Month: November 2025

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to China’s criticism of Permanent Representative of Fiji to the UN Filipo Tarakinikini’s visit to Taiwan

November 7, 2025The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes friends from the international community to visit Taiwan to gain an understanding of the latest developments in various areas and to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan, as an indispensable member of the international community, has the right to engage with other countries through visits, exchanges, and cooperation. China has no right to comment on or interfere with normal interactions between sovereign states.
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to comments by Chinese ambassador to US demanding that US not cross China’s “red lines”

November 4, 2025  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) notes that Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng recently made public remarks in which he emphasized China’s “red lines” and stated that trouble would ensue if the United States crossed such lines. These comments were made after the Chinese Embassy in the United States posted satellite imagery of Taiwan on its social media accounts.
 
China consistently engages in intimidating, provocative, and extremely unfriendly behavior that is not conducive to regional peace and stability. This once again shows that China’s government continues to attempt to alter the status quo through coercion.
 
MOFA stresses that Taiwan, the United States, and other like-minded nations have always striven to jointly uphold the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The international community is also quite clear as to which party has been continually seeking expansionism in the region in recent years in an attempt to disrupt and challenge the status quo. This party has used coercive gray-zone tactics to undermine regional stability and the international order. Authoritarian nations cannot claim to stand for stability when they act as troublemakers by constantly and unilaterally establishing so-called “red lines” and taking provocative steps to upend the status quo of regional and global peace and stability. 
 
As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to work with regional partners that have shared interests—such as the United States—to ensure the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Taiwan Strait and the region.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In response to media enquiries, a Government spokesman today (November 11) said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is conducting a disciplinary investigation on the incident of the Government Logistics Department’s procurement of bottled drinking water. A number of officers at the frontline, middle and senior levels are involved in the investigation, which is still ongoing. After consulting the Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee, pending the outcome of the investigation, Mr Carlson Chan will not be included in the attendance list of the Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony to be held on November 15. The Government has already informed Mr Chan in this regard.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Swordfish”, for eight consecutive days from November 4 to 11, targeting foreign domestic helpers (helper) who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 21 persons, including 14 suspected illegal workers and seven suspected employers, were arrested.
 
During the operation, ImmD investigators raided 47 target locations including restaurants, retail shops, barbecue site, activity venues, employment agencies, and commercial building units. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 3 men and 11 women, aged 27 to 51. Among them, 5 persons were current helpers, 4 persons were overstaying ex-helpers, 2 persons were holders of recognizance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment in Hong Kong, 1 person was imported worker, 1 person was visitor, and 1 person was illegal immigrant. ImmD investigators found most of the suspected illegal workers performing dish washing and cleaning, etc. During the operation, ImmD investigators also apprehended current helpers suspected of performing non-contractual duties at an activity venue and a barbecue site.  Meanwhile, seven suspected employers, comprising two men and five women, aged 30 to 74, were in charge of the involved companies or restaurants and suspected of employing the suspected illegal workers and contractual employers of the arrested current helpers.
 
“A helper should only perform domestic duties for the employer as listed in the “Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties” attached to the Contract. The helper should not take up any other employment, including part-time domestic duties, with any other person. The employer should not require or allow the helper to carry out any work for any other person,” an ImmD spokesman said.
 
The spokesman also said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him/her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
 
The spokesman warned that, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment.
 
The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (the HKSAR Government) today (November 11) announced the successful pricing of around HK$10 billion worth of digital green bonds (Digital Green Bonds) denominated in HK dollars (HKD), Renminbi (RMB), US dollars (USD) and euro (EUR) under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. 
 
