Month: July 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets US House Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim
On the afternoon of July 31, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Chairwoman Young Kim of the United States House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. In remarks, President Lai thanked the bipartisan group of representatives for backing Taiwan, remarking that their actions embody the mutual support among democratic partners. The president stated that in addition to proposing a special budget for unmanned vehicle procurement, the government of Taiwan has responded to national defense needs in moving from drone R&D and testing to mass production. He noted that National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) also recently passed a rigorous cybersecurity assessment for the US defense supply chain, demonstrating Taiwan’s ability to align with international standards. President Lai stated that Taiwan looks forward to working alongside the US to build secure and trustworthy non-red supply chains and promote drone industry development to enhance R&D and mass production capabilities among democratic partners.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Chairwoman Kim, the last time we met was in 2024. Your group was the first US congressional delegation that I received after taking office. It is a pleasure to see you again today as you lead this delegation to Taiwan. Your visit demonstrates the steadfast support for our country in the US Congress. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I express my sincerest welcome and gratitude to you all.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. Both of these democratic milestones remind us that freedom and democracy, in Taiwan and throughout the world, were hard-earned and must be safeguarded by generation after generation. I would like to thank this bipartisan group of representatives for backing Taiwan. Your actions embody the mutual support among democratic partners. I especially thank Chairwoman Kim for long championing Taiwan-friendly legislation in Congress, further deepening the Taiwan-US partnership and creating more space for cooperation.
Today, China continues to intensify military pressure on Taiwan and ramp up gray-zone aggression. Our stance has always been clear – we will neither provoke nor act rashly, nor will we yield or back down. We will staunchly maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Peace is achieved through strength. We are committed to further increasing Taiwan’s defense budget and bolstering whole-of-society defense resilience. We will also deepen collaboration with democratic partners, and demonstrate our determination and capacity to jointly deter aggression and respond to threats. For example, unmanned vehicles are becoming an indispensable force in modern defense, and countries are seeking secure and reliable supply sources. Taiwan, with its advantages in semiconductors, information and communications technology, and precision manufacturing, is seizing this important opportunity to develop its drone industry.
In addition to proposing a special budget for unmanned vehicle procurement, our government has responded to national defense needs in moving from drone R&D and testing to mass production. NCSIST also recently passed a rigorous cybersecurity assessment for the US defense supply chain, demonstrating Taiwan’s ability to align with international standards and protect critical technologies. We look forward to Taiwan and the US working together to build secure and trustworthy non-red supply chains and promote drone industry development with our full strength. This will enhance R&D and mass production capabilities among democratic partners. It will also help us respond more quickly to national defense and international market needs.
From democratic values to regional security and technology cooperation, Taiwan is deeply grateful for the longstanding support of the US Congress and successive administrations; it is because of this enduring support that Taiwan has been able to come this far. I once again welcome Chairwoman Kim and our guests, who have traveled from afar to be here. Your visit further strengthens the solid foundation of Taiwan-US cooperation. I look forward to working together to make even greater contributions to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Chairwoman Kim then delivered remarks, a transcript of which follows:
Thank you so much for joining us and welcoming our bipartisan delegation to Taiwan. Your generosity in hosting our congressional delegation today is very much appreciated, and we’re very honored by your personal presence today. Our bipartisan delegation represents California, Virginia, Iowa, and Texas, and each of us are blessed to represent states with robust and growing economic and cultural ties with Taiwan. By traveling together, our goal is to show how congressional support for Taiwan is bipartisan and strong. We believe a secure and free Taiwan is critical for the security in the Indo-Pacific and for the United States.
We’re here to face down the threat from the Chinese Communist Party, and the path forward is daunting, but we can overcome this challenge together. The more concrete steps that Taiwan takes, the more the United States can do to support Taiwan. Deterrence takes two to tango, so help us help you. 
We want to congratulate the people of Taiwan on the steps taken so far in achieving peace through strength. Thank you for your commitment to increase defense spending to 5 percent of your GDP. The [US]$25 billion supplemental defense bill passed earlier this year is a major achievement. And we’re encouraged that Taiwan is now considering new drone legislation. The wars over Ukraine and Iran show that Taiwan needs to buy and build drones at a huge scale. Time is short, and the faster a comprehensive drone bill can pass, the better. 
But even a drones bill should not mark the end of Taiwan’s efforts. Every new defense measure taken, including in strengthening Taiwan’s military reserves, stiffens the resolve of free people everywhere against the malign intentions of the Chinese Communist Party.
Congress is doing its part, and we have expedited arms deliveries for Taiwan. We’re working to ease Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations, support Taiwan’s diplomatic partners, prepare economic options in a crisis, encourage bilateral tourism, and much more. These are the steps that we have taken to show Congress’s continued support for Taiwan. Thank you again for hosting us here. We look forward to the substantive discussion today and to the rest of our delegation’s visit to Taiwan.
The delegation also included US House of Representatives Members Suhas Subramanyam, Michael Cloud, and Randy Feenstra. The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s economy in the second quarter grew 4.3% year-on-year, down from a 5.9% increase in the first quarter.

