Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, visited a Chinese restaurant in Wan Chai today (July 1) after attending the flag-raising ceremony and reception to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). They enjoyed tea and July 1 dining discounts to commemorate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
 
     The Secretaries of Departments and Director of Bureau ordered a variety of dim sum and had morning tea, including shrimp dumplings at a discount of 29 per cent. The atmosphere there was lively and members of the public were enthusiastic about the dining discount activities. The catering sector special offers have received strong support, with the number of participating restaurants increasing each year, from more than 1 400 in 2023, to more than 2 200 in 2024, and reaching 4 100 this year.
 
     After morning tea, Mr Cheuk, Mr Wong and Mr Tsang enjoyed the Free Tram Day offer and arrived at Lee Tung Avenue, where they experienced the festive atmosphere featuring free distributions of ice cream, popcorn and panda-shaped balloons.
 
     The current-term Government has pioneered the practice of turning the anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR into a festival, which has received positive responses from all sectors of society. The Government and different sectors have jointly launched a series of special offers and activities covering public transport, culture and arts, leisure, food and consumption, among others, to encourage the public to go out for consumption, participate in activities, and joyfully celebrate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland on July 1.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today officiated at the first Digital Education Week 2025 kick-off ceremony held in the Central Government Offices.

Also attending was Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Department of Educational, Scientific & Technological Affairs First-level Inspector Liu Maozhou.

To dovetail with the national development of digital education and to nurture talent for the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, the Chief Executive announced the formation of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education in the 2024 Policy Address. The committee has identified four key focuses and strategic directions.

Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the education chief said that the first Digital Education Week features a wide range of enriching programmes, including the annual flagship event for the education sector, Learning & Teaching Expo 2025, as well as the International Summit on the Use of AI (artificial intelligence) in Learning & Teaching Languages & Other Subjects (AIinLT) and Post-Summit Workshop Series.

“These functions enable teachers to stay abreast of the latest developments in I&T and digital education, fostering professional exchanges and enhancing the effectiveness of learning and teaching.”

The Learning & Teaching Expo 2025 will bring together global educational technology resources, set up nearly 600 booths, and host more than 270 keynote speeches, seminars and public demonstration classes to fully showcase the latest teaching solutions and technology trends.

Meanwhile, the International Summit on AIinLT will gather education experts from home and abroad to discuss the practical application of AI in various disciplines through 100 paper presentations, teaching demonstrations and 11 in-depth workshops, helping teachers and students enhance their AI literacy.

The Education Bureau also announced that the first batch of deliverables including the three projects under the e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme funded by a provision of $500 million from the Quality Education Fund were released today. 

The deliverables of the projects will be exhibited at the Learning & Teaching Expo, the bureau said.

The bueau outlined that the programme provides 22 innovative e-learning solutions for primary and secondary, kindergarten and special education students in Hong Kong, 18 of which incorporate AI technology.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for former Japanese Economic Security Minister and current Representative Kobayashi

Date：2025-06-27
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

June 27, 2025 
No. 223 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome luncheon on June 26 for Takayuki Kobayashi, former Japanese Minister in Charge of Economic Security and current member of the House of Representatives. They exchanged views on issues such as integrated diplomacy, response strategies for countering gray-zone tactics, and Taiwan-Japan cooperation in third countries.

Minister Lin stated that since assuming office, he had been proactively implementing integrated diplomacy. He said that the policy combined the strengths of the public and private sectors to expand Taiwan’s international presence and promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, which aimed to deepen substantive and mutually beneficial relations with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries. He added that Taiwan was pleased that the Japanese government had recently bolstered strategic partnerships with Palau, Paraguay, Guatemala, and other diplomatic allies of Taiwan, and thanked Japan for actively advancing cooperative relations with Taiwan’s allies. He emphasized that Taiwan and Japan faced similar regional security and economic challenges and that the two sides should enhance collaboration and joint strategic responses.

Furthermore, he indicated that the industries of Taiwan and Japan were highly complementary and that, in the face of China’s aggressive pursuit of global high-tech industry dominance, Taiwan and Japan should work together to build non-red supply chains and boost economic resilience and industrial competitiveness to ensure that democracies steadily keep pace with technological developments worldwide.

Representative Kobayashi stated that Taiwan and Japan had a close friendship in terms of history, the economy, and personnel exchanges. He expressed hope that the visit would increase his understanding of Taiwan. In addition, he affirmed his desire to help further Taiwan-Japan ties in the future, which would contribute to safeguarding regional peace and stability.

