Month: April 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Transport Department (TD) today (April 15) said that the next online auction of vehicle registration marks (VRMs) will be held from noon on April 30 (Thursday) to noon on May 4 (Monday) through the auction platform E-Auction (e-auction.td.gov.hk). Interested bidders can participate in the online auction only after they have successfully registered as E-Auction users.

     A spokesman for the TD said, “A total of 220 Ordinary VRMs will be available at this online public auction. The list of VRMs (see Annex) has been uploaded to the E-Auction website. Applicants who have paid a $1,000 deposit to reserve an Ordinary VRM for auction should also register as an E-Auction user in advance in order to participate in the online bidding, including placing the first bid at the opening price of $1,000. Otherwise, the VRMs reserved by them may be bid on by other interested bidders at or above the opening price. Auctions for VRMs with ‘HK’ or ‘XX’ as a prefix, special VRMs and personalised VRMs will continue to be carried out through physical auctions by bidding paddles and their announcement arrangements remain unchanged.”

     Members of the public participating in the online bidding should take note of the following important points:

(1) Bidders should register in advance as an E-Auction user by “iAM Smart+” equipped with the digital signing function; or by using a valid digital certificate and an email address upon completion of identity verification. Registered “iAM Smart” users should provide their Hong Kong identity card number, while non-Hong Kong residents who are not “iAM Smart” users should provide the number of their passport or other identification documents when registering as E-Auction users.
 
(2) Bidders are required to provide a digital signature to confirm the submission and amount of the bid by using “iAM Smart+” or a valid digital certificate at the time of the first bid of each online bidding session (including setting automatic bids before the auction begins) to comply with the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance.
 
(3) If a bid is made in respect of a VRM within the last 10 minutes before the end of the auction, the auction end time for that particular VRM will be automatically extended by another 10 minutes, up to a maximum of 24 hours.
 
(4) Successful bidders must follow the instructions in the notification email issued by the TD to log in to the E-Auction within 48 hours from the issuance of the email and complete the follow-up procedures, including:
 

• completing the Purchaser Information for the issuance of the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark (Memorandum of Sale); and
• making the auction payment online by credit card, Faster Payment System (FPS) or Payment by Phone Service (PPS). Cheque or cash payment is not accepted in the E-Auction.

(5) A VRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. Relevant information on the Certificate of Incorporation must be provided by the successful bidder in the Purchaser Information of the Memorandum of Sale if the VRM purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
 
(6) Successful bidders will receive a notification email around seven working days after payment has been confirmed and can download the Memorandum of Sale from the E-Auction. The purchaser must apply for the VRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser within 12 months from the date of issue of the Memorandum of Sale. If the purchaser fails to do so within the 12-month period, in accordance with the statutory provision, the allocation of the VRM will be cancelled and a new allocation will be arranged by the TD without prior notice to the purchaser.
 
     The TD has informed all applicants who have reserved Ordinary VRMs for this round of auction of the E-Auction arrangements in detail by post. Members of the public may refer to the E-Auction website or watch the tutorial videos for more information. Please call the E-Auction hotline (3583 3980) or email (e-auction-enquiry@td.gov.hk) for enquiries. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (April 15) announced that the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) (non-degree level) in the 2025/26 school year will be open for application from 9am on April 17 to 5pm on April 30. The test will be held on June 7 (Sunday).

The target participants for the test are persons without a bachelor’s degree and planning to join or change to another secondary school, primary school or kindergarten to take up a teaching post. Applications can be made through the online application system on the EDB webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/blnst). Please note that a pass result in the BLNST (non-degree level) is only applicable for applying for non-graduate teaching posts. Those who have already obtained a pass result in the BLNST organised by the EDB, the Civil Service Bureau or recruiting departments/grades will not be accepted to sit the test again.
 
Starting from the 2023/24 school year, all newly appointed teachers in public sector schools, Direct Subsidy Scheme schools and kindergartens joining the Kindergarten Education Scheme (including newly joined teachers and teachers changing schools) are required to pass the BLNST in order to be considered for appointment. The requirement applies to all ranks of the teacher grade including principals. Persons who possess a bachelor’s degree or will have attained a bachelor’s degree in the current or next academic year can apply for the Digitalised BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades). Details are available on the EDB webpage.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present two classical music lecture series from May to July, hosted by seasoned music practitioner Jimmy Shiu. Through appreciating the “24 Caprices” for solo violin by early Romantic period musician and Italian violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, alongside a selection of Romantic piano concertos, the lectures will explore the pursuit of virtuosity among musicians and the musical ingenuity embedded in these works. 