Following a virtual roadshow from November 3 to 7, the Digital Green Bonds were priced on November 10 as follows:
 

• HKD2.5 billion 2-year tranche at 2.5 per cent
• RMB2.5 billion 5-year tranche at 1.9 per cent
• USD300 million 3-year tranche at 3.633 per cent
• EUR300 million 4-year tranche at 2.512 per cent

 
The latest issuance marks another milestone on the HKSAR Government’s bond tokenisation journey, following the two successful issuances in 2023 and 2024. While retaining the key innovative features of the previous issuance, including issuing in a digitally native format, providing the option of investor access via traditional market infrastructure, and integrating green bond disclosures with the digital assets platform, the latest issuance has also introduced innovative features and achieved breakthroughs in the following areas:
 

• Integration of digital money in the settlement process: For both the HKD and RMB tranches, the option to settle via tokenised central bank money was introduced alongside traditional settlement rails in the primary issuance process, which helped further reduce settlement time, costs and counterparty credit risk. This also marks the first digital bond offering in the world that integrates tokenised central bank money in the form of e-CNY and e-HKD in the settlement process.
   
• Expanding scale: This issuance achieved a record issuance size of HK$10 billion, with the total subscription amount across four currency tranches reaching over HK$130 billion, marking the largest digital bond issuance in the world to date. Additionally, the tenor was extended to up to five years, addressing investor demand for longer-term digital bonds. Alongside an increase in the number of direct participants to the digital assets platform and arranging banks, compared to the previous issuance, the number of investors also expanded markedly. In terms of investor type, the issuance continued to attract subscriptions by a wide spectrum of institutional investors globally, covering asset managers, banks, insurance companies, private banks and others, including a substantial number of first-time investors in digital bonds.

  

• Advancing adoption of global standards: Digital Token Identifiers (DTIs) (Note 1), a global identification standard for digital tokens defined by the International Organisation for Standardisation’s ISO 24165 standard, were obtained for all tranches of the issuance. The DTIs for this issuance are directly linked to the bonds’ International Securities Identification Numbers  and to the issuer’s Legal Identity Identifier, embedding the bonds in the wider framework of global standards.

 
Additionally, building on the second digital bond issuance, this issuance expanded on the adoption of the International Capital Market Association’s Bond Data Taxonomy (BDT) (Note 2), with the aim of facilitating the consistent exchange of issuance information between different transaction parties and systems in traditional capital markets and the digital industry, thereby improving interoperability and fostering end-to-end automation.
 
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “The HKSAR Government’s third issuance of digital green bond attracted overwhelming subscription, with the issuance amount reaching a new high of HK$10 billion, reflecting the market support for tokenised products. A number of innovative features have also been introduced to further promote fintech empowerment in the development of bond market as well as green and sustainable finance market. The Government will regularise the issuance of tokenised bond, support the establishment of comprehensive benchmarks, and promote innovative products and services for a wider application of digital finance.”
 
     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “This is the third batch of tokenised green bond issuance by the Government, and the first after the announcement of the Government’s Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets in Hong Kong to among other things regularise the issuance of tokenised Government bonds. Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to connect traditional finance to the digital asset era. Riding on our established strengths in financial services, this issuance will further consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a leading green and sustainable finance hub.”
 
     The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “With each issuance of the HKSAR Government’s digital bonds since 2023, we have sought to further scale the market and explore new innovations, to reinforce the vision for Hong Kong to become a global hub for digital assets. The integration of tokenised central bank money in this issuance lays the foundation for future integration with other forms of digital money, fostering interoperability and unlocking new synergies across different digital infrastructures. We are also pleased to see a significant increase in market participation, with more banks and first-time digital bond investors actively participating in this issuance, a clear reflection of the progress made in scaling our digital bond market.”
 
Key features of the Digital Green Bonds
 
The clearing and settlement system of the Digital Green Bonds is the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU), with HSBC Orion as the digital assets platform. HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Bank of Communications, BNP PARIBAS, Crédit Agricole CIB, ICBC (Asia), J.P. Morgan, Société Générale, Standard Chartered Bank, UBS, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Ashurst and Linklaters were involved in the preparation for the issuance (see Annex).
 

