Month: February 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

With the 2026 Lunar New Year approaching, markets across Taiwan are bustling with shoppers stocking up on holiday goods, adding to the festive atmosphere. To ensure accurate measurements and fair transactions, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Friday (Feb. 6) that it has completed pre-holiday inspections of weighing scales. Results show a nationwide pass rate of 99.9%, allowing consumers to shop for New Year supplies with confidence.

The BSMI inspected 14,089 scales at 201 locations nationwide, including traditional markets, large retail outlets, and supermarkets. Of these, 10,488 scales passed, while one scale was found to be noncompliant, labeled “Suspended”, and will remain under follow-up monitoring. Vendors using the unqualified scales may face fines ranging from NT$15,000 to NT$75,000 under The Weights and Measures Act.

The BSMI emphasized its commitment to ongoing vigilance by conducting year-round inspection projects to monitor the accuracy of weighing scales used in transactions. Consumers are encouraged to report any scales that do not bear the verification mark “(Picture as attachment file)” or those they suspect of being inaccurate. Reports can be made by calling the BSMI at 02-23434567. Investigations will be carried out to protect the interests of both buyers and sellers, ensuring a fair and reliable marketplace.

This initiative made by the BSMI not only safeguards consumer rights but also promotes trust and transparency in the market during this significant cultural celebration.

Responsible Division: Metrology Technology Division
Contact Person: Chen, Horng-Lin, Deputy Director
Telephone No.: +886-2343-4585
Email: hl.chen@bsmi.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Buildings Department approved 11 building plans in December, with two on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and five in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, six were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for community services developments, and one was for factory and industrial development.

Consent was given for works to start on four building projects which, when completed, will provide 12,187 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 341 units, and 1,528 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

Additionally, the department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for six building projects.

It also issued 19 occupation permits – five on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 41,983 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 892 units, and 38,154 sq m for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 3,250 reports about unauthorised building works in December and issued 292 removal orders. Two demolition consents were issued.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On February 10, 2026, the Trade Remedy Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) made an affirmative preliminary determination in its injury investigation involving cold-rolled, flat-rolled non-oriented electrical steel products from Korea and China.

The Trade Remedy Commission found that there is a reasonable indication that the domestic cold-rolled, flat-rolled non-oriented electrical steel products industry is materially injured by reason of imports from Korea and China that are alleged to have been sold in Taiwan (ROC) at less than normal value.

Under the jurisdiction set forth in the Regulations Governing the Implementation of Countervailing and Antidumping Duties, the MOEA is in charge of investigation into whether a Taiwan (ROC) industry is injured by reason of imports. As a result of the MOEA’s affirmative preliminary determinations, the Ministry of Finance will continue to conduct a dumping investigation on imports of cold-rolled, flat-rolled non-oriented electrical steel products from Korea and China, and its preliminary determination will be made within 70 days (unless extended) after the day following receipt of notification of the aforementioned determination.

The public version in Chinese of the preliminary injury investigation report will be available after March 10, 2026 on the International Trade Administration’s website https://www.trade.gov.tw/.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) officially announced the “R.O.C. 2026 Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) and Calculation Formulas.” During the public consultation process, the FIT Review Committee evaluated the opinions from stakeholders. Overall, the policy continues to offer incentives for diverse renewable energy installations and promoting the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.

MOEA indicated that the incentives and supporting mechanisms under the 2026 FIT are designed to sustain the momentum of renewable energy development in Taiwan, while certain mechanisms have been introduced or adjusted in response to practical implementation experience in order to further enhance installation incentives.

For solar PV, a repowering mechanism has been newly introduced to encourage the replacement of aging equipment with higher-efficiency products. For conventional geothermal power, given that the domestic commercial model remains at an early stage of development and to ensure financial stability for project operators, the committee decided to maintain the tiered FIT structure. The FIT rates for each category of renewable energy in 2026 are detailed in the attached tables.

MOEA further noted that during the public consultation period, stakeholders raised concerns regarding the FIT classification of floating offshore wind, geothermal capacity thresholds, and the categorization the appropriateness of waste-to-energy FIT rates. MOEA will also continue to collect information and make rolling adjustments in response to market and technological developments.

