Month: November 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A man was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for operating an employment agency (EA) without a valid licence in violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (EO). The man was convicted at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (November 4) and was fined $10,000. 
 
In February 2025, the LD received a complaint against a man from an employer of a foreign domestic helper. As subsequent investigations indicated sufficient evidence that the man was operating an EA without a valid licence, the LD took out prosecution against him.

All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations. Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs involved, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his/her associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA. Offenders may face prosecution.
 
The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law as well as the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence. The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
 
Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The HOUSING · I&T Summit, organised by the Housing Bureau and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), opened today (November 4). Held over four days from today under the theme “Pioneering Innovative Housing for a Sustainable Future “, the Summit has brought together experts, scholars, and industry leaders in public housing from over 15 countries and cities worldwide to participate. The first two days of the Summit are being held at the Sham Shui Po Leisure and Cultural Building, featuring a symposium centred on four key themes, “Smart · Housing”, “Smart · Innovation”, “Smart · Community” and “Smart · Living”, alongside an intelligent technology exhibition area for participants to exchange ideas and explore innovation and developments in housing construction technology. For the following two days, participants will conduct site visits in Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The Summit has attracted over 400 professionals from various sectors.
 
     Under the HOUSING · I&T initiative this year, the Housing Bureau has organised a series of events, including today’s international symposium, a construction robotics competition in May, and a secondary school housing construction robotics design competition in September to foster the development of the construction technology industry.
 
     In her welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony this morning, the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, said, “We are delighted to bring together experts and industry leaders from around the world to explore how innovative technology can drive sustainable housing construction and development. We have visited other foreign cities and countries like Singapore, Portugal, Spain and France in the past few years and I am very excited to see them visiting Hong Kong this time. Some of them will also join our visit on November 6 to Zhuhai to see the factories and innovative construction base in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong will continue to play the roles of a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ to foster cross-regional collaboration, building safer, more livable, and quality homes for our people.”
 
     This was followed by speeches by Deputy Director General of the Department of Standard and Norms of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Mr Wu Luyang and the Deputy Director of Housing (Development & Construction), Mr Daniel Leung, on strengthening exchanges and co-operation to jointly build an upgraded version of China construction and “MiTech – A Paradigm Shift in Smart Public Housing Construction” respectively. Other speakers included the Minister of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia, Mr Nga Kor Ming; Assistant Professor of the Business School of the University of Hong Kong Professor Michael Wong; the Global Digital Services Leader of Arup of the United Kingdom, Dr Will Cavendish; Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Bouygues Construction Group Mr Pierre-Éric Saint-André; the Senior Vice President of AECOM Global Group Limited of Australia, Mr Marc Colella; Professor of Department of Civil Engineering of Tsinghua University Professor Lu Xinzheng; Professor of the University of Melbourne of Australia Professor Nelson Lam; Senior Lecturer of the National University of Singapore Dr Du Hongjian; the Chief Executive Officer of the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, Mr Andy Fung, and representatives of different institutions and government departments in Hong Kong.
 
     The Summit sessions this morning, under the theme “Smart · Housing”, brought together global perspectives and local experiences to discuss shaping the future of housing and urban development. The afternoon sessions, focusing on “Smart · Innovation”, explored how intelligent innovations like AI, component-based construction, and advanced materials are transforming the construction and real estate industries.
 
     During the Summit, Ms Ho and other guests visited the intelligent technology exhibition area to interact with participants and learn about the active research and developments in innovative technology by tech companies. They also visited the Better Housing Exhibition on display at the Sham Mong Road Playground. This mobile exhibition is organised and instructed by the Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD), technically supported by the smart low-carbon construction technology innovation centre and whole-house smart key laboratory of the MOHURD, and has been exhibited in different places including Beijing, Urumqi, Guilin and Shenzhen. This exhibition serves to inspire both the private and public housing around the world to consider new possibilities for future living.
 
