Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Yiu Ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (April 29):
 
Question:
 
     The public healthcare fees and charges reform (Reform) took effect on January 1 this year, with the Hospital Authority simultaneously enhancing the medical fee waiver mechanism, resulting in an increase in the number of eligible beneficiaries from 300 000 to 1.4 million. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it knows the number of persons in each of the following categories who were exempted from medical fees in the past three years and the amounts involved: (i) recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance; (ii) recipients of Old Age Living Allowance aged 75 or above; and (iii) holders of Level 0 Vouchers under the Residential Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly;
 
(2) whether it knows the respective numbers of persons who were granted full and partial medical fee waivers for meeting the established financial assessment criteria in the past three years and the amounts involved;
 
(3) as the Government previously indicated that as at February 28, 2026, there were 752 approved cases under the annual cap mechanism of $10,000 on public medical fees and charges without requiring financial assessment, whether the Government has made any projections on the number of beneficiaries and the public expenditure involved for the whole year; and
 
(4) given that one of the objectives of the Reform is to reduce the demand for non-urgent consultations at Accident and Emergency departments (A&E), and that members of the public often attend A&E because they are unable to determine their own clinical conditions (especially at night or on holidays), whether the Government, apart from contemplating strengthening evening consultation services, has plans to set up a 24-hour medical consultation hotline service modelled on overseas practices such as the NHS111 hotline in the United Kingdom and healthdirect in Australia, so that members of the public can receive remote preliminary assessment and advice from healthcare professionals via telephone or electronic platforms, thereby helping them to assess their own clinical conditions more accurately and avoid seeking treatment at A&E for minor ailments; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     In consultation with the Hospital Authority (HA), the reply to the question raised by Hon Yiu Ming is as follows:
 
     The fees and charges reform for public healthcare aims to, through reforming the subsidisation structure, guide the public to make optimal use of healthcare resources and reduce wastage and abuse. At the same time, the reform adopts the principle of “co-payment by those who can afford and co-payment by those with mild conditions” and enhances healthcare protection for the four categories of “poor, acute, serious, critical” patients on all fronts, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the healthcare system to cope with challenges posed by an ageing population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, etc, and strengthening its role as a safety net for all. The various measures under the reform have been smoothly implemented since January 1, 2026. After the implementation of the reform, the Government maintains a high level of subsidisation of up to 95 per cent for public healthcare services, with citizens co-paying a very low proportion of the cost.
 
     As an essential part of the fees and charges reform for public healthcare, the HA has expanded the medical fee waiver mechanism. In addition to the some 600 000 people who have been benefiting from full medical fee waivers both before and after the reform, namely Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients, Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) recipients aged 75 or above and Level 0 Voucher Holders of the Residential Care Service Voucher (RCSV) Scheme for the Elderly, the number of other eligible low-income individuals is estimated to significantly increase from about 300 000 in the past to about 1.4 million. The total number of eligible low income individuals who could potentially benefit is estimated to increase from about 900 000 to about 2 million. This enables limited healthcare resources to be more precisely directed to help the “poor” patients among the “poor, acute, serious, critical” patients who are most in need, while ensuring that no patient is denied medical care due to lack of means.
 
(1) The table below sets out the numbers of CSSA recipients, OALA recipients aged 75 or above and Level 0 Voucher Holders of the RCSV Scheme for the Elderly who benefitted from medical fee waivers and the waiver amounts involved in the past three years and up to March 31 for the year 2026:
 

Year	CSSA recipients		OALA recipients aged 75 or above		Level 0 Voucher Holders of the RCSV Scheme for the Elderly
	Number of persons	Waiver amount involved ($ million)	Number of persons	Waiver amount involved ($ million)	Number of persons	Waiver amount involved ($ million)
2023	241 900	459	277 000	473	900	2
2024	236 600	467	300 400	514	1 200	2
2025	231 100	461	324 400	545	1 500	3
2026 (up to March 31)	177 000	301	266 400	403	900	2

 
(2) Since the implementation of the fees and charges reform for public healthcare, the number of medical fee waiver applications approved by the HA has significantly increased by multiple times compared with the past, demonstrating that the reform has effectively strengthened support for low-income families and underprivileged groups. As at March 31, 2026, the HA has approved 224 039 medical fee waiver applications submitted by Eligible Persons (Note 1). Among the approved applications, 214 978 are full waivers and 9 061 are partial waivers.

