Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee, speaking on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and all citizens of Hong Kong, extended the city’s heartfelt gratitude for the condolences, care and assistance received by the city from the Chinese Mainland and around the world since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po a month ago.

 

Mr Lee said: “Fire shows no mercy, but the love of people abounds. This care, transcending geographical boundaries, reflects the spirit of solidarity and mutual support.

 

“We will continue to face challenges with resilience and love, transforming sorrow into strength and assisting those affected in returning to normal life as soon as possible.”

 

Mr Lee also expressed his gratitude to all sectors of Hong Kong society for their generous donations and active participation in relief efforts in areas including accommodation, medical care, mental health, finance and transport. These contributions have provided essential resources and support for post-disaster reconstruction and social recovery, he added.

 

In the wake of the fire, numerous charitable organisations and funds swiftly allocated donations to assist residents. The Government also established the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po in order to provide emergency financial support to people affected by the fire, including all residents, families of deceased victims, hospitalised casualties, students, domestic helpers, workers, flat owners and tenants.

 

Donations received by the support fund stand at about $3.8 billion, bringing its total capital to about $4.1 billion when added to the $300 million in startup funding from the Government,

 

In addition, many members of the public and organisations donated supplies to address the immediate needs of affected residents. In response, the Government and the information technology sector collaborated to establish an online platform for such donations.

 

After assessing residents’ actual needs, various government bureaus and departments, working in partnership with service organisations, promptly distributed food, beverages, clothing, personal care items, bedding, and electrical appliances to residents.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government expressed its gratitude to provincial and municipal governments on the Chinese Mainland, foreign governments, diplomatic missions, international organisations, consulates-general, honorary consulates, and other officially recognised bodies in Hong Kong for their condolences and support for those affected by the fire.

 

It added that it will continue to unite different sectors and to lead the community with steadfast determination in its recovery and reforms, in order to build a safer and better Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

​“Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey”, an exhibition presented by the Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency, will open to the public at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station from January 2.

The Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station, situated at 627 Canton Road, is a Grade-2 historic building built in British Edwardian architectural style.

The agency has revitalised the ground floor of the building. The exhibition showcases Hong Kong’s classic police and crime film culture with a view to promoting local film culture and film tourism.

Tickets are available online from 10am tomorrow for visits from January 2 to 31. Tickets can be booked for admission up to 30 days in advance. A maximum of four tickets is allowed per transaction and no tickets will be sold onsite.

Each session lasts for 25 minutes and the number of visitors for each session is capped at 20.

The standard ticket price is $30, while concessionary tickets for students, the elderly, Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients and people with disabilities are priced at $10 each. Admission is free for children aged six or below.

The exhibition will be open daily, with extended hours of 9am to 10pm, from January 2 to 11. From January 12, normal opening hours will be in operation.

Tying in with the exhibition, the Yau Ma Tei Dining & Shopping Festival will be held from January 1 to February 22. In addition to general discounts and offers, attendees of the show can also enjoy exclusive offers when they present proof of their visit.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Chiang led a delegation of 31 Taiwanese companies to participate in the “Rebuild Ukraine 2025” in Warsaw, Poland from November 13 to 14, aiming to help businesses grasp reconstruction opportunities, while strengthening industrial cooperation with Poland.

This year’s “Taiwan Pavilion” showcased the machinery, ICT, and energy industries, while highlighting innovative medical equipment and drones. It was the only national pavilion from Asia, with a scale three times larger than last year’s. The opening ceremony was jointly convened by Deputy Minister Chiang, Representative Liu Yung-Chien, Mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovyi, and Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia Andrii Skalskyi, marking a key milestone in Taiwan-Ukraine reconstruction collaboration.

Deputy Minister Chiang emphasized Taiwan’s strengths in smart manufacturing and ICT, noting its complete industrial clusters, reliable flexibility, customization capabilities, and consistent quality-advantages that enable Taiwan to provide the equipment and technologies essential for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

The pavilion attracted buyers from Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Exhibiting companies expressed strong interest in joining reconstruction efforts and thanked the government for enhancing visibility through the national pavilion.