     Tomorrow morning’s sessions will focus on “Smart · Community”, exploring smart cities and integrating technology into housing management. The Permanent Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing, Miss Charmaine Lee, will deliver the opening remarks. Speakers will include the Chief Executive Officer of Housing and Development Board of Singapore, Mr Tan Meng Dui; the General Manager of China Merchants Property Digital Technology (Shenzhen) Co Ltd, Mr Shou Quan; the Director of Public Housing Redevelopment Department of Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corp, Mr Oh Sang Wook; GIS Specialist of SH Urban Research Institute of South Korea Dr Hwang Jong A; the Chair Professor (Digital Construction) and Head of the Department of Real Estate and Construction of Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Wilson Lu; Professor of ETH Zurich Professor Benjamin Dillenburger; and the Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Jack Cheng. The afternoon sessions, under the theme “Smart • Living”, will examine how various innovative technologies enhance site safety and operational efficiency. Speakers will include the Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Michael Hong; the Managing Director of Apply Structure Ltd of the United Kingdom, Mr Anthony Pearce; the General Manager of Building Construction Department of China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Sunny Au; the Chairperson of Construction Industry Safety and Health Steering Committee of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Professor Ada Fung; the Chairman of the Construction Industry Council, Professor Thomas Ho; and the General Manager of Lighthouse Inno-Lab Limited, Mr Eddie Ho.
 
     To capitalise on Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, and its prime location linking the GBA, the Housing Bureau and the HA have arranged for over 50 participants, including participants from Portugal, Australia, the United Kingdom, Cambodia, Macao and Hong Kong to visit Zhuhai on the third day of the Summit (November 6) for site visits to a smart factory. They will tour advanced production lines featuring high automation and robotics applications, gaining insights into the production processes for both concrete and steel-structured Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), alongside high-quality supervision and inspections. The itinerary also includes visits to an outdoor product exhibition hall and a construction technology pavilion, allowing participants to experience firsthand how advanced construction technology and MiC are shaping the future of housing. A sharing session will be held before concluding the visit to facilitate experience exchanges between participants and factory representatives, jointly exploring future directions for housing construction technology.
 
     On the fourth day (November 7) of the Summit, over 60 participants will conduct site visits in Hong Kong. They will first visit the Light Public Housing (LPH) site of the Housing Bureau at Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak, and Choi Hing Road LPH, Ngau Tau Kok, to understand how the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government employs standardised, simple designs and steel-structured MiC technology to build LPH swiftly, addressing the needs of families urgently requiring improved living environments. The project team will conduct demonstrations of modern construction technologies, including the smart inspection, logistics, and installation monitoring system for MiC (collectively known as the MiC Trio), developed in collaboration with the iLab of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, allowing participants to learn about the latest achievements in public housing developments and gain insights into the latest technologies such as MiC and 4S Smart Site Safety System.
 
     Through two days of guided tours and interactive Q&A sessions, participants from around the world will gain a deeper understanding of various innovative construction methods. These new technology and solutions hold the potential to assist participants in tackling housing problems in their respective countries and cities. The Summit aims to maintain close exchanges and to create greater mutual benefits for all parties involved.
 
     Hong Kong has long played a pivotal role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in driving technological innovation in the industry. The HOUSING · I&T Summit offers a valuable platform to foster in-depth technical exchanges within the industry locally and internationally, jointly exploring solutions to housing challenges. Participants can also witness the practical applications of smart construction technologies firsthand. By promoting cross-regional collaboration, the Summit marks a significant step in consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a hub in the field of housing technology. It aims to attract more innovative practical experience, injecting fresh ideas and momentum into the future development of housing in Hong Kong, and accelerating the pace of building better homes for the public.
 
     Details of the Summit are available on the thematic website: housinginnotech.hk/summit.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     In the latest World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) 2025 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Hong Kong ranked fourth globally, up further by three places after rising by three places last year.
 
     Among the three factors in WDCR 2025, Hong Kong continued to perform well and remained third and fifth globally in “Technology” and “Knowledge” respectively, while our ranking in “Future readiness” improved notably by five places to tenth. At the sub-factor level, “Technological framework” and “Adaptive attitudes” ranked first globally. “Talent” and “Training and education” ranked among the top five globally.
 
     A Government spokesman said today (November 4), “The IMD’s WDCR 2025 continued to recognise Hong Kong as one of the most digitally competitive economies in the world. Our country supports Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been striving to enhance the strategic layout of I&T infrastructure, with three major I&T parks and five key research and development (R&D) institutions as the framework, so as to actively drive I&T development and cultivate new quality productive forces. With the staunch support from our country and Hong Kong’s international prospects, coupled with a thriving start-up ecosystem, a free, open and fair business environment, a simple low tax system and strong policy support, Hong Kong is well positioned to attract enterprises, talent and technology from around the world, thereby laying a solid foundation for further advancing the I&T collaboration and development.”
 