     The table below sets out the number of medical fee waiver applications approved by medical social workers/social workers for Eligible Persons (Note 1), as well as the number of persons who benefitted from medical fee waiver and the waiver amounts involved in the past three years and up to March 31 for the year 2026:
 

Year	Full waiver (Note 2)			Partial waiver (Note 2)
	Number of approved cases	Number of persons benefitted from waiver	Waiver amount involved ($ million)	Number of approved cases	Number of persons benefitted from waiver	Waiver amount involved ($ million)
2023	15 918	13 800	47	382	500	0.8
2024	16 522	14 100	50	397	500	0.9
2025	18 832	16 400	54	515	700	0.8
2026 (up to  March 31)	214 978	183 400	235	9 061	6 800	3.9

 
(3) In addition to expanding the medical fee waiver mechanism, the HA has also introduced an annual cap on fees and charges of $10,000, which is not subject to financial assessment. All Hong Kong residents in need could apply for and benefit from this protection. The annual cap on fees and charges helps provide more comprehensive protection for patients with serious or chronic illnesses or heavy users of public healthcare services, thereby alleviating the financial pressure arising from their ongoing treatment.
 
     As at March 31, the HA has approved 2 953 applications. Citizens approved are not required to pay any fees for eligible healthcare services within the relevant year, thereby further alleviating the financial burden on their families arising from long‑term medical expenses.
 
     Given that the fees and charges reform is still at its initial stage of implementation, and that patients’ utilisation pattern of healthcare services over the course of a year may vary, we are not able to make an accurate estimation of the annual number of beneficiaries and the relevant expenditure. The HA will continue to monitor the actual utilisation situation.
 
(4) To ensure that patients can be diagnosed and assessed as early as possible, the HA has established triage guidelines, under which an experienced and specially trained nurse will first assess patients’ conditions, including reviewing their medical history, symptoms and vital signs at the time of attendance, and set priorities for treatment according to the severity. Patients are classified into five categories based on their clinical conditions, namely Triage I (critical), Triage II (emergency), Triage III (urgent), Triage IV (semi-urgent) and Triage V (non-urgent). The HA has set performance pledge to ensure that patients who need urgent medical attention are treated within a reasonable time. Patients triaged as critical will be treated immediately by healthcare staff without having to wait, while those with non-urgent conditions may have to wait longer.
 
     The HA has been encouraging patients with relatively mild conditions to make good use of primary healthcare services. With the implementation of the fees and charges reform for public healthcare in 2026, the refund arrangement at the Accident and Emergency departments (A&E) has been regularised, providing patients with greater flexibility in seeking care. Patients who have been triaged but have not yet received consultation may apply for a refund within 24 hours after registration via HA Go mobile application or at the A&E registration counter, thereby enabling them to choose other healthcare services. This measure aims to focus A&E resources to serve critical and emergency patients, enabling A&Es to perform their emergency care function.
 
     As regards public primary healthcare services, the Primary Healthcare Commission and the HA have been working to strengthen family medicine outpatient services and enhance service capacity, including the provision of evening and public holiday out-patient services. At present, the HA manages 75 Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs), 23 of which provide evening out-patient services across all districts in Hong Kong. The number of clinics offering Family Medicine Out‑patient Services on Sunday and public holidays has also increased to 15 in 2025. Given the demand for evening out-patient services, and having taken into account factors such as district population size, A&E waiting times and the availability of private doctors, the HA will progressively increase evening consultation slots by 25 000 from the second quarter of this year in districts including Tuen Mun, North District, Tai Po, Sha Tin, Sham Shui Po, Kwai Tsing and Kwun Tong. In addition, the North Kwai Chung FMC plans to regularise its current evening clinic arrangements on Wednesdays and Thursdays to Mondays through Fridays in 2026–27. The HA and the Primary Healthcare Commission will continuously review the service needs of different districts and consider adjusting evening out-patient service capacity through deploying manpower and resources.
 
