Month: December 2025

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to the rapidly increasing electricity consumption of the AI and information and communications technology (ICT) industries and to ensure that related energy facilities adopt high-efficiency equipment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), pursuant to the authorization of Article 16 of the Energy Administration Act, has amended three subordinate regulations, namely the Regulations Governing the Assessment of Energy Development and Utilization, the Scope of Applied Energy Users, and the Forms of Energy Utilization Manual and Essential Particulars. Under the amendments, enterprises engaged in Information Service Activities, including hyperscale and colocation data centers, with an contracted electricity capacity no less than 5 MW, are required, at the planning stage of new construction or expansion projects, to prepare and submit Energy Utilization Manuals (EUMs) and adopt Best Available Techniques (BATs), thereby optimizing energy-saving design and improving overall energy efficiency.

As explained by the Energy Administration, under these amendments, hyperscale and colocation data centers with contracted electricity capacity no less than 5 MW must submit EUMs before plant construction and obtain approval from the competent authority. Drawing on the European Union’s data center energy efficiency guidelines and based on input collected through expert consultations and stakeholder meetings, seven key items have been specifically added into EUM’s check list for data center’s energy efficiency, covering: selection of information equipment, configuration of information software services, data management, cooling system, power system, energy monitoring and management, and overall energy performance. At the same time, Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) has been adopted as the efficiency indicator upon taking into account the practices of countries such as Japan, Singapore, and Germany, as well as Taiwan’s industry experience, with differentiated standards for different operation types: a PUE not exceeding 1.3 for hyperscale data centers and not exceeding 1.4 for colocation data centers.

The Administration also noted that, prior to the amendments, it held multiple consultation meetings with subject-matter scholars and experts, and communicated with major data center operators, while exchanging opinions on issues most concerned by the industry, including the BATs, whether the efficiency standards are mandatory, and how on-site audits are conducted. The Energy Administration stressed that data centers are a key foundation for Taiwan’s digital transformation. These amendments are expected to guide operators to select appropriate sites and incorporate energy-saving design at the planning stage, while helping reduce the burden on the power grid, improve energy efficiency, support industrial decarbonization, and enhance overall competitiveness.

Spokesperson for Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director General, Chih-Wei Wu
Contact Phone Number: 02-2775-7750, 0922-339-410
Email Address: cwwu@moeaea.gov.tw

Business Contact: Director, Fang-Ling Liao
Contact Phone Number: 02-2775-7710, 0912-089-923
Email Address: flliao@moeaea.gov.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The 2025 Golden Pin Design Award Ceremony – one of the most prominent events in the Asian design community – was held on December 5 at the Taipei Performing Arts Center. This year’s Golden Pin Design Award and Golden Pin Concept Design Award brought together entries from 28 countries and regions. After rigorous evaluation, the jury selected 22 winners of the Golden Pin Design Award – Best Design of the Year, 3 winners of the Golden Pin Design Award – Special Annual Award, and 3 winners of the Golden Pin Concept Design Award – Best Concept of the Year. The Honorary Award was presented to Apex Lin, Pang-Soong – Chair Professor at Asia University and Emeritus Professor at National Taiwan Normal University – in recognition of his long-standing contributions to design practice, education, and international exchange in Taiwan.

Since its international expansion in 2014, the Golden Pin Design Award has continued to attract strong global participation, with overseas submissions now accounting for more than half of all entries. The award also upholds its credibility through a diverse international jury lineup. This year, 81 experts from 19 regions across five continents took part in the evaluation, including renowned Taiwanese graphic designer Liu Kai, Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF International Forum Design (Germany), and Japanese design master Akira Minagawa. Representing fields ranging from product and visual communication to architecture, social innovation, and market trends, the jury brought a broad and in-depth international perspective to the selection process.

This year, the Golden Pin Design Award recognized 429 Design Mark winners. From these, 90 works advanced to the final round for Best Design of the Year, and 22 were ultimately selected for the honor – representing Taiwan, Japan, Germany, the United States, Poland, and more. Many of the shortlisted works stood out not only for their aesthetics and innovation but also for their relevance to real-world needs. The jury placed particular emphasis on user-centered thinking, clarity and consistency in execution, and the ability to create meaningful impact – defining qualities shared by this year’s winning works.