To further promote bilateral interaction, the MOEA hosted “Taiwan Night” on November 12, which drew nearly 200 representatives from Taiwan, Poland, and Ukraine. Deputy Minister Chiang noted that this delegation, with over 100 members, was Taiwan’s largest economic and trade mission to Poland. The participation of three Polish Deputy Ministers underscored the importance that Poland places on cooperation with Taiwan.

Overall, the exhibition and related events enhanced industrial ties between Taiwan and Europe, while supporting the practical application of Taiwanese products in Ukraine’s reconstruction, thereby helping to secure future business opportunities.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono Taro
On the morning of December 26, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono Taro. In remarks, President Lai thanked Japan for its longstanding, strong support of Taiwan, and for repeatedly reaffirming at international venues the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, and expressed hope that the delegation members can help further promote the signing of an economic partnership agreement (EPA) and support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) so that Taiwan and Japan can lead global industrial development together.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
First, I would like to welcome Representative Kono back to Taiwan for his first visit in 11 years. To gather here with members of the House of Councillors and House of Representatives as the year draws to a close brings me a particular sense of warmth. I want to extend special gratitude to all the delegation members for their longstanding support of Taiwan. I also thank the Japanese government and Diet for repeatedly reaffirming at international venues the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which are essential elements of global security and prosperity.
Taiwan is well aware that peace cannot be left up to hope for good faith by the aggressors, and that strength is what can guarantee peace. To demonstrate our determination to protect our nation, Taiwan’s defense spending, as it is defined by NATO, will exceed 3 percent of GDP next year, and is expected to reach 5 percent of GDP by 2030. We also plan to invest NT$1.25 trillion in a special defense budget over the next eight years to construct the T-Dome and comprehensively enhance our defense resilience.
With the signing of the Taiwan-Japan Digital Trade Agreement earlier this month, we will both continue to expand exchanges in digital trade and AI, helping our industries extend their reach and increasing competitiveness. I am confident that as Taiwan serves as a global hub for the AI and semiconductor industries, collaborating with Japan, with its advantages in materials, equipment, and precision manufacturing, will certainly be a win-win scenario that benefits the whole world. I ask that the delegation members lend their voices to help promote the signing of an EPA between Taiwan and Japan and support Taiwan’s bid to join the CPTPP. By joining forces, Taiwan and Japan can lead global industrial development together.
I also want to express gratitude for Japan’s friendship toward Taiwan. This year, as Taiwan faced earthquakes and typhoons, various sectors across Japan not only offered heartfelt condolences and assistance, but the Japanese government also provided water-level observation equipment to help Taiwan enhance its disaster prevention capabilities. This bond of standing together through thick and thin is the most precious asset of the Taiwan-Japan relationship.
With the new year just a few days away, I want to thank you all for your longstanding efforts to foster the Taiwan-Japan friendship. I also ask that you convey my most sincere greetings to our friends in the Diet. I wish you all a happy new year, and may the friendship between Taiwan and Japan be everlasting.
Representative Kono then delivered remarks, expressing his great pleasure in visiting Taiwan again after 11 years. He noted that he made frequent visits to Taiwanese factories during the 1980s and 1990s, and that he still holds fond memories of the delicious longans he enjoyed in Taiwan during that time. He also mentioned that at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Taiwan’s pavilion – themed “TECH WORLD” – was very popular, and showcased Taiwan’s technological prowess.
Regarding Taiwan-Japan tourism and exchanges, Representative Kono pointed out that in 2024, the number of Taiwanese visitors to Japan exceeded 6 million. By the end of November this year, he said, that figure had already surpassed last year’s total, equivalent to one in every four people in Taiwan visiting Japan. Meanwhile, he noted, the number of Japanese visitors to Taiwan had only exceeded 1 million by the end of October this year, suggesting significant room for further growth. In terms of investment cooperation, Representative Kono stated that following the smooth operation of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s Japan plant, Taiwan’s investment in Japan reached a record high of over US$5 billion last year. He expressed confidence that investment in Japan by Taiwanese enterprises will continue to grow in the future.
Representative Kono stated that with the signing of the Taiwan-Japan Digital Trade Agreement, cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy and AI will deepen further. He also expressed his gratitude to Taiwan for lifting import restrictions on food products from five Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima. He mentioned that during this visit, he personally experienced receiving an alert from Taiwan’s earthquake early warning system. He emphasized that the people of Japan remain deeply grateful for Taiwan’s generous assistance following the March 2011 earthquake, and noted that Taiwan and Japan have established excellent cooperation mechanisms in disaster prevention and response.
Representative Kono noted that the International Horticultural Expo 2027 will be held in Yokohama, and he encouraged relevant groups from Taiwan to participate. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that Taiwan-Japan ties will continue to deepen across all areas, including the economy, trade, and reciprocal visits, to forge an even closer partnership.
The delegation also included House of Representatives Members Tanaka Kazunori, Inoue Shinji, and Makishima Karen, and House of Councillors Members Asao Keiichiro and Fujikawa Masahito. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The world’s second-largest automotive aftermarket exhibition, AAPEX, and North America’s largest customized auto show, SEMA, opened simultaneously on November 4, 2025. Taiwan fielded 270 exhibitors, ranking second among participating countries. To support Taiwanese companies in expanding their presence in the U.S. market, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chin-Tsang Ho attended both events and visited each Taiwanese booth to offer encouragement.