     To facilitate public selection of suitable primary healthcare service providers, the Government has also established the Primary Care Directory (PCD), which contains the practice information and professional qualifications of primary healthcare service providers in the community, facilitating public access to such information and selection of suitable family doctor. At present, around 1 000 clinic service points of doctors and around 1 000 clinic service points of Chinese medicine practitioners in the PCD provide evening out-patient services. Meanwhile, to meet the demand for medical services during long holidays, the Government also collates information on private healthcare facilities, covering private clinics enlisted in the PCD, non-profit organisations and private Chinese medicine clinics, which will be in operation during public holidays across 18 districts in the territory. The list of doctors enlisted in the PCD and information (including addresses, phone numbers and operation hours) on healthcare facilities providing relevant services can be accessed via the “Doctor Search” function of the eHealth mobile app and the eHealth website. These measures aim to help the public easily find suitable private medical services in the community outside office hours or during holidays, thereby diverting non-urgent consultation needs from A&Es. The HA currently has no plans to adopt remote assessment via telephone or digital platforms considering the potential medical risks, quality and safety, as well as cost-effectiveness.
 
Note 1: According to the Gazette (G.N. 5708 issued on September 27, 2013), patients falling into the following categories are eligible for the rates of charges applicable to Eligible Persons:
(i) holders of Hong Kong Identity Card issued under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Chapter 177), except those who obtained their Hong Kong Identity Card by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to them and such permission has expired or ceased to be valid;
(ii) children who are Hong Kong residents and under 11 years of age; or
(iii) other persons approved by the Chief Executive of the HA.
Note 2: Some patients may be approved for both full and partial medical fee waivers handled by medical social workers/social workers within the same year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Presidential Innovation Award, Taiwan’s top accolade for innovation, held its award ceremony today (April 28) at the Presidential Auditorium. President Lai personally presented awards to five recipients, including Realtek Semiconductor, a world-leading IC provider; One-Forty, a non-profit organization championing Southeast Asian migrant workers; Chu-Chen Hsiao, filmmaker and National Tsing Hua University professor; Jung-Der Wang, National Cheng Kung University Honorary Chair Professor; and Shaw Wu, DATAYOO General Manager. Recognized for their outstanding contributions across technology, culture, public health, and social innovation, the laureates exemplify Taiwan’s capacity in building national resilience through innovation.

Delivering remarks as Award Committee convener, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin noted that a total of 270 entries were submitted for this 7th edition. Following rigorous preliminary, secondary, and final rounds of review, the five laureates not only span diverse fields but also embody the depth and breadth of Taiwan’s innovative energy. Behind every innovation is a story of Taiwan-a strength rooted in the pursuit of excellence, social solidarity, and resilience in the face of challenges. Above all, it reflects a shared commitment to making Taiwan a better place.

In the Group category, award winner Realtek Semiconductor Corporation, a long-standing global leader in networking and IC design, has built dominant positions in Ethernet, audio, and video chips. Its products are embedded in a vast range of terminal devices, and with an annual shipment volume of 2.5 billion chips, it continues to drive momentum in a trillion-dollar industry. Its recent foray into electric vehicle and smart cockpit chips signals the broader ambition of Taiwan’s semiconductor sector to move from key components toward high-value-added applications.

The other Group category recipient, One-Forty, is dedicated to migrant worker education and talent empowerment. It has established Taiwan’s largest learning platform for migrant workers and promotes talent development and social inclusion through diverse courses and cross-cultural initiatives. By nurturing migrant workers into skilled talent assets, One-Forty not only improves the lives of individuals and their families but also deepens Taiwan’s talent and industry links with Southeast Asia and enhances its international image on human rights, diversity, and inclusion.

