Month: March 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     According to the statistics on persons engaged and vacancies released today (March 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), total number of persons engaged in the private sector surveyed decreased by 0.2% or 5 800 persons in December 2025 compared with a year earlier. The total number of vacancies was 46 000, representing a decrease of 21% or 12 410 over the preceding year.

Persons engaged statistics”Quarterly Report of Persons Engaged and Vacancies Statistics, December 2025″
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050003&scode=452″Quarterly Report of Manual Workers and Vacancies at Construction Sites, December 2025″
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050004&scode=452

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (March 20) the preliminary Balance of Payments (BoP), International Investment Position (IIP) and External Debt (ED) statistics of Hong Kong for the fourth quarter of 2025 and the whole year of 2025.

I. Balance of Payments

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Overall consumer prices rose 1.7% year on year in February, a larger increase than the 1.1% year-to-year rise recorded in January, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.6% in February, also larger than that seen in the previous month.

The Government attributed the increase mainly to higher charges for package tours and inbound and outbound transport fares during the Chinese New Year. The different timing of the festival – falling in January 2025 – also resulted in a lower base of comparison for February 2025.

Compared with January 2025, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in the following categories: miscellaneous services; transport; electricity, gas and water; miscellaneous goods; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; housing; meals out and takeaway food; and basic food.

Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were logged for clothing and footwear as well as durable goods.

The Government said that consumer price inflation stayed modest in early 2026, with price pressures on various major components remaining broadly in check.

Taking January and February together to remove the distortions caused by the different timing of the Chinese New Year in 2025 and 2026, the underlying composite consumer price index rose 1.3% from a year earlier, slightly higher than the 1.2% increase recorded in December.

However, as international oil prices have surged since the end of February amid heightened geopolitical tensions, import price pressures for specific fuel-related items have risen. The Government stated it is monitoring external developments closely and stands ready to respond as appropriate to safeguard price stability.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Invest Hong Kong announced the launch of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global’s thematic website today.

The website offers one-stop information and professional support for Mainland enterprises seeking to expand into overseas markets via Hong Kong and aims to assist them in making effective use of the city’s various international advantages in planning and implementing their go-global strategies and exploring new opportunities.

It also consolidates key information for Mainland enterprises going global, including the GoGlobal Task Force’s member list and support services; promotional events held by the Task Force on the Mainland and in Hong Kong; success stories of Mainland enterprises going global via Hong Kong; practical resources; and the first phase of the cross-sector professional services platform launched on the same day by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

As one of the new measures announced in the 2026-27 Budget, the platform brings together service providers from Hong Kong in eight major sectors – finance, legal, accounting, branding and marketing, logistics, communication technology, infrastructure and real estate, and testing and certification.

The platform will match Mainland enterprises with suitable Hong Kong service providers, offering one-stop professional support for their global expansion.

The list of service providers on the platform incorporates professional opinions from the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global led by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, relevant members of the GoGlobal Task Force, professional bodies and industry organisations. It will be regularly updated as needed.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said that the cross-bureau, cross-departmental and cross-organisation GoGlobal Task Force, launched in October last year, serves as a one-stop platform and the best partner for Mainland enterprises to go global.

“We encourage Mainland enterprises to make good use of Hong Kong’s international advantages in finance, trade, professional services, innovation and technology, and talent to assist them in expanding their business in the global market,” Mr Yau said.

Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan remarked that the Department of Justice (DoJ) earlier released the inaugural edition of the “Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global” (bilingual in Chinese and English), which is available on the DoJ website.

The DoJ will prepare a list of Hong Kong legal professional services providers with detailed classifications of practice areas and publish the list on the GoGlobal Task Force’s thematic website, leveraging its one-stop service platform advantages to provide enterprises with comprehensive and accurate information.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department announced today that starting next Monday, Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks will provide expanded self-service options for Hong Kong identity card and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport replacements. The kiosks are located at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O.

From next Monday, the kiosks will accept replacement applications for lost identity cards from eligible persons aged 18 or above. No prior appointment is required.

The service will also extend to eligible Hong Kong SAR passport applicants aged 18 or above seeking replacements due to loss, damage, defacement or unavailability. These applicants may also use the kiosks without a booking.