The United States is one of Taiwan’s key economic partners, with long-standing cooperation in the semiconductor, green energy, and ICT sectors. As the automotive industry progresses toward electrification and smart technologies, Taiwan and the U.S. hold strong potential for deeper collaboration on EVs and in the aftermarket sector. Taiwan will continue to promote smart manufacturing and green transformation to strengthen bilateral industrial links.

Deputy Minister Ho emphasized that Taiwan’s auto parts industry offers high-quality manufacturing and innovative R&D capabilities, enabling customized, small-batch, and high-value products. With the growth of the EV market, Taiwanese firms can further integrate ICT advantages to enhance product value and remain reliable global partners.

To boost international competitiveness, the MOEA has increased grants for R&D and transformation, while selecting AAPEX and SEMA as key platforms for annual promotion. This year, the Taiwan Pavilion and the debut Taiwan Excellence Pavilion showcased solutions in smart mobility and automotive electronics, receiving strong recognition. The MOEA has also enhanced Taiwan’s industrial exposure internationally through targeted advertisements and will continue supporting SMEs in global market expansion through trade exhibitions, matchmaking events, and digital marketing.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s Mirs Bay has been recognised by the Ministry of Ecology & Environment in its fourth batch of “Outstanding Examples of Beautiful Bays” in China, receiving an excellent overall score.

Announcing the inclusion today, the Environmental Protection Department said this is the first time a bay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has received such a commendation, and that the score reflects the Hong Kong SAR Government’s efforts in marine ecological protection.

It elaborated that the listing recognises the Hong Kong SAR Government’s contributions towards establishing the Greater Bay Area as an “international, first-class beautiful bay area”.

Located in the northeastern waters of Hong Kong, Mirs Bay is known for its clear water, clean beaches and thriving marine life.

Boasting 100% compliance on Water Quality Objectives, Mirs Bay achieved a Class I rating in the National Seawater Quality Standard. Its rich and diverse ecosystems are important habitats for various nationally protected species, such as hard corals, seahorses, horseshoe crabs and white-bellied sea eagles.

Encompassing the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks, the bay allows the public to appreciate diverse ecological and geological wonders and to experience harmonious co-existence between humans and the sea.

Out of 72 applications received nationwide by the ministry in this round of selection, 32 bays have been designated as “Beautiful Bays” and 12 as “Outstanding Examples of Beautiful Bays”.