In the Individual category, award recipient Chu-Chen Hsiao has devoted more than 30 years to documentary filmmaking, through which she systematically captures Taiwan’s industrial and social development through visual storytelling and creates a shared cultural memory across generations. Her body of work gives Taiwan a distinctive voice in interpreting its own history and culture amid changing times-it allows the international community to rediscover Taiwan through a cultural lens and showcases the nation’s soft power in the parallel advancement of technology and the humanities.

Also in the Individual category, Jung-Der Wang, Honorary Chair Professor at National Cheng Kung University, has identified over 20 occupational diseases and established scientific systems for their recognition and prevention over the course of more than forty years in occupational medicine. He promoted the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) system and the development of preventive medicine, all of which steered Taiwan from a period of neglecting workers’ health toward institutionalized prevention aligned with international standards. His application of big data models to quantify health benefits has helped optimize the allocation of National Health Insurance resources, safeguard workers’ health, and fortify the foundation for sustainable industrial development.

Youth category award recipient Shaw Wu, General Manager of DATAYOO, has advanced hardware-free crop monitoring models powered by artificial intelligence and satellite technology, delivering a precise agricultural decision-making system with an accuracy rate of 98%. This technology not only blazes a forward-looking path for the transformation, upgrading, and intelligent development of Taiwan’s agriculture, but has also expanded to 32 countries worldwide. It testifies to the capacity of Taiwan’s younger generation to apply innovative technologies in practice and connect with global markets.

Each of this year’s five award recipients has responded to national, social, and global challenges through concrete action, ultimately effecting meaningful change. Innovation begins with problem-solving, and its purpose is to elevate the nation, enrich society, and enhance people’s well-being. It’s in pursuit of something larger-a world shaped for the better by what Taiwan brings to it. To back this transformative momentum, each award recipient receives NT$2 million in prize money in addition to the honor. This year, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has also coordinated cross-agency resources to provide a range of support measures, including R&D assistance, international expansion, and policy alignment, to amplify the winners’ innovative achievements and expand their social and industrial impact. The goal is to foster a virtuous cycle of innovation in Taiwan and reinforce the foundation for cross-domain, mutually beneficial development.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Pingzhen Industrial Park in Taoyuan is gaining new momentum. On the 20th, CHPT (Chunghwa Precision Test Tech. Co., Ltd.) announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the third Pingzhen new plant at Taoyuan Pingzhen Industrial Park, officially launching a new phase of capacity expansion and R&D. The project involves an investment of approximately NT$1.64 billion and will feature a facility with one basement level and seven above-ground floors. The new plant will focus on enhancing advanced wafer-testing technologies and production capacity and is expected to create approximately 300 local job opportunities.
Mr. Liang You-Wen, Director of the Taipei Branch of the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), noted that CHPT has long been dedicated to high-speed testing technologies and plays a critical role in quality assurance within the semiconductor supply chain. The company not only helps customers improve product yield and performance, but also contributes to strengthening Taiwan’s overall semiconductor competitiveness. Amid evolving global industry dynamics, CHPT’s continued investment and capacity expansion in Taiwan demonstrate strong confidence in the country’s industrial development.
According to the Taipei Branch of the BIP, CHPT is one of the world’s leading suppliers of semiconductor testing interfaces. The company has long focused on the development of wafer probe cards and testing solutions, with applications spanning artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, high-performance computing (HPC), and automotive electronics. As advanced manufacturing processes drive increasing demand for high-frequency and high-speed testing, the new facility will expand production capacity and deepen R&D capabilities. This will enable CHPT to provide global IC design houses and foundries with high-precision and high-reliability testing solutions, further reinforcing Taiwan’s competitive edge in the global semiconductor supply chain. The Taipei Branch also noted that this project is the first in the Pingzhen Industrial Park to be approved under the “Industrial Zone Revitalization and Vertical Expansion Program.” With an approved 31.5% floor area ratio incentive, the project enhances land-use efficiency and promotes park upgrading and redevelopment.
The groundbreaking ceremony was jointly hosted by Chairman Hung Wei-Kuo and President Huang Shui-Ko of CHPT. Distinguished attendees included Mr. Lian You-Wen, Director of the BIP Taipei Branch; Mr. Chang Cheng, Director-General of the Economic Development of the Taoyuan City Government; as well as representatives from industry, government, and academia. The launch of CHPT’s third Pingzhen plant marks another milestone in the continued advancement of Taiwan’s semiconductor testing industry toward higher-end development.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