     The spokesman added, “The Chief Executive announced in the 2025 Policy Address a series of measures aimed at implementing the development of the international I&T centre. To promote R&D, the Government is taking forward the set-up of two pilot lines by the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, and will complete the preparatory work for the establishment of the Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s) and the Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute within next year. To accelerate the development of ‘new industrialisation’, we will expedite the development of the third InnoHK research cluster, relax the application threshold for the ‘New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme’ and launch the ‘I&T Industry-Oriented Fund’ in 2026-27. The Government will also continue to promote the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science industries, guided by the strategy of ‘strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach’, with a view to achieving ‘industries for AI’ and ‘AI for industries’. On infrastructure, the computing power of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre will be ramped up this year to meet the strong demand from sectors in Hong Kong, complemented by the $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme that has been launched. The Government has also put up a site of about 10 hectares at Sandy Ridge in the North District for the development of a data facility cluster for open tender. On application, the HKSAR Government will continue promote AI business applications. Besides, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone will commence operation this year, and the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation and Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole will also be published this year.  Going forward, the HKSAR Government will continue to promote closer collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors, consolidate and enhance our competitive edge in the global market, as well as foster the cultivation of new quality productive forces.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that Deputy Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury (Treasury) Bruno Luk will take up the post of Land Registrar on November 6. He will succeed Joyce Tam, who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung commented that Mr Luk is a seasoned administrative officer with proven leadership and management skills.

“I have every confidence that he will continue to serve the community with professionalism in his new capacity.”

On the retirement of Joyce Tam, Mrs Yeung highlighted that as Land Registrar Ms Tam demonstrated exemplary leadership in steering the continuous enhancement of the land registration system.

Mrs Yeung added that Ms Tam spearheaded the legislative progress of the Registration of Titles & Land (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025, which lays a solid foundation for the implementation of the title registration system.

The civil service chief wished Ms Tam a fulfilling and happy retirement.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau today announced that enhanced arrangements for exempting car parks in the calculation of gross floor area (GFA) in private development projects have taken effect, along with a series of related measures.

A measure to allow full GFA exemption for up to two levels of aboveground parking, while also doing away with the requirement of locating some of the car parks underground, was included in the 2025 Policy Address.

The bureau highlighted that as construction costs for aboveground carparks are lower, and construction times shorter, the measures will reduce construction costs and expedite developments.

The enhanced measure is applicable to both types of car parks in private development projects: “private carparks” (also known as “ancillary carparks”) that provide parking for residents and visitors; and “public carparks”, which are provided by project developers for the benefit of the general public, as per the Government’s requirements for local parking facilities.

Moreover, in private developments with three or more levels of aboveground parking, a 50% GFA will be granted for each level beyond the second, regardless of whether these car parks are for private or public parking. In the past private and public carparks were subject to different arrangements.

Other arrangements pertaining to cark park GFA exemptions will continue to apply, such as all underground carparks continuing to enjoy full GFA exemption regardless of whether they are private or public.

To facilitate the enhanced measure’s implementation, town planning procedures relating to aboveground car park height approvals will be streamlined.

If developers submit applications for minor relaxations of height restrictions in relation to the construction of up to two levels of aboveground parking, under most circumstances they will need to submit only visual appraisals, and – if the site involves major breezeways – simple air ventilation impact assessments.

The Planning Department has reviewed the situation at New Development Areas, where most development sites have height restrictions sufficient to accommodate two levels of aboveground parking.

For the remaining sites in New Development Areas where relaxation of height restrictions is required, the Government will initiate applications in accordance with town planning procedures next year.

Details of the enhanced arrangements can be found in the Building Department’s updated Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers APP-2.

They are also available in the Lands Department’s latest Lands Administration Office Practice Note 9/2025.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) government expresses deepest condolences on passing of H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand

Date：2025-10-29
Data Source：Public Diplomacy Coordination Council

October 29, 2025 
No. 435 

The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, mother of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkom.
 
