Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Since opening late last month, the Eastern Section of the East Coast Boardwalk, at North Point, has been a popular draw among members of the public eager to enjoy the harbourfront.

The East Coast Boardwalk is located under the Island Eastern Corridor, a major expressway along the north shore of Hong Kong Island. As with the Western Section, the Eastern Section is designated as a “Harbourfront Shared Space”, meaning it can be put to flexible use.

Civil Engineering & Development Department Senior Engineer Terence Yeung explained that besides functioning as a dedicated walkway for pedestrians, it offers a number of special features, including an “experiential” glass observatory deck that gives visitors direct views of the harbour beneath the boardwalk.

Near Tin Chiu Street, a pet-friendly area invites visitors and their leashed pets to relax and play. In addition, several multi-functional open spaces are available for hosting exhibitions, art displays and community activities upon application.

Challenges overcome

The East Coast Boardwalk’s construction involved multiple challenges, including restricted headroom under the Island Eastern Corridor, narrow waterways and a lack of land access for transportation.

The project team adopted various strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Mr Yeung said: “On one hand, we utilised the existing foundations of the Island Eastern Corridor, with an aim to reduce the number of marine piles to be constructed.

“On the other hand, we transported the prefabricated deck segments to the site by barge, and flexibly used different methods to install the deck segments one by one accurately. The average weight of the deck segments is about 350 tonnes.”

Harbourfront vision

One kilometre in length, the addition of the Eastern Section marks the East Coast Boardwalk’s completion. The walkway now stretches along 13km from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan.

Harbourfront Commission Chairman Ivan Ho said this “last kilometre” fulfills a core aim of enhancing harbourfront areas, allowing them to become an attractive, vibrant, accessible and sustainable asset for the people of Hong Kong to enjoy.

Looking ahead, the Harbourfront Commission will continue to develop and enhance harbourfront areas along both sides of Victoria Harbour, especially on the Kowloon side.

Mr Ho outlined that several harbourfront venues in Kowloon are under development, including a promenade in front of the Kai Tak New Acute Hospital and a character-filled event space at the Former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier.

“The pedestrian walkway next to the public cargo working area in Yau Ma Tei is also expected to be completed this year, linking the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Tai Kok Tsui area.

“We will continue to work towards the goal of extending the promenade length on both sides of Victoria Harbour to 34km by 2028.”

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of January 23, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by United States Senator Ruben Gallego. In remarks, President Lai thanked the senator for his long-time support of Taiwan in the US Congress. The president pointed out that Taiwan is a crucial link for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and that in the face of threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan continues to bolster its self-defense capabilities while deepening Taiwan-US collaboration in trade, the economy, and high-tech sectors so as to jointly uphold regional peace and prosperity.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
First, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I sincerely welcome Senator Gallego back on his second visit. Senator Gallego first visited Taiwan in 2018 as a member of the US House of Representatives. Now, he has returned to Taiwan as a senator, continuing to demonstrate his concern and support for Taiwan. In addition, Senator Gallego was a member of the Committee on Armed Services when he served in the House. He has long paid attention to international security and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. On numerous occasions, he supported the addition of pro-Taiwan provisions to annual National Defense Authorization Acts. We deeply appreciate this.
Taiwan is now a Taiwan of the world. It is a crucial link for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community. We love peace and are firmly determined to maintain the status quo. Recently, China has continued to increase its military activities around the Taiwan Strait and within the region. It is gradually escalating pressure on Taiwan through a variety of tactics, including economic, military, and diplomatic coercion, as well as cognitive and legal warfare. These actions, which are causing unease among countries in the region, do not accord with the behavior one would expect of a responsible major power.
Facing such threats from an authoritarian regime, Taiwan continues to bolster its self-defense capabilities so as to help ensure regional peace and stability. We fully understand that Taiwan must demonstrate its determination to protect itself before receiving help from others. That is why, last year, we proposed an eight-year, US$40 billion special defense budget. This will be used to increase investment in Taiwan’s defense industry and develop cutting-edge technologies as we accelerate the building of our T-Dome. I want to emphasize that Taiwan will continue – in a cautious, calm, and responsible manner – to defend its free and democratic way of life. We also hope that the international community will not allow China to decide at its own whim where to draw the red line and undermine regional peace and stability.
To turn to economics, we have seen the conclusion of tariff negotiations between Taiwan and the US; and, thanks to the help of American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene, both sides have signed an investment MOU. I believe that moving forward, Taiwan-US collaboration in high-tech sectors will continue to grow even closer. This is especially the case for Senator Gallego’s home state of Arizona. Direct flights between Taipei and Phoenix officially launched recently. In fact, I understand that Senator Gallego made the trip here on that nonstop service. In addition, the investment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in Arizona is one of the notable results of the cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries. We can look forward to even more semiconductor manufacturing, research, and development facilities springing up in the greater Phoenix area. This will continue to strengthen Taiwan-US relations.
I also earnestly hope that Senator Gallego can support the swift passage of the US-Taiwan Double-Tax Relief Act through the US Congress, as this will create win-win outcomes for the Taiwan-US trade partnership. I once again thank Senator Gallego for visiting. I wish you a fruitful trip. I look forward to your next visit and hope you will continue supporting Taiwan.
Senator Gallego then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai and the government of Taiwan for being so welcoming. He noted that while this has been a quick trip, he still has deep affection for Taiwan, and that he has been trying to get back here as soon as possible. When he was in Taiwan in 2018, he said that he would continue to grow the relationship as his career grew, and now that he has moved to this point in his life, he wanted to make sure that he came back and continued this relationship. 
Senator Gallego remarked that there has been quite a change from 2018, both in the relationship between Taiwan and the US, and in the transformation he has seen in Taiwan. First, he said, the defense budget proposed by President Lai has been noted among senators in the US. He pointed out that the fact that Taiwan is willing to invest in defense that will continue to create and grow a domestic defense production market, as well as potential collaboration with the US and other partners around the world, is something that they are very much looking forward to.
On the double taxation issue, Senator Gallego said that it is a win-win for both Taiwan and the US. He added that it is certainly a win-win for Arizona, noting that the amount of investment that is happening in Arizona right now from Taiwanese firms, especially TSMC, is impressive. He pointed out that he and his fellow Arizonans take pride in this relationship and investment. He further mentioned that a couple of Arizona companies have started some portion of their business here, especially regarding drones, and he expressed hope to continue to expand that footprint both in Arizona and here in Taiwan.
In regard to the geopolitical situation in which Taiwan finds itself, Senator Gallego stated that there is and will continue to be bipartisan support in Congress for the sovereign independence of Taiwan and for how it has continued to be part of the body politic of the world in a responsible manner. He added that they reject any type of overt or covert oppression of countries that are trying to engage with Taiwan in a responsible manner.
Senator Gallego said that the US wants Taiwan to have its place in the world, and that there is a bipartisan group of senators that share that consensus. He said that the relationship will continue to be strong, no matter who holds the presidency. In closing, he declared that he is glad to be able to contribute and will continue to defend the opportunity for Taiwan to be its own sovereign place.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) 2026 to be held in Hong Kong this October, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui today held a steering committee meeting to review the preliminary preparatory work and discuss key follow-up tasks.

