Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (September 23) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan to succeed Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen as Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), as well as Mr Jat Sew-tong and Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har as Vice-Chairman and a new member of the Board of the WKCDA respectively, for a two-year term from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027.

Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said, “Mr Chan is the current Vice-Chairman of the WKCDA Board. He had been a Board member for a number of years before serving as Vice-Chairman, and is well acquainted with the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) project. Mr Chan’s rich experience in administrative management and public services, as well as his extensive business network, will enable him to lead the WKCDA in developing the WKCD into a cultural tourism landmark earning worldwide acclaim, elevating the stature of Hong Kong on the international cultural landscape stage. Mr Jat has been actively providing valuable insights and contributions to various aspects of the WKCDA’s work since joining the Board in 2022. I believe that Mr Jat could drive the continuous development of the WKCD. I also welcome Dr Chan to join and add new momentum to the Board.”

Miss Law expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Mr Tang for his tremendous contributions to the development of the WKCD over the years. “Mr Tang had served as Chairman of the Board in different capacities. Under his adept leadership, the WKCD has achieved many important milestones. During his tenure, various world-class arts and cultural facilities in the WKCD have been completed and commissioned, including the Xiqu Centre, Freespace, M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. The WKCDA has also successfully brought exhibitions and stage productions to the Mainland and overseas, showcasing and enhancing Hong Kong’s cultural soft power and consolidating its position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges,” Miss Law said.

The WKCDA Ordinance (Cap. 601) provides that the Board is the governing and executive body of the WKCDA. It is responsible for the planning, development, operation and maintenance of the arts and cultural facilities and related facilities in the WKCD.

The membership of the Board commencing October 1, 2025, will be as follows:

Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan (Chairman)
Mr Jat Sew-tong (Vice-Chairman)
Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har*
Mr Abraham Chan Lok-shung
Mr Vincent Cheng Wing-shun
Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping
Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong
Mr Andy Hei Kao-chiang
Mr Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng
Mr Leo Kung Lin-cheng
Mr Liu Che-ning
Ms Yolanda Ng Yuen-ting
Dr Pang Yiu-kai
Mr Paulo Pong Kin-yee
Mr Anthony Wu Ting-yuk
Ms Catherine Yen Kai-shun
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism or alternate representative
Secretary for Development or alternate representative
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury or alternate representative
Chief Executive Officer, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (ex officio member)

(*new appointee)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in Korea from September 19 to 23. A series of “Hong Kong Cinema @ Busan 2025” exchange activities was organised and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the Busan Asian Film School with a view to promoting Hong Kong films, fostering cultural exchanges and expanding overseas markets.

Sponsored by CCIDA and co-organised by the BIFF and the Asian Film Awards Academy, the “Hong Kong Night” networking reception was held on September 19 and attracted over 600 film industry representatives and filmmakers from around the world. Head (Film Promotion and Facilitation) of CCIDA, Ms Irene Yuen, said during the event that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was committed to supporting the development of the Hong Kong’s film industry, and had further deepened international exchanges and co-operation in recent years, supporting the film industry to participate in renowned film festivals worldwide, promoting exchanges and expanding business opportunities. She also extended her congratulations to filmmaker Sylvia Chang on receiving the Camellia Award, a special prize that celebrates her contributions to advancing women’s roles in the Asian film industry.

Besides, the film “Measure in Love”, funded by the Film Development Fund (FDF), held its world premiere at the BIFF on September 21 and attracted over 5 000 attendees with an overwhelming response. The film is the first production under the Directors’ Succession Scheme of the FDF, which aims to encourage directors to groom young talents in the spirit of mentorship. Sylvia Chang, the producer of the film, expressed her special thanks to the Scheme for its support, as it enables experienced filmmakers to partner with new generation directors in producing films and to learn from each other. Other guests present at the premiere included emerging director Kung Siu-ping and lead actors Hsu Kuang-han and Angela Yuen.