Finally, MOEA emphasized that the 2026 FIT review process followed a fair, transparent, and rigorous procedure to ensure that the tariffs, together with related incentives and supporting measures, are well aligned with Taiwan’s renewable energy development. Records of the public consultation and FIT Review Committee meetings have been published on the official website (https://gov.tw/Z4K). MOEA will continue to polish the institutional design thereof, so to strengthen the foundation for the steady development of renewable energy in Taiwan.

Spokesperson for Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director-General, Chung-Hsien Chen
Phone: 02-2775-7770
Mobile: 0919-998-339
Email: ctchen2@moeaea.gov.tw

Business Contact (Solar PV, Biomass Energy, Waste to Energy, Small Hydropower): Director, Shih-Wei Liao
Phone: 02-2775-7620
Mobile: 0920-091-081
Email: swliau@moeaea.gov.tw

Business Contact (Wind Power, Marine Energy): Deputy Director, Ju-Min Cheng
Phone:02-2775-7778
Mobile:0952-279-720
Email: jmcheng@moeaea.gov.tw

Business Contact (Geothermal Power): Director, Hsiu-Fen Tsai
Phone: 02-2775-7730
Mobile: 0905-506-258
Email: hftsai@moeaea.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Step into Casa Sierra and discover a space where elderly-friendly design features are everywhere.

More than just a splash of colour, the mailboxes feature high-contrast designs and big numbers specifically crafted for easy reading. Beyond their vibrant appearance, they also hide thoughtful, age-friendly details.

For an elderly resident living on the 8th floor, for instance, a distinct light-blue colour serves as an intuitive guide. Whether they are collecting mail or returning home, these vivid cues let residents know they are in the right place.

With Hong Kong’s population ageing, the Government has been encouraging “ageing in place”. The Development Bureau has joined hands with the Green Building Council and the BEAM Society to launch a voluntary Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme, encouraging the industry to adopt the scheme’s recommended best practices.

Casa Sierra, the Housing Society’s dedicated rehousing estate in Fanling, is the first building project to obtain the certification.

Thoughtful details

Inside the residential units, light switches are installed between 1 to 1.3m above floor level, making them more accessible for the elderly. Bathrooms feature slip-resistant floor finishes. Faucets and doors avoid round knobs, opting for easy-to-use lever-type handles instead.

Housing Society Assistant Director (Project Management) Vincent Wong explained: “This type of handle reduces twisting of the hand, making it more convenient for older people with reduced finger and forearm strength.”

An “integrated care link system” provides a vital link in the event of an emergency.

Age-friendly design is also reflected in public areas. When heading out, elderly residents benefit from lifts equipped with seating and an audio system. Backlit control buttons are installed at specified heights, while major access routes feature minimised thresholds and steps to ensure a smooth, barrier-free journey. Outdoor areas also offer sufficient seating and senior-friendly fitness equipment.

Planning ahead

Mr Wong said the Housing Society incorporated a wide range of elderly-friendly design elements in the planning stage of Casa Sierra, including 15 specific features that adopt the recommended best practices for elderly-friendly building design.

“The Housing Society has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in developing housing for older people. Based on that experience, as well as residents’ habits and feedback, we have continually refined the elderly-friendly design elements in our flats,” he said. “As residents grow older and their physical needs change, a flat that supports day-to-day living can help promote ageing in place.”

Completed last July, the estate is now welcoming new residents. It provides about 1,200 rental and subsidised sale flats, as well as 261 elderly units under the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme.

In addition to the recommended best practices, the Housing Society has added other elderly-friendly features to some flats, such as a storage rack for canes, umbrellas and keys, and extra clothes-drying rails in bathrooms.

Voluntary certification

The Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme applies to both new and existing buildings. Applicants must adopt at least 10 recommended best practices. Once the project passes assessment by the BEAM Society, it is eligible for certification by the Green Building Council. 

Ho Chi-shing, BEAM Society Chief Executive Officer, said the recommended best practices draw on international standards while taking into account Hong Kong’s living environment and the practical needs of older people.

“For instance, many elderly have weaker eyesight, so colours and contrast need to be more distinct to help them differentiate. They are also more prone to falls, so design must consider whether there are sufficient handrails.”

