Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of India

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to attend 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting at Brasilia, Brazil

Shir Chouhan to hold bilateral meetings with Brazil Minister of Agriculture & Livestock Mr Carlos Henrique Baqueta Fávaro, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming Mr Luiz Paulo Teixeira,

Theme of 15th BRICS Agricultural Ministerial Meeting is “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade among BRICS Countries”

Posted On: 15 APR 2025 10:54AM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is leading the Indian delegation to the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), scheduled to be held on 17th April, 2025 in Brasilia, Brazil. The theme of 15^th BRICS AMM is “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade among BRICS Countries”. Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from BRICS member countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran are expected to attend the Meeting.

During the visit, Shri Chouhan will hold bilateral meetings with key Brazilian counterparts, including Mr. Carlos Henrique Baqueta Fávaro, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, and Mr. Luiz Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA). These meetings will focus on enhancing collaboration between India and Brazil in various areas of agriculture, agri-technology, rural development, and food security.

The Minister will interact with leaders of major Brazilian agribusiness companies and representatives of the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries in São Paulo, exploring avenues for partnership and investment in the agriculture value chain. As part of his visit, the Minister will also participate in a tree plantation drive at the Embassy of India in Brasilia, under the noble initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, aimed at raising environmental consciousness and honouring motherhood. In addition, the Minister will interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora in São Paulo, acknowledging their role as cultural ambassadors and contributors to bilateral ties. This visit reaffirms India’s commitment to deepen cooperation with BRICS nations and to advance South-South cooperation in agricultural innovation, resilience, and sustainability.

***

PSF/KSR/AR

(Release ID: 2121725) Visitor Counter : 83

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) today released the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technical & Application Guideline, covering the scope and limitations of applications, potential risks and governance principles of generative AI technology, including technical risks such as data leakage, model bias and errors that need to be addressed.

The guideline provides practical operational guidance for technology developers, service providers and users in the application of generative AI technology.

The Generative AI Research & Development (R&D) Center was commissioned earlier to study and suggest appropriate codes and guidelines on the accuracy, responsibility and information security in generative AI technologies and practices, based on practical applications and feedback collected from the industry.

The DPO promulgated the guideline, having considered the research findings and recommendations, with the primary objective to balance AI innovation, application and responsibility, thereby constructing a governance framework with local characteristics suitable in the Hong Kong context for all stakeholders in the AI ecosystem.

The DPO will monitor the latest technological and application developments in generative AI, while maintaining close collaboration with the R&D centre, academic institutions and industry groups. The guideline will be updated regularly for reference by all sectors.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, 473 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total amount of US$2,255,756,000 were approved from January to March 2024. This indicates a decrease of 7.44% in the number of cases, but an increase of 100.20% in FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

With regard to inward investment from Mainland China, 6 cases were approved with an amount of US$96,469,000 from January to March 2025. This indicates a decrease of 14.29% in the number of cases, but an increase of 818.52% in the FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024. From July 2009 to March 2025, 1,628 cases were approved with a total investment amount added up to US$2,989,637,000.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 186 projects were registered from January to March 2025 with a total amount of US$12,232,898,000, indicating an increase of 3.91% in the number of cases, and an increase of 6.88% in the amount, as compared to the same period of 2024.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 46 applications have been approved from January to March 2025, indicating a decrease of 40.26% compared to the same period of 2024. The approved investment amount is US$342,548,000, 62.98% less than he same period in 2024.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) with Armenia signed in June 2024 has come into force, and will be applicable to Hong Kong tax for any year of assessment beginning April 1, 2026.

Under the agreement, companies and residents of both places will not have to pay tax twice on a single source of income.

The agreement will also allow them to have certainty on tax liabilities and save tax when they engage in cross-border business activities, thereby helping to promote bilateral trade and investment.

Hong Kong has signed CDTAs with 51 tax jurisdictions so far.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In support of the government’s Deep Energy Savings Promotion Plan, Taipower today (March 27) coordinated with its 24 regional offices across Taiwan to hold a major-user symposium. Nearly 2,000 companies from every industry were invited to participate. The event featured case studies in promoting deep energy-saving practices, and Taipower’s energy diagnosis services. A Taipower representative stated that the Company hopes more businesses will join efforts to save energy, reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and take the critical steps toward Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero transition.

On the morning of the 27th, Taipower held the major-user symposium, titled “Taipower Energy Diagnosis Now, Businesses Energy Savings Wow”, in coordination with regional offices all across Taiwan. In particular, the Taipei South Branch, designated as Taipower’s deep energy-saving demonstration site, attracted participation from over 100 companies. Taipower Vice President Chen Ming-Shu also attended the event, joining forces with Taipower’s energy-saving mascot Power Buddy to serve as energy diagnosis ambassadors and promote energy saving among businesses.