The department said it will share its experience of nurturing beautiful bays with coastal cities on the Chinese Mainland in order to jointly promote marine ecological protection and sustainable development.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Taiwan and the UK have enjoyed a longstanding and close partnership in the areas of energy and climate. The 7th Taiwan–UK Energy Dialogue and the 20th Taiwan–UK Renewable Energy Roundtable convened in London on November 26, further deepening bilateral cooperation and fostering new opportunities for industry.

The Energy Dialogue serves as an important platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between Taiwan and the UK. This year’s discussions included offshore wind power policy, offshore wind project financing, and marine spatial planning. Meanwhile, the 20th Taiwan–UK Renewable Energy Roundtable focused on offshore wind port planning, subsea infrastructure, emerging marine energy technologies, smart grid integration, grid resilience, and energy storage technologies.

Vincent Chin-hsiang Yao, Head of the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K., and Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan, opened both meetings and jointly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Metal Industries Research and Development Centre and the UK’s Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

Representative Yao remarked that Taiwan and the UK share highly consistent policy directions on energy transition. He noted that the bilateral dialogues and the Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) agreement have laid a solid foundation for Taiwan–UK cooperation, and expressed hope for further deepening exchanges in the future.

Lord Faulkner congratulated Taiwan and the UK on the 20th anniversary of their cooperation in renewable energy, noting that the UK’s Industrial Strategy aligns with Taiwan’s 2050 Net-Zero Pathway vision. He expressed his confidence that both sides will surely continue to achieve new milestones together in the future on clean energy and in realizing net-zero targets.

Lee Chun-li, Director General of the Energy Administration, MOEA, stated that since the signing of the ETP in November 2023, Taiwan and the UK have continued to deepen their collaboration. As the bilateral cooperation entered the 20th anniversary this past June, Taiwan and the UK further signed the “Energy and net zero pillar of the Taiwan-UK ETP” under the ETP framework. He emphasized that Taiwan and the UK will continue to work hand in hand to advance the energy transition and move toward net-zero sustainability.

Simon Payne, Head of International Bilateral & Capability of the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, stated that the UK passed the world’s first Climate Change Act in 2008 and continues to advocate for climate action internationally. He added, “We support Taiwan’s net-zero efforts and will continue to cooperate with Taiwan.”

The first session of the Energy Dialogue focused on offshore wind policy. Aidan Campbell, Head of Floating Offshore Wind of the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, shared the policy reforms for the UK’s seventh offshore wind auction and the policy toolkits used to support the expansion of the UK’s floating offshore wind industry. Cheng Ju-ming, Deputy Director of the Energy Administration, MOEA, provided updates on Taiwan’s offshore wind deployment and the outlook for both fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind.

The second session addressed financing challenges for offshore wind projects. Shen Tien-chun, a project officer of National Credit Guarantee Administration at the Export-Import Bank of ROC, shared information on Taiwan’s credit guarantee mechanisms and the challenges faced by the market. Shyam Desai, Economic Director at the British Office Taipei, shared preliminary findings from a project in which the Carbon Trust worked with Taiwanese market stakeholders to identify opportunities for enhancing the financing environment. Additionally, Jack Hebb, Senior Business Origination Officer at UK Export Finance, shared the agency’s experience and case studies in financing Taiwan’s offshore wind projects.

The final session discussed Marine Spatial Planning and its importance for the deployment of clean energy and the conservation of biodiversity. Chloe Meacher, Head of the Marine Strategy and Spatial Prioritisation at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, shared the UK’s strategy on marine spatial planning. Chen Wei-te, Director of the Metal Industries Research and Development Centre, presented on Taiwan’s strategic priorities and future outlook for marine spatial planning.

At the “Taiwan–UK Renewable Energy Roundtable,” keynote speeches on renewable energy development and the net-zero transition were delivered by Sandra Li, Head of Offshore and Onshore Wind at the UK Department for Business and Trade, and Liu Tzu-yar, Chief Strategy Officer of the Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories at the Industrial Technology Research Institute. For Topic One, “Offshore Wind Port Planning and Subsea Infrastructure,” presentations were given by Chung Cheng-hsien, Director of the Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center, and Sam Strivens from Carbon Trust.