CCIDA also took the opportunity to sign an MOU with the Busan Asian Film School which aimed at strengthening co-operation in activities and exchanges related to the cultivation of film talents. At the Asian Contents & Film Market, CCIDA collaborated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to support the establishment of the Hong Kong Pavilion, increasing overseas exposure for Hong Kong films and promoting more business collaborations. CCIDA also recommended and sponsored four Hong Kong producers – Johnny Wang, Terence Choi, Fanny Chong and Kinnie Cheung – to participate in the “Producer Hub”, where they engaged in in-depth discussions and business liaison with international industry professionals to explore co-production and project development opportunities.

During the festival, CCIDA also held meetings with film organisations and representatives from film festivals around the world, including the Saudi Arabia Red Sea International Film Festival, the Indonesia Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, the Italy Udine Far East Film Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam of the Netherlands, etc, with an aim to forging international connections and opening up pathways for future co-operation.

As mentioned in “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address”, CCIDA will enhance publicity, exchanges, and business matching overseas and in the Mainland, and continue its close communication with the industry with a view to facilitating the development of the Hong Kong film market.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 23) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in September, covering 13 survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	September 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Islands	Cheung Chau South	0.0%	N/A
	Cheung Chau North	2.9%	1.0
Sham Shui Po	Cheung Sha Wan	0.0%	N/A
	Sham Shui Po East	3.8%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Ngau Chi Wan	9.1%	1.0
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O East	1.9%	1.0
	Tseung Kwan O North	9.1%	1.0

 

District	Survey Area	September 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Southern	Pokfulam	1.7%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin West	0.0%	N/A
	Diamond Hill	0.9%	1.0
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O West	0.0%	N/A
Yuen Long	Yuen Long Town	0.9%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	1.8%	1.0

     Among the fifth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering seven survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in September, all were below 10 per cent.

     The FEHD has so far released five batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September 2025, covering 49 survey areas. Among these 49 survey areas, 40 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. August 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation had improved or maintained a low level. Nine other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

     Public participation is crucial to effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collection and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

     Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD will disseminate the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

     Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes, to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks’ surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement by the Education Bureau concerning schools, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Under the influence of Super Typhoon Ragasa, classes of all schools, including secondary schools, primary schools, special schools, kindergartens, kindergarten-cum-child care centres and evening schools, are suspended today (September 23) and tomorrow (September 24).

     

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes falsehoods and threatening language used against Taiwan by China’s defense minister at Beijing Xiangshan Forum

Date：2025-09-18
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

September 18, 2025  
No. 349  

China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun stated during the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on September 18 that Taiwan’s return to China was an important element of the post-World War II international order and that it was an indisputable historical and legal fact that Taiwan was a part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Stating that the People’s Liberation Army had long been a powerful force in defending the unity of the Chinese motherland, he said that it would never allow any Taiwanese secessionist plot to succeed and that it stood ready to thwart external military intervention at any time. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also published similar comments on the same day.
 
China’s fallacies grossly distort the historical facts. Demonstrating once again China’s authoritarian nature and its custom of engaging in saber-rattling, such fallacies have a clear impact upon regional peace and stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly refutes them in the strongest possible terms.
 
Following the conclusion of World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco, which had the force of international law, replaced such political statements as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not hand Taiwan over to the PRC, which has never ruled Taiwan.
 
Starting from the mid-1980s, Taiwan underwent a bottom-up transition of liberalization and democratization, culminating in the completion of its first presidential elections in 1996. Since then, the representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the ROC (Taiwan) government have all been elected by the people of Taiwan, making it the only legitimate administration that effectively governs and represents Taiwan externally. This also established the status quo under which the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC exist on an equal footing, with neither being subordinate to the other. These are the objective facts.
 
The ROC (Taiwan) has been through three transfers of governing party—in 2000, 2008, and 2016. These have continued to consolidate Taiwan’s democratic system and sense of identity and reflect the Taiwanese people’s staunch belief in, and desire to pursue, freedom and democracy.
 