     The first series, “Paganini 24 Caprices”, comprises four lectures. In addition to an overview of Paganini’s life and musical style, the series will delve into his virtuosic masterpiece, “24 Caprices” – a work revered as a cornerstone of the violin repertoire and regarded as a precursor to 19th-century Romanticism. Each lecture will examine the technical demands of individual caprices, with violinist Wang Liang to present live demonstrations of the complete set. Excerpts will be performed at varied tempos and with different interpretive approaches, offering audiences deeper insights into the musical imagination contained in the entire work. ———————————————————————
Lecture 1
Date: May 20 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 1 – 6Date: May 27 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 7 – 12Date: June 3 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 13 – 18Date: June 10 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 19 – 24—————————————————————————-
Lecture 1: Introduction and the Early Romantics 
Date: June 17 (Wednesday) 
Compositions: Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, ‘Emperor'” and Mendelssohn’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor” Date: June 24 (Wednesday) 
Compositions: Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor” and Liszt’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat”Date: July 8 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Schumann’s “Piano Concerto in A minor” and Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A minor”Date: July 15 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor” and “Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat”Date: July 22 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor” and Saint-Saens’ “Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor”Date: July 29 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor” and “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (April 15) that it registered 13 lease modifications and two land exchanges in the Land Registry during the quarter ending March 2026, of which three were modifications of a technical nature involving nil premium.

Among these 15 land transactions, one is located on Hong Kong Island, 10 are in Kowloon and four are in the New Territories. The transactions exclude Small House cases.

A further 10 lots were granted by private treaty during the period. One was granted for the development of the university in Ho Man Tin; one was granted for an electricity substation in Tung Chung; one was granted to Urban Renewal Authority for residential development in Kowloon City, one was granted to the MTR Corporation Limited for residential development in Tuen Mun; and the other six were granted to the Hong Kong Housing Authority for public housing developments.
 
​There were no lot extensions registered during the quarter.

The above land transactions realised a total land premium of about $2,107.2 million.

Transaction records of the lease modifications, land exchanges, private treaty grants and lot extensions, including those registered recently, are uploaded to the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/land-disposal-transaction/land-transaction.html) on a monthly basis. Details of the transactions may be obtained by searching the registered documents in the Land Registry.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

At AutoTronics Taipei 2026, the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) presented the TARC Pavilion, showcasing Taiwan’s advancements in smart mobility and new energy vehicle technologies. Centered on the themes of AI and New Energy, the pavilion brought together 7 research institutes and 28 industry partners to present 10 major R&D achievements, highlighting Taiwan’s expanding role in the global smart vehicle supply chain.

DoIT noted that the convergence of artificial intelligence and new energy powertrains is accelerating transformation in the automotive sector. Leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in ICT, the output value of its automotive electronics industry is projected to exceed NT$600 billion by 2026.

Two flagship innovations attracted significant attention. The first, the AI All-Around Intelligent Cockpit developed by the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), integrates advanced sensing technologies to enhance both in-cabin and external safety. Key features include driver eye-tracking, AI-based physiological monitoring, child presence detection, and an AI-powered exterior sentry system. These functions enable real-time monitoring of driver condition, occupant presence, and surrounding risks, significantly improving driving safety. The technology has already supported 20 Taiwanese companies in expanding into international markets, including North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.

The second highlight was Taiwan’s first 16-ton intercity hydrogen electric bus, developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). Designed to overcome the range and charging limitations of battery electric vehicles in long-distance transport, the bus can be refueled in just 15 minutes and has a driving range of up to 420 kilometers. The project demonstrates strong domestic integration of fuel cell systems, motors, and power control technologies, and is progressing toward UN R134 certification-an important milestone for entering the global hydrogen vehicle market.

Overall, the TARC Pavilion demonstrated Taiwan’s capabilities in integrating R&D, manufacturing, and system validation across the smart vehicle ecosystem. By combining AI innovation, energy transition technologies, and industry collaboration, Taiwan is strengthening its global competitiveness and advancing toward a higher-value position in the future mobility market.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, from January to March 2026, 556 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total approved amount of US$ 6,090,292,000 were recorded. This represents a 17.55% increase in the number of cases, and a 169.99% increase in the FDI amount compared with the same period in 2025.