Call 2824 6111 for enquiries.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai presides over seventh meeting of Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee
On the afternoon of March 19, President Lai Ching-te presided over the seventh meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. President Lai stated that this month marks the 30th anniversary of the institution of direct presidential elections in Taiwan. Over that time, he said, Taiwan has progressed further and further, its democracy has grown increasingly resilient, and the nation has become an indispensable partner to the world. The president stated that as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s military ambitions keep growing, Taiwan must maintain peace through strength, and build strength through resilience. He indicated that the government has drawn up a proposal for an eight-year, NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget to protect our national security and spur an upgrading of our industries, but to accomplish this urgent work, a special act must be passed in the Legislative Yuan as soon as possible. The president expressed hope that the ruling and opposition parties will work together to move further ahead with national development. He emphasized that with the idea that “the more prepared we are, the safer we will be” at its core, the government will continue to boost whole-of-society defense resilience and lay a more solid foundation for a safer and more stable Taiwan.
A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows:
Today, we are convening the seventh meeting of the Office of the President Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. This is the first time that the committee is meeting since the 2026 Lunar New Year.
Last year, Taiwan faced earthquakes and typhoons, and was struck by the especially serious Fata’an Creek barrier lake disaster. Besides working together to rebuild our homes and communities, we must also continue enhancing our whole-of-society defense resilience in order to increase Taiwan’s disaster preparedness and capacity for providing humanitarian aid.
In addition, Taiwan is a technology powerhouse whose capabilities in drones and other applications can serve as a key bridge for international cooperation.
Taiwan is willing and able to contribute even more to regional peace and prosperity through deepened exchanges and cooperation with other countries.
This month marks the 30th anniversary of the institution of direct presidential elections in Taiwan. This occasion reminds us that Taiwan’s democracy is quite young, and also reminds us how Taiwan, amidst the most challenging circumstances, built a democratic system of government that is now acclaimed the world over.
In 1996, as the people of Taiwan were preparing to take that key step in our transition to democracy by casting their votes in a direct presidential election, the CCP threatened us by conducting large-scale military exercises and missile tests. But the people of Taiwan did not back down. On the contrary, the voter turnout rate exceeded 76 percent for an election that marked an important milestone in our transition to democracy.
Over the past 30 years, Taiwan has progressed further and further, and our democracy has grown increasingly resilient. We have become an indispensable partner to the world. But what has not changed is the military ambitions of the CCP toward Taiwan. They have not abandoned their ambitions; on the contrary, those ambitions just keep growing. Taiwan must maintain peace through strength, and build strength through resilience. This is the way to defend the status quo and prevent disruption of the regional order.
To strengthen our national defense, the government has drawn up a proposal for an eight-year, NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget. This will be used to build the T-Dome, adopt AI as a means of improving our response capabilities, and develop our indigenous defense industries. Such measures will protect our national security, and can spur an upgrading of our industries.
The special defense budget has support from over 60 percent of the public across parties, and has been highly praised in the international community. However, to accomplish this urgent work, a special act must be passed in the Legislative Yuan as soon as possible.
I want to reiterate that we only have a nation insofar as we have sovereignty, and we only have peace insofar as we have strength. We cannot achieve these tasks unless the ruling and opposition parties work together. Political parties can compete, but with regard to matters of national defense – which have a bearing on national security, sovereignty, and our very survival – we need to maintain solidarity and show the world we stand together.
I hope that the ruling and opposition parties can set aside their prejudices and work together. That is the only way to achieve maximum well-being for our society and our people, and the only way to move further ahead with national development.
I also want to emphasize that the CCP’s military preparations are for the purpose of fulfilling its goals for authoritarian expansion. Our preparations, in contrast, are for the purpose of defending the peaceful status quo and ensuring our continued survival.
In vigorously pursuing the goal of whole-of-society defense resilience, our government seeks to gather together the power of the people and enable Taiwan to adopt peace as a core value, adopt democracy as a shared conviction, embrace freedom as a way of life, and demonstrate an unyielding determination to accelerate preparatory efforts in every part of society.
In today’s meeting, the Ministry of the Interior will brief the public on our plans to build regional disaster relief corridors through international collaboration, and the Executive Yuan will report on plans to enhance the readiness of our Central Joint Emergency Operation Center (CJEOC) to respond to extreme geopolitical risks. The National Security Council (NSC) will then report on the 2026 Urban Resilience Exercises scheduled to begin in April across 11 counties and cities. With this, we aim to impress upon our citizens that “the more prepared we are, the safer we will be,” which is the government’s core objective in pursuing whole-of-society defense resilience.
