Month: June 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, will visit Hong Kong on June 16 and 17, to inspect Hong Kong’s alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the advancement of the Northern Metropolis.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed gratitude to Mr Xia for his continued concern and support for Hong Kong. He enthusiastically looked forward to and extended his warmest welcome to Mr Xia for visiting Hong Kong for the inspection. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government endeavours to support and facilitate the inspection to ensure a smooth visit.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the implementation of a tiered vetting mechanism for labour importation starting from tomorrow, introducing enhanced measures under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme.

The basic vetting parameters under Tier 1 maintain a manning ratio of two full-time local employees to one imported worker, alongside a four-week local recruitment period. Applications vetted under Tier 2 will face more stringent restrictions.

For the food and beverage services sector, specific posts in the production and table service sections will fall under the Tier 2 mechanism. These include cooks, junior cooks, barbecue cooks, drink makers and bar supervisors, as well as waiters, waitresses, restaurant supervisors, receptionists and cashiers.

Employers applying for these specific roles must observe a tighter manning ratio of 3:1. The calculation basis will also switch to cover all posts within that respective section.

Additionally, the local recruitment period for these food and beverage positions will extend to six weeks. Employers will be required to attend an assigned Labour Department (LD) job centre fair once every two weeks during this period.

To encourage the employment of people with disabilities, a special 1:1 manning ratio will apply if employers hire them for full-time roles while applying for imported workers.

The Government will also raise the deductible ceiling for accommodation costs from 10% to 20% of an imported worker’s wages, or the actual cost, whichever is lower, while maintaining median wage requirements.

Workplace restrictions will be relaxed to let employers deploy imported workers across a maximum of five administrative districts. Employers must list vacancies in those designated districts during the initial local recruitment drive.

Administrative sanctions will be strengthened for employers who commit serious breaches. Barring periods for multiple offenses will be counted cumulatively up to a maximum of five years, and the LD will also publish the names of sanctioned employers to enhance deterrence.

The new measures follow a comprehensive implementation review of the scheme, taking into account national manpower projections and stakeholder feedback. The Government reiterated that the changes strike a balance between securing employment priority for local workers and supporting economic development by addressing genuine manpower shortages.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), led a Taiwan delegation comprising representatives from industry, academia, and research institutes to participate in the 2026 EuCNC & 6G Summit, held in Malaga, Spain, from June 2-5. As Europe’s flagship event for advanced communications research, the summit serves as an important international platform for collaboration on future network technologies and global 6G development.

The delegation brought together the Taiwan 6G Industry Forum (6GIF), MediaTek, Compal Electronics, TMYTEK, G REIGNS, Auden Techno Corp., Atayalan Inc., Launchip Inc., National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Tsing Hua University, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), and the Institute for Information Industry (III). Together, the delegation showcased Taiwan’s achievements in 6G and satellite communications technologies, demonstrating the nation’s R&D capabilities and industrial strengths in next-generation communications.

During the summit, the Taiwan delegation hosted a “Taiwan Special Session” to facilitate technical exchange between industry, academia, and research organizations from Taiwan and Europe. The session highlighted emerging 6G technologies, including non-terrestrial networks (NTN), integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), and AI-RAN, while identifying future opportunities for Taiwan-Europe cooperation.

A key milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the European 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) and the Taiwan 6G Industry Forum (6GIF). The signing was witnessed by Man-Tieh Chen, Section Chief of DoIT, MOEA, and Miguel Gonzalez-Sancho, Head of Unit for Future Connectivity Systems at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT). The MoU will advance collaboration in 6G technology development and standards alignment, further connecting the Taiwanese and European cooperation and connectivity across the global 6G ecosystems.

In addition, ITRI signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) as part of the Future Network Services (FNS) program to advance joint research and development on ISAC for selected use cases. The agreement will support technical validation and future standards contributions, strengthening Taiwan-Europe collaboration in key 6G enabling technologies.

To support Taiwan’s long-term competitiveness, MOEA has been investing in key 6G technologies, including 6G base station chipsets, ISAC, NTN, intelligent network management, and 6G experimental platforms. With global 6G standards expected to be released in 2029, Taiwan will continue leveraging its semiconductor and ICT supply chain strengths to accelerate international validation, standards participation, and ecosystem collaboration, positioning itself as a key partner in the global 6G landscape.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today launched a two-month public consultation on “The First Five-Year Plan for Economic & Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030)”.

The consultation for the city’s five-year plan will run until August 14.

In a statement, the Government said the plan will outline the city’s development vision and strategic directions for the next five years. It will cover key areas including the economy, industries, spatial planning, infrastructure and green transformation, as well as livelihood sectors such as healthcare, education, housing, welfare and elderly care.