Also in attendance at the luncheon were Taipei University of Marine Technology President Lu Yao-zhi, Institute for National Defense and Security Research Chief Secretariat Office Director Lin Yen-hung, and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Kazuyuki Katayama. The atmosphere was lively and cordial. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to IPAC statement condemning China for alleged plot targeting Vice President Hsiao

June 27, 2025  The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) issued a statement on June 27 condemning China for an alleged plot to engineer a collision with a car carrying Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim during a visit to the Czech Republic in March 2024 when she was serving as vice president-elect. It denounced China for conspiring to engage in an act of state terrorism and said that the planning of such an overt act of politically motivated violence in a foreign country represented the crossing of a threshold and disregard for international diplomatic norms. Expressing solidarity with Vice President Hsiao and with Taiwanese citizens who may be subject to coercion by the Chinese state while traveling abroad, the statement also emphasized that Taiwan’s future should be determined by the Taiwanese people and called upon the governments of IPAC member countries to condemn the PRC’s unacceptable actions.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely appreciates IPAC taking a stand and urging nations to strongly condemn China for seeking to engage in unlawful activities in other countries that amount to state terrorism. The contempt for international diplomatic norms, violent disregard for personal safety, and deliberate and worsening attempts to suppress Taiwan displayed by China in its actions are a clear demonstration of its exceedingly disgraceful and unscrupulous behavior. This is unacceptable to the international community. MOFA once again strongly condemns China and solemnly demands that it issue an apology.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang visited a Chinese restaurant in Wan Chai today after attending the flag-raising ceremony and reception to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

They enjoyed tea and July 1 dining discounts to commemorate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.

The officials ordered a variety of dim sum and had morning tea, including shrimp dumplings at a 29% discount. The atmosphere there was lively and members of the public were enthusiastic about the dining discount activities.

The catering sector special offers have received strong support, with the number of participating restaurants increasing each year, from more than 1,400 in 2023, to more than 2,200 last year, and reaching 4,100 this year.

Mr Cheuk, Mr Wong and Mr Tsang then enjoyed the Free Tram Day offer and arrived at Lee Tung Avenue where they experienced the festive atmosphere featuring free distributions of ice cream, popcorn and panda-shaped balloons.

The current-term Government pioneered the practice of turning the anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR into a festival, which received positive responses from all sectors of society. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly condemned and opposed the malicious attacks on and the demonisation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and other laws safeguarding national security, as well as the slanderous and fact-distorting remarks made on the city’s work in safeguarding national security by foreign politicians, anti-China organisations, and various media outlets on the important occasion of the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that anti-China and destabilising forces, organisations or media have made sweepingly generalised and grandstanding comments, completely disregarding the profound historical significance of the HKNSL and its undeniable positive impact on the city.

The statement made it clear that they distorted the facts and made slanderous remarks on the Hong Kong SAR and the HKNSL. They even attempted to interfere with criminal trials conducted in Hong Kong SAR courts, thereby obstructing the course of justice.

It also indicated that they never utter a word about the strict enforcement of national security laws by their own countries and other governments against activities that endanger their national security.

The statement described their actions as despicable political manipulation. It stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government must sternly denounce their wrongdoing to set the record straight and expose their shameless ‘double standards’ to the world.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also emphasised that safeguarding national security is a top priority of every country. In accordance with international law and international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice.

Moreover, the statement mentioned that for a considerable period, external forces, through their agents, have conducted infiltration and sabotage activities in Hong Kong, and further instigated the “black-clad violence” and the Hong Kong version of “colour revolution” in 2019, which nearly brought the “one country, two systems” to ruin.

With the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL, its effect in stopping violence and curbing disorder as well as quickly restoring social stability in the Hong Kong community was immediate.

The statement highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR fulfilled its constitutional duty by enacting the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance last year with broad societal consensus, thereby improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security. This has enabled Hong Kong’s transition “from chaos to order” and advancement “from stability to prosperity”.

It said the attempts by external forces to “use Hong Kong to contain China” are doomed to fail, leaving them with no option but to smear the HKNSL.

The Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that, over five years of its implementation, the HKNSL has restored the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong citizens were unable to enjoy during the period of “black-clad violence”, and has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to swiftly return to normal and the business environment to be restored and improved continuously.

