Month: June 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to commentary regarding Taiwan’s handling of Japan-Philippines negotiations on maritime boundaries

Date：2026-06-05
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

June 5, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) once again reiterates that future negotiations on the demarcation of maritime boundaries between Japan and the Philippines and any associated outcomes would have no effect on the sovereign rights enjoyed by Taiwan in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, and would not impact the implementation of fishing agreements between Taiwan and Japan or Taiwan and the Philippines. This has been publicly confirmed by the relevant countries and is substantiated by the fact that, based on the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and international juridical precedent, the legal validity of bilateral treaties or agreements applies only to their signatories.To protect Taiwan’s sovereignty and sovereign rights in its surrounding waters, MOFA has instructed relevant overseas missions to pay close attention to matters pertaining to the negotiations and any associated developments. It has also conveyed Taiwan’s concerns through relevant channels. It is understood that at present, Japan and the Philippines have not set out a concrete timeline for negotiations.In commentary regarding MOFA’s actions, several media and political figures have cited media reports alleging that Japan turned down a proposal by Taiwan to take part in negotiations on the demarcation of boundaries. MOFA solemnly clarifies that Taiwan has not approached Japan or the Philippines with a request to join their bilateral negotiations on the demarcation of boundaries. The headlines and content of the relevant reports are clearly inconsistent with the facts.MOFA urges all parties to look at associated issues with a rational eye and refrain from causing misunderstandings because of one-sided information.In recent years, China has continued to employ multiple tactics—including legal, propaganda, and maritime law enforcement operations—in a bid to expand its maritime claims and undermine regional stability. The government of Taiwan firmly opposes this and will staunchly defend Taiwan’s national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.MOFA will pay close attention to the situation and to associated developments. In coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, it will maintain close communication with Japan and the Philippines through existing bilateral mechanisms and dialogue channels, taking concrete actions to preserve Taiwan’s maritime rights and interests and the security and operational rights and interests of Taiwan’s fishers.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Japan-Philippines maritime boundary delimitation talks

Date：2026-06-03
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

June 3, 2026  

In response to the recent announcement by Japan and the Philippines that they would launch formal negotiations to delimit maritime boundaries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has instructed Taiwan’s representative offices in Japan and the Philippines to respectively verify details with both governments. Taiwan seeks confirmation that the future negotiation process and outcomes of relevant agreements between the two countries will not affect the sovereign rights afforded to Taiwan in accordance with international law and the law of the sea. Taiwan also seeks assurances that such negotiations will not affect the implementation of existing mechanisms, including the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement and the Agreement Concerning the Facilitation of Cooperation on Law Enforcement in Fisheries Matters concluded by Taiwan and the Philippines.
 
Taiwan firmly reiterates to both Japan and the Philippines that the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoys indisputable sovereignty over its territory and related waters and that its sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea cannot be questioned. Given the high degree of overlap between the area to be negotiated by Japan and the Philippines and Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone off its east coast, Taiwan again calls on both nations to take this fact into account, fully consider Taiwan’s rights and interests, and consult with Taiwan on relevant issues.
 
Regarding the false claims on this matter made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 2 concerning Taiwan’s sovereignty, MOFA reaffirms that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. China has no right to comment on Taiwan’s policies or position regarding the Japan-Philippines exclusive economic zone delimitation negotiations, much less speak on behalf of Taiwan. 
 
MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan has always steadfastly safeguarded its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. MOFA condemns China’s malicious manipulation of the so-called “one China principle” in this matter to mislead the international community and create the false impression that China has sovereignty over Taiwan and jurisdiction over Taiwan’s relevant waters. Further, Taiwan will not tolerate China’s attempts to undermine regional peace and stability under the pretext of “maritime law enforcement” and through military power projection.
 
MOFA will continue to closely monitor relevant developments and maintain communication with Japan and the Philippines to ensure that Taiwan’s maritime rights and interests and those of its fishers are fully protected.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui today unveiled the “Action Plan to Promote the Development of Corporate Treasury Centres in Hong Kong”.