Speaking to the media this morning, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Janice Tse said the country has launched its National 15th Five-Year Plan this year and Hong Kong is following its lead by rolling out the city’s very first five-year plan.

“Through this, we will better align ourselves with and serve national development, as well as seize the new opportunities,” she added.

“The Hong Kong Five-Year Plan is strategic, forward-looking and operable. It lays out our goals for the next five years. We will focus on Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the ‘one country, two systems’ (principle), and strengthen our position as an international financial, maritime and trade centre.

“We will strive to speed up progress on our international innovation and technology centre and the Northern Metropolis. We will also help drive growth for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” she said.

Miss Tse highlighted that the plan carries profound significance for all Hong Kong residents. She stated that the Government looks forward to receiving ideas from all sectors of the community to build a shared vision for the city’s future. 

The public consultation document is available on the thematic website. Copies can also be collected at the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres across the 18 districts. Members of the public can submit their views through the website or via email.

The Government will organise multiple consultation sessions over the next two months. The sessions will gather input from Legislative Council members, sectoral representatives and the general public.

The Government aims to publish the official blueprint for Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan within the third quarter of the year.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, from January to May 2026, 979 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total approved amount of US$ 8,433,161,000 were recorded. This represents a 19.54% increase in the number of cases, and a 53.82% increase in the FDI amount compared with the same period in 2025.

Regarding inward investment from Mainland China, 8 cases with a total approved amount of US$1,131,000 were recorded from January to May 2026. This reflects no change in the number of cases and a 98.83% decrease in the investment amount compared with the same period in 2025.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 271 projects were registered from January to May 2026, with a total amount of US$ 35,611,090,000. This represents a 18.62% decrease in the number of cases, but a 133.94% increase in the investment amount, compared with the same period in 2025.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 96 applications were approved from January to May 2026, marking a 28% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The approved investment amount totaled US$ 310,298,000, representing a 32.3% decline compared with the same period in 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Police Force today launched new features on its e-Traffic Ticket Platform (eTTP) to make handling electronic traffic fixed penalty notices (FPNs) more efficient for the public and the transport sector.

Fleet management upgrades

To enhance fleet management, the updated platform introduces multiple user roles, including Agents, Agency Companies and Designated Employees. Registered vehicle owners and corporate account holders can authorise these designated representatives to track and manage parking-related FPNs.

 

Vehicle-specific QR Code

Fleet operators and drivers can now generate and download Vehicle-specific QR Codes via the platform. On-duty drivers scanning the code with the eTTP mobile app can log their driving hours.

If an illegal parking FPN is issued during those hours, the driver will receive an immediate push notification. They can then view the infraction details and settle the fine directly through the app.

The system also integrates with the Transport Department’s HKeToll Commercial Vehicle Driver mobile app. Drivers can activate both tracking systems simultaneously with a single scan.

Evidence and disputes

The update adds two major self-service features for all users. Via the eTTP, users can apply through the platform to view illegal parking photos taken by offices.

 