It also stressed that human rights in Hong Kong have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law, adding that the rule of law in Hong Kong is strong and robust, and withstands the test of time.

In addition, the statement noted that, as guaranteed by the Basic Law, the HKNSL and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence shall have the right to a fair trial by the Judiciary exercising independent judicial power. The courts of the Hong Kong SAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

It also mentioned that foreign politicians, anti-China organisations, and various media have recently continued to make irresponsible and absurd remarks, distorting the truth regarding the national security case involving Lai Chee-ying, as well as his custodial arrangements, with the intention of perverting the course of justice.

The Hong Kong SAR government has repeatedly pointed out that any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the city by means of political power, to prevent any defendant from receiving a fair trial that they should have, is a blatant act undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong and should be condemned.

The suggestion that persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is tantamount to granting such persons or organisations privileges to break the law, perverting the course of justice, and is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law, the Hong Kong SAR Government stated.

The HKSAR Government strongly urges any external forces to immediately stop interfering with the city’s internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by the courts of the Hong Kong SAR.

Regarding the custodial arrangements of Lai Chee-ying, the Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, and has put in place an established mechanism to safeguard the rights of persons-in-custody (PICs), including regular independent visitors, namely Justices of the Peace, who inspect the prisons to ensure the rights of PICs are protected.

The statement specified that the CSD consistently handles matters concerning Lai Chee-ying strictly in accordance with these mechanisms, no differently from other PICs.

Furthermore, it clarified that the arrangement for Lai Chee-ying’s removal from association with other PICs has been made at his own request and approved by the CSD after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law all along.

The statement added that Lai Chee-ying’s legal representative has publicly clarified that he is receiving appropriate treatment and care in prison.

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it will continue to uphold its constitutional duty and steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The statement said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to resolutely fulfil its duties and obligations to safeguard national security while simultaneously protecting the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and others in Hong Kong in accordance with the law.

By ensuring high-quality development with high-level security, a new chapter in the practice of “one country, two systems” would be continuously composed, the statement added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee

Today marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the third anniversary of the current term of the Government. Over these three years, the Government has forged ahead with reforms to build a safe and stable Hong Kong, and striven to develop the economy and improve people’s livelihood. Our efforts are gradually delivering results.

I have changed the culture of the Government and formed a “result-oriented” Government. We have fulfilled the constitutional duty by enacting the local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law, a historic task long envisioned by previous terms of the Government but unrealised until now. We have rebuilt a safe Hong Kong. This year, Hong Kong is ranked seventh globally in the safety index.

The Government has spared no efforts in addressing land and housing issues. The waiting time for public housing has been shortened by about nine and a half months, from 6.1 years to 5.3 years. In our combat against the abuse of public rental housing resources, another 8,700 or so housing units have been recovered, equivalent to about 11 public housing blocks and a saving of around $8.7 billion in construction costs. We have acted swiftly to build Light Public Housing for intake by over 9,500 households within this year, relieving the imminent housing needs of more than 9,500 families.

Since we assumed office, Hong Kong’s economy has shifted from negative to positive growth. Median monthly household income during the period has risen by $3,000, an increase of over 11%. We attach great importance on labour rights. The abolition of the Mandatory Provident Fund offsetting arrangement has taken effect, and the review cycle of the Statutory Minimum Wage has now been revised from every two years to every year.

We have strengthened mutual market access, relaxed the listing requirements for biotechnology and specialist technology companies, established a licensing regime for stablecoin and simplified listing procedures, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the financial sector. Hong Kong has climbed up one place in its ranking as a financial centre and secured the third place globally.

We have endeavoured to trawl for talent, compete for enterprises, and attract companies and investment to Hong Kong. Over 210,000 professionals, top talent and quality migrants have arrived in Hong Kong, boosting the city’s competitiveness. We have attracted 84 strategic enterprises from frontier technological industries to Hong Kong, bringing in investment amounting to some $50 billion and creating over 20,000 job opportunities. We have simplified the regime for company re-domiciliation, with two major global insurance companies readily expressing their interest in re-domiciling to Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s global position in the World Competitiveness Yearbook has improved for two consecutive years, rising from the seventh to the third place. For World Talent Ranking, Hong Kong has returned to the top ten, climbing up seven places to the ninth position.