The action plan sets out targeted strategies to strengthen Hong Kong as a premier hub for multinational corporate treasury centres (CTCs), elevating Hong Kong as a major base for CTCs, and reinforcing its role as a platform for “bringing in and going global”.

Jointly formulated by the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau, the Inland Revenue Department, the Monetary Authority and Invest Hong Kong, the action plan has two major objectives: to attract more multinational corporations to establish CTCs in Hong Kong, and to enable existing CTCs operating in Hong Kong to scale up their operations and fully leverage the city’s comprehensive financial ecosystem.

Unveiling the action plan at the Corporate Treasury Centre Forum, Mr Hui highlighted that the plan adopts a “4T” framework – tax revamp, tax agreements, targeted promotion, talent and dialogue – to encourage multinational corporations from around the world to centralise their fund management, asset allocation and risk management in Hong Kong.

Specifically, the Government will revamp the existing tax concession regime applicable to corporate treasury activities and introduce a more competitive tiered system. Measures include refining the existing concession regime and introducing a pre-approval mechanism.

It will continue to expand the network of Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements, with a particular focus on engaging economies along the Belt & Road.

It will also will take a proactive approach in conducting targeted market promotion, with strategic focus on enterprises from the Chinese Mainland and Asia, particularly those in new economy sectors.

Furthermore, the Government will work with the industry to strengthen the training of professional talent, as well as build a high-quality talent pool for the long-term development of the sector through continuous market education and professional development.

Mr Hui said: “Amid the prevailing uncertainties in the global landscape, Hong Kong offers multinational corporations a business platform that is as steady as a rock – safe, stable and highly predictable.

“I urge enterprises to capitalise on these opportunities ahead and utilise Hong Kong’s unique edge in ‘bringing in and going global’ to consolidate the management of their capital and business operations in Hong Kong.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Chief Executive in Council today approved enactment of the Safeguarding National Security (Procedural Matters) Regulation (Procedural Matters Regulation) under section 110 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO).

The Procedural Matters Regulation was also published in the Government Gazette today and came into effect immediately.

The subsidiary legislation was enacted to clarify the classification mechanism for “other offences endangering national security under the law of the HKSAR”, as specified under the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKNSL) and the SNSO. The objective is to reflect the legislative intent of the HKNSL and the SNSO, and to better carry into effect the relevant provisions of both.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it continuously reviews the city’s current legal system and enforcement mechanisms, with a view to fulfilling its constitutional responsibility in relation to safeguarding national security. Where the need for improvement or clarification is needed, it added, legislative proposals will be introduced in a timely manner. 

The statement added that, with reference to the legislative intent of the HKNSL, section 7 of the SNSO and relevant Court of Final Appeal case law define “offences endangering national security” as including: offences under the HKNSL, the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, and the SNSO itself; as well as other offences under Hong Kong law, as referenced in section 7(d) of the SNSO, where the conduct in a particular case is, by its nature, considered to endanger national security.

In this connection, the Hong Kong SAR Government considered it necessary to clarify the classification mechanism under the HKNSL and SNSO for “other offences endangering national security under the law of the HKSAR” by way of subsidiary legislation, in order to better carry into effect section 7(d) of the SNSO and the provisions applicable to offences endangering national security in the HKNSL, the SNSO and other laws.

The Procedural Matters Regulation states that if the Chief Executive issues a certificate under Article 47 of the HKNSL or section 115 of the SNSO to certify that an act in a criminal case involves national security, then the case will be treated as one involving an offence endangering national security, as mentioned in Article 41 of the HKNSL and section 7(d) of the SNSO.

The Hong Kong SAR Government highlighted that the relevant provisions on certificates issued by the Chief Executive are entirely consistent with common law principles.

It noted that courts in common law jurisdictions including Hong Kong and the United Kingdom are all of the view that executive authorities are in a better position than the courts to make appropriate assessments and judgements on matters of national security. As such, judicial authorities defer to the assessments and judgements of executive authorities in such instances.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that the mechanism for the Chief Executive to issue a certificate under Article 47 of the HKNSL or section 115 of the SNSO, and the provisions applicable to offences endangering national security in laws such as the HKNSL and the SNSO, are all existing provisions that have been operating effectively.

