Month: September 2025

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group delegation led by Cochair Paroli

Date：2025-09-05
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

September 5, 2025No. 319A delegation from the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group arrived in Taiwan on September 4. The delegation was led by Cochair Adriano Paroli and included Senator Gianpietro Maffoni, Senator Alberto Losacco, Deputy Andrea Orsini, Deputy Luca Squeri, Deputy Raffaele Nevi, Senator Dario Damiani, and Senator Cinzia Pellegrino.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomed the delegation, noting that it was the largest group of cross-party parliamentarians from Italy to visit Taiwan in recent years. He thanked the Italian Parliament for advancing a number of resolutions friendly to Taiwan, such as those supporting Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and refuting China’s misrepresentation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. On behalf of the government of Taiwan, Minister Lin extended appreciation to the government of Italy for reiterating the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for sending naval vessels to patrol the Indo-Pacific last year, when Italy held the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven. He also conveyed hope that Italy would transit naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait to defend freedom of navigation and jointly uphold democracy.During a luncheon hosted for the delegation by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, he stated that Italy was an important partner of Taiwan and that the two countries shared the values of democracy and freedom. He expressed optimism that the visit would enhance the delegation’s understanding of Taiwan and deepen bilateral ties. Deputy Minister Wu also observed that Taiwan’s key role in global semiconductor supply chains was founded on cooperation with European industries and said that he looked forward to the continued expansion of Taiwan-Italy exchanges and collaboration in science, technology, and other domains.Cochair Paroli thanked the Taiwan government for inviting the delegation. He noted that Taiwan was an important democratic member of the Indo-Pacific and expressed admiration for Taiwan’s scientific research and economic strengths. He remarked that he hoped that Taiwan would continue exerting its influence worldwide. He added that the entire delegation would remain committed to promoting legislation supporting Taiwan and endorsing its international participation so as to jointly bolster bilateral relations.   During their stay in Taiwan, the members of the delegation will meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim; Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny Chiang; Vice Minister of National Defense Po Horng-huei; Political Deputy Minister of Finance Juan Ching-hwa; and Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Shen Yu-chung. The delegation will also attend the opening ceremony of SEMICON Taiwan and experience firsthand the vitality of Taiwan’s technology industry. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak has given Tuen Mun District Council (DC) member Kenneth Yip written notification that, in light of his dangerous driving conviction which constituted misconduct, his functions and duties as a DC member shall be suspended from tomorrow to next Tuesday.

 

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau made the announcement today, noting that the home affairs chief earlier appointed a committee pursuant to the District Councils Ordinance to investigate the alleged misconduct of Mr Yip.

 

After considering the evidence related to the misconduct, the negative impact of the incident on DC members, DCs and the Government’s reputation and credibility as well as Mr Yip’s written representation, the committee concluded that his dangerous driving conviction constituted misconduct and recommended suspending his functions and duties as a DC member for one week.

 

Pursuant to the relevant section of the ordinance and the performance monitoring guidelines for district council members, and after considering the committee’s report, the home affairs chief made the decision to suspend Mr Yip’s functions and duties as a DC member.

 

For the period of suspension, he shall not be entitled to any remuneration or allowances including end-of-service gratuity, but shall be entitled to the reimbursement for the operating expenses incurred during the period, such as office rentals and staff salaries.

 

Miss Mak said: “This is the first time the Government has investigated and imposed sanctions on a DC member for misconduct in accordance with the performance monitoring mechanism for DC members under the improved district governance.”

 

DC members should conduct themselves in line with public expectations and commensurate with the reputation of the District Council and its members, she added, emphasising that the Government will monitor their performance to ensure every one of them upholds their duties to serve the people.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Education Bureau announced today that the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors will subsidise a total of 4,781 places in 57 undergraduate programmes, covering 3,425 places in 57 first-year-first-degree programmes and 1,356 places in 45 top-up degree programmes of eight post-secondary institutions for the 2026-27 academic year.

 

The subsidised programmes fall under 10 disciplines that have been identified as having keen manpower demand, ie architecture and engineering, computer science, creative industries, financial technology, healthcare, insurance, logistics, sports and recreation, testing and certification, as well as tourism and hospitality.

 

The bureau said they involve 16 applied degree programmes, which will receive additional subsidies, with a view to strengthening the vocational and professional education and training progression pathway at the post-secondary level.

