Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung and Taiwan’s Representative to Japan I-Yang Lee witnessed the signing of three Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) under the framework of “Taiwan-Japan Industrial Technology Collaboration on Advanced Air Mobility and Drone Systems in Tokyo on July 15. The three agreements include a partnership among Taiwanese drone company 7A Drones, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), and SkyDrive, a leading Japanese advanced air mobility company, to promote the use of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for emergency medical transport between Taiwan’s outlying islands; cooperation between 7A Drones and Japanese logistics drone company AlterSky to introduce the commercial deployment of large cargo drones; and cooperation between 7A Drones and AeroJapan to develop training drone products for wildlife damage prevention.

Minister Kung stated that Taiwan’s drone industry has grown rapidly in recent years, with its output value rising significantly from approximately NT$5 billion in 2024 to NT$12.9 billion in 2025. Export value also surged from NT$140 million to NT$2.9 billion, demonstrating the industry’s strong potential in overseas markets.

Minister Kung highlighted three key aspects of the partnerships. First, they will deepen technological cooperation in the drone sector. Taiwan’s independently developed flight control systems, motors, electronic speed controllers, and complete aircraft system integration capabilities will undergo further validation in real-world application environments in Japan. Second, the partnerships will expand application markets. Through introduction and validation across Japan’s diverse application environments, Taiwan can provide reliable technologies, products, and solutions while further demonstrating the international application value of its innovative technologies. Finally, the partnerships will advance commercial deployment. The procurement partnership signed between 7A Drones and AlterSky marks an important step toward bringing Taiwan’s large cargo drones to the Japanese market. It also demonstrates that Taiwan-Japan cooperation is progressing from technological validation to tangible commercial applications. Through these partnerships, Taiwan’s reliable technologies, products, and solutions will gain greater international visibility. The MOEA will continue to help Taiwanese companies strengthen their international competitiveness and expand into global markets, Minister Kung added.

Director General Chao-Chung Kuo of the MOEA’s Department of Industrial Technology stated that, among the three agreements signed, the partnership among 7A Drones, ITRI, and SkyDrive in advanced air mobility (AAM) and outlying-island medical transport has officially progressed from the conceptual stage to the demonstration preparation stage. The three parties will focus on emergency medical transport needs in Taiwan’s Penghu Islands, seeking to address medical access challenges caused by the suspension of ferry services during winter. A specific route between Magong and Hujing has already been planned. The service is expected to be officially launched after 2028. In the future, 7A Drones will lead local demonstrations, aircraft operations, maintenance, and repairs, while coordinating with administrative and medical institutions.

The Department of Industrial Technology further explained that, in the field of large cargo drones, 7A Drones has signed a cooperation agreement with AlterSky, which is headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. AlterSky has completed more than 1,000 drone operations across a wide range of applications, including electrical infrastructure, civil engineering, and disaster response. To address Japan’s logistics labor shortages and aging population, the two companies will jointly promote field demonstrations of large cargo drones, provide support for regulatory certification under Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act, and advance commercial applications. By combining 7A Drones’ aircraft system technologies with AlterSky’s operational experience, the partnership will facilitate the successful introduction of Taiwan-made large cargo drones into the Japanese market.

For training drone products, 7A Drones will also leverage AeroJapan’s education, training, and maintenance support network to develop applications in wildlife damage prevention and talent cultivation. The MOEA emphasized that these Taiwan-Japan partnerships demonstrate that Taiwan’s drone industry now possesses integrated export capabilities spanning key components, complete aircraft systems, and application services. This cooperation lays an important foundation for Taiwan’s positioning within trusted global supply chains.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

July 12, 2026  
No. 320  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reaffirms that the sovereignty claims and relevant policies of the ROC (Taiwan) regarding the South China Sea Islands remain unchanged. Taiwan adheres to the following four principles for South China Sea issues:

1. Disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;

2. Taiwan should be included in multilateral dispute settlement mechanisms;

3. Relevant countries have an obligation to safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea; and

4. The ROC advocates addressing South China Sea disputes in line with the principles of setting aside differences and promoting joint development. Through negotiations conducted on the basis of equality, it is willing to work with other countries to advance regional peace and stability and protect and develop South China Sea resources.

In accordance with these principles, Taiwan continues to actively work with relevant countries to promote stability in the South China Sea and uphold the values of peace, humanitarianism, ecology, sustainability, and prosperity in the region through five concrete actions: protection of fishing rights, participation in multilateral consultations, scientific collaboration, providing humanitarian assistance, and encouraging research on the law of the sea. 

Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community and a key stakeholder in the South China Sea. MOFA reiterates that Taiwan must not be excluded from any discussions concerning its rights and interests or the norms of conduct in the region so as to ensure the legitimacy of such discussions.