Among this year’s Taiwanese winners, many demonstrated strong human-centered creativity. The “Merrylock MK6070 Household Air-threading Combo Sewing Machine” (Tsang Yu Industrial Co., Ltd., Taiwan) enhances the experience of non-professional users through ergonomic design tailored to everyday needs. Aquacendo’s “LightUp Filtered Bottle” (Yee Gee International Co., Ltd., Taiwan) combines lighting and water filtration to support children in underserved regions without access to clean water or electricity. “ExAvantGarde and NewOldSchool Album Series Packaging Design” (Aaron Nieh Workshop, Taiwan) captures listeners’ emotional responses through refined visual expression, creating a cohesive style that resonates with the orchestra’s musical character.

International award-winning works highlighted sustainability and social impact. “Sonnenglas SOMO Solar Lighting System” (Sonnenglas GmbH, Germany) uses modular solar technology to provide safe, sustainable lighting for resource-limited communities. “CLEAN CITY GDANSK” (TOFU Studio, Poland) applies clean, intuitive circular graphics to redefine the brand identity of Gdansk’s municipal waste management services. Cross-cultural interpretations also stood out. “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind – Taiwan Exclusive Poster Design (C) 1984 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli” (JOEFANGSTUDIO, Taiwan) offers a renewed visual reading of the beloved classic, using emotionally resonant imagery to evoke the timeless world of the original film.

This year, three works received Special Annual Awards, recognizing excellence in circular sustainability and social impact. “IRON40” (eTreego Co., Ltd., Taiwan) adopts a modular packaging system that streamlines processes and reduces material waste. “MA-TSUO Reading Nook” (Feng Chia University, Taiwan) strengthens rural community engagement through co-created spatial design that integrates education and local participation. Singapore-based DP Green was honored for “Punggol Green: Reimagining an Underutilised Space into Community and Social Spine”, which revitalizes the space through landscape interventions that connect community activity with ecological needs.