 

The annual subsidy amounts for the 2026-27 academic year will remain at $81,450 for laboratory-based programmes and $46,780 for non-laboratory-based programmes. For applied degree programmes, including the additional annual subsidies, the total annual subsidy amounts will also be unchanged, at $89,620 for laboratory-based programmes and $51,880 for non-laboratory-based programmes.

 

The subsidy is applicable to both new and continuing eligible students, and is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned.

 

Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable, the bureau added.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-Cher and his delegation came to Sydney, working actively to promote Tainan’s specialty products and build distribution channels. These efforts not only bring warmth to overseas Taiwanese and ease homesickness, but also allow Australian consumers—through pop-up events and the opening of Taiwan Pavilion at the Fine Food Australia 2025—to experience the dedication and stories behind each product, creating meaningful brand connections.
Mayor Huang also joined a dinner with Taiwanese community in Sydney, where he shared about Tainan’s municipal development and unique agricultural products, determined to conquer the world with Taiwan’s cuisine.
   

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Acting Mayor of Hsinchu City, Chiu Chen-Yuan, and his delegation visited Sydney. During the trip, they not only signed a MOU with the Taiwanese Hakka Association of the World and the City of Ryde, but also reunited with Fairfield City and Federal MP—Hsinchu’s sister city of 31 years.
The delegation also visited science and innovation parks, Western Sydney University, and waste management institutions and facilities, strengthening municipal exchanges and showcasing Taiwan’s strong capabilities in IT and AI. Acting Mayor Chiu also met with the Taiwanese community in Sydney, impressing the audience with his five-minute presentation on Hsinchu’s “three highs and one low” in city governance.
   

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen led a delegation to Sydney to study municipal and cultural facilities and promote city-to-city exchanges. The delegation met with the President and Deputy President of the New South Wales Legislative Council, as well as the Chair of the Friends of Taiwan Group, allowing Taiwan’s strengths to be recognized and its needs and international concerns to gain attention.
Mayor Lu also gathered with Taiwanese expatriates in Australia to share Taichung’s recent developments and achievements, filled with hope for the future.
   

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department today announced that a new vehicle registration and licensing regime will take effect on December 22 to strengthen regulations on prolonged unlicensed vehicles.

 

Under the new regime, unlicensed vehicles will remain registered under the name of owners, who will continue to be held responsible for their vehicles.

 

A new offence will also be introduced to heighten deterrence against improper abandoning of vehicles to address the problem at the source.

 

From December 22, the department will issue a notice to registered owners of vehicles unlicensed for two years or more.

 

Vehicle owners must, within three months of the date of notice, renew the licence, or cancel the registration of such vehicles with the department after scrapping them or permanently shipping them out of Hong Kong.

 

Failing to take action upon expiry of the three-month notice period will constitute an offence, the department said.

 

The maximum penalty for the first conviction will be a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months. For each subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty will be a $25,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment.

 

Individual vehicle owners who have a genuine difficulty in taking the required actions within the three-month notice period or have reasonable grounds for not licensing their vehicles may apply for an exemption. The eligibility criteria and guidelines for exemption will be announced later.

 

In general, exemptions may be granted for vehicles pending spare parts for maintenance and examination before licence renewal; vehicles manufactured for 30 years or more, properly stored as a private collection and not used on roads; or vehicles properly stored by a car dealer and consigned for sale.

 

The department reminded vehicle owners that, even when a vehicle remains unlicensed or is granted an exemption, it will remain registered under their name and they have to continue to bear all legal liabilities associated with it.

 

Since December last year, the department has started issuing SMS messages or emails to registered owners whose vehicle licences will expire in one month, have just expired or have expired for two years via the e-contact means they provided in their licensing applications, to remind them that they must renew their vehicle licence or properly handle their vehicles in time.

 

Vehicle owners may also make use of the e-Licensing Portal to check the vehicle licence expiry date, handle licensing matters and take proper action on their unlicensed vehicles.

 

For enquiries, call 2804 2600.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

From tomorrow, the Labour Department will hold job fairs under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), providing job vacancies of waiter, waitress, junior cook and more, for local job seekers.

 

Over 25 organisations will participate in the job fairs this week, offering over 800 job vacancies. The job fairs, where admission is free, will be held from 10am to 1pm or from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at designated job centres.

 

The department also announced that from tomorrow, if an employer applies to import waiters, waitresses or junior cooks under the ESLS, the employer will be required to join a job fair once a week during the four-week local recruitment period at job centres assigned by the department, and conduct job interviews on the spot. If an employer fails to join the arranged job fairs, the department will reject its application for labour importation under the ESLS.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region