As a reliable maritime partner, Taiwan’s claims to sovereignty and rights over the South China Sea Islands are based on international law and the law of the sea. Using Taiping Island as a base, Taiwan promotes maritime cooperation, environmental conservation, humanitarian assistance, and scientific research in the South China Sea, fully demonstrating its commitment to advancing regional peace, stability, and joint development.

MOFA opposes any unilateral expansionism, gray-zone coercion, militarization, and other behaviour that undermines peace in the South China Sea. It calls on all relevant parties to strictly abide by international law, honor the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes, and refrain from taking any actions that escalate tensions, create conflict, and undermine regional peace and stability. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries and regional partners to jointly uphold peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and ensure a free, open, peaceful, and stable international order. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly refutes false claims made in joint statement regarding Taiwan by China following meeting with Namibia

Date：2026-07-11
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

July 11, 2026  No. 319  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly refutes false claims made in a statement released following a meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during the latter’s state visit to China on July 10. The statement referred to the falsehood of the “one China principle” and seriously infringed upon Taiwan’s sovereignty. 

MOFA reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is an independent, sovereign country, that neither it nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, and that Taiwan has never been a part of the PRC. These long-standing, objective facts are recognized by the international community and reflect the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Unilateral claims by any nation cannot change the established fact that Taiwan is a sovereign nation. Taiwan’s determination to staunchly defend its democratic system will not waver in the face of China’s coercion and threats.

MOFA strongly condemns China’s government for repeatedly using meetings with other heads of state to issue statements that undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty and mislead international opinion. Namibia’s subservient behavior also disregards international realities. MOFA calls on the international community to recognize Beijing’s expansionist authoritarian nature and jointly push back against its malicious lies. MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will steadfastly uphold the values of freedom and democracy and collaborate with allies and like-minded nations to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the region. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai confers decoration on French Office in Taipei Director Franck Paris
On the morning of July 15, President Lai Ching-te conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on French Office in Taipei Director Franck Paris in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strengthening Taiwan-France relations and promoting bilateral political interactions as well as exchanges and cooperation across a wide range of fields during his tenure. In remarks, President Lai expressed hope that the Taiwan-France partnership will continue to deepen and lead to even more fruitful cooperative achievements based on the solid foundations laid by Director Paris.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Today, by conferring the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, I would like to express, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, our deepest gratitude for the outstanding contributions of Director Franck Paris. I recall when Director Paris assumed his post in 2023, he pledged to unite French businesses and the French community in Taiwan as “Team France” to strongly advance our bilateral ties. Over these past few years, we have deeply felt his enthusiasm and innovative spirit, which have elevated Taiwan-France relations to new strategic heights. Despite the demands of his official duties, he also took the time to learn Mandarin. This demonstration of his commitment to Taiwan and integration into Taiwanese society is truly moving.
Many important milestones in Taiwan-France political interaction have been achieved during Director Paris’s tenure, including France’s reception of former President Tsai Ing-wen during her visit in 2024, which was an event of great significance for our bilateral relations. Furthermore, under President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, France has consistently been a strong voice for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and broader region, as demonstrated in the joint statement by the leaders of Japan and France, as well as the G7 Leaders’ Summit joint statement. The people of Taiwan have been deeply touched by this friendship shown by France in stepping forward to support us.
Aside from standing by us politically, Director Paris has actively promoted exchanges and collaboration across a wide range of fields, including advancing the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, which gave over 100 Taiwanese youth the opportunity to travel to France to pursue their aspirations. Last Thursday, the French Office in Taipei hosted a reception showcasing the program’s achievements. Director Paris and I heard the young participants share their experiences, and I gained valuable insights. I would like to thank him once again for his tremendous help.
I believe that through the efforts of Director Paris, the people of Taiwan have come to see France not only as a country of arts and culture, but also as a country of science and a steadfast partner walking shoulder to shoulder with us. Looking to the future, Taiwan hopes to remain an important partner to France in advancing its goals of strategic autonomy and reindustrialization. We will continue writing new chapters for the collaboration of our two nations based on the solid foundations laid by Director Paris.
Director Paris once observed that Taiwan can be addictive, and that he had never met anyone who had visited Taiwan and said they would not like to return. Though I am deeply saddened by Director Paris’s imminent return to France, I wish him every success and know that he will shine brightly in his new role. Taiwan will always be your home, and I warmly welcome you back anytime to play football, visit your beloved Hualien, and see old friends. Let us continue to witness together the deepening of Taiwan-France relations and bring about even more fruitful achievements.
Director Paris then delivered remarks, sincerely thanking President Lai and saying that it is a great honor to receive the decoration. He emphasized that this award reflects the collective efforts of his team, and said that he wishes to share the honor with his colleagues at the French Office in Taipei. He also thanked Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its longstanding cooperation and support, as well as General Manager Frank Liang (梁又文) of C SUN Manufacturing Ltd. for providing him with a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and opening up many opportunities for industrial cooperation and exchanges. 
The director thanked President Lai for continuing to advance ties between Taiwan and France, as well as ties between Taiwan and Europe, noting that this cooperation has produced tangible results in many sectors. Regarding technology, he highlighted Foxconn’s investments in France in areas such as semiconductors and AI. In regards to cultural exchanges, he said that he was pleased to see the Alliance Française de Taïwan would soon relocate and reopen, and thanked the government of Taiwan for supporting the project.
Director Paris also noted that political exchanges between Taiwan and France have made significant progress. In recent months, he said, senior officials from Taiwan – including leaders from the National Science and Technology Council, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture – had visited France and received a warm welcome. He stressed that France is indeed a steadfast partner of Taiwan, and will always be committed to defending international law. He also expressed that economically, Taiwan and France are not competitors, but collaborative partners that complement each other in areas such as space, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.
Looking ahead, Director Paris said that even after assuming his new role as head of the Paris Peace Forum, he will continue to promote Taiwan-France relations. He also expressed confidence that his successor, who is scheduled to assume their position next month, will receive a warm welcome from Taiwan. Finally, he thanked the people of Taiwan for their warmth and hospitality, and said that he will always be a friend to Taiwan in France.
Also in attendance at the ceremony was French Office in Taipei Deputy Director Cléa Le Cardeur.
 