The Census & Statistics Department announced the figures today as it released its advance estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison basis, real GDP decreased by 0.6%.

The Government said the Hong Kong economy continued to expand robustly in the second quarter, underpinned by buoyant external trade and resilient domestic demand.

Looking ahead, it said the Hong Kong economy should continue to post solid growth in the second half of 2026.

Nonetheless, lingering external headwinds, particularly geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, uncertainties surrounding US monetary policy, as well as and trade protectionist measures among major advanced economies still warrant close surveillance, it added.

Source: Government of Singapore

31 July 2026 – The first fortnight of August 2026 is likely to be drier than the past fortnight. Southwest Monsoon conditions are prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region and are expected to continue in the coming fortnight, with winds blowing mainly from the southeast or south.

2.           Fair and occasionally windy conditions are expected on several days, particularly during the second week of August 2026. Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected in the late morning and afternoon over parts of the island on some days. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of August 2026 is forecast to be below average over most parts of the island.

3.           The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. The nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures remaining above 27 degrees Celsius on several days.

4.           For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (16 – 30 July 2026)

5.           Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the second fortnight of July 2026, with winds blowing mostly from the southeast or south.

6.           In the second fortnight of July 2026, localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island on most days. On 22 July 2026, regional wind convergence brought heavy thundery showers over many areas of Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 105.8mm recorded at Jurong Pier that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the second fortnight of July 2026.

7.           The daily maximum temperatures in the second fortnight of July 2026 were between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily temperature of 34.0 degrees Celsius was recorded at Ang Mo Kio on 19 July 2026. There were also several warm nights, particularly over the eastern, southern, and western parts of the island, where minimum night-time temperatures remained above 27 degrees Celsius.

8.           About half of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in the second fortnight of 2026. The area around Jurong Pier registered rainfall of 58 per cent above average, and the area around Clementi registered rainfall of 46 per cent below average. 

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for August   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.4	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.3	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.1	°C
Average rainfall:	146.9	mm
Average number of rain days:	14
Historical Extremes for August   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.7	°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.0	°C (1962)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	526.8	mm (1878)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	11.8	mm (2019)

 

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METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE
31 Jul 2026

 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance came into effect today, the Government announced.

The ordinance provides a legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders, as well as legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers when complying with the directives and orders.

The Health Bureau said that the Government’s policy objective is to ensure that terminally ill patients and their families receive appropriate end-of-life care services and support.

It noted that the purpose of AMDs and DNACPR orders is to respect patients’ autonomous choices regarding life-sustaining treatment (LST), allowing them to conclude their life’s voyage with peace and dignity.

An AMD allows an adult patient suffering from an advanced and irreversible disease, while mentally capable of deciding on an LST, to indicate in advance the LSTs that they wish to refuse should they subsequently lose mental capacity and the preconditions specified in the AMD are met.

An AMD does not, however, allow the refusal of basic care or palliative care.

In line with the principle of “cautious making, easy revoking”, the maker must, before making an AMD, fully understand and carefully weigh the implications of each instruction for their own condition to make an informed decision, and the AMD must comply with a number of statutory requirements. The maker may also revoke the AMD at any time in the manner specified in the ordinance.

A DNACPR order, made by registered medical practitioners for a patient who has met the specified preconditions, seeks to ensure that, in settings outside hospitals and even when no healthcare professionals are present, rescuers will act in accordance with the DNACPR order and will not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient.

