Month: March 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region made the 2026 Implementation Rules for Amending the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the National Security Law.

Exercising the power conferred under Article 43 of the law, the Chief Executive and the Committee introduced amendments to refine the enforcement of measures related to safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The amendments were published in the Gazette and took effect today.

Under Article 43, law enforcement authorities investigating national security offences may apply measures used for serious crimes under existing laws, as well as specific measures stipulated in the article.

The article also authorises the Chief Executive in conjunction with the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, to make implementation rules for such measures. The original rules were first enacted on July 7, 2020.

The Government stated that the amendments published today draw on the experience gained safeguarding national security and will help enhance the city’s enforcement capabilities.

Citing a complex and volatile geopolitical climate, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it must remain vigilant and fulfill its constitutional duty to continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security.

The Government stressed that the amendment rules conform with both the Basic Law and the National Security Law. It noted that the amendments incorporate judicial oversight to ensure that while national security threats are effectively prevented and punished, the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organisations are fully protected.

The Government assured that the amendment rules will not affect the lives of the public or the normal operation of organisations, as the offences are clearly defined.

A joint meeting of the Legislative Council’s Panel on Administration of Justice & Legal Services and the Panel on Security has been proposed for tomorrow. Representatives from the Security Bureau and the Department of Justice will brief lawmakers on the amendments. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

On the last day of his visit to Beijing, Financial Secretary Paul Chan co-chaired the eighth meeting of the Mainland & Hong Kong Economic & Trade Co-operation Committee with Assistant Minister of Commerce Yuan Xiaoming.

Marking the committee’s first physical meeting in the capital, the session reviewed progress in the economic and trade sectors and mapped out future co-operation.

Discussion focused on implementing the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and jointly advancing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Members also explored ways to support Hong Kong’s participation in the Belt & Road Initiative and regional economic collaboration.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau and Commissioner for Belt & Road Nicholas Ho also attended the meeting.

Mr Chan returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The New Taipei City Council delegation led by Speaker Chiang Ken-huang and a municipal team led by Mayor Hou Yu-ih met in Sydney during their visit to Australia. In addition to engaging with the Taiwanese community, the delegations, with the assistance of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney (TECO Sydney), jointly visited the Parliament of New South Wales to further strengthen bilateral exchanges.
During the visit, the New Taipei City Government delegation conducted exchanges on a wide range of municipal initiatives, including water resources management, policing, tourism, and healthcare. Both sides expressed their commitment to advancing municipal and parliamentary cooperation between Taiwan and Australia, with the aim of delivering greater policy benefits to their respective peoples.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General Wu Cheng-wei attended a meeting of the Sydney National Day Celebration Committee, witnessing the handover between the outgoing and incoming conveners for the upcoming celebrations. During the event, sincere appreciation was extended to Mr. Michael Wu, Convener of the 114th ROC National Day Celebration Committee, and his team for their outstanding contributions and dedicated efforts. Their work elevated the Double Ten National Day Gala in Sydney to a historic new height, strengthening community cohesion and encouraging greater participation from the younger generation.
At the meeting, Ms. Kathy Sieh, President of the Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association, was selected as Convener of the 115th National Day Celebration Committee. Building on the strong foundation laid by previous conveners, the Taiwanese community in Sydney looks forward to another successful and vibrant series of Double Ten National Day celebrations this year.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that the concessionary fare under the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly & Eligible Persons with Disabilities, or the $2 Scheme, will be adjusted to a “$2 flat rate or 80% discount” starting April 3.

Under the new arrangement, beneficiaries will continue to pay $2 for trips with an adult fare of $10 or less. For trips with an adult fare above $10, beneficiaries will pay 80% less than the full fare. The adjustment also applies to interchange journeys.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the $2 Scheme aims to build a caring and inclusive society by encouraging the elderly and eligible persons with disabilities to participate more in community activities.

“The ‘$2 flat rate or 80% discount’ adjustment preserves the policy intent of the scheme while striking a balance between enhancing the sustainability of the scheme and minimising impacts on beneficiaries,” he added.