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department today posted land resumption notices to facilitate public housing developments at Tai Kei Leng and Shap Pat Heung in Yuen Long.

The land resumption includes 47 private lots totalling 18,410 sq m at Tai Kei Leng, and 89 private lots with a total area of 36,348 sq m at Shap Pat Heung. The sites will revert to the Government on October 17.

The developments at Shap Pat Heung and Tai Kei Leng respectively will provide about 4,000 and about 2,000 public housing units, with population intake anticipated for 2034 and 2036.

The Government said it will liaise with affected parties regarding compensation and rehousing.

Source: Government of Singapore

16 July 2026 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region in the next fortnight with the low-level winds blowing from the southeast or southwest on most days.

2            In the second half of July 2026, short-duration thundery showers are expected over some parts of Singapore, between the late morning and afternoon on most days. On one or two days, large-scale convergence of winds over Singapore and the surrounding region may bring widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring island-wide thundery showers and gusty winds during the pre-dawn and early morning hours on one or two days. The total rainfall for the second half of July 2026 is forecast to be near average over most parts of the island.

3            The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days and slightly exceed 34 degrees Celsius on days with less cloud cover. A few nights may be warm and humid, with temperatures remaining above 28 degrees Celsius, particularly over the southern and eastern coastal areas of the island.

4            For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

 
REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 15 July 2026)

 5            Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region with the winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.

6            In the first half of July 2026, localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on most days. On 7 July 2026, moderate to heavy thundery showers affected many parts of Singapore in the morning and early afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 125.5 mm recorded around Jurong West on that day was the highest for the first half of July 2026.

7            Daily maximum temperatures ranged between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On three days, the daily maximum temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius or above, with the highest daily maximum of 34.4 degrees Celsius recorded at Sembawang and Scotts Road on 4 and 15 July 2026 respectively.

8            In the first half of July 2026, rainfall was below average for most parts of Singapore. The area around Sentosa registered rainfall of 80 per cent below average, while the area around Jurong West registered rainfall of 108 per cent above average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for July   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.4	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.4	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.2	°C
Average rainfall:	146.6	mm
Average number of rain days:	14
Historical Extremes for July   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.4	°C (1997)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	22.9	°C (1975)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	527.3	mm (1890)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	12.2	mm (2019)

 

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE
16 Jul 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Police Force’s National Security Department (NSD) arrested five people in Mong Kok today on suspicion of committing seditious acts.

The operation was launched following a referral from the Customs and Excise Department, which had earlier intercepted an overseas shipment containing a batch of books with seditious intent. 

Following investigations, NSD officers searched two shops in Mong Kok. They arrested two men, aged 37 and 57, and three women, aged between 30 and 59, on suspicion of “doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention”, contravening section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly displayed items with seditious intent and sold publications with seditious content inside the shops.

These publications contained content inciting hatred against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. A batch of books was seized during the operation.

All five individuals remain in custody for further investigation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region