It stressed that the Procedural Matters Regulation does not alter those provisions, the scope of application of the HKNSL and SNSO, or the definition of “offence endangering national security”. The regulation also does not create any new offence, penalty or enforcement power.

The statement emphasised that the enactment of the Procedural Matters Regulation refines details of relevant procedural matters and brings greater certainty to the implementation of relevant provisions under the HKNSL, the SNSO and other laws. The Hong Kong SAR Government iterated that relevant provisions under the HKNSL, the SNSO and other laws are only applicable to a small number of criminals who commit offences endangering national security, and will not affect the lives of the general public, or the normal operation of organisations and institutions.

Law-abiding individuals, organisations and institutions will therefore by no means be affected by the Procedural Matters Regulation, it said.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today made pay offers to the staff side of the four civil service central consultative councils, proposing that pay for civil servants in the upper, middle and lower salary bands, as well as the directorate, be increased by 2% for 2026-27, effective retrospectively from April 1, 2026.

Meeting the media this afternoon, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said the Government had taken into account all the factors in the pay adjustment mechanism before tabling the offer.

These factors include the economic outlook, the increase in the cost of living in the past year, the Government’s overall fiscal position and its principle of prudent financial management, the positive net pay trend indicators in every salary band, claims from the staff side, and civil service morale.

Mrs Yeung elaborated: “Factors like the substantial financial commitment that the Government has to make for Hong Kong’s future development, and also the geopolitical situation that has brought drastic changes to economies worldwide, and the impact on Hong Kong’s economy, and the continual geopolitical tensions: all these the Executive Council has taken into account.

“In every decision made by the Executive Council, the Executive Council takes into account public sentiment.”

After the Chief Executive in Council has considered the staff side’s response and made a decision on the pay adjustment, the Government will submit a pay adjustment proposal to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for consideration.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) New Campus – A Hub for Community Health and Wellness today (June 9):

Dr Eddy Fong (the Pro-Chancellor of HKMU), Dr Conrad Wong (the Council Chairman of HKMU), Professor Paul Lam (the President of HKMU), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I’m delighted to be here for the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University’s Hub for Community Health and Wellness.

I have had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable development of HKMU since its establishment in 1989. From a pioneer in distance learning for adults, it has become a dynamic, comprehensive, and internationally recognised university.

With more than 170 000 graduates and over 17 000 full-time students today, HKMU has become the largest self-financing university in Hong Kong.

And despite this impressive growth, HKMU remains steadfastly committed to its founding mission: “Education for All”. Through quality and flexible education, HKMU continues to offer life-long learning opportunities to individuals from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender or personal circumstances.

Being Hong Kong’s first university of applied sciences, or UAS in short, HKMU has found a clear and compelling niche – to provide vocational and professional education and training, a critical driver of manpower development and a promising pathway for our youth.

This approach also echoes the 15th Five-Year Plan, in promoting the integrated development of education, technology and talent. HKMU’s practical, market-driven curriculum brings that vision to life.

The new Hub for Community Health and Wellness takes this further. It will support nursing and health sciences education and research across multiple disciplines. It will be home to at least six undergraduate programmes and two higher diploma programmes, all aligned with HKMU’s strategic positioning as a UAS.

HKMU has long enjoyed strong ties to industry. The new campus will deepen those ties, nurturing a new generation of industry-ready professionals. The interdisciplinary research centre will focus on solving real-world problems and, in doing so, attract the high-calibre talent required for our long-term industrial growth.

I am confident that HKMU will play a leading role in raising the status of vocational and professional education and training at the degree level, enhancing its articulation pathways and working with other member institutions of the Alliance of UAS.

The Government, let me emphasise, is committed to the sustainable development of the self-financing, post-secondary education sector.

And we back our words with action. Through the Start-up Loan Scheme, we are supporting HKMU’s new campus with a loan of some HK$1.3 billion. And it does much more than ease the university’s shortage of campus space.

It will house a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities, including an integrated health centre and the interdisciplinary research centre, creating an outstanding environment to support teaching, research and the promotion of health and wellness in the community.

Most importantly, this campus will enable more students to access high-quality, applied education, giving them the skills and understanding they need to serve society with competence, creativity and compassion.