Issue size	Around HKD10 billion equivalent
Currency	HKD, RMB, USD, EUR
Issue ratings	AA-/Aa3/AA+ (Fitch/Moody’s/S&P), on par with the issuer’s long-term rating
Governing law	Hong Kong law
Settlement cycle	T+1
Use of proceeds	To finance and/or refinance projects that fall under one or more of the “Eligible Categories” set out in the Government’s Green Bond Framework   Vigeo Eiris has provided a Second Party Opinion on the Government’s Green Bond Framework. The Digital Green Bonds have also received the Green and Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme Pre-issuance Stage Certificate from the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency
Listing	Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Joint Global Coordinators, Joint Lead Managers, Joint Bookrunners	HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Bank of Communications, BNP PARIBAS, Crédit Agricole CIB, ICBC (Asia), J.P. Morgan
Joint Lead Managers, Joint Bookrunners	Standard Chartered Bank, Société Générale, UBS
Joint Green and Sustainable Bond Structuring Banks	Crédit Agricole CIB, Bank of China (Hong Kong), BNP PARIBAS, Standard Chartered Bank
Clearing and Settlement System	CMU operated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (Note 3), with linkage to Euroclear and Clearstream
Platform	HSBC Orion
Platform Provider	HSBC
Platform Direct Participants	Bank of China (Hong Kong), Bank of Communications, BNP PARIBAS, Crédit Agricole CIB, HSBC, ICBC (Asia)
Fiscal Agent and Principal Paying Agent	HSBC
Legal Advisers	Allen Overy Shearman Sterling (to issuer), Ashurst (to Platform Provider), Linklaters (to banks and agents)

 
DISCLAIMER:
 
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
 
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT MADE BEING MADE AVAILABLE IN, AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED, AS AN OFFER OF, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE LAWS. THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUCH SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

Note 1: A DTI uniquely identifies the digital token and unambiguously links it to the distributed ledger it is deployed on.

Note 2: The BDT is a standardised and machine-readable language of key economic terms of a bond (such as amounts, currency, maturity, interest), key dates (such as pricing, settlement) as well as other relevant information (such as governing law, relevant parties, ratings, selling restrictions) typically included within a term sheet.

Note 3: The Digital Green Bonds are cleared and settled through the CMU, and the settlement of transactions made through the CMU benefits from statutory settlement finality under Hong Kong law.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today stated that former Director of Government Logistics Carlson Chan will not be included in the attendance list of the Honours & Awards Presentation Ceremony to be held on November 15.

In response to media enquiries on the ceremony, the Government noted that it is conducting a disciplinary investigation into the Government Logistics Department’s procurement of bottled drinking water.

A number of officers at the frontline, middle and senior levels are involved in the investigation, which is still ongoing.

After consulting the Honours & Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee, pending the outcome of the investigation, Mr Chan will not be included in the attendance list of the ceremony. The has Government informed Mr Chan in this regard.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the successful offering of around HK$10 billion worth of digital green bonds denominated in HK dollars (HKD), renminbi (RMB), US dollars and euro under its Sustainable Bond Programme.

The latest issuance has introduced innovative features and achieved breakthroughs in areas such as the integration of digital money in the settlement process.

For both the HKD and RMB tranches, the option to settle via tokenised central bank money was introduced alongside traditional settlement rails in the primary issuance process, which helped further reduce settlement time, costs and counterparty credit risk.

This also marks the first digital bond offering in the world that integrates tokenised central bank money in the form of e-CNY and e-HKD in the settlement process.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the third digital green bond issuance attracted overwhelming subscription, with the issuance amount reaching a new high of HK$10 billion, reflecting the market support for tokenised products.

“A number of innovative features have also been introduced to further promote fintech empowerment in the development of bond market as well as green and sustainable finance market.

“The Government will regularise the issuance of tokenised bond, support the establishment of comprehensive benchmarks, and promote innovative products and services for a wider application of digital finance.”

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui supplemented that riding on Hong Kong’s established strengths in financial services, this issuance will further consolidate the city’s status as a leading green and sustainable finance hub.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The 15th National Games (NG) of the People’s Republic of China The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Rugby Sevens Competition will commence at 1pm tomorrow (November 12) at Kai Tak Stadium of the Kai Tak Sports Park and conclude on November 14.
 