MOFA solemnly states that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other and that the PRC has no right to represent Taiwan in the international community. China has recently engaged in widespread and baseless lawfare in a bid to strengthen its claim that the Taiwan issue is an internal matter, as well as alter the regional status quo and rationalize its aggressive actions. This has undermined peace and stability. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to maintain the status quo and encourage partner countries to clearly oppose China’s false statements. It will also continue to closely work with like-minded countries to jointly defend peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the region and across the Taiwan Strait. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

September 18, 2025 
No. 347 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and his delegation attended a U-Theatre performance at the Romaeuropa Festival 2025 on September 17 in Rome, Italy. Minister Lin spoke at a reception before the event, emphasizing that cultural exchange could highlight the Taiwanese spirit and that the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative aimed to connect Taiwan and Europe through the value of cultural diversity. U-Theatre founder Liu Ruo-yu, Romaeuropa Foundation President Guido Fabiani, and members of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies Andrea Orsini and Mauro Del Barba also attended the performance.
 
In his remarks, Minister Lin stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Culture had jointly implemented the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative this year. He stressed that they hoped to promote Taiwan-Europe cultural exchanges through various art forms, including the performing arts, visual arts, music, film, architecture, comics, and literature. Minister Lin also expressed the wish that more European friends could gain an understanding of Taiwan’s authentic, diverse, and creative aspects beyond technology.
 
Minister Lin lauded U-Theatre for being one of Taiwan’s most prominent arts and cultural groups, adding that its European tour was a key highlight of the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative. He explained that U-Theatre’s works integrated such components as drumming, martial arts, and dance to create a dynamic and powerful form of stage expression that vividly symbolized the spirit of Taiwan, in particular the tenacity and resilience of Taiwan’s people. Minister Lin also emphasized that culture served to overcome language and distance barriers and that U-Theatre’s performance should be seen as a cultural dialogue between Taiwan and Italy.
 
In addition, Minister Lin took the opportunity to thank friends across all sectors of Italy for their long-standing support of Taiwan. He stressed that Taiwan and Italy shared the universal values of democracy and human rights and enjoyed robust trade and industrial ties. Minister Lin asserted that, through cultural exchanges, Taiwan and Italy could further deepen mutual understanding and trust, paving the way for even closer bilateral cooperation in the future.
 
In his address, Romaeuropa Foundation President Fabiani shared his experiences of China attempting to interfere in his close engagement with Taiwan. He expressed that love for Taiwan had motivated him to continue promoting Taiwan-Italy cultural exchanges, undeterred by pressure from China.
 
This year, U-Theatre was invited by Romaeuropa Festival—one of Italy’s most significant cultural events—to present their celebrated work Sword of Wisdom. This gave Europeans the opportunity to experience firsthand Taiwan’s profound and rich culture. At the end, the group received a five-minute ovation, receiving high praise from the entire audience.
 
Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to connect Taiwan and Europe through cultural activities, thereby encouraging Europeans to learn more about Taiwan. This will, in turn, foster mutual understanding and appreciation of shared democratic values as the two sides join hands in strengthening unity in the global democratic camp. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to joint statement by US, Japanese, ROK foreign ministers reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

Date：2025-09-23
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

September 23, 2025  
No. 360  

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a trilateral meeting in New York on September 22. In a joint statement issued following the meeting, they emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, expressed concern about increasingly frequent destabilizing actions around Taiwan, encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, and opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung notes that this is the third occasion this year that a trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea has reiterated support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating like-minded nations’ high concern for Taiwan Strait security.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely appreciates this latest joint statement and welcomes the international community’s continued focus on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to raise its national defense capabilities, strengthen its economic resilience, and cooperate with the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and other like-minded nations to defend peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Netherlands House of Representatives passing motion to support Taiwan’s meaningful international participation

Date：2025-09-21
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

September 21, 2025 
No. 356 

The Netherlands House of Representatives on September 18 passed a motion calling on the Netherlands government to back Taiwan’s meaningful participation during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and at meetings held by other international organizations. Approved by an overwhelming majority of 147 to 3, the motion was introduced by Jan Paternotte, who serves as spokesperson for foreign affairs of the Democrats 66 party and cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for the Netherlands, as well as by several other members of the house from a variety of parties.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and appreciates Dutch parliamentarians once again demonstrating strong support for Taiwan just as the UNGA convenes.
 