Regarding inward investment from Mainland China, 3 cases with a total approved amount of US$99,000 were recorded from January to March 2026. This reflects a 50% decrease in the number of cases and a 99.90% decrease in the investment amount compared with the same period in 2025.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 154 projects were registered in March 2026, with a total amount of US$ 32,545,837,000. This represents a 16.30% decrease in the number of cases, but a 166.05% increase in the investment amount, compared with the same period in 2025.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 49 applications were approved in March 2026, marking a 6.52% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The approved investment amount totaled US$ 244,004,000, representing a 28.77% decline compared with the same period in 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Education Bureau announced today that the Basic Law & National Security Law Test (BLNST) (non-degree level) for the 2025-26 school year will be held on June 7.

Online applications will be open from 9am on April 17 to 5pm on April 30.

The test is intended for those who do not hold a bachelor’s degree and plan to apply for non-graduate teaching positions in secondary schools, primary schools or kindergartens.

A pass result in the non-degree level BLNST is applicable only for non-graduate teaching posts. Candidates who have already passed a BLNST organised by the Education Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau or recruiting departments/grades are not eligible to retake the test.

People holding a bachelor’s degree, or those expected to obtain one in the current or next academic year, are eligible to apply for the Digitalised BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades).

Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, all newly appointed teachers in public sector schools, Direct Subsidy Scheme schools, and kindergartens under the Kindergarten Education Scheme must pass the BLNST to be considered for appointment.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Janice Tse will depart for Beijing this afternoon to discuss Hong Kong’s alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

The delegation will call on the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, and is scheduled to return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.

During their absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be the Acting Chief Secretary, while Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will serve as Acting Financial Secretary. Under Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Clement Woo will be the Acting Secretary. 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to foreign media reports alleging that Taiwan is highly dependent on energy imports, maintains low LNG inventories, and that maritime disruptions could impact power supply and disrupt civil and economic operations, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) issued a stern clarification today (14th). In the 46 days since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict on February 28, the government has managed dispatches effectively, and there have been no instances of domestic power or natural gas shortages. The MOEA obtained and assessed the relevant information immediately and activated the Energy Emergency Task Force on March 2. The Task Force conducts daily inventories of domestic oil, gas, and coal reserves, all of which currently remain above legally mandated safety levels. Not only is the domestic energy supply fully secure, but Taiwan’s LNG inventory regulations, supply dispatching, and crisis response capabilities are also superior to those of other nations. The “severe shortage crisis” described by the media is entirely unfounded, and the MOEA urges the public and the industrial sector to remain assured.

The MOEA specifically noted that Taiwan currently mandates a minimum of 11 days of natural gas safety stock, a requirement that will be elevated to at least 14 days starting in 2027. Compared to neighboring Asian countries-where Japan currently has no natural gas safety stock regulations and South Korea requires only 9 days-Taiwan’s regulatory standards are significantly superior, reflecting more rigorous and solid preparedness. Furthermore, to mitigate risks associated with potential blockages in the Strait of Hormuz, CPC Corporation, CPC, Taiwan has long initiated a three-phase contingency framework: “Preemptive Delivery,” “Asian Cargo Swaps,” and “Spot Market Procurement.” Currently, all gas supplies for April and May have been fully secured and dispatched; June’s supply is nearing completion, and sourcing arrangements for July and beyond have already commenced, ensuring uninterrupted domestic gas supply.

The MOEA further pointed out that, according to the International Energy Agency’s review of countries’ energy response policies to the Middle East conflict, many countries globally have implemented mandatory gas restrictions and energy reduction strategies. In contrast, owing to preemptive measures and proper current dispatch management, Taiwan has ensured the normal operation of civilian life and the economy, demonstrating that our nation’s energy resilience is relatively superior to that of other countries.

Regarding the overall power supply, the MOEA emphasized that CPC, Taiwan and Taipower maintain a tight early-warning mechanism, and the blackout risks suggested in the media will not occur. All of Taipower’s generating units are currently operating according to scheduled protocols, and concrete contingency plans have been prepared to ensure stable electricity supply for both national civilian operations and industries under various extreme scenarios.

Spokesperson:
Mr. Chung-Hsien Chen, Deputy Director General , Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7700 / +886-919-998-339
Email: ctchen2@moeaea.gov.tw

Contact Person:
Ms. Hsiu-Fen Tsai, Director, Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7730/ +886-905-506-658
Email: hftsai@moeaea.gov.tw