Month: September 2025

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Taiwan Alumni Association, Sydney, Australia Celebrates Its 2nd Anniversary

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Taiwan Alumni Association, Sydney, Australia (TAASA) recently held its annual meeting at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney. The current president, the Hon. Chris Rath, MLC, attended in person.
The event began with two highlights reels showcasing TAASA’s activities over the past two years. Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu noted that the purpose of the annual meeting is to reflect on the past and look toward the future. DG Wu expressed special appreciation for President Chris Rath’s leadership—not only for hosting a forum in the NSW Parliament advocating Taiwan’s participation in the WHO, but also for joining numerous official and community events that have deepened Australian friends’ understanding of Taiwan. DG Wu further thanked Hon. Chris Rath for agreeing to serve a second term as TAASA President, expressing confidence that under his leadership, TAASA will continue to grow and further strengthen Taiwan–Australia cooperation and exchange.
President Chris Rath commended TECO’s dedication in promoting Taiwan’s cooperation and exchanges with NSW and Australia, and reaffirmed his support for Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, and social progress. TAASA Vice President and NSW Young Liberal President Cooper Gannon, Dr. Mei-Fen Kuo and Roger Huang of Macquarie University, also offered remarks, sharing suggestions and voicing support for TAASA to continue organizing meaningful exchange activities. TECO also presented information on scholarship opportunities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Scholarship and the Ministry of Education Scholarship, for TAASA members’ reference.
To give alumni in Australia a taste of authentic Taiwan, TECO prepared Taiwanese-style lunch boxes, drinks, and Taichung’s famous pineapple cakes, allowing everyone to enjoy delicious food while sharing fond memories of life in Taiwan.
TAASA was founded in October 2023 with the aim of providing Australian friends a platform for networking, information sharing, and community building. Worldwide, there are around 80 TAA alumni organizations. The newly elected presidents and members of Taiwanese student associations from major universities in Sydney were also invited to the event to encouraging greater interaction between Taiwanese and Australian youth, and further deepening Taiwan–Australia relations.

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Quality Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes and exhibitions launched at 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Quality Hong Kong arts and cultural programmes and exhibitions launched at 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival —————————-Performances in other GBA cities
————————————-The LCSD will also collaborate with municipal governments and cultural institutions of other GBA cities in supporting local arts groups and artists to curate four programmes. Hong Kong pop music producer Edward Chan will stage the concert “Music Beyond Dimensions: The Shape of Sound” at the “Golden Land” 2025 GBA (Zhongshan) Pop Music Week in Zhongshan on October 2. “A curated showcase of ‘This Victoria Has No Secrets’ – the A Cappella Theatre” by Hong Kong’s a cappella group Yat Po Singers will be held in Macao on October 11 and 12 as part of the 37th Macao International Music Festival. The “Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Dialogue Across Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen & Guangzhou” with sharing sessions by local film curators Law Kar and Feng Yu will take place in Macao in October. The “Ink Art Ensembles” Exhibition Series in the Greater Bay Area – “Strata and Symbiosis”, jointly organised by the LCSD Art Promotion Office and the Shenzhen Fringe Art Center, is running in Guangzhou from today until October 26, showcasing the art works of Hong Kong artist Ross Yau and the GBA artist group _.WAV_Studio_(Cao Yuxi and Lau Hiu-kong). 

The LCSD will in parallel organise and sponsor a series of programmes and activities in Hong Kong, including the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra’s “World Concertmaster Series: David Kim plays Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto”, “City under the Moon – Dance Drama ‘Azure After the Rain'” by the Shanghai Dance Theatre, as well as the Mid-Autumn Lantern Display and Carnival 2025. Issued at HKT 20:38

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Minister Muto Attends the Japan-India Summit Meeting

Source: Government of Japan

On Friday, August 29, Mr. Muto Yoji, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended the summit meeting between H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, who was visiting Japan, and Mr. Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan.

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The 11th Japan-India Energy Dialogue Held

Source: Government of Japan

On Monday, August 25, Mr. Muto Yoji, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and H.E. Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs of the Republic of India, co-chaired the 11th Japan-India Energy Dialogue as a video conference.

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HK’s innovation index ranking rises

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s ranking rose by three places to 15th globally among 139 economies and remains 5th in Asia in the Global Innovation Index 2025 published by the World Intellectual Property Organization today.

As regards the two sub-indices under the index, Hong Kong’s ranking in the “Innovation Input” sub-index rose to 8th globally and its ranking in the “Innovation Output” sub-index leapt by nine places to 22nd.