Amid economic restructuring, Hong Kong is faced with challenges as well as opportunities. With the advantages of the “one country, two systems” principle, the challenges we face would be outweighed by the opportunities available to us. Looking ahead, our major tasks will cover three areas:

First, to safeguard high-quality development with high-level security. We will actively co-ordinate the coherence between security and development. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong will remain steadfast in maintaining national security, fully seize national opportunities and proactively integrate into the overall national development, with a view to fostering economic growth and development while assisting enterprises in upgrading their operations and expanding domestic and overseas sales markets. We will deepen international exchanges and co-operation, explore new markets and opportunities, bolster the provision of extensive supply chain services, expand and strengthen regional trade with the aim of offsetting the risk of over-reliance on a single market in business trade. In addition to dedicating our efforts to the development of innovation and technology and expanding digital trade and supporting the development of local enterprises, we will introduce new technologies and industries, and continue to compete for talent and enterprises, further securing our position as an international financial, shipping and trade centre.

Second, to speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis. The Northern Metropolis, which takes up around one-third of Hong Kong’s area and will later accommodate one-third of our population, is a new engine for the development of Hong Kong. By introducing new concepts and new methods, removing potential barriers and leveraging market forces, we aim to enhance the speed and efficiency of developing the Northern Metropolis, the San Tin Technopole, and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. With a focus on industry development and innovative technology, our goal is to attract scientific research talent from around the world and concentrate innovation resources, in order to promote the establishment of Hong Kong as a hub for high-calibre talent and drive the overall development of Hong Kong.

Third, to improve people’s livelihood proactively. Our policy objective is to make Hong Kong a better place for living and working – for people to enjoy better living and accommodation, for young people to fully realise their potential, and for the elderly to be well taken care of.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will sustain its efforts in improving people’s livelihood in such aspects as housing, medical health, education and welfare, thus enhancing people’s quality of life. We will remain committed to accelerating the supply of public housing to further reduce the waiting time, and ensure the timely provision of Light Public Housing to meet pressing demand. The registration of compliant Basic Housing Units, which will replace substandard subdivided units, is expected to begin in March next year. The Government will continue to deepen the reform of the healthcare system and improve public and primary healthcare services. We will remain committed to the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation, focusing on directing resources to those most in need. On transportation, the Government will take forward the implementation of the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint, pressing ahead with various railway projects, including the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link connecting Hung Shui Kiu and Qianhai, the Northern Link Spur Line, as well as local smart and green mass transit systems.

As a Chinese saying goes, “Is there anything too hard in the world? With determined efforts, a hard task becomes easy; otherwise, an easy job may become difficult”. We would rather be reformers who rise to challenges than become complacent idlers. Amid an ever‑changing geopolitical landscape and constantly increasing uncertainties, Hong Kong is able to showcase exactly to the world the certainties of safety, stability and development opportunities. These are precisely what the world needs and seeks. Hong Kong is a place where national and global opportunities converge. As long as we are determined to fully seize the opportunities, keep enhancing our value and competitiveness, undertake reforms for progress and foster innovation, I am confident the wisdom and experience of the people of Hong Kong will help our Pearl of the Orient shine brighter than ever on the world stage! 

This is a translation of Chief Executive John Lee’s speech delivered at the reception in celebration of the 28th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s establishment on July 1.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Chief Executive has awarded 427 people in this year’s Honours List in recognition of their significant contributions to Hong Kong.

Three people – Lawrence Fung Siu-por, Charles Yeung Chun-kam and Prof John Leong Chi-yan – received the Grand Bauhinia Medal.

Twenty people received the Gold Bauhinia Star, including Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and former Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee. Twenty-nine people received the Silver Bauhinia Star and 46 the Bronze Bauhinia Star.

Chief Executive John Lee extended his congratulations to all award recipients and expressed gratitude for their significant contributions, hoping that they will continue to excel in their own fields and serve the community. 

In addition to thanking nine officers for their outstanding contributions to safeguarding national security, he also commended two citizens for bravely saving a number of trapped people during the No. 3 alarm fire at New Lucky House in Jordan in April last year.

Furthermore, Mr Lee expressed gratitude for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Search & Rescue Team deployed to assist in the search and rescue work in the quake-stricken areas of Myanmar in March and April this year.

The awards presentation ceremony will be held later this year.

Moreover, the Chief Executive has appointed a total of 66 people as Justices of the Peace.