Businesses participating in deep energy-saving should begin with energy assessments and diagnosis supported by Taipower. Following this, businesses should collaborate with an Energy/Engineering Service Companies (ESCOs) to implement equipment upgrades, energy management measures, and other improvements that help reduce electricity costs and increase energy efficiency. A Taipower representative noted that, having completed initial diagnosis and then actual improvements, the Ministry of Finance office building now saves 380 MWh annually, the Grand Hotel saves 840 MWh per year, and Far East Century Park Phase I, home to many major tech companies, is saving an impressive 2 GWh per year.
A Taipower representative pointed out that in 2019, the Company established energy diagnosis centers in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. These centers use specialized measuring instruments to provide free energy-saving consultations for major electricity users (those contracted for 100 to 800 kW). In 2024, the centers delivered tailored energy-saving assessments to over 300 companies. If the recommended improvements are fully implemented, Taipower estimates that these businesses could collectively save 37 GWh of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity usage of more than 9,000 households, while also reducing approximately 18,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

In addition to offering free energy diagnosis services to major electricity users, Taipower is actively supporting the government’s Deep Energy Savings Promotion Plan. The Plan calls on state-owned enterprises and major medical institutions to lead by example, and Taipower has taken the initiative by implementing energy-saving improvement projects at six demonstration sites. These include the Company’s Headquarters Building; the Taiwan Power Research Institute (TPRI)’s Shulin Campus; the Linkou Training Center; and the Taipei Southern, Hsinchu, and Taichung regional offices. At the Taipei Southern Regional Office, for example, Taipower introduced ESCO services and fully upgraded the central air conditioning system, resulting in an estimated annual electricity savings of nearly 1 GWh.

Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Department of Business Director Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6650/0922-696-383
Email: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Hsiehho Power Plant Redevelopment Project (“HPPRP”) has passed Environmental Impact Assessment Review Committee (“EIA Review Committee”) review. In response to this, today (February 26), Taipower expressed gratitude for the support and guidance from EIA Review Committee members and all stakeholders. Since its initial proposal, the HPPRP has undergone seven years of EIA review. Through discussion of rationality and specialized analysis under the EIA framework, the HPPRP has been continuously refined to produce an optimal plan that ensures the public’s right to electricity while minimizing environmental impacts. A Taipower representative emphasized that maintaining a stable power supply and meeting the electricity needs of both the public and industries is the Company’s mission. The Company looks forward to working together with all sectors to promote Hsiehho’s redevelopment as soon as possible, in order to provide reliable power to the Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung areas while also satisfying local demand for improved air quality.

A Taipower representative pointed out that all information required by the EIA review has been investigated and truthfully provided, in accordance with the law. Based on the conclusions of today’s meeting, Taipower will also supplement additional materials requested and will faithfully implement the HPPRP in line with its environmental commitments. Regarding the issue of soil contamination within the Hsiehho Power Plant site, Taipower has also pledged to complete remediation of the contaminated land before construction of the new units officially begins, in compliance with the regulations of the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act.

A Taipower representative explained that the EIA process for the HPPRP began at the end of 2017. Over the years, Taipower staff have dedicated significant time and effort, incorporating suggestions from EIA Review Committee members and different sectors of society to continuously optimize the plan. Version 1.0 of the plan included 29.25 hectares of land reclamation, but in order to reduce impacts on Waimushan Fishing Port, Taipower proactively revised the plan and proposed Version 2.0 with a reduced scale. Later, in response to local concerns about coral reefs near the submerged breakwater area, Taipower developed Version 3.0, known as the “Eastward Shift Plan”, which relocated and further reduced the reclamation area to maximize marine ecological protection, applying the ecological conservation strategy of “avoidance, minimization, mitigation, and compensation”. In addition, to address local concerns regarding the impact of the receiving terminal on shipping operations at Keelung Port, Taipower collaborated with experts, scholars, and local stakeholders to conduct thorough research. This ensured that port safety and operations will not be compromised, and that the HPPRP and Keelung Port can coexist and thrive together.

A Taipower representative stated that even as power generation units within the northern and eastern power grids are gradually decommissioned, electricity demand in the Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung areas continues to grow due to ongoing economic development. The HPPRP therefore serves a significant public interest by ensuring a stable power supply and improving air quality. Taipower thanks all sectors for the support, and will continued working hard and communicating more deeply to jointly promote power stability and local development for the Taipei-New Taipei-Keelung region.

Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Department of Environmental Protection Director Wu Cheng-Hung Wu
Phone: (02) 2366-7200/0927-291-156
Email: u015279@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

For over a decade, Taipower has been dedicated to conserving Kaohsiung’s Yong’an Wetland and creating a haven for black-faced spoonbills there. Through scientific management and water level control technology, the wetland has been transformed into a welcoming ‘Waterbird Hotel’ – an ideal migratory bird habitat and feeding ground. Since autumn last year (2024), the site has hosted hundreds of migratory birds, including globally endangered species such as the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata), and Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope).