Mr Hui said that 2026 marks the APEC ‘China Year’ themed “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together”.

“Hong Kong’s inaugural hosting of the FMM signifies our country’s recognition of Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre,” he said.

“Leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in internationalisation and financial development, while being guided by the three priorities – openness, innovation, co-operation – of the ‘China Year’, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will spare no effort in focusing on the new opportunities and challenges facing Asia-Pacific development, integrating the building of an Asia-Pacific community into concrete actions for regional co-operation,” Mr Hui added.

The steering committee comprises senior representatives from 20 policy bureaus, departments and organisations. Mr Hui stressed that it will make every effort to co-ordinate interdepartmental collaboration to assist China in organising a well-executed and smoothly run FMM.

“Members of the steering committee will offer invaluable insights and robust support for the preparatory work. This will ensure the successful organisation of the FMM while showcasing to the international community the unique appeal and boundless opportunities of Hong Kong as an international financial centre,” he explained.

During the meeting today, steering committee members also discussed the FMM’s meeting venue, accommodations, security and publicity arrangements.

As the host of APEC 2026, China is responsible for preparing for and chairing the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, as well as a series of ministerial and other meetings. The Central People’s Government announced earlier that the FMM will be hosted by the Ministry of Finance and held in Hong Kong under the arrangements and organisation of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau today announced that applications for Phase 3 Light Public Housing (LPH) units will be open from January 30.

Phase 3 of the LPH programme covers four projects – one each in Chai Wan and Kai Tak, and two in Tuen Mun – that together will provide a total of about 8,820 units. Resident intakes are expected to begin gradually from the second quarter of this year.

On or before January 30, eligible applicants will receive application forms sent from the bureau by post in batches. Applications submitted between January 30 and February 20 will receive priority processing. Those who already applied do not need to submit another application.

The bureau has reported an overwhelming response to the LPH programme, with more than 27,700 applications submitted by mid-January.

The Phase 1 LPH project at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long is expected to be the first to begin resident intakes in batches next month.

Last year, six projects were gradually completed, providing a total of about 9,500 units for tenants to move into.

Four of these projects – located in Yuen Long, Ngau Tau Kok, Sheung Shui and Kwun Tong – are now fully occupied, providing more than 4,600 units.

Three of the Phase 3 projects will offer units designed for one to two, three to four, or four to five people.

The project on Sheung On Street, Chai Wan will provide about 1,720 units with estimated monthly rents ranging from about $1,340 to $3,020.

The Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak (Phase 2) project will provide about 3,180 units in the first stage of applications, with estimated monthly rents ranging from about $1,310 to $2,990.

About 2,760 units will be offered in the project at Yan Po Road, Tuen Mun in the first stage of applications, where estimated monthly rents will range from about $900 to $2,010.

Finally, the project at Tsing Fat Street, Tuen Mun will provide about 1,160 units in the first stage of applications for one to two people, and three to four people. The estimated monthly rents will range from about $900 to $1,610.

Separately, the bureau noted that the scope of the Trial Scheme on Special Allowance for Households of Light Public Housing has been expanded to cover all 13 LPH projects. The scheme has been extended until March 31, 2028.

The special allowance amounts have been raised slightly to reflect an increase in living costs. The new amounts will take effect from March 1.

For enquiries, call 3464 0700 or send an email to lphapp@hb.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region