The Golden Pin Concept Design Award supports forward-looking ideas and has long served as a launchpad for emerging designers and startups. This year, 27 projects received the Concept Design Mark, with six advancing to the finals for the Best Concept of the Year. Three proposals ultimately received the top honor: “Reefs Stacks”, which repurposes materials from abandoned aquaculture ponds into coral-restoration substrates accompanied by a publication that deepens public engagement; “Kyola Distraction Retractor”, a streamlined, pen-shaped tool designed to improve safety and user experience in clinical wisdom-tooth traction; and “Tainan Station Renovation”, a proposal that balances heritage preservation with future urban needs, outlining a compelling direction for city transformation.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai delivers recorded address following national policy discussion with government branch leaders  
On December 15, President Lai Ching-te held a discussion on national policy with government branch leaders, following which he delivered a recorded address. In his address, the president explained the current constitutional and national policy risks to the public, indicating that the amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures and pension counter-reform bills forced through the Legislative Yuan could lead to fiscal imbalance, earlier bankruptcy of the pension system, and the stagnation of major national policies, endangering Taiwan’s constitutional democracy and national security.
President Lai stated that he supports the decision of Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), who in accordance with the authority granted to him by Article 37 of the Constitution, decided the same day to not countersign the amended Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, resolutely preventing an unconstitutional and politically chaotic bill from coming into force, demonstrating his loyalty to the Constitution and his determination to safeguard the well-being of the country and all its people. The president appealed to the Legislative Yuan to immediately withdraw the controversial bills that harm the nation and violate the spirit of the Constitution.
In this new constitutional situation, President Lai reiterated that he is willing to deliver a state of the nation address to the Legislative Yuan in accordance with the provisions of Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution and the constitutional method stipulated by the Constitutional Court. He stated that to defend the constitutional order is to defend democratic Taiwan, and to maintain fiscal discipline is to maintain the lifeline of the nation. The president then invited all citizens to join him in holding this line of defense, working together for national development so that Taiwan can continue to move forward proudly on the world stage.
A translation of President Lai’s address follows:
My fellow citizens: Good evening. In recent days, there has been widespread public focus on the progress of the central government’s deliberations for next year’s general budget, as well as amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures and pension counter-reform bills. Therefore, I specifically invited the presidents of the Executive Yuan, Legislative Yuan, and Examination Yuan to the Presidential Office this morning for a discussion.
I deeply hope that, by meeting to discuss these issues, the government branches can collectively identify a solution that adheres to the constitutional separation of powers, exercises fiscal discipline, safeguards generational justice, and ensures the nation’s sustainable development. It is rather regrettable that Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) did not attend today.
As president, my duty is not just to advance national policies but, more importantly, to act in accordance with the Constitution to protect this nation’s democratic system and the present and future livelihood and prosperity of every citizen.
Therefore, in the face of the current constitutional and political situation, I must clearly explain to the nation what risks we currently confront, and how I will lead the government to safeguard our democracy and protect the rights and interests of all our people from harm.
First is the crisis of fiscal imbalance and stagnation of major national policies. Providing local governments with more resources to promote development and care for our people has always been our shared goal.
However, based on the version of the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures rammed through by the opposition parties, once implemented, the central government would be forced to borrow up to NT$563.8 billion next year, and every year thereafter. This not only directly violates the ceiling stipulated in the Public Debt Act, but would also push the government’s finances to the brink of collapse.
This is not a simple numbers game. It means that significant national initiatives from the past few years – in long-term care, childcare, youth education, economic development, and national defense and security – would all face difficulties in advancement or even come to a halt. Furthermore, the hundreds of billions in national resources thus hollowed out each year would become unsupervised blank checks lacking specific policy objectives, distributed through chaotic allocation.
Second, pension reforms must not be reversed. The goal of the pension reform we previously pursued was singular: to ensure the sustainability of the pension system so that every generation can receive benefits. However, last Friday, pension counter-reform bills were also rammed through the legislature.
I believe we all remember when former President Ma Ying-jeou warned in 2013 that without reform, the pension system would be like a train barreling toward a cliff. Under the leadership of former President Tsai Ing-wen, we collectively managed to put that train back on track in 2018. Yet, that train has now been rerouted and is once again charging toward the precipice.
My fellow citizens, were these pension counter-reform bills to be implemented, our pension system would go bankrupt earlier than projected. The nation would have to pay around an additional NT$700 billion to fill the shortfall in the pension fund. That means each citizen on average would pay an additional NT$30,000. And yet by doing so, they would sacrifice their own Labor Insurance, Farmers’ Health Insurance, and National Pension annuities, as well as many major welfare policies.
Third, legislative abuses pose unprecedented threats to the nation and citizens. In addition to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures and pension counter-reform bills, even more worrying is that the legislature is currently forcing a series of amendments that constitute legislative abuses, posing a major threat to the nation and citizens.
This series of amendments lacks sufficient discussion among the ruling and opposition parties and even violates constitutional principles.
In a little more than two weeks, it will be 2026. And yet, as we see, deliberation on the central government’s proposed general budget for the next fiscal year has not even begun. 
Tensions in the Indo-Pacific have risen recently as a result of the further escalation of unilateral threats from China. Despite this, the special defense budget – crucial for upgrading our combat capabilities – has been deliberately shelved. Major government policies and the strengthening of national security are facing stagnation.
At this moment, when global supply chains are being restructured to eliminate “red risk,” the opposition parties are forcing through amendments to the Offshore Islands Development Act. By doing that, they intend to allow Chinese capital and products to be “origin laundered” through our offshore islands. Furthermore, they have proposed amendments to the Nationality Act that would exempt new immigrants from China who hold public office from the obligation of swearing sole allegiance to our nation.
The public rejects corruption and expects clean government. Yet the opposition parties are pushing for amendments that would exempt corruption cases involving NT$50,000 or less from criminal liability and decriminalize the embezzlement of assistant fees. Furthermore, they are even introducing legislation to divert budgets for public-funded assistants directly into the pockets of legislators themselves, which would make it impossible to safeguard the rights and interests of those assistants. 
Furthermore, electoral fairness is vital for a functioning democracy. Yet, the opposition parties are forcefully advancing legislation, including amendments to the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act, in an attempt to legalize vote-buying behavior in primaries. Also, amendments to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act would allow criminals under suspended sentences to run for office. All this intends to manipulate the direction of national governance.
My fellow citizens, this series of legislative abuses currently being fast-tracked sends a dangerous message. If these pieces of legislation are passed and become law, Taiwan’s security, democracy, and economy, the rights and interests of our citizens, and social justice will all be plunged into immediate crisis. This is not the expression of democracy, but its erosion. But more than that, it is steering Taiwan toward the brink of legislative abuse and opposition dictatorship.
Over the past nine years, the government has always maintained fiscal discipline, making sure that every dollar is well spent. Due to our commitment to reform and our efforts to maintain fiscal stability, we have experienced significant economic development. Since 2017, we have had a budgetary surplus for eight consecutive years, and in 2019, we made the NT$22,000 minimum monthly wage a thing of the past. We have increased the number of long-term care service sites from more than 700 to over 15,000. We have also promoted transportation infrastructure, implementation of national childcare for ages 0–6, and the provision of full tuition waivers for senior high school and vocational high school students, along with subsidies for tuition and fees for students at private universities and colleges, as well as rent subsidies.
These achievements are based on sound finances and precise calculations meant to help lay a solid foundation for the next generation – not squander the future for political interests. But all of these accomplishments face significant risks.
My fellow citizens, Taiwan has become a key hub for the global democratic community, and our stability affects the whole world. We cannot allow laws riddled with errors to weaken Taiwan’s competitiveness, and we cannot allow the international community to lose confidence in Taiwan.
As president, and in this constitutional moment, I must uphold the constitutional system, safeguard the nation, and protect our people.
The Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures forced through the Legislative Yuan seriously and immediately undermines the constitutional separation of powers, national finances, and the rights and interests of our people. Today, Premier Cho, in accordance with the authority granted to him by Article 37 of the Constitution, decided to not countersign that bill, resolutely preventing an unconstitutional and politically chaotic bill from coming into force, demonstrating his loyalty to the Constitution and his determination to safeguard the well-being of the country and all our people. I support this decision.
Here, I would also like to make a most sincere yet stern appeal to the Legislative Yuan: Please immediately withdraw these controversial bills that harm the nation and violate the spirit of the Constitution.
In this new constitutional situation, I want to reiterate that I am willing to deliver a state of the nation address to the Legislative Yuan in accordance with the provisions of Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution and the constitutional method stipulated by the Constitutional Court.
My fellow citizens, we cannot allow our hard-won constitutional democracy to be destroyed, our hard-earned reforms to be reversed, or our fiscal discipline to be ruined. This is not for the benefit of any political party, but for the very survival of Taiwan, and for the future of our children and grandchildren.
To defend the constitutional order is to defend democratic Taiwan; to maintain fiscal discipline is to maintain the lifeline of the nation.
I want to invite all citizens to join me in holding this line of defense. Let us all work together for national development, so that Taiwan can continue to move forward proudly on the world stage.
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Correctional Services Department today announced the full implementation of the Video Visit e-Booking Service, which offers an additional way of paying visits to persons in custody (PICs).