Finally, I want to again thank all the advisors and committee members, as well as our nation’s citizens, for all they have done to build a safer and more resilient Taiwan. We are able to progress with this work and implement one goal after another precisely because all of you are working hard together. We have laid a more solid foundation for a safer and more stable Taiwan.
Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on the progress of items listed in the sixth committee meeting and a report on building regional disaster relief corridors through international whole-of-society defense resilience collaboration by Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳), who also serves as one of the committee’s executive secretaries; a report on the current preparations and promotion of the 2026 Urban Resilience Exercises by NSC Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆), who also serves as the committee’s deputy executive secretary; and a report on the CJEOC’s planned drills for the 2026 Urban Resilience Exercises by Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan Chi Lien-cheng (季連成), who also serves as one of the committee’s executive secretaries. Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets St. Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister St. Claire Leacock
On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Disaster Management, and Immigration of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines St. Claire Leacock and his wife. In remarks, President Lai stated that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that over the years, the two have genuinely supported each other in weathering all kinds of challenges. The president said that Taiwan is honored to be St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ staunch partner in such fields as medicine, public health, agriculture, education, and information and communications technology (ICT), and that the two have built a comprehensive partnership. President Lai expressed hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to deepen and broaden their diplomatic relations with the support of the new government.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
First, I extend a warm welcome to Deputy Prime Minister Leacock, Madame Leacock, and our esteemed guests. This is the first delegation to visit Taiwan from St. Vincent and the Grenadines since its new government was formed at the end of last year. We truly appreciate the importance your government places on our nations’ diplomatic ties. I would also ask that Deputy Prime Minister Leacock convey to Prime Minister Godwin Friday best wishes from Taiwan.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Over the years, we have genuinely supported each other in weathering all kinds of challenges. This deep friendship reminds me of your world-famous Caribbean rum, which gets better and better with age. Taiwan is honored to be St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ staunch partner in such fields as medicine, public health, agriculture, education, and ICT. Together, we have built a comprehensive partnership. We look forward to continuing to deepen and broaden our diplomatic relations with the support of your new government.
In education, Taiwan will continue to build bridges of friendship between our nations’ youth through such programs as the Taiwan Scholarship and the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative and its Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track. In this way, the deep friendship we enjoy can be passed on from generation to generation. In terms of international exchanges, Taiwan is willing and able to contribute even more to the world. We look forward to St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ continued backing of Taiwan’s international participation. This will allow our countries to mutually support each other on the world stage as we join hands to tackle global issues.
In closing, I once again welcome all our distinguished guests to Taiwan. I understand that this is the entire group’s first time here. We hope that through this trip, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan. I have every confidence that going forward, we will continue to make friendship our bridge and collaboration our driving force as we mutually advance prosperity and development. I wish you all a fruitful and successful visit.
Deputy Prime Minister Leacock then delivered remarks, first extending greetings from new Governor General Stanley John, Prime Minister Friday, and Speaker of the House Ronnia Durham-Balcombe. He went on to say that the relationship between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines goes beyond political friendship, as over 45 years we have sustained a fraternal relationship as that of a family.
The deputy prime minister indicated that before their visit, Prime Minister Friday had instructed the delegation to ensure that the bilateral relations we have constructed over many years continue to grow. Deputy Prime Minister Leacock also noted Taiwan’s success in helping their nation in education, agriculture, and social services, as well as in the construction of a new hospital, and expressed hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will work together to continue building bridges across both economic landscapes and social terrain to benefit both our peoples.
Deputy Prime Minister Leacock stated that Taiwan more than earns its keep in its contribution to humanity and to global peace and security, and that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to speak up at international forums and stand shoulder to shoulder with Taiwan. He expressed confidence that our diplomatic relationship will continue to grow, and stated that in the way we hold hands, we will signal to the world that two island communities can, by themselves, make a difference to the world and to humanity.
The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by St. Vincent and the Grenadines designated Ambassador Kenton X. Chance and his wife.