Following Queen Sirikit’s passing, President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai conveyed the sympathies of the government and people of Taiwan in messages transmitted via the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger visited the Thailand Trade and Economic Office (TTEO) in Taipei on the morning of October 29 to pay respects and offer condolences.
 
Queen Sirikit dedicated her entire life to the Kingdom of Thailand. She was highly respected and loved by the Thai people, and her benevolence and virtue were renowned throughout the international community. From June 5 to 8, 1963, Queen Sirikit accompanied His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on a visit to Taiwan, advancing the two nations’ friendship and cooperative ties in a range of areas. Taiwan has made significant contributions to promoting agricultural development in northern Thailand through collaboration with Thailand under the Royal Project Foundation, which was founded by King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit.
 
The people of Taiwan and Thailand enjoy frequent interactions and close exchanges. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to deepen Taiwan-Thailand relations through integrated diplomacy.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks Formosa Club for highlighting European support of Taiwan in annual conference joint statement

Date：2025-10-29
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

October 29, 2025No. 433 The Formosa Club held an international press conference following its annual conference in Taipei on October 28. In addition to inviting Vice President of the ROC (Taiwan) Hsiao Bi-khim to deliver remarks, the group released the Statement following the Taipei Annual Conference, which had been jointly adopted by its members.The statement reaffirmed the Formosa Club’s commitment to enhancing interparliamentary cooperation between Taiwan, the European Union, and democratic partners across the Atlantic, and stressed that Taiwan was a vital democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. It said that strengthening Taiwan’s resilience was in line with the broader democratic interest. The statement also referred to the European Parliament resolution passed on October 24, 2024, which noted that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 did not take a position on Taiwan. Last, the statement reiterated that the Formosa Club supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international frameworks, demonstrating club members’ staunch support of Taiwan.In her remarks, Vice President Hsiao thanked the Formosa Club for its long-standing and steadfast advocacy on behalf of Taiwan, for passing a joint statement at this year’s annual conference that emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for calling for Taiwan and European nations to deepen their ties. Noting that developments in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions were closely related, she said that Taiwan, standing on the front lines against authoritarian expansionism, remained unwavering in its commitment to strengthening democracy and resilience and had elevated cooperation with Europe in numerous critical areas.Vice President Hsiao added that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, had also proposed the RISK Management Initiative on International Undersea Cables during the annual conference, underscoring Taiwan’s determination to work with the international community to ensure collective security and prosperity as well as its desire to partner with democratic nations to build a better future for all.Chair of the Formosa Club Annual Conference Rihards Kols, who is also a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, responded to media questions on behalf of club members. He said that, in recent years, Europe had faced a situation similar to that of Taiwan and that it had experienced several instances of damage to undersea cables. He continued by saying that European countries had begun discussing the establishment of a Union of the Seas to create ties based in international law so as to introduce systemic reforms and give countries the wherewithal to enforce the law. Noting that technological cooperation was of utmost importance given the troubled international situation, Chair Kols commended Taiwan’s technological development and described Taiwan as a trusted partner. He further mentioned that the European Union was introducing its Readiness 2030 plan to reinforce Europe’s defense capabilities and supply chain resilience, and that Europe hoped to collaborate with reliable partners. He stressed that Taiwan could be one such partner. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To commemorate Professor Chwei-Liang Chiou, a pioneer in promoting Taiwan’s democracy abroad, the Taiwanese Institution of Australasia and Macquarie University co-hosted a screening of Life’s Good on October 30 at Macquarie University’s Sydney campus, with remarks by Professor Julian Droogan and moderation by Professor Mayfen Kuo.
Directed by Lih-Kuei Chen, the documentary took three years to complete and traces Professor Chiou’s lifelong dedication to democracy—from Taiwan’s martial-law era to his decades of civic engagement in Australia. Through his personal letters and reflections, the film portrays his deep belief in freedom, social participation, and the democratic values that connect Taiwan and Australia.
In his remarks, Director General Wu highlighted that the people of Taiwan are the true authors of their nation’s history, and that civil society has always been a key force in advancing democracy. He described Professor Chiou, who called himself a “stubborn democrat,” as someone whose legacy continues to inspire the defense and renewal of Taiwan’s democratic spirit.