The department introduced a trial run of the video visit service at different correctional institutions in phases from November 11, and received a positive response.

Starting from today, declared PIC visitors can make bookings for video visits through the department’s General Visit e-Services Platform. This service is open only to declared PIC visitors who have a registered account on the platform.

Visitors can make bookings for the next seven days at any of the five Multi-purpose Family & Rehabilitation Service Centres in Mong Kok, Shau Kei Wan, Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun and Sha Tin, or at the Lai Chi Kok Video Visit Centre.

They can also use an e-ordering service to buy approved “hand-in” articles for prisoners, meaning they do not have to physically visit shops or carry items into correctional institutions themselves.

The CSD added that the video visit service aims to bring convenience to the public, and that visitors can still visit correctional institutions in person according to their needs.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Education Bureau issued a circular today to all public sector schools and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools to announce the launch of the “AI for Empowering Learning & Teaching Funding Programme”.

The programme will support primary and secondary schools in utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance learning and teaching.

In his 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed to step up efforts to promote digital education in primary and secondary schools, and announced that the Education Bureau had set aside $2 billion from the Quality Education Fund to advance support measures put forward by the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education.

Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education and Under Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai said: “Within the $2 billion earmarked under the Quality Education Fund, the Education Bureau allocates approximately $500 million to launch the three-year programme starting from this school year. Schools can flexibly utilise the funding to initiate and promote school-based programmes that use AI to empower education, catering for their specific circumstances and developmental needs.”