Integrating the wetland’s unique features into its operations, Hsinta Power Plant developed an environmental education program that has been certified by the Ministry of Environment. This makes it the first thermal power plant in Taiwan to be officially designated as an environmental education site. The unveiling ceremony was held today (January 3). A Taipower representative stated that while Taipower remains committed to its mission of ensuring stable power supply, it will also continue promoting environmental education and preserving the biodiversity of the Yong’an Wetland, so that these feathered guests can enjoy a cozy winter and make every visit a happy ‘Bird-Day’.

Taipower held the Yong’an Wetland Migratory Bird Season and Environmental Education Site Unveiling Ceremony today at the Yong’an Wetland Ecological Education Center in Kaohsiung. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-Sheng; Kaohsiung City Government Public Works Bureau Director Yang Chin-Fu; Kaohsiung City Government Environmental Protection Bureau Deputy Director Huang Shih-Hung; and former Kaohsiung City Government Advisor Tsan-Cheng Lin. Together, they jointly unveiled the plaque. Students and teachers from Yong’an Elementary School and Xingang Elementary School were also invited to participate in birdwatching activities, enthusiastically welcoming the start of the migratory bird season at Yong’an Wetland.

Ecological restoration success – black-faced spoonbill population quadruples in 10 years

A Taipower representative stated that in 2010, the Company established an ecological survey team and launched ecological conservation research. Since then, they have collected over 500,000 waterbird and water depth observations. Through scientific management and water level control technology, the number of waterbirds at Yong’an Wetland has increased significantly, with the black-faced spoonbill population growing fourfold over the past decade. Today, Yong’an Wetland has become a winter sanctuary for migratory birds. As early as last October, black-faced spoonbills had already been spotted, and recently, charming visitors such as black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus), northern shovelers, and Eurasian wigeons have also been seen.

A Taipower representative explained that Yong’an Wetland was originally developed as the Wushulin Salt Fields during the Japanese colonial period. In 1984, with the transformation of the salt industry, the land ownership was transferred to Taipower for power development purposes. However, Taipower not only preserved the Wushulin Salt Manufacturing Company Office – a County-designated historic site – but also made efforts to minimize the scope of development. Taipower retained two-thirds of the site as environmental conservation land, deliberately avoiding key bird habitats. The overall plan designates 41.25 hectares as wetland conservation area and 15 hectares as an ecological buffer zone with greenbelts and protected areas. Statistics show that over 160 species of birds have been recorded visiting the site. The notable phenomenon of “migratory birds becoming resident birds” has also been observed, with species such as the Kentish plover (Anarhynchus alexandrines) and black-winged stilt now settling and breeding in the area.

Taipower also collaborated with internationally-acclaimed, award-winning director Hsu Hung-Lung to produce the documentary film “Flying Bird Power Plant”. The film records Taipower’s efforts and achievements in ecological conservation. The film has earned multiple honors, including a Platinum Remi Award at the 2024 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, a Document Special Award at the Accolade Global Film Competition, and an Award of Excellence for Nature/Environment/Wildlife at the All-American Short Film Competition.

Integrating wetland wonders with energy exploration – three different courses to have fun in!

Hsinta Power Plant is the only power plant in Taiwan with a wetland onsite. Taipower has integrated ecological conservation with energy education to develop three courses: Wonders of Hsinta; Eco Task Force; and Chasing the Spark. Led by a team of expert instructors, participants can explore the saltwater wetland ecosystem, observing mangrove plants and aquatic fish, shrimp, and shellfish, while also learning about power generation principles. The courses include hands-on creative activities using byproducts from the power generation process, offering a fun and educational experience.

A Taipower representative stated that Hsinta Power Plant received official certification from the Ministry of Environment as an Environmental Education Facility in September last year. The unveiling ceremony was held today, and the site will be open for reservations starting January 10. (For details, please visit the Hsinta Power Plant Environmental Education website: https://www.hsinta-ee.com.tw/ .) Schools and organizations are welcome to get in touch and schedule visits.

Balancing a stable power supply with ecological conservation: Hsinta’s new Unit 1 undergoing trial operation

To meet growing electricity demand and achieve the net-zero emission goals, Taipower is currently constructing new gas-fired combined cycle units at Hsinta Power Plant. The three new units will have a total installed capacity of 3.9 GW. Construction began in December 2020, and by the end of last year, the project was more than 80% complete. A Taipower representative pointed out that the new Unit 1 first began generating power last September, and is currently undergoing trial operation. The goal is for the unit to be ready for grid dispatch by the end of February, followed by commercial operation. Once officially online, it is expected to generate over 7 TWh of low-carbon electricity per year. Meanwhile, new Units 2 and 3 are currently undergoing mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical installation. They are projected to be gradually connected to the grid starting this year.

Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Department of Environmental Protection Director Wu Cheng-Hung
Phone: (02) 2366-7200/0927-291-156
Email: u015279@taipower.com.tw