Month: April 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington DC (HKETO, Washington DC) presented a four-day film series titled “Hong Kong at the Movies” from March 23 (Washington time) for members of the Washington community, including members of the Federal government of the United States (US), congress, business associations, professional bodies, think tanks, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector entities, diplomatic corps, and the local Hong Kong community.

     The film series featured some of Hong Kong’s most celebrated films, spanning genres from romance and drama to kung fu and science fiction. The event started with a special 25th anniversary screening of Wong Kar-wai’s lavish “In the Mood for Love”. Other films included Hong Kong’s box office smash hit “The Last Dance”, Stephen Chow’s relentless slapstick comedy “Kung Fu Hustle”, and the recent Hong Kong sensation “Back to the Past”.

     Addressing guests at the film screening, the Director of the HKETO, Washington DC, Ms Elania Luk, said that the film series was a good opportunity for the Washington DC community to know more about different facets of Hong Kong and its people through the lens of the film industry. “Hong Kong’s creative talents draw us together through arts. The imaginations of our ingenious filmmakers, actors and choreographers have indelibly shaped global popular culture, particularly in the US, thanks to cinematic icons ranging from Bruce Lee to John Woo,” Ms Luk said. 

     Ms Luk added that the film industry is an integral part of Hong Kong’s status as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. She said that this year’s Entertainment Expo Hong Kong, which coincides with the film series, marks key milestones of two of its founding events: the 30th anniversary of FILMART and the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film Festival. She noted that these flagship events reflect the creativity, economic influence, and international recognition of Hong Kong’s storied entertainment sector. The film series also coincides with Art March, an art month in Hong Kong, bringing together various world-renowned arts and cultural summits, screenings, and performances.

     Ms Luk went on to highlight the Government’s complementary role in supporting the film industry through various initiatives to nurture talent, enhance production, expand markets, and build audiences.

     In addition, to promote Hong Kong’s unique food culture, attendees at each film screening were served a variety of Hong Kong street foods and local drinks, bringing Hong Kong cuisine to the taste buds of the Washington community. Attendees of the last screening also enjoyed an exhibition of curated paintings under the theme “Hong Kong food and drinks”. The paintings were commissioned by the Social Welfare Department under the Arts Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with various NGOs. The paintings, among other things, exemplify the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s efforts in unleashing the potential of persons with disabilities in artistic activities and their contribution to society. The total “Hong Kong experience” brought by the film series was well regarded by attendees. 

     The film series ran on March 23, 25, and 30 and April 1 at the AMC Georgetown cinema in Washington DC.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Food waste is far from useless. With responsible recycling, it can be recovered and redeployed.

In recent years, the Government has continued to expand and improve its food waste recycling network, including enhancing recycling bin designs to encourage more citizens to recycle.

In 2025, an average of 350 tonnes of food waste was recycled in Hong Kong each day. Recycling of domestic food waste has surged from around two tonnes per day in 2022 to more than 120 tonnes daily in 2025.

Encouraging participation

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Environmental Campaign Committee rolled out the Pilot Scheme on Food Waste Smart Recycling Bins in Private Housing Estates in 2023, providing two years of funding to cover the installation, maintenance and repairs of the bins.

As of February 2026, 453 food waste smart recycling bins have been installed in 115 private housing estates under the scheme, serving more than 270,000 households.

“Participating estates have collectively recycled over 7,300 tonnes of food waste,” explained EPD Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Waste Reduction & Community Recycling) Benjamin Kwong.

Optimised design

Mrs So’s housing estate is taking part in the pilot scheme. Eight of the recycling units have been installed throughout her neighbourhood.

Praising the bin’s ability to collect hard food waste, such as bones, Mrs So noted that their convenient locations encourage more residents to take part in the recycling scheme.

The smart recycling bins are also connected to the GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme, allowing residents to earn GREEN$ points by recycling food waste. The points can be redeemed for gifts, such as daily necessities, or even supermarket gift vouchers, considered great incentives for participants.

The bins are also equipped with functions such as overflow prevention, deodorising and pest control, to help reduce environmental hygiene issues caused by food waste.

The housing estate’s residents’ association chairman Vincent Liu said they are eager to continue participation in the scheme to further raise environmental awareness among residents.

Expanding coverage

To broaden the reach of the trial and enhance its effectiveness, the Government adjusted the eligibility threshold for the pilot scheme in 2025. The requirement has been reduced from 1,000 households or more to 200 households or more, allowing more small and medium size private housing estates to participate.

At the end of 2025, the EPD rolled out the Trial Scheme on Food Waste Recycling Truck. The vehicle visits various locations nightly to promote food waste recycling.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hospital Authority today reported a suspected case of unauthorised access to patient data after the information was found leaked on a third-party platform.

The authority’s routine monitoring system detected the breach at around 2am on April 3. The matter was promptly reported to Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data yesterday morning. The authority will fully co-operate with the Police investigation.

Involving more than 56,000 patients from the Kowloon East Cluster, the leaked data includes names, gender, Hong Kong identity card numbers, hospital file numbers and details of surgical procedures.

The authority sincerely apologised to the affected patients and pledged to take all practicable measures to minimise the impact on the patients.

It will notify the affected patients as soon as possible via the “HA Go” mobile application, mail and phone calls.

The Kowloon East Cluster has established a dedicated hotline at 5215 7326 for patient enquiries. The hotline operates from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday. Patients may also leave messages outside of these hours.

Upon discovering the incident, the authority conducted a thorough review of its internal network systems. It confirmed that all systems are operating normally and securely, with no indication of a cyberattack. The authority has immediately suspended the contractor’s system maintenance work.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today said the Government will ensure no public money is lost following operational issues with some bus refund machines yesterday.  

