Month: January 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Police announced today that the identification and forensic examination of remains from the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire have been completed, with a total of 168 deceased persons confirmed.

A fireman, two interior decorators, five construction workers, nine Indonesian domestic helpers and one Filipina domestic helper were among the deceased which comprised 58 males and 110 females, aged between six months and 98. Four of them were certified dead after being taken to hospital, while the remains of the other 164 were recovered at the scene.

All bereaved families have been notified of the confirmed identities of the deceased, and all remains recovered in the incident have been positively identified, leaving no unidentified remains outstanding.

Additionally, all enquiries regarding the Wang Fuk Court fire received by the Casualty Enquiry Unit have been verified, with no missing persons unaccounted for.

Police continue to probe the fire, with a death investigation report to be submitted to the coroner, who will then review it and decide whether an inquest should be held.

Should a hearing be convened, Police will submit the deceased individual’s particulars to the court. These particulars will not be disclosed at this stage to respect the wishes of the grieving relatives.

Call the Police casualty enquiry hotline at 1878 999 for enquiries.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty made by PRC foreign minister in Africa

January 12, 2026  

During a visit to Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Lesotho from January 8 to 11, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi ignored objective historical facts as he restated the so-called “one China principle” and spread distortions and falsehoods that seriously infringed upon the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan).  

Meanwhile, the foreign minister of Somalia, speaking with Wang by telephone, made the erroneous claim that the Taiwan issue was entirely an internal matter of the People’s Republic of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protests and condemns these statements and expresses deep regret that countries are taking untenable positions to curry favor with China.

MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign, independent nation. Any claim that makes Taiwan subject to another country based on false narratives is unacceptable. China continues to use threats, enticements, and rhetoric to spread disinformation in the international sphere, which constitutes a challenge to the international order and to peace. All nations should pay close attention to such a flagrant example of authoritarian interference in the affairs of other countries. 

The ROC (Taiwan) has long made efforts to assist the development of like-minded African nations in the areas of education, medicine, and infrastructure, in which it has enjoyed considerable success. MOFA calls on other nations to hold to the principles of independence, sovereignty, and rational thinking when they promote exchanges and cooperation. This is a long-term strategy that leads to national and public well-being. The ROC (Taiwan) is willing to continue to deepen friendly collaboration with all like-minded African nations that respect its sovereign equality and uphold the principle of mutually beneficial ties so as to promote the welfare of their peoples and societies.

Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan. Only they can decide Taiwan’s future. As a force for good in the international community, Taiwan will continue to defend the values of freedom and democracy and uphold the nation’s sovereignty. MOFA calls on like-minded nations that respect democratic values to work with it to curb authoritarian expansionism, and welcomes joint efforts to make further contributions to the sustainable development of Africa and the international community. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department said today that it registered 12 lease modifications and two land exchanges in the Land Registry during the quarter ending last month, adding that two of the former were technical changes that did not involve premiums.

Among the 14 land transactions registered, three involved locations on Hong Kong Island, six were in Kowloon and five in the New Territories.

During the period, one other lot was granted by private treaty for an electricity substation in Kwun Tong.

The land transactions registered realised a total land premium of about $3.57 billion.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for November 2025 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (January 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

     In November 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 15.4% and 15.1% respectively over November 2024.      
     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region