In addition to existing channels, users can dispute any traffic FPN through the eTTP and upload supporting documents.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the morning of June 14, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 Rotary International Convention. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taipei is hosting this convention for the first time in 32 years, and that the event affirms that the international community sees Taiwan as an enduring force for humanitarian care, public welfare, and world peace. He noted that Taiwan’s 12 Rotary districts and more than 36,000 members have partnered with Rotarians worldwide to make significant contributions across all seven of the organization’s areas of focus, including peacebuilding and conflict prevention, as well as disease prevention and treatment. The president pointed out that peace and stability are the greatest hope of people everywhere, and stated that in the future, Taiwan will continue to walk hand in hand with Rotarians worldwide in our commitment to peace, public health, environmental sustainability, humanitarian aid, and beyond, fostering a more connected world through goodwill and shaping the future through action.
A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows:
The Rotary International Convention is one of the most influential global NGO events. On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I want to welcome [Rotary International] President [Francesco] Arezzo and Mrs. Arezzo, and Rotarians from around the world.
Taipei is hosting this convention for the first time in 32 years. Rotary members from over 140 countries are joining us today, making it a truly momentous occasion.
Special thanks go to Taiwan Rotary members for bringing the world to Taiwan, and to Rotary International leaders for their support. This event affirms that the international community sees Taiwan as an enduring force for humanitarian care, public [welfare], and world peace.
The theme for this general session, “Planting Peace, Growing Hope,” captures the spirit of Taiwan’s Rotarians. For many years, Taiwan’s 12 Rotary districts and more than 36,000 members have partnered with Rotarians worldwide. Together, they have brought change and hope to communities across all seven areas of focus, including peacebuilding and conflict prevention, and disease prevention and treatment.
Through Rotary International’s more than 40 years of efforts, polio cases worldwide have been reduced by 99.9 percent. Yesterday, many people took part in the End Polio Now 3K and 12.5K Run in Taipei, united in the push toward zero cases.
We will achieve this goal. I can say this with confidence because of Taiwan’s outstanding track record. Taiwan successfully met the WHO’s 2030 target for eliminating hepatitis C – five years ahead of schedule. This is thanks in part to the support of our Rotary clubs. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to everyone for making this possible.
This is another new milestone for Taiwan in global public health. It follows the COVID-19 outbreak, when our successful prevention strategies enabled us to help others around the world. I’m confident that in the future, cooperation between Taiwan and Rotary International will lead to even more achievements.
Another goal we share is to strive for peace. At the convention in Calgary last year, President Arezzo noted that Rotary International is a great, immense machine. It has been working for peace for more than a century.
Everything Rotarians do worldwide is in the name of peace. This includes promoting cultural understanding, improving living environments, and providing economic aid.
Today’s global community faces many challenges, from geopolitical changes to extreme climate events and supply chain restructuring. At this very moment, peace and stability are the greatest hope of people everywhere.
Taiwan stands on the frontlines of defense against authoritarian expansion. As a cornerstone of global supply chain security, Taiwan will shoulder its responsibility, and will maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. With our strength in technology, we will also expand cooperation with our democratic partners. Together, we will boost supply chain and economic resilience. We will uphold regional peace and stability, and promote global prosperity and development.
Early this month, tech companies from around the world gathered for COMPUTEX. Today, the Rotary International Convention celebrates another grand opening. Both of these events prove that democratic Taiwan is an important platform for global exchange. They also show that Taiwan is a force for good in the world’s development.
Let’s work together to “Do Good in the World!” In our commitment to peace, public health, environmental sustainability, humanitarian aid, and beyond, Taiwan will continue to walk hand in hand with Rotarians worldwide. Together, we will foster a more connected world through goodwill, and shape the future through action.
Once again, welcome to everyone who has traveled from afar. I invite you to take this opportunity to explore Taiwan. I hope you can personally experience what makes Taiwan so free, open, and diverse. I wish this convention great success, and hope you all make lasting memories. Thank you.
Also in attendance at the event were Rotary Foundation Chair Holger Knaack and Rotary International Convention Committee Chair Andreas von Möller. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today that it strongly condemns slanderous allegations made in relation to the Safeguarding National Security (Procedural Matters) Regulation in a Washington Post article headlined “Hong Kong’s nightmare gets darker”.

 

It stated that the article exposes the newspaper’s irrational anti-China stance and hypocrisy, falling well short of what is expected of professional journalism.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that under international law and international practice, each and every sovereign state has an inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security. It highlighted that the US has 21 items of legislation aimed at safeguarding US national security, adding that The Washington Post’s article betrays double standards in criticising Hong Kong’s efforts in this area of the law.

 

Responding to the article in a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the Procedural Matters Regulation only aims to clarify the existing classification mechanism regarding offences that endanger national security, as stipulated in the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), and bring greater certainty to relevant provisions.

 

It said that any reasonable person who objectively studies the three provisions in the Procedural Matters Regulation and follows the relevant discussions held at Legislative Council meetings will recognise that the Procedural Matters Regulation has no retrospective effect at all. Furthermore, it does not create any new offences or penalties and is not applicable to legal proceedings that have concluded.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that The Washington Post’s article falsely and maliciously claims that “people can now be charged retroactively for crimes that didn’t exist when they allegedly committed them”. It stressed that this claim is a shocking betrayal of the basic tenets of responsible journalism and totally unacceptable.

 

The statement emphasised that the Procedural Matters Regulation will in no way infringe upon the legitimate rights of any defendant. It outlined that Hong Kong is a place underpinned by the rule of law, and place where the guilt or innocence of a defendant is a matter to be adjudicated independently by the courts, which ensure the right to a fair trial.

 

Article 4 of the HKNSL stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in the course of safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, as applied to Hong Kong, are protected.

 

Moreover, Article 5 stipulates that the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing, and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security, and that this includes protecting the rights of defendants in judicial proceedings, such as the right of criminal suspects to defend themselves.

 

Section 2 of the SNSO stipulates that the ordinance is based on the principle of respect for and protection of human rights and the rule of law.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government also highlighted another allegation by The Washington Post about the issuance of certificates by the Chief Executive under Article 47 of the HKNSL or section 115 of the SNSO, stating that the allegation is plainly wrong.

