Month: October 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Internationally renowned Macedonian classical pianist Simon TrpÄ�eski is returning to Hong Kong with “Makedonissimo”, a concert to be performed alongside four fellow Macedonian musicians on October 21. The programme also features three local musicians, pop music composer Johnny Yim, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Suona Principal Ma Wai-him and huqin player Chan Pik-sum, who will participate in the arrangement and performance of two finale pieces, offering an East-meets-West musical crossover. The concert is part of the Asia+ Festival presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).

     The concert features a programme of diverse musical styles, blending Macedonian folk traditions with elements of jazz and classical music. From spirited dance pieces to lyrical songs, these works brim with emotion and exuberant energy, rooted in tradition yet alive with contemporary flair. Notably, the Hong Kong concert includes a specially curated segment unique to the global tour; the three local musicians Yim, Ma and Chan will join the Macedonian ensemble for a global cross-boundary collaboration. They will present two medleys blending Macedonian folk tunes with Chinese music and Cantopop in the finale, concluding the concert on a rousing note.

     TrpÄ�eski has collaborated with leading ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. His recordings have been highlighted in the “Editor’s Choice” section by the magazine “Gramophone” in the United Kingdom, and have earned accolades such as a Diapason d’Or.

     The “Makedonissimo” concert will be held at 8pm on October 21 at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Tickets priced at $200, $300 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app “URBTIX”.

     A piano masterclass, hosted by TrpÄ�eski and conducted in English, will be held from 1pm to 3pm on October 20 at the Recital Hall of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Admission is free. For details, please refer to www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en/makedonissimo.

     The Asia+ Festival is held annually from September to November with the aim of creating a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. While focusing on Asia, the Festival also connects Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Now in its third edition, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, will take part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. Apart from stage programmes, there is also an outdoor carnival, a thematic exhibition, workshops, a backstage tour, masterclasses, talks, outreach performances and more. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk.

     “Makedonissimo” is also part of the LCSD’s Great Music 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (October 14) that, in accordance with the Articles of Association of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and as the majority shareholder, the Financial Secretary Incorporated has appointed Dr Jacob Kam Chak-pui to succeed Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen as the next Chairman of the board of directors of the Corporation with effect from January 1, 2026. The appointment is for three years until December 31, 2028. Dr Kam had been appointed, with effect from January 1, 2026, as a non-executive director of the Corporation by the MTRCL earlier today.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, thanked Dr Auyeung for his significant contributions since taking up the chairmanship of the MTRCL in July 2019. Under the leadership of Dr Auyeung, the MTRCL completed the full commissioning of the Tuen Ma Line as well as the East Rail Line Cross-harbour Extension projects, further enhancing the connectivity of the railway network. The MTRCL also proactively advanced a series of strategic railway projects, including the Tung Chung Line Extension, the Oyster Bay Station, the Kwu Tung Station, the Tuen Mun South Extension, the Hung Shui Kiu Station, and the Northern Link which commenced works recently, contributing to Hong Kong’s overall social and economic development.  

Ms Chan said that the MTRCL, carrying over 5 million passengers daily, is the backbone of Hong Kong’s public transport system. She expected the new Chairman to draw on his extensive years of experience in railway operations to lead the MTRCL in applying innovative technologies to continuously enhance the safety, efficiency and reliability of Hong Kong’s railways, and uphold the MTRCL’s mission of “Keep Cities Moving”, such that railway infrastructure can be leveraged to add momentum to Hong Kong’s development and cross-boundary integration with the Mainland.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Health Bureau today (October 14) invited interested parties to apply for the Research Fellowship Scheme under the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF). The scheme aims to support researchers or professionals, particularly healthcare professionals, in their early to mid-career to enhance their skills in public health and health services research.

     The grant ceiling per award is $1.2 million, inclusive of $400,000 for training outside Hong Kong. Tertiary institutions funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) and the designated teaching hospitals of the medical schools of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the University of Hong Kong (HKU), i.e. Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) and Queen Mary Hospital (QMH), are invited to nominate applicants for the scheme. Details of the number of nominations and number of awards are summarised in the table below:
 

Streams	Maximum number of nomination by each tertiary institution/ teaching hospital	Total number of awards for each stream (Note)
Stream A: UGC-funded tertiary institutions * CUHK and HKU * Others	10 8	16
Stream B: Designated teaching hospitals of the medical schools of the CUHK and the HKU (i.e. PWH and QMH)	8	4

     Each applicant can only submit one application and may receive the research fellowship award only once. All previous awardees are ineligible to reapply.