The Government said it is pleased to see the good progress Hong Kong has achieved in the index, noting that expediting the development of innovation and technology (I&T) is its policy priority.

In recent years, Hong Kong has been actively optimising the local I&T landscape, with a development framework supported by “three major I&T parks” and “five key R&D institutions” taking shape.

The Government has also launched a series of conducive policy initiatives to consolidate the city’s strengths in basic research, accelerate the midstream technology transfer and commercialisation of research and development outcomes, and foster the development of the I&T industry.

Hong Kong’s leading rankings in the “Credit”, “Investment”, “Tertiary Education” and “Knowledge Absorption” sub-pillars in the index fully demonstrate that it is well positioned to continuously advance in innovation.

Hong Kong will continue to enhance the I&T ecosystem and attract global I&T resources and talent, with a view to developing the city into an international I&T centre at full steam, the Government added.

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Heritage Museum to stage exhibition commemorating 120th anniversary of Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an’s birth (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition commemorating 120th anniversary of Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an’s birth  
     Addressing the opening ceremony today (September 16), the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam, said that with the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is committed to developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges. Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of the “one country, two systems” framework, enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, to promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture. Professor Chao also held the same belief in using Hong Kong as a base to promote the art of Chinese painting, and to introduce the Lingnan School of Painting to places all over the world. This exhibition is a continuation of Professor Chao’s vision to bring Chinese culture and traditional paintings and calligraphy to the world.
 
     The son of Professor Chao, Mr Chiu Chi-tai, who was a guest at the opening ceremony, said that his father’s donation of important works to the HKHM in his later years reflects the relationship between the two. For many years, the HKHM has been a champion of his father’s artistic achievements and the Lingnan School of Painting. This year, in particular, the HKHM curated this meaningful exhibition in commemoration of his late father’s 120th birthday. By highlighting representative works from different periods of his career, it allows visitors to retrace his father’s footsteps as an artist and offers a rare glimpse into the impressive legacy of the Lingnan School of Painting.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Desmond Hui; Expert Adviser on Literary Arts for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) Professor Richard Ho; and the Museum Director of the HKHM, Mr Brian Lam.
 
     Professor Chao (1905-1998) dedicated himself to “modernising Chinese painting” as advocated by the Lingnan School of Painting. He devoted himself to maintaining the spirit of traditional Chinese painting while at the same time adopting and adapting the best of both Eastern and Western art. Professor Chao placed a special emphasis on “painting from life”, which enabled him to develop a highly personal artistic style. In addition to offering his masterpieces to museums as gifts for the benefit of society and the world of art, Professor Chao also nurtured the development of many disciples. Under his influence, the Lingnan School gained popularity and became an important School of Chinese painting in the 20th century.
 
     Professor Chao’s bird-and-flower paintings are highly esteemed. Renowned Chinese painter Xu Beihong praised him as “the foremost bird-and-flower painter in modern China”. This exhibition presents a fine selection of Professor Chao’s representative bird-and-flower works, such as “Moonlight Over the Pond”, which illustrates his mastery of artistic ambience; “White Peacock”, a masterpiece showcasing his exquisitely meticulous brushwork; and “Plantain Trees”, a large-scale five-panel painting rarely seen in traditional Chinese painting.
 
     The exhibition is organised along three themes: “Friendships with His Peers in Art”, “Artistic Journey Modelling from Nature” and “Footprints from a Life of Travel”. It showcases a carefully curated selection of Professor Chao’s works, including bird-and-flower, insect and animal, and landscape paintings. It also includes paintings which are gifts made to Professor Chao by renowned Chinese painters Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong on loan from his family for the first time, and precious videos of the master giving painting demonstrations.
 
     Moreover, the exhibition presents a special multimedia display created by Hong Kong artist Thomas Siu, who takes inspiration from Professor Chao’s bird-and-flower paintings, and animates Professor Chao’s floral paintings, immersing viewers in a wonderland of Lingnan blossoms.
 
     In addition to the exhibition, the HKHM is organising a series of special programmes with free admission, including sketching workshops, talks, and guided tours, which enable participants to understand the characteristics of the Lingnan School of Painting from different perspectives.

     The HKHM received a generous donation of masterpieces from Professor Chao in 1995, leading to the establishment of the Chao Shao-an Gallery. The HKHM is the art institution with the world’s largest collection of Professor Chao’s works. Through the HKHM’s acquisitions, as well as contributions of precious paintings and archives from the Professor Chao’s family and his students over the years, the HKHM has become a key resource for studying Professor Chao’s art.
 
