Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of January 27, President Lai Ching-te met with American Veterans (AMVETS) National Commander Paul Shipley. In remarks, the president thanked AMVETS for its longstanding support of Taiwan-US exchanges and veterans affairs. He also stated that the recent enactment of the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act by the United States administration and Congress provides crucial support for the stable development of Taiwan-US relations. The president expressed hope to further deepen cooperation with the US to jointly enhance care and quality of services for veterans.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I am delighted to meet and exchange ideas with Commander Shipley today at the Presidential Office. This visit clearly demonstrates the great importance he attaches to Taiwan-US cooperation and veterans affairs. I would also like to congratulate him on being elected national commander at the AMVETS National Convention last August. He is among the youngest national commanders in the organization’s history. His appointment symbolized the passing of the torch to a new generation and displayed AMVETS’ dynamism and drive as it continues to forge onward and stay ahead of the curve.
AMVETS has long played a vital role in US public affairs and social dialogue. Over many years, the organization has not only actively spoken up for veterans’ rights and interests, but also continued to advance Taiwan-US exchanges. In particular, AMVETS invites our Veterans Affairs Council (VAC) to attend its National Convention every year and passes a resolution in support of the Republic of China. AMVETS has also put forward resolutions that aim to consolidate Taiwan-US relations, help Taiwan strengthen its self-defense capabilities, and support our international participation. These concrete actions have further solidified bilateral exchanges in veterans affairs and deepened the Taiwan-US friendship.
Through bilateral exchanges, we have seen that AMVETS takes a systematic approach to providing comprehensive care and services to veterans. Here in Taiwan, the VAC is also committed to improving policies and other measures to ensure that every veteran enjoys stability and dignity in life. I look forward to Commander Shipley’s support for our continued exchange of experiences so as to provide even more and better care for our veterans.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the US administration and Congress for the recent enactment of the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act. This will provide crucial support for the stable development of Taiwan-US relations. Moving ahead, Taiwan will join the US and like-minded democratic partners in deepening cooperation so as to make even greater contributions to maintaining regional peace and stability and the global order.
In closing, I wish Commander Shipley a pleasant and fruitful visit.
Commander Shipley then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for receiving him, as well as thanking Taiwan’s government for their kindness over the past few days and for continuing to provide much help to AMVETS. He indicated that since 1991, AMVETS national commanders have made many trips to Taiwan to show their support, and they reiterate that support every year at their National Convention.
Commander Shipley stated that it is his organization’s position that the relationship between Taiwan and the US is an excellent thing, and that especially in veterans affairs policies, both in the US and in Taiwan, they encourage this dialogue year over year.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem is thriving, attracting a growing number of local and international founders. The city’s business-friendly environment and strong innovation support make it an appealing base for startups aiming to expand in the region.

One of them is a Hong Kong fintech startup that was acquired last year by a loyalty and travel rewards platform from Singapore.

David B Wang, the platform’s Global Head of Loyalty Partnerships and General Manager of Hong Kong, said the city offers favourable conditions for startup development.

Hong Kong is first and foremost a travel hub, he noted, adding that following the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, passenger traffic at Hong Kong International Airport has benefited significantly, and with a new terminal opening, he expects travel demand to continue growing.

Mr Wang also highlighted Hong Kong as a dynamic fintech hub that unites financial services and innovation, enabling companies to test new ideas and products. He also expressed appreciation for the various partners and stakeholders who supported the company’s entry into Hong Kong.

“Thanks to organisations, including Cyberport and Invest Hong Kong, for giving us the resources and showing us that there is an ecosystem here for us to tap into so that we can accelerate our growth and expansion to the market.”

Last year, the number of startups and startup employees in Hong Kong reached new all-time highs. According to Invest Hong Kong, the number of startup firms in the city exceeded 5,200 in 2025, representing an 11% year-on-year increase. These companies employed nearly 20,000 people, reflecting growth of 12% compared with the previous year.

Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau said Hong Kong’s appeal extends far beyond its borders, with international founders accounting for approximately 33% of the city’s startup community, demonstrating that it is an ideal place for such firms.

“Whether they are local or from around the region using Hong Kong’s wonderful ecosystem for financing, or whether it is to look for support from government funding or develop test cases so that they can grow their dreams.”

In 2025, Invest Hong Kong helped 560 companies to set up or expand their operations in the city. These companies are expected to bring in nearly $70 billion in direct investment and create more than 10,000 new jobs.

In addition, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, which is partly administered by Invest Hong Kong, received more than 2,850 applications last year, and is expected to bring in investment of more than $85.5 billion to Hong Kong.

Looking ahead, Ms Lau said the department will focus on the Northern Metropolis and supporting Mainland enterprises in “going global” through Hong Kong.

She said as Chinese Mainland industries continue to grow and expand their sales, technologies and investments abroad, Invest Hong Kong will help them to use the city as a platform. This includes managing the functions of their regional headquarters, fundraising, serving as a corporate treasury centre, and managing international operations.

Ms Lau outlined that the department will also identify companies that are interested in using the Northern Metropolis to expand their businesses, such as technology companies looking to establish research and development functions and pursue advanced manufacturing in the area.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The inaugural Global Business Summit (GBS) was successfully held today (January 27) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, providing forward-looking, multi-dimensional insights into the prospects, challenges, and opportunities facing various industries.

     The GBS was held on the second day of the annual flagship event, the Asian Financial Forum. It was jointly organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. With over 3 500 global leaders in attendance, the event highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role as a “Super Connector” and “Super Value-Adder,” further solidifying the city’s position as international financial and innovation and technology (I&T) hubs.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The inaugural Global Business Summit was successfully held today, providing forward-looking, multi-dimensional insights into the prospects, challenges and opportunities facing various industries.

Held on the second day of the Asian Financial Forum, the summit attracted more than 3,500 global leaders.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan stressed the importance of Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. He noted that empowering industries through finance would foster deeper integration and collaborative development between finance and industry. He further stated that trade, finance and innovation and technology will be the three principal drivers of the city’s economic growth.

Mr Chan pointed out that tailored incentive packages, such as land grants, premium concessions, tax incentives and other facilitation measures, would be prepared to welcome technology enterprises to establish a presence in the Northern Metropolis.

Jointly organised by the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) and the Trade Development Council, the summit focused on strategies for financial–industrial integration and the latest market trends. 

Discussions included life and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, new energy, fintech and other fast-growing sectors. 

Participants explored how cross-sector collaboration can generate synergies, drive industrial upgrading, and leverage Hong Kong’s strength as a financial and trading centre to support Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global.

This collaboration also aims to attract more international capital to reinforce and foster ecosystem development, strengthening Hong Kong’s role in finance and innovation.

OASES, as a co-organiser of the summit, actively engaged with global leaders from existing and potential strategic enterprises across various sectors, including AI & Data Science, fintech, advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, and life and health technology, enabling them to exchange ideas as guest speakers and provide professional and diverse industry perspectives.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee met the visiting President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and senior officials of foreign governments over the past two days.

Mr Lee thanked them for serving as speakers at the 19th Asian Financial Forum.

During the meeting with AIIB President Zou Jiayi today, the Chief Executive said that as a member of the AIIB, Hong Kong actively supports the AIIB’s operations in areas such as project financing, bond issuance, and investment and financial management.

He added that Hong Kong will provide full support for the AIIB’s establishment of an office in the city, and continue to leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland with the world under the “one country, two systems” principle to deepen co-operation with the AIIB, with a view to further contributing to the sustainable development of infrastructure in Asia.

In addition, the Chief Executive met Undersecretary of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Ministry of Finance Younis Haji Al Khoori. Also attending the meeting was UAE Ambassador to China Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi.

Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is making every effort to develop into an international innovation and technology hub. It will give full play to its role as a functional platform for the Belt & Road Initiative and seize the tremendous opportunities brought about by the initiative jointly with the UAE for mutual benefit.

The Chief Executive yesterday met Türkiye’s Minister of Treasury & Finance of Mehmet Şimşek. Also attending the meeting was Ambassador of Türkiye to China Selçuk Ünal.

He welcomed Turkish enterprises to make use of Hong Kong as a gateway to tap into the Mainland and Asian markets to jointly explore more opportunities. He also encouraged more Turkish youth to pursue further studies and develop their careers in Hong Kong through the Belt & Road Scholarship.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Civil Service College today held a talk in the series on the country’s foreign affairs, jointly with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Themed “Development of China – United States Relations”, the talk was delivered by Deputy Director General of the Department of North American & Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tang Zhiwen.

Addressing the talk, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said that Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying the nation’s strong support and being closely connected to the world, along with a multicultural and international background. In the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong can play a bridging role by promoting economic and cultural exchanges between the country and the rest of the world, thereby opening up new development opportunities.

Mrs Yeung noted that Hong Kong SAR civil servants should take a more active role by developing a deep understanding of national strategies, accurately grasping changes in the international landscape, and fully leveraging their professional expertise and communication capabilities to contribute to fostering rational dialogue and pragmatic co-operation between China and the US.

About 170 senior officials and civil servants in the directorate and senior ranks attended the talk at the Central Government Offices today.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today held the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy.

With the motto of “Fusing East and West through tactics; Forging new heights through synergy”, the academy aims to promote the sharing of emergency response tactics and experiences among law enforcement agencies from different jurisdictions, thereby further enhancing the CSD’s collaboration with them and professional capabilities of each other.

Located at the former Cape Collinson Correctional Institution, the academy offers a wide range of training facilities as well as an authentic correctional institution environment to provide members of law enforcement teams from the Mainland and overseas with professional correctional response tactics training.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said that the academy stands as a bold testament to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s vision in correctional services – establishing a global hub where knowledge converges, skills are honed and professionalism is elevated.

He added that the academy is poised to become a beacon of tactical mastery. It will provide meticulously crafted training courses for correctional and law enforcement professionals from around the world. It is also a dynamic platform for the exchange of cutting-edge tactics, where experience meets innovation, and where every lesson learned strengthens the fabric of correctional security.

The academy offers tactics training courses that combine both theory and practice, including the Certificate in Safe & Effective Control Tactics, the Certificate in Close Quarter Defense & Control Technique, and other courses relating to correctional response forces’ anti-riot tactics.

It also plans to progressively introduce instructor courses, enabling graduates to provide relevant training for other personnel to elevate professional standards in their respective organisations. In addition, the academy will proactively reach out to correctional institutions worldwide to foster learning and exchanges among different jurisdictions.

The first batch of 29 participants from the Mainland, Macau, Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam arrived in Hong Kong yesterday for tactical exchanges with the CSD’s response teams and the Certificate in Safe & Effective Control Tactics course.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today met Prime Minister of Vanuatu Jotham Napat, with the two leaders exchanging views on issues of mutual interest. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong also attended the meeting.

Welcoming Mr Napat and his delegation to Hong Kong, Mr Lee highlighted that bilateral trade between Hong Kong and Vanuatu continues to grow, adding that the prospects for co-operation between the two places are broad and promising.

He highlighted that Hong Kong enjoys both national and global opportunities under the “one country, two systems” principle, and that it functions as a “super connector and super value-adder” in the pursuit of new growth opportunities in partnership with countries such as Vanuatu, a Belt & Road member state in the Global South.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong will harness its advantages – including its being connected to both the Mainland and the world – and its role as a functional platform for the Belt & Road Initiative, to strengthen economic and trade collaboration, and green co-operation, with Belt & Road economies.

He invited enterprises from Vanuatu to leverage Hong Kong’s highly internationalised business environment and its pool of professional services talent, to explore overseas and Mainland markets and opportunities.