He added that the Beam Society assesses applications based on objective evidence. Applicants should submit layout plans and photos to demonstrate that their applications meet the standards for elderly-friendly building design. Their designs should be practical and made with suitable materials.

To date, the BEAM Society has received applications from five residential projects.

By achieving certification, these developments may meet one of the “specific standards” required for the Buildings Department to grant gross floor area concessions.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the long-term housing arrangements for Wang Fuk Court, offering affected flat owners options including cash acquisition of their titles or a “flat-for-flat” arrangement.

Alternatively, the Government will reserve flats under the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) and the Housing Society’s projects for priority purchase by owners who have sold their titles. New HOS flats will also be constructed at Chung Nga Road West in Tai Po as part of the plan.

Owners are required to confirm their intention by August 31.

At a press conference today, Head of the Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements and Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said the plan was formulated to address the wishes of affected families while balancing empathy, reason and the law, giving priority to empathy.

The plan also embraces the principles of offering diverse choices, providing long-term housing options in Tai Po, and ensuring the efficient use of public resources, he added.

Acquisition of titles

Mr Wong highlighted that the Government will make acquisition offers to all owners of flats in Blocks A to G of Wang Fuk Court, which were affected by the blaze last November. The acquisition price, calculated based on saleable area, is $8,000 per sq ft for flats with premium unpaid, and $10,500 per sq ft for flats with premium paid.

According to an assessment made by the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit, a complete demolition of the seven blocks is considered necessary. While the buildings do not face an immediate risk of structural collapse, the intense fire caused extensive and complex damage, making reasonable and cost-effective repairs unfeasible.

The Government note that given the exceptional nature of this case, which involves 1,736 flats, there is currently no effective market mechanism to address the situation.

It added that through government intervention and the provision of acquisition offers, the long-term housing arrangements for the affected families can be resolved as expeditiously as possible.

Mr Wong said: “The Government’s current acquisition price mainly takes into account that the residents have lost their homes and suffered significant losses. Their difficult circumstances warrant the understanding and support from society.”

“Meanwhile, the scale and impact of the Wang Fuk Court fire are unprecedented in Hong Kong, therefore the arrangement made for this special case of exceptional nature will not serve as a precedent,” he added.

“We also believe that the acquisition price will enable the affected families to relocate and secure long-term housing.”

Special Sales Exercise

Upon selling their titles to the Government, owners may use the money to make their own long-term housing arrangements, or participate in the Special Sales Exercise dedicated to purchasing new subsidised sale flats.

Speaking at today’s press conference, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said the Housing Authority and the Housing Society will reserve 2,400 units across eight existing projects. Additionally, a new HOS project at Chung Nga Road West in Tai Po will provide 1,500 units, bringing the total number of flats available for purchase by owners who have sold their titles to the Government to 3,900.

Flat selection under the Special Sales Exercise will commence in September.

Flat-for-flat arrangement

The long-term housing plan also includes a “flat-for-flat” arrangement, where the Government will issue a Flat-for-Flat Voucher in lieu of cash to owners selling their titles.

This voucher holds the same value as the acquisition amount and will serve as credit for purchasing subsidised sale flats reserved by the Housing Authority or the Housing Society under the Special Sales Exercise. Any price difference will be settled on a “pay more or get refunded” basis.

Wang Chi House

The Government noted that while necessary repairs and management arrangements must be carried out at Wang Chi House (Block H), the building was not affected by the fire. Some owners have expressed a desire to resume long-term residence in their original units.

Mr Wong stated that as Wang Chi House remains habitable and the Government must respect private property rights, further intervention would be difficult. He added that the Government’s plan could only be extended to cover the block if the owners reach a high degree of consensus.

Dedicated engagement team

Ms Ho announced the establishment of a cross-departmental engagement team to support each affected owner throughout the acquisition process.

Co-ordinated by the Housing Bureau, the team comprises more than 100 personnel from the Housing Bureau, the Labour & Welfare Bureau, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, the Security Bureau and the Development Bureau. The team will help owners understand the various housing options, address enquiries and provide guidance based on individual circumstances.

Utilising the “one social worker per household” service for referrals, the engagement team will begin contacting owners directly from early March.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region