Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit successfully concludes in Hong Kong (with photos/videos)
The Summit brought together representatives from about 40 government agencies and community anti-drug organisations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to share insights on three major anti-drug topics. Representatives from the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore also joined the Summit upon invitation and shared their anti-drug experiences with attendees. Around 300 participants from the GBA and overseas attended today’s Summit.
Delivering his opening remarks, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said that the Summit today marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s anti-drug history. It holds particular significance as it is the first anti-drug summit connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao since the release of the Outline Development Plan for the GBA.
Delivering his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li, said that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of ACAN. Looking back, while Hong Kong has made progress in anti-drug efforts, it must not become complacent. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are inseparably linked, and they all bear the responsibility to safeguard their shared home, the GBA, from the harmful effects of drugs.
Executive Secretary-General of National Narcotics Control Commission & Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Public Security, Mr Wei Xiaojun; Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Narcotics Control Commission & Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Mr Liang Ruiguo; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Leong Man-cheong, delivered their keynote speeches during the morning session of the Summit.
Mr Wei said that currently, the global drug trend has undergone complex and significant changes. As regards the GBA, it is where drug imports are destined and where drugs are transshipped. It is where transnational cross-boundary drug trafficking activities are plotted and where they are organised and carried out. Drug crimes have been escalating in different forms. The National Narcotics Control Commission attaches great importance to the situation of anti-drug work in Hong Kong and Macao. It will also fully support the deepening of anti-drug co-operation between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.
Mr Liang said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao regions enjoy close geographical ties, share the same cultural roots and are interdependent. Building a drug-free GBA together is a shared responsibility and a mission that must be shouldered. He has made proposals in three aspects: firstly, to continuously deepen co-operation in law enforcement against drug crimes; secondly, to continuously enhance joint handling of drug problems; and thirdly, to continuously deepen anti-drug exchanges.
Mr Tang said that it has been 10 years since the GBA was formally incorporated into national policies. At this significant juncture, it is timely to review past anti-drug efforts and look ahead to the future. Over six decades of combating drugs, Hong Kong has progressively established a “comprehensive anti-drug protection net” comprising legislation and law enforcement, prevention and education, treatment and rehabilitation, and international co-operation. Looking forward, it must remain highly vigilant in the face of the complex and evolving drug situation and advance future anti-drug co-operation within the GBA.
Mr Leong said Macao, as the smallest city by geographical area in the GBA, has a relatively small drug consumption market. However, Macao maintains fully open customs policies and an external transportation network. Therefore, Macao has long prioritised preventing international drug trafficking syndicates from exploiting the region as a transit point for drugs. He is fully confident that, with the strong support of the Ministry of Public Security, anti-drug authorities across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will forge greater synergy to jointly build a safer, drug-free GBA.
The Summit featured three panel forums titled “Strategies for Anti-drug Communication in the New Era”, “Collaborative Efforts to Combat Cross-boundary Crime”, and “Youth Collaboration for a Drug-free Greater Bay Area”. During “Youth Collaboration for a Drug-free Greater Bay Area”, youth representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao shared their experiences in anti-drug work and their perspectives on drug problems. The Summit ended after young people from the three regions declared, “Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao stand united – I lead the fight against drugs! Say no to drugs!” as a pledge to build a drug-free GBA together.
Issued at HKT 22:32
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Imported prepackaged black grouper fillet sample detected with methylmercury exceeding legal limit
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Imported prepackaged black grouper fillet sample detected with methylmercury exceeding legal limitPlace of origin: Vietnam
Packing: 300 grams (5 pieces)
Importer: A-Mart Gourmet Limited
Best-before date: April 8, 2026Issued at HKT 21:52
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CE meets UGC members
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee met University Grants Committee (UGC) members today to exchange views on the latest developments in higher education in Hong Kong.
UGC Chairman Tim Lui briefed Mr Lee on the various initiatives being advanced by the UGC, particularly the strategic development directions under the Planning Exercise 2025-28 and the importance of institutional governance. The UGC will continue to collaborate with UGC-funded universities to nurture local talent and attract elites from around the world, promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and actively contributing to establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education.
Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100, and that the Government and the UGC have been working together to nurture talent, enhance research and knowledge transfer, and support the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-calibre talent.