     The exhibition, presented by the LCSD and organised by the HKHM, runs from September 17 to February 23 next year at the Chao Shao-an Gallery, Thematic Galleries 3 and 4, 1/F, the HKHM. Admission is free. For details of the exhibition and special programmes, please visit the website at hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/exhibitions/data/csa_120a.html 
     The exhibition is a contribution programme of the 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, and is one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series.
Issued at HKT 20:09

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Taxi Written Test to be further enhanced from November

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Taxi Written Test to be further enhanced from November      The TD improved the Taxi Written Test in February 2020 by updating the test content and adjusting the number of questions, giving a better focus on the assessment of core knowledge regarding taxi services, which successfully attracted more people to apply for the Test. The number of candidates sitting the Test has increased significantly by 40 per cent in the past few years, from less than 10 000 candidates in 2019 to around 14 000 candidates in 2024. In addition, the passing rate of the Taxi Written Test rose from 37 per cent in 2019 to 60 per cent in 2024, showing that the enhancement of the Taxi Written Test has brought a notably positive effect in attracting newcomers to join the taxi driver profession.

     The TD has consulted the Committee on Taxi Service Quality comprising members from diverse professions and sectors, including the taxi trade, and will issue letters to the taxi trade on the scope of the new Written Test. The TD will distribute the updated Guide to Taxi Written Test and Taxi Operation Booklet to candidates, and they can also refer to the TD’s websiteIssued at HKT 18:24

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SED commends Qualifications Framework Partners (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (September 16) officiated at the Qualifications Framework (QF) Partnerships Commendation Ceremony 2025 and presented certificates of commendation to 94 enterprises and 53 education and training organisations in recognition of their support and contributions to the implementation of the QF.

Dr Choi said at the ceremony that since its launch in 2008, the QF has developed steadily with wide application and recognition across various sectors thanks to the unwavering support from partners, including industries, professional bodies, and education and training providers. She expressed her gratitude to all members of various Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs) for their active participation in building and promoting the QF over the years, and looks forward to the continued collaboration across sectors to further promote the application of the QF, foster lifelong learning, enhance the quality of manpower, and drive the sustainable development of industries and society as a whole.

At present, ITACs are established for 23 industries under the QF, covering over half of the workforce in Hong Kong. All of these industries have drawn up Specifications of Competency Standards (SCS), among which 19 industries have also implemented the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism, and 13 have developed Vocational Qualifications Pathways (VQP).

The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to promote the continued development of the QF, including expediting the development of VQP, with the goal of covering at least 18 industries by the end of 2027. The EDB will also continue to leverage the QF platform to promote vocational and professional education and training through the strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development.  

This year, three “QF Gold Star Employers” and 91 “QF Star Employers” were commended for making good use of the tools and supporting mechanisms of the QF in at least one of the following areas to enhance the quality of human resources within the organisation:

1. Developing VQP courses or SCS-based courses within the companies to enhance the synergy between learning and employment;

2. Encouraging employees to apply for RPL qualifications to have their experience and competencies recognised under the QF; and

3. Using QF-recognised qualifications in areas such as human resources development and management to enhance the competitiveness of the enterprises and support their long-term development.

In addition, 53 “QF Star Training Providers” were commended for their efforts in developing VQP courses, SCS-based courses, Specifications of Generic Competencies-based courses, or implementing Credit Accumulation and Transfer, providing learners with more flexible learning pathways. Moreover, over 120 organisations were awarded certificates of “QF Star Supporter” in recognition of their active promotion of the application of the QF.

The ceremony also featured a QF in Action (QFIA) commendation session, commending 18 organisations as a 2024 QFIA Achiever and 31 partner organisations as a 2024 QFIA Achiever (Partner), marking a record high in the number of awardees and achieving the broadest applicability. These organisations actively utilised the QF in 2023-2024 to develop projects related to human resource management, professional development, and industry-institution collaboration. Dr Choi envisaged that these exemplary cases would inspire more organisations to adopt the QF in the future and foster talent development.

     The QF is a seven-level hierarchy covering qualifications in the academic, vocational and professional, as well as continuing education and training sectors, defining clear and objective standards applicable to respective qualifications. The primary objective of the QF is to encourage and facilitate lifelong learning, with a view to enhancing the quality, professional capability and competitiveness of the workforce in Hong Kong.

        

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Appeal for information on missing man in Wong Tai Sin (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Police today (September 16) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.

     Chea Hiu-wan, aged 46, went missing after he left his residence in Fung Tak Estate on September 13. His family made a report to Police yesterday (September 15).

     He is about 1.65 metres tall and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a red long-sleeved jacket, blue jeans and black sports shoes.

     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 East on 3661 0316 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.