For Topic Two, “Offshore Wind and Emerging Marine Energy Technologies,” insights were shared by the UK’s Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult), the Marine Energy Council, and Chen Wei-te, Director of the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre.

For Topic Three, “Smart Grid Integration, Grid Resilience, and Energy Storage Technology,” joint presentations were delivered by Ho Ping-heng, Senior Grid Technical Engineer at Taiwan Power Company, and Peter Weston from Energy Systems Catapult.

This year represents a major milestone as the Taiwan-UK renewable energy partnership celebrates its 20 years of collaboration and exchange in renewable energy. We extend our sincere gratitude to our UK partners for their steadfast support and long-standing cooperation over the past two decades.

The experiences and expertise accumulated by both sides over this 20-year partnership have further strengthened bilateral ties and reflect our shared commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to work closely with the UK to advance the development of green energy and jointly build a sustainable, secure, and net-zero energy future.

Spokesperson for Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director General, Chih-Wei Wu
Contact Phone Number: 02-2775-7750, 0922-339-410
Email Address: cwwu@moeaea.gov.tw

Business Contact: Deputy Director, Ju-Ming Cheng
Contact Phone Number: 02-2775-7778, 0952-279-720
Email Address: jmcheng@moeaea.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 24) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from January 1 to January 31, 2026, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts for dedicated LPG filling stations.

     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on January 1, 2026 would reflect the movement of the LPG international price in December 2025. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations would range from $3.15 to $4.07 per litre, amounting to an increase of $0.10 to $0.11 per litre. 

     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a pricing formula specified in the contracts. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price refers to the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on February 1 and June 1 annually according to the average movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index. 

     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in January 2026 are as follows:
 

Location of Dedicated LPG Filling Station	Auto-LPG Ceiling Price in January 2026 (HK$/litre)	Auto-LPG Ceiling Price in December 2025 (HK$/litre)
Kwai On Road, Kwai Chung	3.15	3.05
Sham Mong Road, Mei Foo	3.21	3.11
Wai Lok Street, Kwun Tong	3.27	3.17
Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay	3.31	3.21
Ngo Cheung Road, West Kowloon	3.32	3.22
Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po	3.38	3.28
Tak Yip Street, Yuen Long	3.49	3.38
Hang Yiu Street, Ma On Shan	3.51	3.41
Marsh Road, Wan Chai	3.52	3.42
Fung Mat Road, Sheung Wan	3.54	3.44
Yip Wong Road, Tuen Mun	3.64	3.54
Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan	4.07	3.96

     
     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk) and posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.

     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the “What’s New” section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (December 24) the reappointments of Professor Chung Chi-yung, Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi, Mr Ma Tak-yan, Professor Jack Poon Sik-ching, Ms Siu Suk-yu and Mr Andy Wong Man-kit as members of the Consumer Council, as well as the appointments of Miss Kwok Chiu-ting and Dr Frankie Ngan Man-yu as new members of the Council, for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2026.
 
     The Government also expressed gratitude to the outgoing member, Ms Veronica Fung Kit-ming, who is about to complete her tenure, for her contributions to various aspects of the Council’s work.
 
     The composition of the Council with effect from January 1, 2026, is as follows:
 
Chairman
———–
Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing
 
Vice-Chairman
—————-
Mr Tony Pang Chor-fu
 
Members
———-
Dr Kingsley Chan Hau-ngai
Ms Chan Hoi-yan
Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han
Professor Chung Chi-yung
Professor Marshall Jen Hong
Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi
Miss Kwok Chiu-ting
Professor Lam Hon-ming
Mr Leung Shing-yum
Ms Leung Siu-ling
Dr Lin Wai-chi
Mr Ma Tak-yan
Dr Frankie Ngan Man-yu
Professor Jack Poon Sik-ching
Ms Siu Suk-yu
Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming
Mr Wong Kin-wai
Mr Andy Wong Man-kit
Mr Selwyn Yu Sing-cheung, SC