     To tie in with the “Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Hong Kong” and the “Hong Kong Cancer Strategy 2019” launched by the Government, higher priority will be accorded to applications that address cancer and the preventable or modifiable risk factors for NCDs, namely unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. 

     The application should cover:

(1) A training programme outside Hong Kong (regular programmes for higher academic qualifications, e.g. Master or PhD degrees will not be considered) with attachment to a reputable institution for at least three months cumulatively throughout the fellowship period; and

(2) A small-scale research project relating to the proposed training programme with no more than three research objectives.

     The HMRF emphasises the importance of the translational potential of research findings and therefore supports applications on the following research projects:

(1) Clinical research including patient-oriented research, epidemiological and behavioural studies, outcomes research and health services research;

(2) Infectious diseases research with public health implications from bench to bedside and at community level and with translational value; and 

(3) Clinical research based on Chinese medicine theory or clinical research on Chinese medicine theory and methodology.

     Applications will be subject to peer review. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. The assessment will take into account the capability of the applicant and his or her performance at the interview, the importance of the training proposal to healthcare development, as well as its relevance to the proposed research project. The proposed research project will be evaluated on its scientific merit, local relevance, and translational potential or value to public health or health services.

     Completed electronic application forms should be submitted via the electronic Grant Management System (rfs.healthbureau.gov.hk/eGMS/) on or before 6pm on January 5, 2026 (Hong Kong time). The briefing session, which will be held on November 20, is now open for registration. For details, please refer to the website of the Research Fund Secretariat. For enquiries, please send an email to rfs@healthbureau.gov.hk.

Note: The total number of awards granted will be subject to the quality and budget requirements of the applications.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government announced today (October 14) that a short-term tenancy (STT) of one lot of government land at Po Tai Street in Ma On Shan (STT No. STTST0065), to be used as a fee-paying public car park with the installation of an automated parking system (APS), has been awarded to Kin Wing Hong (International) Company Limited at a monthly rental of $419,419. This is the sixth APS project at a government STT site. The term of the STT is seven years certain and thereafter half-yearly.
 
     Under the STT, the tenant is required to erect, construct and install an APS, providing not less than 104 automated parking spaces out of a total minimum of 247 parking spaces, with a view to commissioning in 2027.
 
     A spokesman for the Transport Department said that the application of APS can utilise space more effectively and increase parking efficiency, alleviating the public demand for parking spaces. The Government will continue to actively take forward APS projects in suitable STT car parks. The first three APS projects at Hoi Shing Road in Tsuen Wan, Pak Shek Kok in Tai Po and Tung Chau Street in Sham Shui Po have already commenced services, providing about 180 automated parking spaces in total. A government STT site at Lok Wah Street in Tsz Wan Shan has also been awarded previously for an APS project.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited Japan’s Theater Company Hikosen to return to Hong Kong with three performances of the puppetry musical “Jack and the Beanstalk” in November, kicking off its “Cheers!” Series this year. The company reimagines the beloved fairy tale with exquisite puppetry art, bringing a magical rescue adventure filled with courage and joy for kids and adults. This programme is also part of the third Asia+ Festival.
 
     “Jack and the Beanstalk” tells the story of a treasure-obsessed giant living in a castle above the clouds who has captured the charming Princess Mary as his collection. Jack, a kind-hearted boy from humble beginnings, climbs a towering beanstalk grown from magical beans, venturing into the sky and deep into the giant’s lair to rescue the princess. Along the way, he encounters many unexpected wonders, such as a golden harp that plays and sings by itself and a hen that lays golden eggs. After overcoming numerous challenges, Jack rescues Mary successfully and is knighted by the king.
 
     Presented in Cantonese-dubbing and sung version, the actors, adorned with exquisite masks and fanciful puppet costumes, will transform into the cherished characters of the tale. With creative choreography and uplifting music, they will bring this world-famous fairy tale to life for children, conveying its core themes of kindness, courage, friendship and wisdom. The stage design employs vibrant and eye-catching colours with meticulously crafted key sets such as the forest cottage, winding vines, cloudscapes and the giant’s lair. Enhanced by special lighting and dry ice smoke effects, these elements engage audiences of all ages in the unfolding plot and mysterious atmosphere, inviting them to join Jack on his thrilling adventure.
 