Speaking to the media, Mr Sun said that the new arrangement is expected to save $550 million in public funds annually.

The Government said that the targeted beneficiaries of the $2 Scheme remain unchanged. Eligible beneficiaries can continue to enjoy the concessions using a JoyYou Card or a Personalised Octopus with a valid “Persons with Disabilities Status”.

To ensure the public is well-informed of the new arrangement, the Government will launch a series of promotional activities.

These include Announcements in the Public Interest on television and radio, displaying posters and distributing leaflets at major public transportation networks and through district networks that provide services for the elderly and persons with disabilities, as well as displaying advertisements on public transport.

The Labour & Welfare Bureau will also hold two briefing sessions today for members of the 18 District Councils and District Services & Community Care Teams to explain the changes.

The Government will also deploy service ambassadors at MTR stations and public transport interchanges from April 3 to assist the public and answer their enquiries.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

News & activities

News releases

2026-03-20

Presidential Office thanks US and Japan for commitment to peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

Following the meeting held on March 19 (US EST) between United States President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during which they expressed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and their opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo , Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) stated on March 20 that the government of Taiwan sincerely welcomes the meeting and appreciates the key consensus reached on strengthening the US-Japan alliance  and the security of the Indo-Pacific region. Spokesperson Kuo said that the US and Japan once again reaffirmed that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are indispensable to regional security and global prosperity. She also noted that their shared opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion reflects a high degree of consensus within the international community.
Spokesperson Kuo stated that our government will continue to adhere to the principle of peace through strength and that Taiwan remains committed to enhancing its self-defense capabilities and bolstering whole-of-society defense resilience. She also stated that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and ensure regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hongkong Post today announced that principal postage rates will be adjusted starting April 13.

Postage for sending a local letter weighing 30g or less will rise from $2.20 to $2.40.

Airmail postage for letters weighing 20g or less to the Mainland and Taiwan will increase from $3.70 to $3.90. For other destinations, rates will rise from the current range of $4-$5.50 to $4.20-$5.80.

For surface mail weighing 20g or less, postage to the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan will increase from $2.80 to $3. Rates for other destinations will be adjusted from the current $3.50-$5.30 range to $3.70-$5.60.

Hongkong Post said the adjustments are necessary to offset rising operating costs, particularly increases in conveyance costs and terminal dues payments. It added that the new rates are broadly in line with cumulative inflation since the last adjustments in September 2022.

Hongkong post noted that the postage increases for over 90% of local and surface mail will be within $0.20, while those for 90% of airmail will be within $0.50. It added that the adjustments are expected to have a very mild impact on the general public and commercial sectors.

Source: Government of Singapore

23 March 2026 – Singapore has broken several rainfall and temperature records in 2025, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore’s (MSS) 2025 Annual Climate Assessment Report [1], which covers the year’s climate conditions and notable weather events. This report has been published in conjunction with World Meteorological Day and features the latest coverage of Singapore’s heat stress monitoring network, in line with the theme “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow”.

Singapore’s 2025 Climate Overview 

2.       2025 began with wet and cool weather from January to March due to La Niña [2] conditions and Northeast Monsoon surges, which brought Singapore its wettest March on record. The above-average rainfall in the early months made 2025 Singapore’s 7th wettest year since 1980. However, the weather pattern shifted from May onwards, with Singapore experiencing its warmest June and November on record. Despite La Niña’s cooling influence, 2025 still ranked among Singapore’s top 10 warmest years.

Temperature

3.        Singapore’s average temperature [3] in 2025 was 28.1 degrees Celsius, making it the joint 8th warmest year on record alongside 2010 and 2002, despite La Niña conditions. This reflects the influence of the ongoing long-term warming trend globally and Singapore. Singapore’s annual mean temperature has risen by 0.24 degrees Celsius per decade since 1984.