Upon commencement of the ordinance, healthcare professionals and rescuers are required to act in accordance with the patient’s AMD or DNACPR order when they have notice of it and the preconditions specified in the ordinance are met.

Under the principle of “if in doubt, save lives first”, the ordinance provides legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers, exempting them from relevant legal liability where, for example, they administer an LST to a patient because they do not have notice of a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order, or they withhold an LST from a patient because they honestly and reasonably believe that the patient has a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order.

The ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council in November 2024. The Government subsequently provided a preparatory period of about one and a half years for stakeholders to prepare for its implementation, and published in the Gazette on May 22, 2026, appointing July 31 as the date on which the ordinance comes into operation.

The Health Bureau has worked in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including policy bureaus and departments, public and private healthcare institutions, residential care homes (RCHs), professional bodies and emergency rescue service organisations, to take forward a range of preparatory work.

This includes organising professional training seminars for personnel, such as healthcare professionals of public and private healthcare institutions, frontline rescue and management staff of government departments and organisations involved in emergency rescues, and staff of RCHs, and updating relevant service and operational guidelines.

People who wish to learn more about AMDs and DNACPR orders, or who are considering making an AMD, may discuss the matter with a doctor familiar with their condition, who will offer suitable advice having regard to the patient’s circumstances.

Click here for the ordinance.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department announced today that 1,400 regular quotas for Hong Kong cross-boundary non-commercial private cars using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Macao will be open for application from August 7.

The batch of 1,400 Hong Kong quotas includes 400 new slots agreed upon by the Hong Kong and Macao governments, alongside 1,000 reallocated quotas following their expiry.

Applicants can apply for “quotas with eligibility criteria” if they are individuals or companies engaged in specific employment or business activities in Macao. Alternatively, Hong Kong permanent residents and registered companies can apply for “open quotas”.

The department noted that the “open quotas”, which are free from specific eligibility criteria, were well received when first introduced in May. The relaunch aims to provide greater convenience for residents driving to Macao for work, business, family visits or sightseeing.

Eligible applicants can register online from 9am on August 7 until 5pm on August 20.

A ballot will be conducted to allocate the slots after the application period closes. The quotas will be valid for three years starting from September 30 at the earliest, and will expire September 29, 2029.

Visit the department’s website or call 2804 2600 for details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The projected private flat supply for the next three to four years is 96,000 units, down 5,000 from the previous estimate.

The Housing Bureau said today there were 19,000 unsold units in completed projects as of the end of June.

There were also 61,000 units under construction, excluding those pre-sold by developers; and 16,000 units from disposed sites where construction may start at any time.

The number of flats under construction in the first quarter this year was 5,600, while 6,400 units were completed during the same period.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today the sale of a site at Wai Lok Street in Kwun Tong for electric vehicle (EV) fast charging and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) filling station purposes.

Put up for sale through public tendering, the site is located at New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6681. The tender invitation will close on October 9.

In addition to serving as a fast charging station for EVs, the site must have LPG dispensers installed to replace the dedicated LPG filling station at Wai Lok Street, which is being reprovisioned to facilitate the development of the Vocational Training Council’s new campus.

Moreover, the site’s retail area is larger than that of a conventional petrol filling station, providing operators with flexibility to meet drivers’ needs.

Land sale documents are available on the Lands Department’s website.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department issued a Notice of Elimination of Vermin to Langham Place property management today in response to rodent sightings, ordering the Mong Kok shopping centre to fix conditions fuelling the infestation by August 6.

Staff members were dispatched to inspect Langham Place’s common areas and food premises this morning upon learning of the situation. Inspectors uncovered signs of rodent activity, structural gaps including holes in false ceilings, and an improperly covered trash bin inside a licensed restaurant’s food room.

The situation was deemed unsatisfactory by the department, as it explained that conditions provided rodents with food sources and hiding spots.

Officers issued a verbal warning to the food premises’ person-in-charge, demanding immediate rectification, while providing rodent control measures and hygiene education to mall staff.

The department added that it will continue to monitor Langham Place’s hygienic conditions, and noted that the shopping centre has hired a pest control company to conduct thorough cleaning and strengthen anti-rodent measures.