Month: July 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch of the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), hosted the “Smart Parks, Sustainable Prosperity – 2026 Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch Smart Park Governance Achievement Presentation.” On July 25. During the event, six mature smart technologies implemented at Linyuan Industrial Park were showcased, demonstrating the results of the park’s smart governance initiatives. Beginning in 2027, the technologies are expected to reduce annual equipment maintenance costs by approximately NT$20 million, save around 210,000 labor hours annually in response to workforce shortages, and minimize disaster-related losses by an estimated NT$7 million through faster emergency response, highlighting the tangible benefits of smart technologies in occupational safety, operational efficiency, and cost management.

Yu Shu-Hui, Chief Secretary of the BIP, noted that Linyuan Industrial Park is one of Taiwan’s most important petrochemical industry clusters, encompassing a complete industrial supply chain from refining and petrochemical feedstocks to downstream processing. As a key production base supporting domestic industrial materials and essential consumer goods, the park plays a vital role in Taiwan’s economy. The Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch added that the petrochemical industry is characterized by continuous production processes, intensive energy consumption, and stringent safety management requirements. Amid challenges related to workforce management, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance, leveraging smart technologies to strengthen park governance has become a critical driver of industrial transformation.

Linyuan Industrial Park was selected as the demonstration site for this initiative, with six major smart technology applications successfully deployed across 22 petrochemical manufacturers in the park. These include Gas Detection and Analysis Management, AI-Based Human, Vehicle, and Environmental Image Recognition, Personnel Abnormality Detection and Positioning, Equipment and Pipeline Monitoring Systems, Smart Inspection Systems, and a Factory Operations Management Platform. Together, these technologies establish a more responsive and precise governance model covering safety monitoring, workforce deployment, equipment maintenance, and operational management.

According to the Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch, companies in the park are facing a range of challenges, including an aging workforce, increasingly complex personnel management, labor shortages, rising operating costs, and the loss of institutional knowledge. On the operational side, aging facilities, demands for digital transformation, and high maintenance costs also pose significant hurdles. Meanwhile, the pursuit of net-zero emissions, increasingly stringent environmental regulations, and compliance requirements continue to drive industrial upgrading. Rather than improving isolated pieces of equipment, implementing smart technologies enables enterprises to integrate risk management, inspection operations, and operational data into a comprehensive governance system capable of real-time monitoring, early warning, and informed decision-making.

The achievement presentation not only highlighted the phased progress of smart governance at Linyuan Industrial Park, but also laid a solid foundation for transforming Taiwan’s traditional petrochemical industry toward higher value-added production, smart manufacturing, and low-carbon development. The Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch stated that it will continue to strengthen collaboration among government, industry, academia, and research institutions while integrating public-sector support with private-sector innovation. Through these efforts, the Branch aims to enhance operational resilience and occupational safety management across industrial park enterprises, making smart technologies, safety, and sustainability the key pillars supporting the next stage of industrial park transformation and upgrading.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349

Contact Person: Director Huang (Linyuan Industrial ParK Service Center, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-6412944

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On June 26, 2026, the International Trade Administration (TITA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held an online seminar titled the “Latest Developments in U.S. Tariff Policy” to assist Taiwanese enterprises in responding to the dynamic developments of such policies. Lawyers from the White & Case international law firm were invited to brief nearly 1,000 participating corporate representatives on recent U.S. tariff updates.

The U.S. lawyers elaborated on crucial topics, including the expiration of Section 122 import surcharges, Section 301 investigations, proposed measures concerning forced labor and overcapacity, and updates on Section 232 national security tariffs. The seminar also provided strategic advice to help domestic enterprises safeguard their interests and better understand the implications of these policies.

Alongside government officials and think tank scholars, the participants represented various key industrial supply chain sectors, including semiconductors, ICT, machinery, metals, consumer manufacturing, medical devices, and imports and exports. This reflected the keen concern over the effects of U.S. tariff policies on supply chain operations and global deployments of Taiwanese enterprises.

Looking ahead, TITA will continue to closely monitor U.S. tariff policies and accordingly invite experts to conduct online seminars, thereby ensuring that Taiwanese enterprises stay ahead of international trade trends, and thus bolster their competitiveness in the global market.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) welcomed joint letters issued by the U.S. Department of State, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce encouraging governors and business leaders across the United States to expand trade, investment, and broader cooperation with Taiwan. The letters were released by the American Institute in Taiwan on June 24, 2026.

The MOEA noted that economic and trade ties between Taiwan and the U.S. have continued to deepen in recent years. In May, Taiwan once again sent the largest delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit, reflecting strong interest among Taiwanese companies to strengthen supply-chain partnerships with the United States.

To support companies seeking to invest in the United States and vie for opportunities created by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, the MOEA is planning to promote the development of Taiwanese industrial clusters in the United States. It has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’Association (TEEMA) to jointly advance overseas industrial clusters and help Taiwanese companies expand in the U.S. market in a more coordinated and efficient manner.