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

Speaking to the media, Mr Sun clarified that any financial losses resulting from technical issues with the refund machines will be borne by the bus company.

“I understand yesterday some of the refund machines installed in bus stations of the Kowloon Motor Bus (company) were not operating as planned, but I can assure everyone here that there will be no loss of public money,” he said.

“As for public money, there will be no additional charges over the Government,” Mr Sun noted. “We will make sure that the use of public money will be strictly in accordance with the agreement reached between the Government and the bus company.”

Mr Sun added that passengers will not suffer any financial loss, as any costs arising from the operational issue will be borne in full by the bus operator.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The third National Security Education Study Tour, organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, concluded today, as its 187 participants returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland this afternoon.

A total of 30 primary and secondary schools joined the tour, comprising principals, teachers and students, including 17 non-Chinese speaking students. The itinerary, which began on March 28, covered visits to Beijing and Nanjing.

The primary school group completed its tour and returned to Hong Kong on April 1. The secondary school group proceeded to Nanjing on the same day and returned today.

Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Au Chi-kwong accompanied the study tour to Beijing on March 28. Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan joined the tour on March 29.

On March 30, the tour was received by Deputy Director of CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Nong Rong, who is also Deputy Director of State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office.

In Beijing, the group was invited to view the national flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square from the viewing stands on April 1. They also visited the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass.

Their itinerary in the capital also included a visit to the Museum of the Communist Party of China, the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Zhongguancun Science & Technology Exhibition Center, and the China Science & Technology Museum.

While in Nanjing, the group visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, the Jiangsu National Security Education Museum, and an iron and steel enterprise.

Students also exchanged ideas with teachers and students from the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China and the Zhongguancun No. 3 Primary School Science & Technology Park Campus in Beijing.

Mr Cheung encouraged the students to deepen their understanding of the history and current development of the motherland.

He also urged the students to make the most of the tour to appreciate the country’s history, culture and technological advancements, as well as current national affairs, to better equip themselves and contribute to the motherland and Hong Kong in the future.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will depart for Shaanxi Province tomorrow morning to strengthen co-operation between Shaanxi and Hong Kong.

During his visit, Mr Chan will meet local leaders and attend a memorial ceremony for Huang Di during the Ching Ming Festival.

He will return to Hong Kong on the afternoon on April 5. During his absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be Acting Chief Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The concessionary fare under the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly & Eligible Persons with Disabilities, known as the $2 Scheme, is adjusted to a “$2 flat rate or 80% discount” starting today.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun observed the implementation of the new arrangement this morning and told the media afterwards that operations are running smoothly.

“Today, April 3, is the date when the ‘$2 flat rate or 80% discount’ is officially launched. For minibus and for buses, the launch time is midnight today. For the MTR, it starts from the first train which departed their terminal at 5:30 this morning,” Mr Sun stated.

“So far, based on our territory wide promotion and also my own personal contact with the elderly through my visit to Wong Tai Sin wet market, and also in restaurants, most of them are familiar with the operation of now the ‘$2 flat rate or 80% discount’.”

Mr Sun noted that arrangements are being made to promote the adjustment to users.

“Apart from today, in 75 spots in Hong Kong, we are stationing the ambassadors for the total of three weeks. They are in the spots to help answer questions about the ‘$2 flat rate or 80% discount’,” he added.

“Apart from that, we have had the support of district council members, the (District Services & Community) Care Teams members and also staff from our welfare NGOs, they are using their own way to explain the operation of the ‘$2 flat rate or 80% discount’.”

“We are pretty confident that the scheme will start being launched smoothly and for those who will be using the new arrangement, they know about the operation,” Mr Sun said.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA welcomes Australian and German defense ministers’ joint statement supporting cross-strait peace and stability

Date：2026-03-28
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

March 28, 2026  
No. 117  

Following the Australia-Germany defense ministers’ meeting on March 26, the two countries issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposing unilateral actions that alter the status quo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and affirms this statement.

Taiwan, Australia, and Germany are like-minded countries that share the common values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. The joint statement once again demonstrates that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the Indo-Pacific region has become an international consensus. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly promote democracy, peace, and prosperity in the region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to European Parliament’s adoption of a report calling for greater EU cooperation with Taiwan

Date：2026-03-28
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

March 28, 2026  On March 26, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the report Global Gateway-past impacts and future orientation. The report calls on the European Union to strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners including Taiwan to construct a resilient web of trusted connectivity. It further emphasizes that the Global Gateway strategy is an alternative to China’s Belt and Road initiative and if properly applied  could restore the EU’s industrial competitiveness and counterbalance China’s growing influence.As authoritarian countries continue to expand their influence through opaque financing and infrastructure initiatives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to deepen collaboration with the European Union and other like-minded partners under the banner of integrated diplomacy. This will allow for the joint promotion of modes of cooperation that are in keeping with democratic values. This will promote regional development and prosperity and further strengthen the security and resilience of global democratic partnerships. 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Japan and EU reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait at third EU-Japan Strategic Dialogue

Date：2026-03-27
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

March 27, 2026High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Kaja Kallas and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi jointly held the third EU-Japan Strategic Dialogue in France on March 26. During the talks, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts in the East China Sea and South China Sea aimed at changing the status quo by force or coercion, as well as to increased tensions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes and appreciates the fact that the European Union, the Group of Seven, and other like-minded partners continue to express concern over peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Taiwan will continue to work with all democratic partners to jointly defend the international rules-based order and staunchly safeguard peace, stability, prosperity, and development across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific.