Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to U.S. tariff adjustments and the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on December 2, 2025 launched an updated initiative titled “Supporting Enterprises in Expanding into Diverse Markets and Securing Overseas Orders.” With a budget of nearly NT$10 billion, the program aims to help Taiwanese companies more rapidly identify buyers, enter target markets, and expand global sales.

Since taking office, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-Hsin has consulted with industrial groups across key sectors-including machinery, tools, and hardware-to gain insights for guiding the MOEA’s diversified market expansion program.

The initiative consolidates key resources to boost global competitiveness, tripling subsidies to manufacturers for exhibitions and doubling subsidies to associations for Taiwan Pavilions, product launches, and buyer networking events.

This initiative of nearly NT$10 billion integrates key resources for industries to boost the following aspects for global expansion:

1) Increased Exhibition Subsidies: Tripling of subsidies for manufacturers and doubling of subsidies for associations to support Taiwan Pavilions, product launches, and buyer networking events.

2) Buyer Direct Access and Flagship Taiwan Pavilions: Overseas buyers are invited to visit factories and witness product testing in Taiwan, while large-scale themed Taiwan Pavilions showcase domestic industrial strengths at major trade shows in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.

3) Upgraded Digital Marketing and Overseas Services: Offering AI marketing tools, trade data dashboards, and dedicated consulting to increase outreach to buyers. Flexible support is available for showrooms, service centers, warehouses, or subsidiaries. Taiwan Trade and Investment Centers provide one-stop guidance for overseas expansion.

All measures will take effect on January 1, 2026 and are expected to serve over 40,000 companies, thereby strengthening Taiwan’s competitiveness in global markets.

For more details about market expansion, companies may call this toll-free hotline 0800-609-889 for assistance or visit the website of the International Trade Administration (TITA).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau announced today that an open tender by the Lands Department is underway for the new tenancy of the Central Harbourfront Event Space and the tender invitation will close on February 13.

The new tenancy is expected to be awarded before April and will commence in July for a fixed term of five years. The existing tenancy will expire on June 30.

While a two-envelope approach is maintained in this tender exercise, the weighting given to the technical proposal is increased from 40% in previous exercises to 70%, and only 30% is accorded to the price proposal.

The assessment on the technical proposals would take into account not only whether the events are diverse and capable of enhancing the vibrancy of the harbourfront, but also their appeal to visitors.

The fixed term of the new tenancy is extended from three years to five years, with a view to incentivising the tenant to make long-term investments and planning as well as to deliver events with due emphasis on both quality and quantity.

The tenant is required to provide, within one year from the commencement of the new tenancy and on a regular basis, food and beverage facilities with a floor area of not less than 100 sq m in the northern part of the Event Space adjacent to the promenade area.

Apart from synergising with the events to be held at the event space, the facilities would also serve visitors to the harbourfront outside the period of any particular events.

The requirement will continue for the tenant to run events for the public for at least about 30% of days in its annual schedule.

To avoid under-utilisation of the event space when no events or events relatively small in scale are taking place, in case no less than about one-third of the event space remains unused for events or is left unrented for a period of three consecutive days or above, the tenant is required to open that portion of the event space for public enjoyment and leisure activities free of charge.

The bureau has beefed up the terms and requirements in the tender documents to place a heavier onus on the tenant in monitoring future event organisers and to regularise the communication and alert mechanisms, enabling the bureau, as the venue owner, to intervene in a timely manner.

The tenant shall closely monitor the progress of event preparation and alert the bureau in a timely manner, such as whether the event is in alignment with the original proposal, whether the relevant licences or permits have been applied for and obtained in a timely manner, and whether the ticketing arrangement is proper.

The tenant and event organisers are required to hold a tripartite meeting with the bureau prior to the events to confirm the progress of the final stage preparation and the arrangements made.

The bureau said that the tenant shall organise events and manage the event space in accordance with the commitments made in the technical proposal of the tender submission.

A clause will be added in the new tenancy to the effect that if the actual number of event days held at the event space as rented out each year falls short of the commitment, the tenant is required to pay a compensation amount to the Government.

Furthermore, the Government has minimised the impact of the Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel project being planned by the MTR Corporation on the event space.

The aboveground facilities of the railway project will be located outside the event space, and the temporary works areas required during the works period will only occupy the fringe of the site, with substantial reduction in the area and duration involved.

Click here for details of the tender exercise and documents.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that around 950,000 visitors arrived in Hong Kong over New Year holidays between the New Year’s Eve and yesterday, representing an increase of about 40% over the same period last year.

The working group remarked that all aspects of receiving visitors to Hong Kong operated smoothly.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the working group, said the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays coincided with a three-day New Year public holiday on the Mainland. Coupled with an array of festive activities, including the Hong Kong New Year Countdown, visitors were attracted to experience the festive ambience in the city.

During the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, Mainland inbound visitors accounted for over 740,000, representing an increase of about 48% year-on-year. Whereas the number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 210,000, representing an increase of about 19%.

Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 220,000 on January 1.

Visitors went to various major tourist attractions in Hong Kong during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays as well as attractions within country parks, including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir at Sai Kung and Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods at Tai Lam Country Park. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Land Registry today (January 5) released its statistics for December 2025.
      
Land registration    
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*   The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in December was 8 999 (+26.4 per cent compared with November 2025 and +63.3 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
*   The 12-month moving average for December was 6 725 (4.5 per cent above the 12-month moving average for November 2025 and 18.7 per cent above that for December 2024)
      
*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements of building units in December was $65.0 billion (+11.3 per cent compared with November 2025 and +52.0 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
*   Among the sale and purchase agreements, 5 883 were for residential units (+5.3 per cent compared with November 2025 and +43.4 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $51.2 billion (-0.9 per cent compared with November 2025 but +57.3 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
     Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme, the Tenants Purchase Scheme, etc, unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.
      
     Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.
      
     As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
      
Land search     
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*   The number of searches of land registers made by the public in December was 377 908 (-2.0 per cent compared with November 2025 but +15.6 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Medical Device Administrative Control System (MDACS) of the Department of Health (DH) has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS) Certificate, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The award ceremony was held today (January 5). The achievement of the MDACS in obtaining this international standard marks an important milestone in laying the foundation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) by the DH at the end of this year. This accomplishment will facilitate international recognition and foster an innovation-friendly environment.
      
     The ceremony took place at the DH’s headquarters. The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to raising regulatory standards for medical products in Hong Kong. With the establishment of the CMPR, we will consolidate regulatory functions for Western and Chinese medicines, as well as medical devices, thereby enhancing the existing regulatory regime in a holistic manner. The DH is proceeding at full speed with preparatory work, guided by three key strategies: promoting regulatory excellence, fostering innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and deepening co-operation with the Chinese Mainland and overseas countries. The ISO accreditation, which covers all aspects of the MDACS (including pre- and post-market control), will strengthen confidence among industry professionals both in Hong Kong and internationally, as well as among the general public. It will encourage more medical device manufacturers and importers to voluntarily list their medical devices with the MDACS. In the long run, it will also help facilitate a smooth transition for listed products to the statutory regulatory framework.”
      
     To safeguard public health, the DH has drawn on recommendations from the Global Harmonization Task Force (now known as the International Medical Device Regulators Forum) and introduced the voluntary MDACS in 2004. The system involves approving the list of medical devices to ensure their safety, quality, and performance, establishing a trader listing system, and implementing a post-market monitoring system for products.
      
     “Currently, over 8 900 medical devices are listed under the MDACS. In response to the latest international trends in medical device regulation and to align with the establishment timeline of the CMPR, the Government is pressing ahead with legislative preparations and comprehensively reviewing the proposed regulatory framework. Legislative proposals are expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council this year. Under the new framework, all medical devices supplied in Hong Kong will require registration unless exempted, ensuring compliance with relevant safety, quality, and performance standards,” Dr Lam said.
      
     ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised QMS standard developed by the ISO. It assists organisations in establishing consistent procedures to ensure their products and services consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and promoting sustainable business development. This standard is one of the most widely adopted quality improvement frameworks worldwide, improving operational efficiency and quality through risk-based thinking and continuous improvement.
      
     The Medical Device Division of the DH initiated the establishment of its QMS in 2025 and obtained ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification in December of the same year. Additionally, the DH’s Drug Office obtained ISO 9001 QMS certifications in 2005 for drug traders licensing procedures and inspection of undesirable medical advertisements, and in 2009 for its manufacturer licensing and quality management standard inspections. The relevant QMS will continue to be implemented after the establishment of the CMPR.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A woman who went missing in Tai Po has been located.

     Chan Wai-yim, aged 70, went missing after she left a hospital on Chuen On Road on December 31, 2025. Staff of the hospital made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman was located on On Pong Road on January 3 night. She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In view of the service demand, the Police will further adjust the service hours of its casualty enquiry hotline for the Tai Po fire (1878 999) to 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) starting from tomorrow (January 5).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     An incoming passenger was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (January 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing an alternative smoking product, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

     Customs officers intercepted the incoming female passenger, aged 22, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 10, 2025. A total of 91 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes and an alternative smoking product, with an estimated market value of about $376,000 and a duty potential of about $303,000, were seized from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

     The female passenger today was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 in contravention of the DCO, and was fined $1,000 in contravention of the IEO.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

     Under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).