Successful school applicants will receive one-off funding of $500,000. These schools can then use the funding to purchase, subscribe to, or lease AI-powered devices and services that facilitate AI-assisted teaching, and to subsidise students’ participation in activities that enhance their AI literacy and skills.

Applications will be accepted from today. Generally, schools will receive block funding of $500,000 on or before June 30 next year. They can use the funding from the 2025-26 school year to the 2027-28 school year, until August 31, 2028.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today it strongly opposes malicious attacks, false statements and smears against the Hong Kong SAR made by the US and other western countries, as well as anti-China media, organisations and politicians, following the conviction of Lai Chee-ying.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed the court’s judgment was made strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, and that biased statements and malicious smears relating to the case disregard the rule of law. It added that such statements and smears reflect that the national security risks faced by the city are real.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that external forces showed no respect towards the court’s independent judgment of the case, which was made on the basis of facts and evidence, and refused to acknowledge the evidence against Mr Lai and the rationale for the verdict. Such forces chose to let politics trump the law by slandering and attacking the Hong Kong SAR Government, confounding right and wrong, it added.

The statement highlighted that the court’s verdict clearly stated that Mr Lai was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. It said the 855-page document explaining the reasons for court’s conviction of Mr Lai and three defendant companies, and outlining its analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, is fully open to the public.

The court found that Lai’s only intent, whether before or after the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China, even at the sacrifice of the interests of the people of Hong Kong and China.

The statement also outlined that the court found that written articles under consideration were objectively seditious and written with a view to bringing the Hong Kong SAR Government into hatred and contempt and to exciting disaffection against it.

The court also found that Lai consciously used Apple Daily and his personal influence to carry out a consistent campaign to undermine the legitimacy or authority of the Central People’s Government and the Hong Kong SAR Government and harm the relations between them and with the people of Hong Kong.

The statement said that various countries, as well as anti-China media, organisations and politicians, attempted to smear the Hong Kong SAR Government and Hong Kong SAR courts by alleging political persecution against Lai, while choosing to ignore the reality that the court’s conviction was well-founded, reasoned, and made strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference or political considerations.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also stressed that Lai’s case had nothing to do with freedom of the press.

It said that some media organisations, and organisations that claim to represent journalists, have conflated criminal acts in this case with freedom of the press, with the purpose of misleading the public and defaming the Hong Kong SAR’s human rights and rule of law.

It added that, over the years, the defendants used journalism as a guise to commit acts that brought harm to Hong Kong and the country, with the court proceedings revealing Lai’s hands-on control of the editorial direction of Apple Daily and his repeated and personal collusion with foreign forces, whom he begged for sanctions and hostile actions against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government.

The statement iterated that Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

It outlined that the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. It said the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civic & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to the Hong Kong SAR, including freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of publication, are protected in accordance with the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also emphasised that, just as in other places in the world, journalists in Hong Kong, like all other citizens, have an obligation to abide by the law.

It highlighted that according to the principles established by Article 19 of the ICCPR, the European Convention on Human Rights, and other relevant jurisprudence, when the media and journalists publish opinions, information and articles, they must observe and discharge “special duties and responsibilities”, including protection of national security and public order. It said that journalists must, in accordance with the tenets of “responsible journalism”, act in good faith on an accurate factual basis and provide reliable and precise information, so as to be entitled to the protection of freedom of speech.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also reiterated that Lai Chee-ying used his media outlet, Apple Daily, to wantonly create social conflict, incite social antagonism, incite hatred, glorify violence and openly beg for foreign sanctions against China and the Hong Kong SAR. It said he had harmed the fundamental interests of the country and the well-being of the people of Hong Kong through actions that were shameful and malicious.

The statement added that righteousness has been upheld by the law and the core values of Hong Kong safeguarded by the court’s verdict. It said the law never allows anyone, regardless of profession or background, to harm their country and compatriots under the guise of human rights, democracy, and freedom.

