Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​An owner was convicted and fined $54,550 in total, of which $34,550 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (September 16) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 30 square metres on the roof of a residential building at Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without the prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today, “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety.”

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Seminar on the New Space Economy – Breakthroughs and Opportunities organised by the Maritime Silk Road Society today (September 16):
 
The Honourable Mrs Regina Ip (Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road Society), the Honourable Mr Bernard Chan (Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road, Honorary Sponsor), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you today at the Seminar on the New Space Economy, where we gather to discuss the breakthroughs and explore the opportunities on this front. 
 
     In recent years, the Chinese space programme has made remarkable accomplishments. From the BeiDou satellite navigation system, the Chang’e lunar mission, the Tianwen Mars mission, to the Tiangong space station, these achievements fully demonstrate the country’s determination to accelerate the construction of a strong aerospace nation.

     Last month, the country’s new-generation manned launch vehicle, Long March-10 carrier rocket, has successfully completed its first static fire test. This marks a significant new milestone in China’s manned lunar exploration programme, and is also a testament to the national engineering prowess.
 
     To align with the national development direction, we are committed to leveraging our strengths to contribute to the country’s needs. Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, and we have numerous internationally renowned research scholars, showcasing our robust foundation in basic research. We have consistently supported local universities and research institutions in playing to their strengths in basic research, including conducting aerospace-related studies and striving to participate in national aerospace and other technological projects.

     We are delighted to see that research teams from local universities have been involved in multiple national aerospace missions, such as providing systems, instruments, and technical support for lunar and Mars missions, as well as sending research projects into national spacecraft for experiments, contributing to the country’s aerospace development. A Hong Kong citizen has also been selected as a preparatory astronaut, specifically a payload specialist, under the National Manned Space Programme for the first time. Being able to participate in national aerospace projects is an immense honour for us, and it is truly encouraging for the innovation and technology (I&T) talents in Hong Kong, particularly the aerospace research community. 

     In addition to leveraging our research strengths, we are also dedicated to fostering global research collaboration. The Government has established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre (the Centre) under the InnoHK research clusters to participate in the Chang’e-8 mission, contributing to national aerospace development. The Centre, in collaboration with Mainland and overseas institutions, including the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology and South African National Space Agency, will complete an international collaboration project appointed by the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center and develop a multifunctional lunar surface operation robot with precise operation and wireless charging capability, which will carry out tasks such as scientific exploration, instrument deployment and installation under extreme lunar environments.
 
     The Government will continue to invest in the development of I&T, including aerospace technology, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre and contributing to the country’s development into a nation with strong science and technology.
 
     Thank you, and I hope each of you will find the seminar and discussions ahead insightful. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 16) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Trio Beach and Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Source: Government of Singapore

Singapore, 16 September 2025 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region for the rest of September 2025, with winds blowing mainly from the southeast or southwest.

2          In the second fortnight of September 2025, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds in the pre-dawn and morning on several days. Localised short-duration thundery showers can be expected over parts of the island on some afternoons. There may be few dry days. Overall, the total rainfall for the second fortnight of September 2025 is forecast to be near average over most parts of the island.

3          Daily temperatures are likely to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius on most days. Although thundery showers are expected on most days, the daily maximum temperature may reach slightly above 34 degrees Celsius on a few days.

4          For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website ( www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 15 SEPTEMBER 2025)

5          In the first half of September 2025, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the region and the low-level winds blew mostly from the southeast or southwest. 

6          Localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island on some days. Sumatra squalls brought thundery showers over Singapore in the pre-dawn and morning on several days. On 5 September 2025, the passage of a Sumatra squall brought widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over Singapore in the morning. The daily total rainfall of 102.6mm recorded around the Sarimbun Reservoir area that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of September 2025.

7          The rainy weather and cloudy skies in the first half of September 2025 brought relatively cool conditions on several days. There were four days in the fortnight where the daily maximum temperature was below 30 degrees Celsius. The highest daily maximum temperature of 33.8 degrees Celsius was recorded at Admiralty on 3 September 2025.

8      Singapore registered well above-average rainfall in the first half of September 2025. The area around Seletar recorded 248 per cent above average rainfall while Paya Lebar recorded rainfall of 73 per cent above average.

 

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for September   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.6	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.2	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.0	°C
Average rainfall:	124.9	mm
Average number of rain days:	13
Historical Extremes for September   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	33.0	°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	22.4	°C (1930)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	440.4	mm (1988)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	22.8	mm (2019)

 

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METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

16 Sep 2025

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the CPA Australia Executive Forum today (September 16):

Consul General Gareth Williams (Consul-General of Australia to Hong Kong and Macao), Professor Dale Pinto (President and Chair of the Board, CPA Australia), Karina (2025 Divisional President of CPA Australia, Ms Karina Wong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government and various sectors of the community will launch a series of special offers and activities to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, covering public transport; culture, arts and leisure; as well as dining and consumption.

 

For public transport, members of the public can enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes and several ferry routes on October 1, with vouchers for certain ferry routes to be distributed in advance.

 

The MTR will give away 76,000 e-single journey tickets to the public through a lucky draw on that day.

 

Moreover, children using designated payment methods can ride most daytime bus routes of KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free.

 

For culture, arts and leisure, all commercial cinemas will provide half-price discounts on movie tickets on October 1.

