Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 10 536 complaints and suggestions in the first quarter of 2025, with 188 being pure suggestions.

The complaints and suggestions received during the quarter were mostly related to public transport services (89 per cent), enforcement matters (6 per cent) and traffic conditions (5 per cent).

The number of cases on public transport services decreased from 11 316 in the previous quarter to 9 346 this quarter, while that on illegal parking and other enforcement matters increased from 605 to 632. The number of complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions decreased from 900 to 489 and those on road maintenance decreased from 30 to 25.

All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU in the quarter were referred to the relevant government departments and public transport operators for follow-up action.

During the period under review, investigations into 11 061 cases were completed. Of these, 9 612 cases (87 per cent) were found to be substantiated, five cases (less than 1 per cent) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1 444 cases (13 per cent) could not be pursued due to a lack of evidence. 

For the substantiated cases, the relevant government departments and public transport operators have taken steps to rectify the situation or are considering possible solutions to the problems identified. Among these cases, 16 drivers were summonsed by the Police.

During the quarter, the relevant government departments and public transport operators took on board 11 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases is in the Appendix.

Members of the public may make their suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service is available outside office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by email to info@tcu.gov.hk or by filling in a form on the TCU website (www.tcu.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Police today (July 29) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sai Kung.

     Yan Gan, aged 44, went missing after he was last seen at Pak Lap Wan on July 27 noon. Police received the report on the same day.

     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 75 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured swimming suit with orange life jacket and blue cap.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) convened three research foundations-ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute), FIRDI (Food Industry Research and Development Institute), and the Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB)-to establish the DoIT pavilion, which held its opening ceremony at BIO Asia-Taiwan 2025. The pavilion showcases 12 innovative technological achievements in health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment, highlighting Taiwan’s capabilities in biomedical research and development while injecting new momentum into the health industry. Key exhibit technologies include the “Smart Processing & Equipment Integration for Plant-Based Drinks,” designed for the elderly; the “Long-Lasting Immunity of CD40 Ligand Ribonucleic Acid Vaccine Adjuvant,” developed to extend vaccine effectiveness; and the “Novel Selective FPR1 Antagonist,” which reduces side effects while improving therapeutic outcomes.

Senior Technical Specialist of the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), Mr. Tai Chien-Cheng , indicated that in the face of global political and economic uncertainties, pharmaceuticals have become essential strategic commodities vital to public well-being and safety. Taiwan’s strengths in research and development (R&D), regulatory frameworks, and manufacturing processes position it as a reliable partner for international pharmaceutical companies. To enhance global integration and expand cooperation, Taiwan should improve collaboration across both upstream and downstream industries, thereby increasing technical density and strengthening global competitiveness. He advocated for DoIT to continue connecting foundational resources and implementing supportive policies for R&D funding and tools to facilitate industrial advancement. The pavilion symbolizes the long-term commitment of research institutions to the “Three-Stage, Five-Level Prevention” framework, linking applications from “precision medicine” to “palliative care,” and showcasing the government’s proactive efforts in realizing the “Healthy Taiwan” policy.

In addition, several breakthroughs driven by or related to artificial intelligence (AI) are highlighted among the 12 innovative technologies showcased in the pavilion.

ITRI presents “Tumor-Derived Exosomes Enrichment and Detection Platform”, and “One-Stop Exosome Isolation and Characterization Services”. FIRDI showcases “Intelligent Preparation of Nutritional Beverages” in AI-powered biomedicine research and development.

ITRI’s “In Vivo Delivery of mRNA Encoding CAR to Macrophages for Solid Tumor Therapy” and “An Eye Drop Product for Dry AMD Treatment”. DCB showcases “Rejuvenating CAR-T Cells Through the Secretion of Antibodies Targeting Immunosuppressive Axis” and “NTSR1-ADC: A Novel Therapeutics for Head and Neck Cancer” for cancer and ophthalmic conditions. These technologies highlight the progress in therapeutic drug development and the emergence of new treatment breakthroughs.

Additionally, FIRDI contributes its technical expertise through the development of “Plant-based animal fat alternative technology” and “Microorganisms in the Modification of Food Texture and Flavor”. These innovations aim to redefine the texture and quality of plant-based meats, infusing the plant-based industry with dynamic advancements.

Spokesperson: Ministry of Economic Affairs Department of Industrial Technology (Taiwan) Deputy Director General Chou Chung-Pin
Telephone:02-23212200 extension 8121
Email:cbjou@moea.gov.tw

Contact person:Ministry of Economic Affairs Department of Industrial Technology (Taiwan) Technical Specialist Tai Chien-Cheng
Telephone:02-23212200 extension 8180
Email:cctai@moea.gov.tw

Media contact:Ministry of Economic Affairs Department of Industrial Technology (Taiwan) Researcher
Telephone:02-23212200 extension 8155,0910-660322
Email:yschi@moea.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     As the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal has been cancelled, the Judiciary has announced that all court and tribunal hearings will be resumed or held as scheduled tomorrow (July 30).
 
     Those who were due to attend court hearings today (July 29) but were affected by the issuance of the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, including jurors, should do so at 9.30am tomorrow.
 
     Court/tribunal registries and offices will remain open during business hours. Court users may also use the integrated Court Case Management System for those electronic services which have been implemented at individual court/tribunal registries as usual.
 
     It is anticipated that there will be a significant number of people going to court tomorrow, so court users are advised to arrive at the court buildings earlier, especially during the busy periods in the morning or after lunch.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced that its general out-patient clinics (GOPCs), specialist out-patient clinics (SOPCs), allied health and other day services will resume service gradually within two hours after the cancellation of the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal.

Chronic illness or specialist out-patient clinic patients who have scheduled appointments at GOPCs, SOPCs, allied health or other day services, can follow the instructions listed on the appointment slips for the arrangements if their appointments are affected by the rainstorm. Patients who booked their appointments via the telephone system or mobile app “HA Go” can make a new appointment one hour after the cancellation of the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal.

The HA spokesman said, “Due to the bad weather, some patients were unable to attend their consultations. It is anticipated that the number of patients will increase in the coming few days. The HA has adopted different measures to enhance manpower and service capacities to cope with the demand and render assistance to patients in need.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Transport Department (TD) today (July 29) announced that as the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal has been cancelled, services of the Driving Test Centres and the Written Test Centre will resume scheduled appointments at or after 2pm. Candidates scheduled for driving tests (including road tests and written tests) at or before 1pm will be individually informed of the rescheduled test appointments. Members of the public who have made an appointment for vehicle examination services can make a new appointment tomorrow if they cannot attend while the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force or within two hours after its cancellation.
 
Moreover, while the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force or within two hours after its cancellation, applicants who have made appointments for driving licence-related services, renewal of vehicle licences, transfers of vehicle ownership, applications for a duplicate vehicle registration document/duplicate vehicle licence, international driving permits, retention, transfer or assignment of vehicle registration marks may proceed to the originally scheduled Licensing Offices to submit their applications during service hours (9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday) on or before August 5 without the need to make another appointment.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region