The Hong Kong SAR said it has a responsibility to safeguard national security, and will continue to resolutely combat acts and activities endangering national security, and to ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced so as to bring offenders to account.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The building was not just a key landmark in that era; its architectural integrity allowed the main structure to survive the Taipei Air Raid of May 1945, despite serious damage to its front left side. After repairs, the building continued to serve as the seat of political power in Taiwan. In 1946, to celebrate the 60th birthday of then-President Chiang Kai-shek, it underwent an extensive renovation and was renamed Chieh Shou Hall (“Chieh Shou” means “Long live Chiang Kai­-shek” in Mandarin).
The Office of the Governor-General was built in a late-Renaissance style that was influenced by the English architect Norman Shaw and is sometimes referred to as “the Tatsuno specifications.” The facade consists of many classical elements, including colonnades, gables, arched windows, oeil-de-boeuf windows, brackets, Roman columns, and compound columns.
The Republic of China was founded on the principles of democracy and freedom. After trials and challenges, these values ultimately took root and have flourished in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. Today, the 23 million people of the country serve as the navigators of this “Ark of Democracy,” collectively guiding the nation forward with stability and purpose.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Government announced today that it has disbursed a special subsidy of $20,000 to 110 foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) employed there. Separately, $200,000 tokens of solidarity of and funeral grants of $50,000 have been offered to the families of each deceased FDH, whilst injury grants of $50,000 or $100,000 have also been given out to injured FDHs.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Department has made special arrangements for FDHs whose employers are unable to continue their employment contracts due to the Tai Po blaze. The helpers concerned will be allowed to remain in Hong Kong for three months as visitors, extendable if necessary, in order to seek new employers without having to return to their places of origin first. The Immigration Department will also waive the fees for their extension of stay.

As of this morning, 1,336 residents had been accommodated, through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, in youth hostels, camps, or hotel rooms. Another 3,247 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society, or at Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

The Government remarked that there is still an abundant supply of more than 1,000 units for longer term accommodation for those affected by the fire. Transitional housing and Hong Kong Housing Society projects in different districts can altogether provide around 400 units at the moment. In addition, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can provide around 900 units.

As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.4 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, the fund now totals around $3.7 billion.

On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 1,800 registrations have been received. About 23,000 donated items, covering various categories, have been distributed.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government yesterday (December 15) expressed strong dissatisfaction with and opposition to the United States (US) and western countries, anti-China media, organisations and politicians for their malicious attacks, false statements, and smears against the HKSAR which totally disregarded the rule of law, following the court’s conviction judgment in Lai Chee-ying’s case, which was made strictly in accordance with the law and evidence.

     A HKSAR Government spokesperson said, “these biased statements and malicious smears from external forces precisely reflect that the national security risks we face are real. External forces showed no respect in the HKSAR court’s independent judgment of the case, which had been made on the basis of facts and evidence. They also refused to acknowledge the evidence set out in the reasons for verdict, and refused to understand the court’s considerations and rationale for the verdict. Instead, they wantonly launched attacks, slandered and attacked the HKSAR Government, which was clearly a case of politics trumping the law. With the external forces distorting facts and confounding right and wrong, their malicious intentions are clearly revealed. We must sternly denounce their wrongdoings to set the record straight.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following are the remarks made by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session on the Lai Chee-ying case this afternoon (December 15):

Reporter: Firstly, regarding the verdict of this case, does this mean the cases surrounding Apple Daily have officially concluded and there will be no more prosecution in this regard? Secondly, regarding this case attracting heavy international media and political attention, are you worried that this verdict will draw further international sanctions towards Hong Kong, particularly from US President Donald Trump? Thank you.

Secretary for Security: First of all, I do not comment on individual suspects or organisations. For whatever criminal cases, including those relating to national security, if we have evidence, we will arrest (those suspects). If we have sufficient evidence, we will prosecute (suspects). No one is above the law. Regarding the international concerns of this case, I think a lot of foreign consulate staff attending the trial throughout are the witnesses of how open and fair this trial is.

I think this illustrates these kinds of activities, happening in any country, if someone uses the media to try to overturn a regime, I think this is not bearable by every government. I think this case illustrates how safe Hong Kong is and how we are able to interdict all the national security concerns and all the attempts to affect the national security. I think this is a good showcase to show that Hong Kong is safe and it is safe to do investments in Hong Kong.

Reporter: How do you make sure today’s verdict does not affect freedom of the press in Hong Kong?

Secretary for Security: First of all, the verdict states very clearly that this is nothing to do with the freedom of press in this case. It is solely because of Lai Chee-ying’s utilising of Apple Daily as a platform to advocate his hatred against the Government and his plot to try to overturn our CPG’s (Central People’s Government) regime.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)