Contact Person: Gao, Shih-Chi (Pingzhen Industrial Area Service Center)
Contact Number: 886-3-4697-640 #6683
Email: scgau@bip.gov.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Marking its 40th anniversary, the Taiwan Fashion Design Award enters a new chapter. Organized by the Industrial Development Administration (IDA), Ministry of Economic Affairs, and executed by the Taiwan Textile Federation, the award has established itself as one of Asia’s leading platforms for emerging fashion designers, dedicated to nurturing talents with global potential. Building on its legacy, this year’s edition continues to honor the fundamentals of design and craftsmanship while embracing innovation driven by technology and sustainability. Designers are encouraged to integrate AI and digital tools into the creative process, developing concept-driven works that respond to cultural contexts, social and environmental awareness, and future-forward perspectives.
Submissions are now open through June 30, welcoming emerging designers worldwide to take part in shaping the next generation of fashion. A total of 12 finalists will be selected to compete for the First Prize of US$10,000, with total prizes exceeding US$35,000. Finalists will also have the opportunity to present full collections at Taipei Fashion Week, gaining direct exposure to international media and industry professionals, and expanding market visibility and commercial prospects. In addition, the competition features several professional awards, including Best Use of Fabrics, Best Pattern Making, and Best Market Potential. Entries will be evaluated based on creativity, sustainability, function, and performance. The competition highlights the importance of design that balances aesthetics with real-world application and environmental responsibility.
The award continues to receive strong support from industry partners, including Coddy Global Ltd., Fortune Industrial and Commercial Development Foundation, Lealea Enterprise Co., Ltd., Li Peng Enterprise Co., Ltd., Makalot Foundation, New Wide Enterprise Co., Ltd., and New Wide Garment Co., Ltd. Through ongoing collaboration, the program aims to further elevate emerging design talent and strengthen its contribution to the global fashion industry.
【Relevant registration and contest information】
Official website of Taiwan Fashion Design Award:
https://www.tfdaward.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanFashionDesignAward/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tfdaward/
【Contact Information】
Taiwan Textile Federation
Winnie Chen
TEL: +886-2-2336-7599 #18
e-mail: winniechen@textiles.org.tw
Yaohung Kuo
TEL: +886-2-2341-7251 #2965
e-mail: yaohung@textiles.org.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Chairman Jason Wang of Lion Travel Group led a delegation of senior executives on a courtesy call to Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu, where both sides exchanged views on the international marketing of Taiwan’s tourism industry.
Chairman Wang outlined the Group’s global expansion strategy and its plans to further promote Taiwan’s tourism sector. Building on its strengths in corporate travel and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), the Group will continue to expand its business and deepen engagement with markets in Australia and New Zealand.
DG Wu provided an overview of Taiwan–Australia tourism exchanges and expressed appreciation for Lion Travel Group’s collaboration with government and industry partners in promoting Taiwan’s tourism and culture, helping to enhance Taiwan’s global tourism profile.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held the finals and award ceremony for the 2nd Best AI Awards at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2 (TaiNEX 2) on Saturday, April 25. This year’s competition attracted 1,487 teams from 36 countries worldwide, with international participation nearly doubling compared to the inaugural edition. From a pool of 253 finalist teams, 100 awards were selected. The eight most prestigious Gold Medals were awarded to teams from Delta Electronics, Kneron Inc., BioPro Scientific, Alpenglow Tek, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), National Formosa University (NFU), and representative teams from Thailand and Poland. Beyond showcasing the latest in AI hardware and software, the event highlighted the acceleration of these technologies into real-world industrial applications and forged international partnerships, significantly elevating Taiwan’s standing and competitiveness in the global AI arena.