The motion states that UNGA Resolution 2758 of 1971 addresses the representation of China in the UN but that it neither stipulates that the People’s Republic of China enjoys sovereignty over Taiwan nor makes any statement about Taiwan’s participation in the UN or other international organizations. It goes on to assert that the Netherlands has an interest in Taiwan’s representation at the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Climate Change Conference, and the International Criminal Police Organization and calls on the Netherlands government to actively cooperate with other countries and submit proposals advocating for Taiwan’s meaningful participation at the UNGA and the annual meetings of UN organizations.
 
The motion is yet another concrete display of support for Taiwan’s international participation and follows four other motions passed by the House of Representatives in April urging the Dutch government to oppose China’s escalation of tensions, strengthen trade relations with Taiwan, send a high-level official delegation to Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in WHO. Building on the friendly ties between Taiwan and the Netherlands, MOFA will continue to promote cooperation between the two countries in such key areas as semiconductor supply chain resilience, security and information security, and next-generation communications. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) urges Singapore and other nations in region to make greatest possible effort to maintain regional status quo and peace and stability

Date：2025-09-20
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

September 20, 2025 
No. 354 

In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the maintenance of the status quo had a crucial impact on Asia and the world.
 
The ROC (Taiwan) government calls on Singapore and other like-minded nations to continue to pay attention to Taiwan Strait security, regional stability, and world peace.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation and that Taiwan’s future will be collectively determined by the people of Taiwan. The international community considers this principle an objective fact and a matter of consensus.
 
MOFA emphasizes that, having long faced China’s military threats and diplomatic suppression, Taiwan will firmly defend its national sovereignty and democratic values, resisting authoritarian expansion and safeguarding Taiwan Strait peace and stability in accordance with the common interests of Singapore and other nations within the region and across the globe.
 
MOFA appreciates that the international community continues to focus on the Taiwan Strait situation and regional peace and lend support to the rules-based international order through concrete action. The government of Taiwan will spare no effort in promoting integrated diplomacy so as to deepen cooperation with like-minded nations and jointly advance democracy, peace, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, today (September 23) welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), Guangzhou Emissions Exchange, Shenzhen Green Exchange and Macao International Carbon Emission Exchange to further promote knowledge exchange and sharing, and strengthen collaboration in the development of carbon markets and the green finance ecosystem in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
 
     Mr Hui said, “We attach great importance to carbon markets in the GBA and actively promote co-operation with them. As the first quadripartite agreement among the carbon exchanges within the GBA, this MOU marks new heights in the orderly and healthy collaborative development of the GBA’s carbon markets. The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address proposed deepening pilot co-operation with the GBA carbon market, jointly building a regional carbon market ecosystem. The signing of the MOU among the HKEX and several GBA carbon exchanges fully demonstrates the determination of the Government and the HKEX in the continuous active promotion of co-operation and joint development with Mainland carbon markets through various means, consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a leading sustainable finance centre in the region.”
 
     Core Climate, the HKEX’s international carbon trading platform, is the only voluntary carbon credit trading platform in the world offering settlement in Hong Kong dollars and Renminbi. In addition to deepening co-operation with the GBA carbon market, the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address also announced that the Government will work with relevant Mainland regulatory departments and authorities to study issues surrounding the country’s participation in the international carbon market. The Government and the HKEX will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to jointly enhance the carbon market ecosystem.