     Theater Company Hikosen was founded in 1966 and is internationally acclaimed for adapting famous fairy tales into distinctive “mask play” performances. Their performers are versatile in ballet and gymnastics, and present the truth, goodness and beauty of fairy tales through song and dance with richly designed staging. The company stages over 500 shows annually in Japan and has toured more than 20 countries and regions. In Hong Kong, Hikosen’s past productions have been box-office hits, delighting audiences of all ages.
 
     “Cheers!” Series: “Jack and the Beanstalk” by Theater Company Hikosen (Japan) will be held at 7.30pm on November 14 (Friday) and at 3pm on November 15 and 16 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre. The programme will be conducted in Cantonese with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $250, $350 and $450 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The “Cheers!” Series offers various discount schemes, such as package discounts and family package discounts. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1893.html.
 
     The programme will also feature two backstage tours (in Japanese with Cantonese interpretation) to be held at 5pm on November 14 (Friday) and at 11am on November 15 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre. Tickets priced at $80 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.
 
     The “Cheers!” Series will be held from November to February next year. This series edition will feature five international productions and four local family entertainment programmes, ranging from puppetry and acrobatics to circus, dance, music, theatre, multimedia shows and musicals, to delight audiences during the festive season. For details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/f_entertainment/groups_1883.html.
 
     The third Asia+ Festival will be held from September to November with an aim to create a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchange. Focusing on Asia, the Festival also connects with Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. This year, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, will take part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (October 14) announced that it has established a register of adjudicator nominating bodies in accordance with the Construction Industry Payment Security Ordinance (Cap. 652). The register has been published on the DEVB website (www.devb.gov.hk/en/construction_sector_matters/adjudicator-nominating-bodies/under-ordinance-cap-652/index.html). 

A DEVB spokesman said, “The establishment of the register of adjudicator nominating bodies marks an important step in the implementation of the Ordinance, which allows contracting parties to appoint suitable adjudicators through nominating bodies to conduct adjudication for payment disputes. Applications for adjudicator nominating bodies have been opened since February 10 this year. The feedback from the industry was positive. With consideration of the establishment, recognition, financial resources and implementation capabilities of the applicants, we now announce that we have accepted the registration applications of five nominating bodies. These organisations are professional institutions or institutions specialising in handling contract disputes and are familiar with the operation of the construction industry.”

The five organisations registered as nominating bodies are Asian African Legal Consultative Organization – Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. 

The Ordinance aims to improve the longstanding payment problems in the construction industry and provide better protection for the stakeholders in the supply chains of the construction industry to receive their entitled payments on time. The Ordinance improves contractual payment terms, prohibiting the use of unfair payment terms such as “pay when paid”. It also introduces an adjudication mechanism to provide a speedy, cost-effective and binding resolution process for payment disputes in the interim. The Ordinance has come to full operation on August 28, 2025. Under the Ordinance, the claimant can initiate adjudication proceedings for a payment dispute, and the nominating body will appoint an adjudicator, as an independent third party, to determine a payment dispute. 

Under the Ordinance, functions of a nominating body include establishing and maintaining a panel of adjudicators, formulating nomination procedures, appointing suitable adjudicators for payment disputes, setting appropriate adjudication rules for conducting adjudication proceedings, etc. To facilitate smooth implementation of the Ordinance, the DEVB will oversee the performance of the adjudicator nominating bodies to ensure that the operations of the adjudicator nominating bodies comply with the requirements of the Ordinance and relevant guidelines. 

The DEVB welcomes other eligible organisations to apply for the adjudicator nominating bodies. Please refer to the DEVB website for the application details and relevant information: 
(www.devb.gov.hk/en/construction_sector_matters/adjudicator-nominating-bodies/under-ordinance-cap-652/application/index.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

New Zealand government grants Taiwan nationals access to e-gate services

Date：2025-10-13
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

October 13, 2025 
No. 403 

Thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Immigration New Zealand, and the New Zealand Customs Service in promoting reciprocal access to automated immigration and customs inspection and clearance services, the New Zealand government announced today that starting from October 13, Taiwan e-passport holders were eligible to use e-gates when entering and departing New Zealand.
 
According to MOI data, this makes New Zealand the eighth country to grant Taiwan nationals access to automated customs clearance services following the United States (where nationals are required to pay an application fee for the service), the Republic of Korea, Australia, Italy, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia.
 
As New Zealand has already granted Taiwan nationals access to its online New Zealand Traveller Declaration (www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz), travelers only need to complete a declaration up to 24 hours before boarding their flight to be able to use e-gate services upon arrival in New Zealand. This provides them with a more efficient and seamless clearance process.
 