Moreover, the MOEA has established Taiwan Trade and Investment Centers in Dallas, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. Both centers are now in operation and assisting companies with their U.S. investment plans.

The MOEA will also hold the 2026 Taiwan Expo in Dallas in late September. It is expected to enhance supply-chain cooperation in smart technology, manufacturing, energy, and healthcare, while highlighting Taiwan’s capabilities and strategic importance as a key partner in U.S. supply-chains.

Looking ahead, the MOEA will continue to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with the U.S. federal government and individual states, support industrial collaboration between Taiwanese and American companies, expand bilateral trade and investment, and build more resilient and trusted supply chains.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

July 15, 2026-The grand opening of the premier promotional event “2026 Taiwan Expo in Japan” was held in Tokyo. Organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), it centered around the theme of “Innovate for Tomorrow,” showcasing Taiwan’s top innovations across five key sectors: smart manufacturing, energy & the circular economy, smart technology, smart healthcare, and cultural life.

MOEA Minister Kung Ming-Hsin, who led the high-level delegation, highlighted the event as a monumental milestone celebrating the profound and long-standing friendship between Taiwan and Japan. Minister Kung stated, “As global supply chains undergo major realignments amid rapid advancements in AI and net-zero carbon transformation, our relationship is transitioning from a natural trading partnership to a deeper, next-generation co-innovation alliance.” This year’s Expo set a record with 154 Taiwanese enterprises-representing a remarkable 15% increase compared to the previous event in 2023.

The Expo highlighted complementary industrial strengths, particularly in semiconductors and AI computing. To support this growth, TSMC is increasing its input in the Kumamoto Fab 2 to accelerate the deployment of Taiwan’s supply chains in Japan, while both nations jointly advance the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) initiative.

Bilateral ties also continue to reach historic peaks. In 2025, trade value between the two economies amounted to a staggering US$84.85 billion, and Taiwanese tourism to Japan reached an unprecedented 6.73 million visits last year, illustrating that bilateral economic and cultural exchanges continue to deepen.

To foster long-term commercial integration, the MOEA’s newly inaugurated Taiwan Trade and Investment Center in Fukuoka (established in April 2025) is actively delivering seamless, one-stop advisory, matchmaking, and logistical assistance. Alongside the exhibition, the Taiwan-Japan AI Technology Forum drew leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss supply chain resilience, talent exchange, and next-generation AI innovation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police conducted a territory-wide anti-illegal gambling operation codenamed “CROWBEAK” cum “WINDSHIELD” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June and July. During the operation, Police arrested 991 people and seized over $365 million in betting records, as well as over $7.4 million in cash and assets.

During the operation, Police raided 249 premises suspected of being linked to illegal gambling activities and arrested 991 people (645 males and 346 females,  aged between 16 and 93) for offences including “engaging in bookmaking”, “promoting or facilitating bookmaking”, “betting with a bookmaker”, “operating illegal gambling establishments”, “dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (commonly known as “money laundering”), etc.

Police seized suspected crime proceeds comprising about $3 million in cash and $4.4 million worth of valuables. Additionally, 43 computers and 443 mobile phones suspected of facilitating bookmaking activities were seized. The aggregate value of betting records uncovered in the operation was $365 million.

Moreover, on the education front, Police conducted a series of preventive education campaigns under the theme “Stay Away from Illegal Gambling”, including:
•    promoting anti-illegal gambling messages via media and online channels, including producing a promotional video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyDaXOZv6TA);
•    broadcasting promotional videos, distributing leaflets and displaying posters at entertainment venues and strategic locations in various districts; and 
•    collaborating closely with the communities, schools, government departments and other organisations to enhance the promotion of anti-illegal gambling messages through various channels.
     
Police appeal to the public that in accordance with the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), anyone who bets with a bookmaker commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and nine months’ imprisonment on conviction. Anyone who engages in bookmaking, or promotes or facilitates bookmaking, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and seven years’ imprisonment on conviction. A person would still be liable to the offences even if the gambling website is hosted overseas yet he/she engaged in its operation in Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Hong Kong cinema is the undisputed star at this year’s 25th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), where a record 17 films will be screened under the “Hong Kong Panorama” banner, presented with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) from July 10 to 26 (New York time). 

     The centrepiece event was the presentation of the NYAFF’s Best from the East Award to actor Daniel Wu on July 20 (New York time), ahead of the special screening of “Cold War 1994”, honouring a career that began in Hong Kong cinema before extending into Hollywood, television and the director’s chair, and bringing with him the discipline, physicality and storytelling instinct for which Hong Kong film is known.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​An incoming female passenger was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (July 21) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 31-year-old Mainland female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on May 24 and seized 10 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The duty-not-paid cigarettes had an estimated market value of about $41,000 and a duty potential of about $33,000. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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

     The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (July 21) announced the launch of a direct investigation operation to examine whether the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has adequate procedures to monitor and follow up on cases where no new consumers have taken up closed accounts.              168–200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Fax: 2882 8149
Email: di491@ombudsman.hk