Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the HKQAA Green and Sustainable Finance Forum Luncheon 2025 today (December 11):
 
Simon (Chairman of the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA), Professor Wong Ka-wo), Professor Sun (Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xi’an Jiaotong University Committee, Professor Sun Zao) distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It is a great honour and pleasure for me to join you today at the HKQAA Green and Sustainable Finance Forum Luncheon 2025. I am very delighted to be here among such a distinguished gathering of industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable development. Let me begin by acknowledging the excellent theme curated by the HKQAA for this forum: “Fostering the Development of Sustainable Finance and Technology, Promoting Climate Risk and ESG Disclosure”. This theme is timely and relevant amid global challenges including climate change and environmental conservation, emphasising innovative solutions for economic resilience and planetary protection.
 
     I must also take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the outstanding work that the HKQAA has accomplished in the realm of sustainable finance and beyond. The HKQAA has actively participated in shaping international standards for green finance. This agency has launched the Green and Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme, providing credible verification for issuers and building trust in the market. Your support for Hong Kong’s sustainability disclosure roadmap is equally commendable, exemplified by the development of pioneering industry-based technical guidance on climate disclosure. This guidance represents one of the initial global efforts in this area, highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths and leadership in sustainability reporting.
 
     Furthermore, the HKQAA’s initiatives in capacity building, such as offering workshops and digital tools like the GHG (greenhouse gas) Scope 3 Emission Calculator, have been instrumental in preparing the business community for enhanced climate disclosures. All these tools empower companies to measure and manage their environmental impact effectively. In the domain of carbon markets and low-carbon ecosystems, the HKQAA has introduced innovative initiatives in carbon inclusion, event carbon offsetting, and low-carbon transportation infrastructure. These efforts not only support the growth of carbon trading but also contribute to building a comprehensive low-carbon ecosystem.
 
     Turning to the broader landscape, the Central People’s Government has outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan a commitment to green transformation, aiming to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve neutrality before 2060. Hong Kong aligns with these goals, targeting carbon neutrality before 2050 and a 50 per cent emissions reduction before 2035. Globally, climate finance reached US$1.3 trillion in 2021/22, but is estimated to hit US$9 trillion annually by 2030 and US$10 trillion by 2050. This highlights the demand for green finance, where Hong Kong plays a key role in capital mobilisation.
 
     As a premier international financial centre, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned as a “super connector” linking the Chinese Mainland with global markets. We leverage robust regulatory frameworks, expertise in standards, and connectivity to global capital. Last year, green and sustainable debt issued here exceeded US$84 billion, with bonds at US$43 billion – capturing 45 per cent of Asia’s total, ranking first for seven years since 2018. This success stems from comprehensive government policies working together with the industry, of course also with the HKQAA, to foster green finance, technology integration, and of course disclosure efforts, as highlighted by the theme of this forum.
 
     The Government has been taking the lead to promote green finance. Under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme, we have issued bonds totalling about HK$250 billion equivalent since 2019. Notable issuances include two batches of retail green bonds of HK$20 billion each in 2022 and 2023 – the 2022 issuance being the largest retail green bond globally at the time. At the same time, we have multicurrency green bonds in RMB (Renminbi), USD (US dollars), and euro totalling around HK$45 billion equivalent in 2023, marking the largest ESG (environmental, social and governance) bond issuance in Asia; and innovative tokenised green bonds, including the world’s first multitranche digitally native green bonds last year and a HK$10 billion equivalent issuance last month that integrated tokenised central bank money like e-CNY and e-HKD for settlement.
 
     To incentivise market participation, the Government launched the Green and Sustainable Finance Grant Scheme in 2021 to provide subsidy for eligible bond issuers and loan borrowers to cover part of their expenses on bond issuance and external review services. The Scheme has been extended by three years from 2024 to 2027, with an expanded scope of subsidies to cover transition bonds and loans. These measures encourage relevant industries in the region to make use of Hong Kong’s transition financing platform towards decarbonisation. As of end-November this year, we have granted around HK$410 million to over 640 green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong, involving a total underlying debt issuance of over HK$1.3 trillion.
 
     Innovation is at the heart of our strategy, particularly in green fintech. The Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group, co-chaired by regulators, launched the Hong Kong Green Fintech Map 2025 in June this year, developed with stakeholders like Cyberport and Invest Hong Kong. This map provides one-stop information on green fintech companies in Hong Kong, enhancing their visibility. And in June last year, we introduced the Green and Sustainable Fintech Proof-of-Concept Funding Support Scheme, approving 39 applicants for 60 projects with HK$150,000 grants each to foster commercialisation.
 
     On sustainability disclosure, my bureau FSTB (Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau) launched in December last year the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong. The roadmap sets out Hong Kong’s approach to require publicly accountable entities (PAEs), which are essentially our listing companies, to adopt the ISSB Standards (International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards). It provides a well-defined pathway for large PAEs to fully adopt the ISSB Standards no later than 2028. In June this year, the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS Foundation) published the jurisdictional profiles on adoption of the ISSB Standards and Hong Kong was confirmed as among the initial set of jurisdictions having set a target of fully adopting the ISSB Standards. This demonstrates Hong Kong’s commitment to enhancing the transparency of information on sustainable development in the capital markets, facilitating investors to make investment decisions and promoting global capital flows. My bureau in collaboration with financial regulators and stakeholders will continue to support the pragmatic implementation of the Hong Kong Standards through enhancing capacity building and promoting the use of technological solutions.
 
     Another key topic is about carbon markets, we are extending our efforts to build Hong Kong into an international credible market to connect opportunities across the Mainland, Asia and the rest of the world. The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) launched an international carbon marketplace Core Climate in October 2022, which is currently the only carbon marketplace that offers HKD (Hong Kong dollars) and RMB settlement for the trading of international voluntary carbon credits. The number of participants on the platform reached 100 by the end of last year. The HKEX signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September this year with Guangzhou Emissions Exchange, Shenzhen Green Exchange and Macao International Carbon Emission Exchange to co-operate in accelerating the carbon markets and green finance ecosystem development across the Greater Bay Area. Under the MOU, the four exchanges will work closely to explore new opportunities in carbon markets and green finance. This collaboration aims to foster deeper dialogue and facilitate the exchange of expertise among the exchanges and markets participants, supporting the development of a robust and vibrant green finance ecosystem across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
 
     Looking forward, Hong Kong’s leadership in sustainable finance requires unwavering commitment, innovation, and collaboration. This forum, with insights from a lineup of distinguished speakers, will provide visionary perspectives helping us to drive further development. Through partnerships with all stakeholders, we will continue to unlock capital for a greener future, extending beyond Hong Kong to Asia and globally. Thank you once again for having me today and at the same time, to the HKQAA for organising this event. I wish the forum every success and look forward to fruitful discussions and more insights to inform us to make better decisions going forward.
 
     Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (December 11) announced that Po Leung Kuk has been selected as the partner to operate the cultural and creative arts bazaar at Victoria Park (V Mart).

     Located at the Water Fountain Plaza and the South Pavilion Plaza in Victoria Park, V Mart is one of the nine hotspot projects announced in May this year by the Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration. V Mart will commence trial operations on December 12. It will then be open from noon to no later than 9pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (operation period subject to changes in light of major events to be held at Victoria Park) up to end-November next year. V Mart will feature new themes from time to time, with about 30 stalls showing different products, handmade crafts, trendy food and beverage, etc, as well as photo spots attractive to local residents and tourists.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Fire Services Department today posthumously conferred the honorary title of Senior Fireman on the late Ho Wai-ho, in recognition of his exemplary service and selfless dedication to duty.

At the ceremony, held at Sha Tin Fire Station, members of Mr Ho’s family accepted, on his behalf, a posthumous title conferment certificate and an embroidery of the Senior Fireman’s rank badge from Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung.

Members of the department’s New Territories North Command were also present to witness the ceremony.

Mr Ho was born in 1987 and joined the FSD as a fireman in 2016. He served at the Sha Tin Fire Station and demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication during his nine-year service.

While executing a firefighting and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po on November 26 this year, Mr Ho sustained serious injuries and lost his life in the line of duty. The blaze was later upgraded to a No. 5 alarm fire.

The department will hold a funeral with full honour for Mr Ho at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom, Kowloon on December 19. He will be laid to rest at the Gallant Garden in Wo Hop Shek afterwards.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong began offering outpatient and day-patient services today, as the phased launch of its operations commenced.

Located at 1 Pak Shing Kok Road in Tseung Kwan O, the hospital follows a public-private partnership model, with its construction being fully funded by the Government.

In response to keen public demand, appointments for government-subsidised outpatient services will be increased.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the commencement of services at the hospital marks a significant milestone in the development of Chinese Medicine (CM) in the city, signalling that CM is going beyond primary healthcare to play a part in secondary and tertiary healthcare in Hong Kong.

He said he looks forward to the hospital providing more comprehensive CM services to members of the public, and to developing a “Hong Kong model” that involves a mix of pure CM, CM-dominant services, and integrated Chinese-Western medical services. Remarking that this will dovetail with the CM Development Blueprint due to be announced by the Government, he explained that the blueprint will foster the CM sector’s high-quality and high-standard development, giving it powerful impetus to “go global”.

Regarding the high demand for appointments, Prof Lo said: “In response to the keen public demand, we have requested the hospital to increase the quota for government-subsidised general outpatient services in the first month after service commencement for members of the public to make appointments.

“Specifically, the service quota in the first 10 days of operation has been doubled. For the remaining days of the first month upon service commencement, the service quota has also been increased by an additional 30% starting today.”

He added that patients can also make appointments to attend the non-subsidised outpatient clinic, where they can select their preferred CM practitioners.