In accordance with the principles of parity and reciprocity, Taiwan is now working toward granting New Zealand e-passport holders access to Taiwan’s e-gate services. This arrangement is expected to be implemented by late November or December 2025.
 
Taiwan and New Zealand are like-minded partners that share the values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. With around 60,000 journeys being made between the two countries annually, reciprocal e-gate access will make travel even more convenient and facilitate closer cooperation and exchanges across various fields.
 
Moving forward, the MOI will continue to promote the reciprocal use of e-gates with other countries. This will allow Taiwan nationals to travel overseas in greater convenience and dignity while also attracting even more international tourists to Taiwan. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

October 7, 2025No. 393On October 7, a ceremony was held to mark the relocation of the country office of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) in Taiwan. The ceremony was presided over by CABEI Executive President Gisela Sánchez, who led a delegation to Taiwan for the event. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung was invited to attend the ceremony and help unveil the office’s plaque together with Political Deputy Minister of Finance Juan Ching-hwa and Central Bank Counselor Lin Chi-fu.The ceremony was also attended by ambassadors and representatives to Taiwan from several CABEI member countries, including Guatemalan Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López, Belizean Ambassador Katherine Vanessa Meighan, Argentina Trade and Cultural Office Director Carlos Alberto Hernández, and Spanish Chamber of Commerce Director General Germán Bejarano García. Many representatives of Taiwan’s financial sector were also present to witness the lively event.Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Lin extended a warm welcome to the CABEI delegation led by Executive President Sánchez. He also noted that the move of the CABEI country office to the Tianmu Diplomatic Quarter would further its collaboration with the embassies and representative offices of CABEI member countries in Taiwan and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF).In addition, Minister Lin remarked that Taiwan had long taken part in CABEI projects so as to advance Central America’s economic and social development, as well as joint responses to such global challenges as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. He praised TaiwanICDF and CABEI for jointly launching the Co-financing Facility for Assisting the Economic Empowerment of Women in the Post-Pandemic of COVID-19 this year. He noted that it would help women in Guatemala start businesses and achieve sustainable operations, adding that such efforts demonstrated Taiwan’s determination to ensure the prosperity of its allies. Meanwhile, Minister Lin stated that since taking office, Executive President Sánchez had actively promoted organizational reforms and transparency, thereby effectively raising CABEI’s credit ratings. He said that Taiwan looked forward to further collaborating with CABEI to jointly improve the bank’s governance.In her remarks, Executive President Sánchez emphasized that Taiwan was an important member and strategic partner that shared CABEI’s values and proactively supported sustainable development in Central American countries. She also said that CABEI highly regarded Taiwan’s robust financial market and that the Taiwan-CABEI Partnership Trust Fund, established by the bank in collaboration with the government of Taiwan, had benefited Taiwan’s allies Guatemala and Belize. She added that she was confident that the new office in Taiwan would serve as an important bridge between Taiwan and Central American countries.Also on October 7, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger hosted a luncheon for Executive President Sánchez and her delegation. The two sides exchanged views on a broad range of issues such as the status of ongoing cooperation and CABEI’s reforms.Founded in 1960, CABEI is headquartered in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. Taiwan joined CABEI as a non-regional member in 1992 and is currently the largest shareholder among the bank’s 15 member countries. In 2021, CABEI opened a country office in Taiwan, its first country office in Asia, which also marked the first time that an intergovernmental organization had established a branch office in Taiwan. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The steering committee for the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force), chaired by Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, held its first meeting today.

At the session, the steering committee approved its terms of reference and discussed the overall strategies of the GoGlobal Task Force in the future and related publicity and promotion work.

Mr Yau said the GoGlobal Task Force aims to build a bridge for Mainland enterprises to the world by gathering professionals from various sectors, encouraging more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to expand globally in an orderly way.

The task force will strengthen collaboration across policy bureaus, departments, organisations and sectors, proactively providing comprehensive and timely support for the Mainland enterprises, he added.

“By leveraging the global network and extensive experience of its partners, the GoGlobal Task Force will be able to provide comprehensive support to Mainland enterprises.

“In line with the national policy and direction of encouraging Mainland enterprises to ‘go global’, it will assist these enterprises to expand their international business in an orderly manner, transforming the task force into a new driver for Hong Kong’s economy, and further consolidate the city’s position as an international business and trade hub.”

Click here for the task force’s membership list.