Highlighting the Government’s efforts towards the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Mr Lee expressed his aspiration that the UGC will continue to encourage local universities to collaborate with overseas and Mainland institutions, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world.
He added that through flexible and innovative development models, more research collaborations and exchange programmes can be established, enhancing the international influence of Hong Kong’s academic and research endeavours and promoting the development of Hong Kong’s new quality productive forces.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong also joined the meeting.
Foreign Minister Lin accompanies European press delegation to experience Taiwan’s culture, promotes Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin accompanies European press delegation to experience Taiwan’s culture, promotes Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025
Date：2025-06-20
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
June 20, 2025
No. 216
On the afternoon of June 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung took a delegation of journalists from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and the Netherlands to visit the cast of Zeelandia, a Taiwan original musical. Minister Lin spoke about Taiwan’s leading technology and rich culture and expressed hope that the cultural activities being held as part of the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 would help the nations of Europe see a side of Taiwan other than technology.
In his remarks, Minister Lin said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had partnered with the Ministry of Culture and the National Palace Museum (NPM) to put together the Taiwan Cultural Year in Europe. In September and November, pieces from the NPM collection would be exhibited in the Czech Republic and France, respectively, he stated, while other performing arts activities would be held across Europe. Minister Lin continued by expressing hope that this would help European nations better understand Taiwan’s rich culture. He stressed that while Taiwan was a technology island, it was also a culture island that married cultural assets with a creative spirit, which would be highlighted by the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025.
The minister then explained that the events were being held under the banner “From Tech to Culture, Taiwan Leads the Future,” while the logo for the event was inspired by Roman columns and bore the word Taiwan symbolizing an IC design. Minister Lin said that this was an expression of how Taiwan and Europe were inextricably linked via cultural exchanges.
Musical cast members then led Minister Lin and the visiting journalists in singing a traditional Siraya song to experience for themselves the beauty of Taiwan’s culture. The musical Zeelandia takes as its backdrop Fort Zeelandia in the 17th century. The performance tells the story of how the cultures of Han, Siraya, and Dutch people came together, underscoring the unbreakable cultural and historical bonds linking Taiwan and Europe. The musical is being performed from June 20 to 29 at the Taipei Performing Arts Center.
In the future, MOFA will continue to promote cultural diplomacy to highlight Taiwan’s core values of freedom, openness, and inclusion. It will use culture as a bridge linking Taiwan to the world’s democracies, so as to jointly encourage the greater cultural flowering of free and democratic societies. (E)
Foreign Minister Lin hosts dinner to welcome Saint Lucian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin hosts dinner to welcome Saint Lucian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire
Date：2025-09-04
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
September 4, 2025
No. 317
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a dinner on September 3 to welcome a delegation led by Saint Lucian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information Ernest Hilaire. During the dinner, Minister Lin extended a sincere welcome on behalf of the government of Taiwan and thanked the Saint Lucian government for its long-standing support for Taiwan’s international participation. The delegation also included Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte and Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment Joachim Henry.
In his remarks, Minister Lin recalled his October 2024 visit to Saint Lucia, where he attended the launch of a healthcare screening and case management system and the award ceremony for a digital training program for government officials. He said that having personally witnessed the fruits of Taiwan-Saint Lucia cooperation and having engaged in exchanges with Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire, he was particularly delighted to once again meet with him in Taiwan.
Minister Lin went on to say that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was actively promoting President Lai Ching-te’s Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. He said that this had provided young Taiwanese with opportunities to visit Saint Lucia for internships, and he welcomed the visit of young Saint Lucians to Taiwan to advance exchanges between the two nations’ younger generations. He also thanked Saint Lucia for its steadfast backing for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, which he said demonstrated Saint Lucia’s enduring friendship and support for Taiwan.