 

The public will also be offered free admission that day to a number of fee-charging leisure facilities at sports venues, and exhibitions in museums of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department.

 

Likewise, the Hong Kong Wetland Park, under the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, will offer complimentary entry.

 

Furthermore, additional free guided tours, dining, consumption and accommodation offers will be provided from mid-September to late October by the 14 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.

 

As for dining and consumption, over 1,000 restaurants and merchants will provide dining offers on October 1, and several public markets, under the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, will also roll out different offers.

 

From October 1 to 7, members of the public can enjoy a 24% discount when purchasing selected products at the “Local Fresh” physical store, online store or mobile app.

 

The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY on October 1.

 

In addition, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park will offer ticket discounts, while Tai Kwun, the Peak Tram, and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong will give out souvenirs to ticket holders on a first come, first served basis.

 

The West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong International Airport, Science Park, along with over 100 shopping malls and several department stores as well as the Jockey Club and the Trade Development Council, will also roll out shopping, dining, consumption or parking offers.

 

Click here for further details.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to media inquiries on AIT statement that China deliberately twisted meaning of World War II-era documents

 
September 13, 2025  

In response to media inquiries, a spokesperson for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said on the evening of September 12 that China had deliberately twisted the meaning of World War II-era documents—including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Treaty of San Francisco—in an attempt to facilitate its coercive behavior toward Taiwan. Stating that Beijing’s narrative was totally wrong and that such documents never determined Taiwan’s ultimate political status, the spokesperson added that China’s false legal narratives aimed to isolate Taiwan from the international community and restrict other nations’ sovereign choices as to their interactions with Taiwan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that the AIT also expressed disappointment at Solomon Islands excluding dialogue and development partners from attending the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting and reiterated the US position that all PIF partners, including Taiwan, should continue to be invited.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes and appreciates the AIT publicly and clearly reiterating the United States’ policy position regarding Taiwan, refuting China’s false and untrue statements, and once again demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan’s international participation. Furthermore, Minister Lin once again emphasizes the objective fact that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other and that the PRC has no right to represent Taiwan in the international community.

The PRC government has recently turned to lawfare in a bid to alter the regional status quo and rationalize its aggressive actions, undermining 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. Taiwan will also continue to work with such partners as the United States to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the region and across the Taiwan Strait.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) has indisputable ownership of all South China Sea Islands; China has no right to undertake inappropriate actions over Minzhu Reef, which belongs to Taiwan

September 11, 2025  
Statement No. 001  
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly issues the following statement: On September 9, the State Council of China announced the approval of a proposal to establish the so-called “Huangyan Island national nature reserve” under the pretext of “strengthening supervision and law enforcement.” China has no right to illegally and unilaterally designate a protected area on Minzhu Reef, which China calls “Huangyan Island.” The Chinese government’s unilateral action reveals its hegemonic ambitions and exposes it as a disruptor of regional peace and stability. The move could lead to disputes among countries in the region and is detrimental to a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific.
 
MOFA reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) enjoys territorial sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea. This fact will not be altered by China’s unilateral claims or actions. The ROC (Taiwan) is willing to further work with countries in the region, the Philippines included, to peacefully settle disputes through rational dialogue and in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, so as to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
 
MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will continue to seek to engage in multilateral dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms on an equal footing based on its four principles and five actions, and work with other countries in the region to maintain security in the South China Sea. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Canadian and Australian naval vessels transiting Taiwan Strait on September 6

September 8, 2025  

On September 6, Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Québec and Australian Hobart-class guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane jointly transited the Taiwan Strait. MOFA welcomes and affirms this concrete action by Canada and Australia, which served to defend freedom, peace, and openness in the Taiwan Strait and underscore their staunch stance that the Taiwan Strait is international waters. 
 
This marked the second time for a Canadian warship to traverse the Taiwan Strait this year and the seventh time since Canada announced its Indo-Pacific Strategy in November 2022. It was also the first time this year that Australia publicly stated it had sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait. Such operations bear testament to the firm determination of these countries to assist in maintaining cross-strait peace and stability. 
 
In the face of China’s aggressive behavior, the government of Taiwan will continue to strengthen its national defense capabilities. It will also further expand exchanges and cooperation with the democratic community so as to jointly defend the rules-based international order and uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.  

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to remarks made by US Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Wicker and Senate Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chair Fischer after Taiwan trip

September 8, 2025 

United States Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker and Senate Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chair Deb Fischer have once again publicly recognized Taiwan’s progress in bolstering its self-defense capabilities and determination to safeguard freedom. The senators made the comments after returning to the United States following a recent visit to Taiwan, which concluded on August 30. They underlined the long-standing US commitment to Taiwan’s security and emphasized that the Taiwan-US partnership would continue to build on the foundation of shared values and common purpose.
 
The senators pointed out that Taiwan is crucial to US national security and the global economy. They encouraged the United States to continue to deepen collaboration with Taiwan and other strategic partners to jointly strengthen deterrence, counter threats from the Chinese Communist Party, and advance regional security, prosperity, and freedom.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks Chairman Wicker and Senator Fischer for continuing to take concrete actions that demonstrate their staunch support for Taiwan and the strengthening of Taiwan-US security cooperation. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will further bolster its self-defense capabilities to jointly ensure cross-strait, regional, and global peace, stability, and prosperity.