I’m also pleased to note that some of the facilities in the new complex will be open to the Hong Kong public, including the integrated health centre.

HKMU has long been committed to promoting public health through targeted educational programmes and wellness activities. This new campus will clearly expand that commitment, to the benefit of all Hong Kong.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish HKMU and its new campus – a Hub for Community Health and Wellness – far-reaching success. May it become a shining example in vocational and professional education, empowering generations of outstanding graduates to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of Hong Kong and our nation.

Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the Workshop on Promoting Integrity for Economic Prosperity organised by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Working Group today (June 9):
 
Honourable Vice Chairman Fu (Vice Chairman of the National Commission of Supervision of China (NCS) Mr Fu Kui), Commissioner Woo (Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Mr Woo Ying-ming), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to speak at this Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Working Group Workshop cohosted by the National Commission of Supervision, China and the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong, China. To begin with, I would like to welcome all of you, in particular those coming from other economies.
 
     The theme of today’s workshop, namely, promoting integrity for economic prosperity, is plainly of great significance and common interest. In my view, it involves two primary questions: first, the relationship between integrity and economic prosperity; second, how to promote integrity.
 
     Let me begin with the meaning of integrity. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime defines this term as follows: “Integrity is the practice of being honest, being respectful, adhering to our values, and consistently making positive decisions – even when no one else is looking”.
 
     Undoubtedly, there is an important interplay between the culture of integrity and economic development. In this respect, we look forward to hearing from eminent speakers coming from different economies to speak at the three sessions of this workshop on strengthening integrity for better livelihoods; building stronger financial systems through integrity; and promoting cross-border investment and trade with integrity.
 
     The way I look at the matter is this. On the one hand, a culture of integrity would create a fair and transparent level playing field where people would feel confident and comfortable to take part. This is naturally and logically conducive and essential to economic growth and social development. However, at the same time, economic growth might induce some people to pursue their own interests by resorting to corrupt behaviours. The long and short of it is that social and economic growth will not be sustainable unless it is coupled with a strong culture of integrity.
 
     The big question is, therefore, how to promote a culture of integrity. Integrity is a rather elusive concept incapable of precise definition. Hence, it is necessary to convert the concept into a set of rules, which are reasonably clear, to guide and regulate people’s behaviour. It is equally necessary that this set of rules be faithfully and effectively enforced. This set of rules is our laws. The point that I wish to make is that the rule of law is the indispensable means to promote a culture of integrity.
 
     Hong Kong, China provides a good example to demonstrate how promotion of integrity by the rule of law may contribute to economic prosperity. Hong Kong, China experienced an economic boom since about the 70s in the last century. It is telling that it was also in the late 70s that Hong Kong, China introduced fundamental changes to its legal regime to tackle the then serious corruption problems. Hong Kong, China has now become an international financial, trading and shipping centre; it is also now one of the least corrupt places in the world and renowned for its strong rule of law. This cannot be a sheer coincidence.
 
     The Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO), which is still the main piece of legislation to combat corruption, was enacted in 1971. The POBO introduced new offences and wide powers of investigation. For example, section 10 of the POBO creates the offence of “possession of unexplained property”, which imposes upon a public office holder the burden of giving a satisfactory explanation if he maintains a standard of living above that which is commensurate with his present or past emoluments.
 
     Apart from the POBO and other statutes, our common law includes the criminal offence of misconduct in public office, which is a powerful anti-corruption legal tool. The essence of the offence is the abuse of public trust by a public officer. Let me cite one precedent as an example: receiving large sums of money in anticipation of appointment to a senior public office as a “general sweetener” for favourable inclination while in office.
 
     Criminal offences are supplemented by civil liabilities. For example, the common law of constructive trusts has been used to compel corrupt public officials to surrender illegal benefits derived from corruption to the government.
 
     Corruption in the private sector is also subject to both criminal and civil liabilities. Under our criminal law, one example is section 9 of the POBO, which makes it an offence for a person to offer an agent, or for an agent to solicit or accept, an advantage in return for him doing an act in relation to his principal’s affairs or business. Insofar as civil law is concerned, under our common law, agents or employees would owe a general implied fiduciary duty or duty of fidelity, which in essence requires them to act in good faith in the best interests of their principals or employers. Breach of such duties would result in liabilities to pay loss and damages, and surrender any improper benefits received, to the principals or employers.
 