In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire said that the deeply rooted diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Saint Lucia were founded on shared values and mutual respect. He said that the assistance provided by Taiwan through programs covering construction, agriculture, education, industrial guidance, cultural and artistic exchanges, and infrastructure had substantively raised Saint Lucian people’s well-being and welfare. In addition, he thanked the Taiwan government for offering scholarships to create more employment and development opportunities for Saint Lucian students. He said he hoped that Taiwan and Saint Lucia would further deepen cooperation in such areas as tourism, culture, and law enforcement, adding that Saint Lucia would act as a staunch ally of Taiwan and continue to support Taiwan’s international participation going forward. (E)
Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for delegation led by Speaker Italeli of the Parliament of Tuvalu
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for delegation led by Speaker Italeli of the Parliament of Tuvalu
Date：2025-09-03
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
September 3, 2025
No. 316
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon on September 2 for a delegation led by Sir Iakoba Italeli, Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu, and his wife. This was the speaker’s second trip to Taiwan, and Minister Lin welcomed him on behalf of the ROC (Taiwan) government, saying that the visit was a concrete demonstration of the close diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Tuvalu.
Minister Lin stated that during Speaker Italeli’s visit in September 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a reception at the Taipei Guest House to mark the special milestone of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Minister Lin expressed pleasure in welcoming Speaker Italeli back to Taiwan less than a year later. He further pointed out that since MOFA had begun to promote integrated diplomacy last year, Taiwan and Tuvalu had deepened bilateral cooperation in all areas, achieving remarkable results and gaining strong recognition from the people of Tuvalu.
Minister Lin explained that bilateral collaboration included personnel exchanges, which MOFA had recently promoted under the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. Moreover, at the end of August, MOFA and the Fisheries Agency sent a delegation to Tuvalu to discuss fisheries cooperation. This was a realization of both integrated diplomacy as well as the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. Minister Lin then thanked the Tuvalu government once again for its long-term staunch support of Taiwan’s international participation and for working to strengthen the democratic alliance between Taiwan and Tuvalu.
In his remarks, Speaker Italeli expressed gratitude to the Taiwan government for its hospitality and praised long-standing bilateral cooperation on agriculture and fisheries, medicine and sanitation, ICT, clean energy, climate change response, and infrastructure development in Tuvalu. These accomplishments, he said, had improved the welfare and national prosperity of both countries.
Speaker Italeli also again thanked the Taiwan government for its assistance with the construction of the parliament building in Tuvalu, adding that this signified shared democratic values. He expressed hope that the two countries would expand cooperation on education and talent development and stated that the Tuvalu government would encourage more young people to come to Taiwan for education and training. (E)
Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation from University of Tokyo cross-strait relations research group
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation from University of Tokyo cross-strait relations research group
Date：2025-09-02
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
September 2, 2025
No.315
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from the University of Tokyo’s cross-strait relations research group on September 1. The delegation was led by Professor Yasuhiro Matsuda and included Professor Yukihito Sato, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Developing Economies; Professor Momoko Kawakami of Kanagawa University; Professor Naoko Eto of Gakushuin University; Professor Rira Momma of Takushoku University; and Dr. Huang Wei-hsiu, Special Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo. The two sides exchanged views on cross-strait relations and developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
Minister Lin welcomed the research group back to Taiwan and stated that Taiwan and Japan had enjoyed close and cordial ties in recent years. He remarked that exchanges and cooperation had continued to deepen, while the number of tourist visits had also grown significantly. Minister Lin emphasized that Taiwan and Japan were both located in key positions in the first island chain and were like-minded democratic partners. He thanked the Japanese government for publicly reiterating the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at numerous international events. He affirmed that Taiwan would continue to work hand in hand with the international community to safeguard democracy, peace, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and the globe.
Minister Lin added that in the face of serious challenges, such as those posed by China’s authoritarian expansionism, he had been fully committed to promoting integrated diplomacy and the three strategic chains since assuming office. He said that in addition to strengthening cooperation with diplomatic allies, Taiwan had also been actively expanding interactions with other countries in such domains as the economy, trade, and technology, thereby creating mutually beneficial outcomes. He expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan would further collaboration in critical areas such as semiconductors, AI, and new energy, as well as jointly building more secure and resilient non-red supply chains.
In his remarks, Professor Matsuda extended his gratitude to Minister Lin for taking time to meet with the delegation and for facilitating other meetings during their stay. He noted that bilateral discussions helped enhance the group’s understanding of cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s current diplomatic landscape. He also observed that Taiwan and Japan both faced common challenges in addressing the tariff policies of US President Donald Trump.