In addition to providing outpatient and day-patient services, in its first year of operation the hospital will fully launch specialised CM services in six areas: Internal Medicine; External Medicine; Gynaecology; Paediatrics; Orthopaedics and Traumatology; and Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

It will also launch 12 special disease programmes, including programmes for elderly degenerative diseases and stroke rehabilitation.

Demonstrating the Government’s commitment to public health, 65% of the hospital’s total service volume will comprise Government-subsidised services. The hospital will also provide market-oriented services to foster positive interaction between the hospital and the private healthcare market.

Patients can make appointments via the hospital’s hotline, on 3121 3121, its website, or via the newly launched “CMHHK Mobile App”.

Additionally, the hospital will provide full medical fee waivers to victims of the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire until December 31, 2026. Eligible individuals can identify themselves to the hospital and provide basic personal information during consultations.

To facilitate public access, the hospital will provide free shuttle services between Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station, LOHAS Park Station, and the hospital’s main entrance. The Transport Department has co-ordinated with public transport operators to enhance services to the hospital.

Moreover, the hospital will hold open days on January 17 and 18, 2026. Reservations can be made online through the hospital’s website starting from today.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu held a cordial meeting with a delegation from the Public Construction Commission, Executive Yuan, accompanied by representatives from the Taiwan Branch of Malaysia-based Gamuda Berhad and SINOTECH Engineering Consultants during their visit to Sydney.
The two sides exchanged views on Australia’s engineering and construction environment, professional talent certification and exchange programs, and potential business opportunities. Director General Wu expressed hope that Taiwan’s engineering sector will become more actively involved in international tenders while using global partnerships to acquire advanced technologies and innovative practices, thereby strengthening alignment with international standards.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu were honoured to attend the 2025 Sydney Taiwanese School （STS) Recognition and Graduation Ceremony, joined by Karena Yeh, President of the Sydney Hakka Association Australia, as well as Bradley Hsu and Angel Yang, Vice Presidents of the Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association(ATFA), together with ATFA committee members. They were delighted to celebrate the graduates’ achievements and share in this joyful milestone.
The ceremony featured heartfelt remarks from Principal Liu, President Yeh, and Vice President Hsu, who encouraged students to stay confident, stay curious, and stay connected to their Taiwanese heritage. The student representative also delivered a warm and humorous speech, expressing sincere gratitude to parents and teachers for their unwavering support.
In his address, Director General Wu congratulated all graduates and reflected on the unique challenges faced by children of diplomats in maintaining their Mandarin learning. He commended the STS for its long-standing dedication since 1991 to promoting Traditional Mandarin and fostering strong personal character. DG Wu emphasised the contributions of the devoted teachers and hardworking parents who make this achievement possible, and wished all the graduates every success as they embark on the next chapter of their journey.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and his wife were invited to the year-end Christmas celebration hosted by the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia (TCCA). Distinguished guests included NSW Legislative Councillor Jacqui Munro, Councillors Michelle Chung and Barbara Ward, and former Federal Member of Parliament Paul Fletcher, all of whom delivered remarks.
Director General Wu expressed gratitude to President Peter Huang and the TCCA team for their steadfast support of Taiwan and for building stronger bridges between Taiwan and Australia in business, culture, and community engagement. He stated that witnessing Taiwanese entrepreneurs continue to thrive in Australia fills the community with pride and inspires younger generations to pursue their dreams boldly. He also commended TCCA’s networking events and community initiatives for effectively uniting the Taiwanese diaspora. Looking ahead, Director General Wu voiced anticipation for continued collaboration in the new year to further deepen Taiwan-Australia friendship and cooperation.
During the event, President Huang invited representatives from the organizing body of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to brief attendees on the Taiwan women’s national football team’s upcoming matches in Australia in March next year and encouraged strong community turnout to cheer for the team. Additionally, President Huang presented a specially crafted semiconductor wafer to former MP Paul Fletcher in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Taiwanese community in Australia.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) today announced the launch of a programme to provide free mental health support services to bereaved families following the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The one-year Compassionate Support Programme for Bereaved Families dovetails with the Social Welfare Department’s “one social worker per household” service to provide grief and bereavement counselling for the families.

The programme can also refer family members to clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists for follow-up services as required, depending on the assessments of their mental health risks.

Organisations joining the programme will reach out to the affected families to provide the services. The Primary Healthcare Commission may also make referrals through District Health Centres across the city.

Four organisations have joined the programme so far: Tung Wah Group of Hospitals; the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council; the Comfort Care Concern Group and the Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong.

The Hospital Authority will also train staff members at these social service organisations to better handle disaster-related stress and reactions.

“The Compassionate Support Programme for Bereaved Families will pool strengths from different sectors to provide psychological support for bereaved families affected by the disaster in a timely manner, and journey with them through this difficult time,” said ACMH Chairman Dr Lam Ching-choi.