4.         Several temperature records were matched or broken in 2025. June 2025 was Singapore’s warmest June since 1929, tied with 1997. November saw multiple temperature records broken, including the highest-ever November temperature of 36.0 degrees Celsius recorded at Newton on 1 November during an exceptionally warm and dry period. November was also Singapore’s warmest November since 1929. 

Heat Stress

5.         Singapore recorded its highest heat stress reading ever when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reached 35.0 degrees Celsius at Palawan Green (Sentosa) on 31 October. 

6.         To enhance monitoring capabilities, MSS expanded its heat stress monitoring network by adding seven new stations in 2025 and a further five stations in January 2026, bringing the total to 20 operational stations across Singapore today. Singapore experienced 29 days of high heat stress [4] in 2025. September and October had the most such days for those months since 2018, partly due to improved detection from our expanded network.

Rainfall

7.        2025 was the 7th wettest year since 1980, with annual total rainfall [5] of 2984.9mm, 18 per cent above the long-term average. Three monsoon surges brought exceptionally wet conditions early in the year. March 2025 was the wettest March on record, with islandwide average rainfall of 482.9mm – 130 per cent above the month’s long-term average. The climate station’s monthly total rainfall of 550.1mm broke the previous March record of 528.3mm set in 1913. 

8.        Singapore’s rainfall is increasing, with annual total rainfall increasing by 92.5mm per decade from 1980 to 2025. Over the same period, Singapore experienced more rain on wet days [6], indicating heavier downpours when it rains. In 2025, the average rainfall on wet days was 13.8mm, the second highest on record, after 2021 (14.4 mm/day). 

Notable Weather Events in 2025

Strengthening Singapore’s Climate Resilience 

12.        Despite temporary cooling by La Niña in 2025, the warming trend continues both globally and in Singapore. Rising temperatures and related extreme weather events highlight the importance of climate adaptation. Singapore is strengthening its climate preparedness with Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE)’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation and the launch of the nation’s first National Adaptation Plan in 2027, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a climate-resilient Singapore.

[6] A day is considered a wet day when the daily rainfall averaged across islandwide stations ≥ 1 mm.

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Table 2: Summary of record-matching and record-breaking (in bold) temperatures and rainfall across all other stations in 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing and spoke at a symposium at the forum titled “Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development”.

Mr Chan attended the forum’s opening session and another symposium in the morning, before addressing the green symposium in the afternoon.

In his remarks, he said that while some countries have withdrawn from international co-operation frameworks, the momentum of the green transition continues to advance. He highlighted that investment in clean energy exceeded US$2.2 trillion in 2025, accounting for about two-thirds of energy investment globally, with China contributing about one-third of the total.

The finance chief emphasised that China is not only a participant in global climate governance, but also a steadfast practitioner and leader, and is making steady progress towards its “3060” dual carbon goals. The country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which sets out a number of binding targets, will embed green development deeply into industrial upgrading efforts and infrastructure development, accelerating a comprehensive green transition across economic and social development.

As a Special Administrative Region of the country, Mr Chan said Hong Kong is firmly advancing towards carbon neutrality. In 2024, the city’s per capita carbon emissions fell to about 4.4 tonnes, roughly one-quarter of the figure in the US, and 60% of that of the European Union.

Looking ahead, the Financial Secretary said Hong Kong will continue to take forward decarbonisation work in four major directions: net-zero electricity generation; energy savings and green buildings; green transport; and waste reduction.

Mr Chan stressed that the Government is committed to contributing “Hong Kong’s strength” to the regional and global green transition by leveraging two core engines, namely green finance and green technology.

Firstly, he explained, Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its role as a regional green finance hub. Secondly, it will proactively develop innovative financial instruments to channel greater funding into green projects. Thirdly, the city will continue to foster a vibrant green technology ecosystem and step up investment in frontier green technologies. It will also support the expansion into overseas markets of green technologies developed in the Mainland.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an to conduct in-depth exchanges on the 15th Five-Year Plan, the national and global economic outlook, and fiscal policies. They also discussed strengthening co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

The meeting was also attended by Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui.

In the evening, Mr Chan attended the Beijing Night of the China Development Forum 2026.