Month: April 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Land Registry logged 7,737 sale and purchase agreements received for registration for all building units in March, a drop of 2.4% compared with February but up 16.2% year on year.

The total consideration for building unit sale and purchase agreements in March increased 0.3% from the previous month to $62.3 billion. This figure represented a 36.5% year-on-year increase.

A total of 6,316 agreements were for residential units, down 5.3% from the previous month but up 17.7% from a year ago.

The total consideration for residential units was $55.2 billion, a decrease of 4.2% compared with the previous month but an increase of 42.2% year on year.

There were 452,057 land register searches last month.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

According to the latest Global Trade Outlook & Statistics published by the World Trade Organization, Hong Kong ranked as the world’s fifth-largest merchandise trading entity in 2025, up two places from 2024. If the European Union was taken as a single trading entity, Hong Kong would have ranked fourth.

Hong Kong’s merchandise trade recorded a year-on-year increase of 17.5% to US$1,585 billion, accounting for 3% of the world’s total.

Moreover, Hong Kong was the world’s fifth-largest exporter and the sixth-largest importer of goods, three places up from 2024 on both counts.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said: “The World Trade Organization’s report fully demonstrated that despite the challenges brought about by geopolitics and trade protectionism in the past year, Hong Kong’s external trade remained resilient and achieved an encouraging result, making the city the world’s fifth-largest trading entity in merchandise trade after the Chinese Mainland, the United States, Germany and the Netherlands.”

He also highlighted that Hong Kong, a predictable and transparent market, leverages institutional advantages under “one country, two systems” that allow it to be the most important and agile gateway for business and trade in the region.

“The report also showed that a series of measures carried out by the Government for promoting trade, including expanding economic and trade networks, stepping up efforts in attracting enterprises and investment, deepening ties with international markets, exploring emerging markets, enhancing support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting Hong Kong’s participation in the Belt & Road initiative and opening up the Mainland market, have achieved fruitful results.”

He stressed that in addition to strengthening these measures, the Government will promote trade and focus on assisting Mainland enterprises in going global through Hong Kong, with a view to fulfilling the city’s roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In observance of Easter Holidays, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney will be closed on Friday, 3rd April to Monday 6th April 2026. The office will reopen on Tuesday, 7th April 2026.
For R.O.C. (Taiwan) citizens, in case of emergency please call 0477-586-999 for immediate assistance. With regard to general enquiries, please contact our office via (02)8650-4200 during regular service hours of workdays.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney wish you a Joyful Easter!