The delegation will also call on President Lai Ching-te and representatives from the National Security Council and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association. (E)
MOFA commends Taiwan trade delegation to Philippines for deepening bilateral strategic and economic cooperation
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
August 30, 2025
No. 311
In line with President Lai Ching-te’s values-based diplomacy and vision for a country on which the economic sun never sets, and with coordination provided by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, a Taiwan trade delegation traveled to the Philippines from August 25 to 30. The visit was made possible by close collaboration between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. The delegation was jointly led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin; Chairman Joseph Lyu of CIECA, Taiwan; and Executive Vice President Lotta Danielsson of the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC).
The visit demonstrated how Minister Lin’s policy of integrated diplomacy is connecting the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor with the Luzon Economic Corridor, a project launched by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. It also underscored joint efforts by Taiwan and the United States to bolster cooperation in third countries. The trip was a pivotal breakthrough in expanding Taiwan’s diplomatic presence and deepening its strategic partnership with the Philippines.
Since assuming office, Minister Lin has actively advanced Taiwan-Philippines relations. With the support of President Lai and the Executive Yuan, the government established the Executive Yuan economic diplomacy task force and the Taiwan-Philippines task force. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has integrated resources across agencies and departments to promote cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines in such areas as ports, shipping, new energy, smart agriculture, and semiconductors. In addition to synergizing government policies, MOFA has leveraged the strengths of the private sector in technology, manufacturing, AI, and smart solutions to create a novel flying geese paradigm with a combined fleet and launch the Team of Teams Platform. This collaboration facilitates joint efforts by the government and private sector to enhance Taiwan’s economic and trade networks as well as its diplomatic space.
Taiwan is one of the top 10 trading partners of the Philippines, and the economies of the two countries are highly complementary. After months of preparation, MOFA successfully organized this trade delegation to promote the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project and implement the objectives of the Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue. The trip was also facilitated by a memorandum of understanding between CIECA and the USTBC signed in May. It advanced the Taiwan-US goal of boosting development in third countries.
The delegation paid special visits to key areas of the Luzon Economic Corridor and explored a range of investment and cooperation opportunities in the Philippines. In addition to participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, CIECA, and the USTBC, the delegation included members of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, SEMI, the CNFI, and the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association. They represented a wide range of industries and supply chains—from ICT, semiconductors, energy, AI and smart manufacturing to port facilities, smart agriculture and livestock, cold chain logistics, food processing, and tourism.
The delegation’s visit not only underscored the determination of Taiwan and the Philippines to create coprosperity, it also marked a significant milestone in the deepening of economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan, the Philippines, and the United States. MOFA will continue to promote bilateral cooperation with the Philippines in the domains of semiconductors, AI, smart agriculture, and new energy, leveraging Taiwan’s technological advantages and the Philippines’ talent and labor resources to jointly support non-red supply chains and build a democratic, free, and economically prosperous first island chain alliance. (E)
Director of Marine appointed
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government announced today that Wong Sai-fat will take up the appointment as Director of Marine on September 8, following an open and in-service recruitment exercise.
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung pointed out that Mr Wong was a seasoned directorate civil servant who had served in the Marine Department for almost 28 years.
She added that he has fully demonstrated his outstanding leadership and management skills, extensive maritime experience, and in-depth knowledge of the shipping industry throughout his service, especially during his tenure as the Acting Director of Marine.
Ms Yeung said: “I have every confidence that Mr Wong will continue to lead the Marine Department to provide high-quality services to the public and meet future challenges.
“His profound knowledge of the maritime industry will also help strengthen communication and collaboration with the shipping industry, thereby fostering the future development of the industry and strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre.”
HKMC’s Social Bonds Allocation Update and Impact Report 2025 published
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) today (September 5) published its Social Bonds Allocation Update and Impact Report 2025 (Report). The Report mainly discloses the allocation of the net proceeds of the three social bond issuances launched by the HKMC in 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as their social impacts as of June 30, 2025. An Independent Practitioner’s Limited Assurance Report was issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers on the reported allocation and selected information disclosed in the Report.
Details of the Report and the Independent Practitioner’s Limited Assurance Report are available at www.hkmc.com.hk/eng/investor_relations/sustainable_finance.html.