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-Hsin stated that AI has become one of the most critical frontiers of global competition. While Taiwan holds key advantages in AI hardware sectors such as semiconductors and servers, the next phase focuses on transforming AI into practical applications across industries to generate real benefits. Under the Executive Yuan’s New Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects framework, the MOEA is responsible for the implementation of AI applications. To date, it has established over 50 pilot test beds with AI automation capabilities and developed application models covering 23 key industries. Through the MOEA Industry Competitiveness Advisory Group, the ministry has deployed over 1,000 consultants across the Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern regions, assisting more than 2,600 enterprises in adopting AI. Supporting this industrial shift is a robust focus on talent cultivation, with the cumulative number of participants in the iPAS certification exceeding 21,000, of whom over 8,000 have obtained the credential. This demand is further underscored by more than 4,800 enterprises expressing willingness to hire or offer salary increases, reflecting the industry’s high demand for job-ready AI talent.

Capitalizing on the rapid rise of Agentic and Edge AI, the Department of Industrial Technology explained how this year’s competition steered industry focus toward the latest AI technologies, marking a transition from AI as a passive tool to an intelligent partner capable of autonomous judgment and task execution. Complementing this strategic shift, over 430 projects in the competition were focused on lightweight AI applications, enabling AI to operate in real-time within terminal devices such as sensors and factory machinery. A total of 590 teams in the competition also utilized open-source platforms like GitHub for development and completed registration on Crunchbase, further enhancing Taiwan’s participation and visibility in the international AI sector.

To facilitate substantive business matchmaking, follow-up initiatives will extend to the COMPUTEX exhibition in June, where dedicated matchmaking sessions will be held. These sessions will assist winning teams in establishing connections with domestic and international venture capital firms and potential buyers, further expanding commercialization opportunities for AI innovation. The ministry hopes these efforts will continue to translate AI and IC innovations into tangible real-world impact, fueling a broader intelligent upgrade across the industry.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced the establishment of the Quantum Industry Technology Promotion Office (QITPO), as part of efforts to transition Taiwan from its “Silicon Island” role toward broader participation in emerging quantum technologies. This initiative is intended not only to create a new administrative body but also to coordinate resources and industry development. The primary objective of QITPO is to support Taiwanese manufacturers in the early stages of quantum development by strengthening their technical capabilities and industrial presence, enabling greater participation in the global supply chain and advancing the concept of “Quantum Taiwan.”

During the launch ceremony, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin noted that, following the global surge in AI, quantum technology is increasingly seen as the next major technological shift. He outlined three areas where Taiwan brings existing strengths: technology, manufacturing, and system integration. In terms of technology, Taiwan’s expertise in connector technology-essential for bridging the gap between room temperature and the near-absolute-zero environments required for quantum computing-is considered competitive globally. It also has established capabilities in control chips and other key components. In manufacturing, Taiwan’s experience in semiconductor fabrication and advanced packaging provides a strong foundation for qubit production and heterogeneous integration. In system integration, Taiwanese companies have experience in assembling diverse components into functional systems, a capability that may become increasingly important as quantum computing moves toward practical application.

The MOEA reports early results through ongoing technical development and industrial engagement. Examples include the development of cryogenic control chips capable of operating at minus 269 degrees Celsius. These developments have also led to international collaborations, such as work with U.S.-based SEEQC on quantum chips and joint efforts with Rigetti Computing on cryogenic modules. By establishing QITPO, the Ministry seeks to further link the research capabilities of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) with the private sector, with the goal of supporting a quantum industry ecosystem that is more connected internationally and aligned with commercial needs.