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation  
On the afternoon of March 31, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai expressed gratitude to the UK Parliament for its pivotal role in focusing attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait and raising support for Taiwan’s international participation. The president also thanked the UK government for its past deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Indo-Pacific for freedom of navigation operations, saying that these concrete actions help jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region. He expressed hope that, moving forward, Taiwan will further deepen economic and trade exchanges with the UK and promote industrial cooperation so that we can jointly open a new chapter of prosperity and development for the Indo-Pacific economy.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I warmly welcome the British-Taiwanese APPG delegation to Taiwan. Last year, Co-chair Lord Rogan came to attend the Formosa Club Annual Conference. It is a great pleasure to see him again today. This visit fully demonstrates the UK Parliament’s staunch support for Taiwan. In recent years, Taiwan-UK relations have grown even closer. The UK Parliament has always played a pivotal role in focusing UK government attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait and raising support for Taiwan’s international participation. I would like to sincerely thank our friends in the Houses of Parliament for their strong support of Taiwan through such concrete actions as public debates, written parliamentary questions, and joint letters.
The current international situation is rapidly evolving. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are not only vital to regional security but are also closely intertwined with global supply chain resilience and world prosperity. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining regional security. I hope that, moving forward, the UK government will continue to place focus on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the UK government for its past deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Indo-Pacific for freedom of navigation operations. These concrete actions help jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region. 
Beyond security issues, there is much potential for cooperation between Taiwan and the UK in such areas as technological innovation, economic resilience, and the green energy transition. In 2023, Taiwan and the UK signed the Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) arrangement, marking Taiwan’s first institutionalized bilateral economic and trade framework with a European country. Last year, under the ETP framework, we further signed three pillar arrangements under the ETP covering investment, digital trade, and energy and net zero.
In closing, I would like to reiterate my gratitude for your unwavering support of Taiwan, and may the friendship between Taiwan and the UK continue to deepen. We sincerely look forward to working together with you all to ensure that the development of Taiwan-UK relations continues to reach new milestones. Moving forward, Taiwan will further deepen economic and trade exchanges with the UK and promote industrial cooperation. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership so that we can jointly open a new chapter of prosperity and development for the Indo-Pacific economy.
Co-chair Lord Rogan then delivered remarks, saying that they are very pleased and honored to visit Taiwan. He mentioned that he is an old visitor to Taiwan, having first come here in 1972 as a businessman and many years afterwards, and that he first came here as a parliamentarian in 2005. He noted that the changes he has seen in Taiwan’s society and economy from those periods were enormous and left him with a deep impression. In recent years, he mentioned, he has come to Taiwan to attend the Formosa Club Annual Conference and President Lai’s inauguration, adding that with each visit he is amazed at Taiwan’s progress and prosperity.
Co-chair Lord Rogan said that as a businessman, he has watched with envy the way that Taiwan has moved its economy from basic textiles to now high-quality jobs, high technology, and not least, its semiconductor industry, which, he noted, produces 60% of the world’s chips and 95% of the advanced chips. For Taiwan, a country that has limited natural resources, he emphasized, this is an amazing achievement. He further noted that Taiwan’s natural resources are, in fact, its people.
Co-chair Lord Rogan said that for most of his colleagues, who have never been here before, a visit like this shows them the success and the pleasure of coming to Taiwan. He said that by meeting President Lai and various ministers, officials, and business leaders, it gives them more insight and knowledge of the success of Taiwan and the problems that it may face. He said that they will be leaving Taiwan with a great impression and much pleasure. He mentioned that this visit allows his colleagues who are first visiting Taiwan to speak with authority when they speak in Parliament, since they have actually seen the situation on the ground in Taiwan.
Co-chair Lord Rogan emphasized that their visit demonstrates the support Taiwan has in the British government to the government and people of Taiwan. He explained that representatives from all parts of the UK have shown support for Taiwan – in both Houses of Parliament, the Commons and the Lords, and that the support extends into the five parties and the four countries that make up the UK – Wales, Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland. He said that the visit also shows to the outside world and Taiwan’s neighbors the support it has from the UK.
Co-chair Lord Rogan expressed his appreciation that Taiwan is a liberal democracy in a part of the world where there are others that are not democracies. He then expressed his agreement with President Lai’s remarks about the Taiwan Strait and how important it is at the current time to have the strait open for international trade, adding that this has never been more relevant than today with the current turbulent international situation. In closing, Co-chair Lord Rogan gave his assurance that in London they are striving day after day to promote Taiwan’s involvement in international relations and international groups, underscoring that they will continue to do so.
The delegation also included Lord Davies of Gower, Member of Parliament Layla Moran, Lord Randall of Uxbridge, Lord Tope, Lord Dodds of Duncairn, Member of Parliament Leigh Ingham, Member of Parliament Graeme Downie, Member of Parliament Dan Aldridge, and was accompanied to the Presidential Office by British Office Taipei Director of Regional Security Matt Nottingham. 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held another briefing today (February 26) on the draft selection mechanism for the Phase 3 Zonal Development of Offshore Wind Power, presenting the revised framework to stakeholders. The draft outlines the review focus and scoring principles for various performance capability criteria.