 

It said the issuance of a certificate by the Chief Executive is a rigorous and solemn process. As the top official with primary responsibility for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, the Chief Executive has access to confidential information, including extremely sensitive intelligence and information on acts and activities endangering national security, which is not suitable for public disclosure and may even pertain to threats by state actors.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that it is a well-established principle in common law jurisdictions that the courts accord deference to the assessments and judgments of executive authorities on national security.

 

In particular, it pointed to a 2010 judgment by the Supreme Court of the US that the judiciary must defer to executive authorities’ assessments of national security issues, as it can be difficult for the courts to obtain and assess relevant information on evolving threats. It said that turning a blind eye to the this judgment demonstrates The Washington Post’s double standards and ignorance.

 

The statement added that the legislative process on the Procedural Matters Regulation is entirely in compliance with all legal and procedural requirements.

 

Regarding The Washington Post’s claim that Hong Kong is now “a less secure place to visit or do business”, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that this is baseless and and constitutes a bold-faced lie intended to smear Hong Kong.

 

It added that a simple “fact-check” will reveal that the newspaper’s assertions are at odds with how investors and businesses around the world perceive the Hong Kong SAR. It mentioned that Hong Kong has been heralded as the world’s freest economy for decades, ranked third globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025, continues to rank among the top three international financial centres, and was number one in the world in terms of initial public offering fundraising in the first quarter of 2026, besides being the largest cross-boundary wealth management centre.

 

It stressed that foreign businesses have no reason to worry about the laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, adding that many entrepreneurs welcome such laws, which ensure a safer and more stable environment for investment and economic development. It cited a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong earlier this year, which showed increased confidence Hong Kong’s business environment for 2026, with 94% of respondents expressing confidence in Hong Kong’s rule of law, a marked increase from 83% in 2025.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government said The Washington Post must face facts and respect the truth, including honest opinions expressed by their fellow countrymen who invest money and do business in and with Hong Kong.

 

It added that it will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, in order to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, while also upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, thereby ensuring the steadfast implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Facing high population density and rising transport demand, the Government established the $1 billion Smart Traffic Fund to encourage research and development and drive innovations that enhance commuting convenience, maximise network efficiency and improve driving safety.

A prime example is the Smart Ding Ding System, developed by Hong Kong Tramways over a period of more than a year with fund backing. The system utilises radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to boost operational efficiency and safety.

Real-time precision

“On each tram, we have installed an RFID reader on the roof,” explained Hong Kong Tramways Assistant Manager (Technical Support) Chan Tsz-to. “We have also installed RFID tags at about 400 different locations across our network on the span wires. When a tram passes these tags, the system detects its actual location in real time.”

Before this system was installed, the company had relied on track switches to determine a tram’s location, a method limited by track configuration. Now, with precise real-time data, control room staff can better manage service intervals, handle unexpected disruptions and co-ordinate emergency manoeuvres.

This operational upgrade also benefits the public. By combining real-time tracking with historical data, the company now provides estimated arrival times for the next three trams on its mobile application, allowing passengers to plan their journeys with ease.

Furthermore, the system prioritises safety at the network’s 20 L-shaped curves. Special RFID tags have been installed at the curves to monitor tram speeds and ensure speeds remain within the safe limit of 8km per hour when taking a bend. “If the tram’s speed is higher than the limit, an alarm is emitted by the system to alert the driver to slow down before entering the curve,” Mr Chan added.

Safeguarding roads

Following incidents where lorry-mounted cranes struck road infrastructure, mandatory regulations were implemented in March 2025 requiring vehicles with extendable aerial structures to be fitted with over-height warning systems.

To support this transition, the Centre of Advanced Power & Autonomous Systems has developed a specialised crane position monitoring system.

“We need to make sure that the sensor is easy to install,” noted the centre’s former Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Cheung. “We want the development to be applicable to different kinds of cranes in different situations.”

The system uses a sensor mounted on the crane to monitor its height and angle, cross-referencing this data with the global positioning system tracking to determine if the vehicle is in motion. If the vehicle moves while the crane is not fully retracted, audio and visual alarms are triggered in the cab. Mr Cheung emphasised the importance of reliability, noting that the system is designed to prevent false alarms so that drivers can trust the warnings.

Established in 2021, the Smart Traffic Fund has approved 92 projects to date, totaling about $638 million in funding. These projects cover road safety, driving behaviour, traffic forecasting, parking, vehicle safety devices and autonomous driving technology.