     Hong Kong will host both men’s and women’s events, awarding two gold medals. Over 230 athletes from 16 teams from the Mainland and Hong Kong will compete for honours, with Hong Kong sending 30 athletes. Following the round-robin matches, the four teams with the highest points will progress to the knockout rounds and the finals. The competition schedule is as follows:
 

Men’s and women’s round-robin matches	November 12: 1pm to 9pm November 13: 1pm to 5pm
Men’s and women’s knockout rounds	November 13: 5pm to 9pm
Women’s final	November 14: 8.30pm
Men’s final	November 14: 9pm

   
     The Hong Kong men’s team will compete against the Shandong team at 4.30pm and against the Tianjin team at 8pm tomorrow. The Hong Kong women’s team will face the Shandong team at 1.30pm and the Sichuan team at 5pm tomorrow.
 
     Members of the public can purchase tickets through various channels, including the 15th NG official ticketing website (ticket.baygames.cn) or by searching for the “15th NG official ticketing” official mini programme on WeChat, after completing a real-name account registration. Members of the public can also visit 11 designated sales outlets (ww2.ctshk.com/articleDetail?id=4&channelId=-1) of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited to buy paper tickets for events in the Hong Kong competition region. Furthermore, services are also available for physical ticket purchases for the events held at the relevant venues at the ticket office of the competition area. The ticket offices at the Kai Tak Station Square and the Kai Tak Sports Gound have come into operation. The ticket offices will run from 10am to 4pm on non-competition days and will operate one hour before the event starts on event days until ticket verification ceases for that day’s event (i.e. 30 minutes before the scheduled finish time). Tickets are sold at Hong Kong dollar prices and the system will accept various electronic payment methods. Real-name registration for ticket sales is adopted and please prepare an identity document for purchasing tickets and before entering the venue. Spectators who purchased tickets for their family members or friends using their own accounts via the 15th NG official ticketing platform should transfer the tickets to their family members or friends 24 hours prior to the start of the relevant session. Each person should carry their own e-tickets to facilitate verification and multiple entries/exits.
 
     To facilitate spectators travelling to and from the Kai Tak Sports Park during the competition, the Transport Department has co-ordinated with public transport operators to ensure sufficient capacity and manpower, enhancing services to meet passenger demand.
 
     On the evening of November 14, when more spectators are expected for the finals, the MTR will increase the frequency of trains on the Tuen Ma Line during dispersal. Franchised bus companies will also provide 10 special bus routes at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area to Central, Siu Sai Wan, Mong Kok, Tseung Kwan O (Hang Hau), Tseung Kwan O South (LOHAS Park), Tsing Yi, Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun Pier Head, Tuen Mun (Ching Tin and Wo Tin), and Tin Shui Wai, covering major districts across the territory.

     An official franchised merchandise store is set up at Kai Tak Stadium, selling a variety of franchised products with Hong Kong characteristics incorporated and related to the competition events. Members of the public are welcome to visit and make purchases.
 
     There will be a competition village with various game booths on-site, including digital interactive games, booth games and art workshops themed around the competition events hosted by Hong Kong competition region, rugby experience activities, and photo spots. The competition village will be open on November 12 and 13 (from noon to 9pm), and November 14 (from 4.30pm to 9pm). Members of the public can enjoy the exciting events while participating in various interactive activities to experience the joy of sports.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 11) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

The relevant areas are as follows:

Poland
—-
Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region
(1) Bartoszyce District

Netherlands
—-
(2) Province of Friesland

Italy
—-
Piemonte Region
(3) Province of Novara

UK
—-
(4) Norfolk County

US
—-
State of Georgia
(5) Gordon County

State of Idaho
(6) Payette County

State of Minnesota
(7) Swift County

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, Hong Kong imported about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland; about 150 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from the Netherlands; about 90 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 9 000 poultry eggs from Italy; about 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs from the UK; and about 40 060 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 2.62 million poultry eggs from the US.

“The CFS has contacted the Polish, Dutch, Italian, British and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.