Under the revised proposal, the incentive mechanism will consolidate three elements, including early completion and grid connection, local industrial and economic benefits, and energy resilience. Projects are eligible to receive up to five years of extended power sales period as an incentive. In addition, the purchase price for surplus green electricity will be set at NTD 2.29 per kWh, based on Taipower’s average avoided cost.

The current round also introduces a capacity expansion mechanism, allowing selected wind farms to expand their allocated capacity by up to 50% of the originally awarded capacity, depending on their evaluation ranking.

The MOEA stated that the revised draft incorporates feedback received during the previous briefing. The objective is to further clarify the content of the draft selection mechanism so that developers can better evaluate the framework and prepare for the selection process. Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments to the Ministry by March 5, and the MOEA aims to formally announce the mechanism in the first quarter of 2026.

For the Round 3 of Zonal Development selection, developers will be evaluated based on their performance capabilities. The scoring criteria include developer track record (35 points), financial capability (30 points), and project execution capability (35 points). Within the project execution capability category, the assessment covers project implementation readiness (15 points), ESG planning (15 points), including local industrial and economic benefits, environmental sustainability, and corporate social responsibility, and energy resilience (5 points). The Energy Administration (EA) under the MOEA emphasized that developers must provide comprehensive explanations and planning regarding their track record, financial capability, and project execution capability, stressing that participation in the selection process goes beyond a purely paper-based evaluation.

The EA stated that, in addition to assessing developers’ domestic and international track records, the evaluation criteria will also cover developers’ past contract performance records. Scoring will consider the progress made in obtaining key approvals and documentation, such as the preparatory permit for the electricity enterprise establishment and underwater cultural heritage survey documents for the wind farm project.

Moreover, local industrial and economic benefits (10 points) and energy resilience (5 points) will be evaluated based on the wind farm capacity and the corresponding investment amounts. Taking a 500 MW wind farm as an example, a project may receive 5 points under the local industrial and economic benefits category if the committed amount reaches NTD 20 billion, and the full 10 points if it reaches NTD 30 billion. For the energy resilience category, 2 points may be awarded if the committed amount reaches NTD 1.6 billion, and the full 5 points if it reaches NTD 2.5 billion.

Additional criteria include environmental sustainability (3 points) and corporate social responsibility (2 points), which will be evaluated based on principles such as the adoption of recyclable blades, compliance with fisheries liaison guidelines, and the planning of social responsibility measures by developers and their supply chains. In essence, the mechanism emphasizes quality over quantity and aims to encourage capable teams with strong execution capabilities.

The EA further noted that, under the newly introduced incentive mechanism in this round, the items of early completion and grid connection, local industrial and economic benefits, and energy resilience will be combined for calculation. Wind farm projects may receive up to five years of extended power sales period as an incentive.

Another newly introduced capacity expansion mechanism will grant selected wind farms eligibility to expand their capacity based on their evaluation ranking. The expanded capacity may reach up to 50% of the originally allocated capacity, and such expansion must be completed and connected to the grid by the end of 2031.

Lastly, the EA stated that the total capacity of 3.6 GW allocated in this round will, in principle, be distributed based on existing available sea areas. The MOEA also expressed appreciation for the constructive suggestions provided by stakeholders regarding offshore wind development policies and the selection mechanism. Taking these inputs into account, the MOEA has refined and optimized the proposed mechanism.

The selection mechanism is expected to be formally announced in the first quarter of 2026, with the goal of completing the capacity allocation process by the end of 2026. Through stable and predictable policy planning, the government aims to create a favorable environment for green power development, attract continued international investment in Taiwan, and ensure the timely achievement of renewable energy policy targets.

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

Business Contact: Director, Ju-Ming Cheng
Contact Phone Number: 02-2775-7778, 0952-279-720
Email Address: jmcheng@moeaea.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
 
“In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so,” a spokesman for the BD said. 
 
Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.
 
The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:
 
(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.
 
(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.
 
“The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation,” the spokesman added.

To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD’s website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.
 
Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD’s website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.
 
Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.