Moving forward, QITPO will focus on three main areas: cooperation, localization, and connection. First, it will promote international collaboration, encouraging global quantum companies to establish R&D activities in Taiwan and engage more closely with the local supply chain. Second, it will strengthen industry support through the Ministry’s existing programs, helping companies build capabilities in core quantum technologies. Third, it will create more opportunities for cross-sector exchange through forums and matchmaking events, bringing together academia, research institutions, and industry to translate research into practical applications.

By serving as a coordination platform and a point of contact for international collaboration, QITPO will work with industry partners and associations to expand collaboration networks, improve resource sharing, and accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies. Through these efforts, the Ministry aims to secure Taiwan’s pivotal role in the global quantum industry ecosystem.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; and the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, together with the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; and Deputy Secretary for Housing Ms Estrella Cheung, met the media today (April 28) regarding the follow-up arrangements for Wang Chi House at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Following are Mr Wong’s remarks at the media session:

Reporter: What difficulties Wang Chi House residents should expect to face if they want to move back to their homes? Is the Government recommending these residents to join the rehousing offer that you have proposed to the other seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court? 

Deputy Financial Secretary: Thank you for your two questions. Firstly, we do think the proposal is a good one for them, so that’s our basic position. But it doesn’t mean that we’d like to force them to accept the proposal. At the end of the day, it is their decision, having regard to their own circumstances. But we do think that what we have put on the table is very reasonable and should actually be quite attractive. 

Your first question. In terms of actual difficulties, there are actually a lot. In terms of maintenance issues, they will have to put up quite a bit of money in order to carry out all the maintenance works necessary. And there are also, fundamental problems relating to the underlying lease, relating to the underlying deed of mutual covenant which, if they want to modify, under the current law, you require the agreement of each and every one of the 1 984 households, which is really, really, very difficult to reach. And I think Secretary Mak (Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak) has explained all these difficulties quite clearly in many different situations.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.) 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Today (April 28) is the ninth day of phased arrangements for residents of seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to return to their units. Five high-zone floors of Wang Cheong House and 10 high-zone floors of Wang Tao House were opened. The access arrangements were carried out in an orderly manner and operated smoothly.

A total of 129 households (458 people) registered to return to their units today through the “one social worker per household” service, while 130 households (498 people) actually turned up.

The average time residents spent entering and leaving the building today was two hours and 33 minutes, with the shortest time being 29 minutes and the longest three hours and 43 minutes. About 65 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than three hours. About 25 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than two hours. About 2 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than one hour.

​A total of 54 households (106 people) went up and down the building more than once. Among them, 43 households (87 people) made one additional trip, 9 households (17 people) made two additional trips, and 2 households (2 people) made three additional trips. 

The integrated enquiry counter set up by relevant departments today received 7 cases requesting police assistance and 1 case involving resident seeking help due to physical discomfort.

     The 7 cases requesting police assistance involved suspected loss of property, including watches, jewellery, cash and gold items. Officers were immediately deployed to assist in searches, and lost property was recovered in 1 case. In another 4 cases, there were no signs of ransacking in the units, and the residents could not provide details on the property concerned. For the remaining 2 cases, the Police will make further investigation.

     The Government spares no effort in supporting the residents returning to their units. Each day, the Government deploys over 1 000 personnel from various departments, including the Police, the Civil Aid Service, the Fire Services Department, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the Housing Department, and the Housing Bureau, as well as District Services and Community Care Teams members. The “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism has also been activated to bring together greater interdepartmental resources to support residents.

     Under the “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism, the Civil Service Bureau has co-ordinated nine government departments to mobilise civil servants to form the Government Quick Response Unit to support these access arrangements. These civil servants come from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Architectural Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Environmental Protection Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Lands Department (LandsD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Post Office, and the Water Supplies Department (WSD). They will form dedicated teams with social workers and clinical psychologists from the SWD, stationed on different floors to provide support to residents returning to their units. The civil servants mobilised in the first three days were from the AFCD, those mobilised from the fourth day to the sixth day are from the EMSD and the LCSD, while those mobilised from the seventh day to the ninth day (including today) are from the LandsD and the WSD.