer be able to offer those government-subsidised primary healthcare services to their patients.
The public may enquire with their OTs or PTs or visit the directory’s website to confirm whether they are enlisted, to ensure that they can continue receiving the relevant subsidised services from the same OT or PT after the grace period.
The directory enables people to look for service providers’ information, such as their practice addresses, telephone numbers, consultation hours, service provisions as well as their participation in various government-subsidised programmes.
The Immigration Department announced today that the Automated Immigration Clearance e-Channel service will be extended to eligible People’s Republic of China (PRC) passport holders from tomorrow.
Those aged 11 or above who hold a valid PRC electronic ordinary passport can use the e-Channel service, via face recognition technology, when transiting through Hong Kong to or from another country or territory without prior enrolment for the service.
The Innovation & Technology Commission stated today that it has introduced an enhancement to the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS) that includes streamlined procedures to speed up the process of approving applications.
In addition to noting that the enhancement applies to those seeking funding support of no more than $2.8 million, the commission emphasised that the relevant applications will be processed according to the newly established streamlined procedures.
It also pointed out that the aim of the enhancement is to further support enterprises in adopting smart manufacturing and seize market opportunities.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong said that the Government actively promotes the development of new industrialisation through the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS) and the NIFS, injecting new impetus into Hong Kong’s economy.
While indicating that enterprises are making use of the funding support from these two schemes to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong, Prof Sun highlighted that funded enterprises will bring to Hong Kong the relevant technologies and expertise of product manufacturing, driving the development of Hong Kong’s new industrialisation and diversified economy.
Moreover, the commission announced today that the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee has supported an application submitted by J Cube Semiconductor (Hong Kong) under the NIAS.
The project plans to set up third-generation semiconductor silicon carbide wafer production facilities, which fall under the advanced manufacturing technology sector.
The estimated total cost of the project is over $700 million, and the expected NIAS funding amount will be $200 million.