     Having all these, no matter how comprehensive the laws are, they can only achieve their intended purposes if they can be, and are in fact, enforced effectively. The establishment of the ICAC in 1974 was a turning point. Apart from enjoying very wide investigation and related powers, the most crucial feature is its independence in that it is not subject to the direction or control of any person other than the Chief Executive. The significant contributions made by our strong and independent judiciary, which adjudicated corruption-related cases, whether civil or criminal, fairly and expeditiously, must, of course, be borne in mind.
 
     The existence of a comprehensive anti-corruption legal regime not only deters and punishes corrupt behaviours; it also provides a significant propaganda effect to cultivate a culture of integrity. This is important because corrupt behaviours are mostly secretive, and hard to detect. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the laws depends on people’s self-awareness, readiness and willingness to abide by them. I am proud to say that the people of Hong Kong, China have zero tolerance for corruption. According to the ICAC Annual Survey 2025, about 98 per cent of the public believed maintaining a corruption-free society is crucial to Hong Kong’s overall development. It is no exaggeration to suggest that anti-corruption has already become an integral part of the “genetic makeup” of the people of Hong Kong, China.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong, China’s journey in the past few decades shows how integrity has contributed to sustainable social development and economic prosperity. It is a never-ending journey, which cannot be walked alone. While each economy would need to find its own way to promote integrity for the purpose of advancing social and economic prosperity by reference to its own peculiar circumstances, knowledge and experience sharing as well as mutual legal assistance among economies are not only desirable but also necessary, in particular, having regard to the fact that many challenges are common and transboundary. I wish to make it crystal clear that Hong Kong, China stands ready to serve as a good companion with other economies on our respective journeys in this respect.
 
     May I conclude by wishing you two days of productive and inspiring discussions. I would also encourage friends coming from other economies to take some time to experience Hong Kong, China as a safe, friendly and interesting place where integrity and prosperity coexist. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (June 9) met with the Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of the National Commission of Supervision (NCS), Mr Fu Kui. Leading an NCS delegation to pay an official visit to Hong Kong, Mr Fu called on the Office of The Ombudsman and exchanged views with Mr Chan and the directorate.

At the meeting, Mr Chan outlined the Office’s achievements, noting that his three strategic focuses, namely mediation, interdepartmental collaboration and cultivating a positive complaint culture, have all delivered significant results. He highlighted the Office’s supervisory role over public administration in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and its commitment to promoting good governance and improving people’s livelihood through investigations, recommendations and observations. Mr Chan also mentioned that the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy, which was established by the Office through internal resources, actively organises exchange activities locally, across the border and abroad to advocate the concept of maladministration prevention while serving as a bridge between the Mainland and global counterparts. He added that in late 2026, the Office will host the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA)’s 30th anniversary celebration, including an international forum and the 27th meeting of the AOA’s Board of Directors, to further deepen international co-operation and strengthen regional ties. At the meeting, Mr Chan and Mr Fu, both AOA Board members, also exchanged views on the AOA’s remarkable accomplishments over the past three decades.

Mr Fu acknowledged and supported the Office’s commitment to innovation, reform and the promotion of good governance, especially its effectiveness in addressing public concerns and its important supervisory role in enhancing public administration in the HKSAR. After the meeting, three Assistant Ombudsmen gave the delegation a guided tour of the Office and introduced the key responsibilities of its three major divisions. Mr Fu also took time to engage with the Chief Officers, encouraging them to uphold professionalism while striving to enhance public administration and improve people’s livelihood.

Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to Mr Fu for his visit and to the NCS for its ongoing support and guidance for the Office. He reiterated his commitment to continue leading the Office in diligently performing its supervisory functions, while specifically and proactively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to drive high-quality development for public benefit. Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connections to the world, the Office will strengthen both domestic co-ordination and international outreach, thereby fostering the sustained development and innovation of the ombudsman system.