Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Taiwan and Canada sign MOU on dark vessel detection system

Date：2025-08-11
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

August 11, 2025  
No.285  

Taiwan and Canada jointly announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on a dark vessel detection system, laying a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated maritime activities. The MOU was signed by Ambassador Tseng Ho-jen, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada, and Mr. Jim Nickel, Executive Director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT). Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi witnessed the signing.
 
In recent years, Taiwan and Canada have expanded cooperation in such domains as public health, technology, customs matters, trade, economics, and indigenous affairs. Deeper bilateral exchanges and interactions in the Indo-Pacific have clearly provided greater opportunities and prospects for both sides. By signing the MOU, Taiwan and Canada have pledged to work together to protect the marine environment and economy; combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and other maritime activities conducted by dark vessels; and safeguard prosperity and stability in the region. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to seven weeks’ imprisonment and fined $4,000 at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (August 19) for being involved in two cases of possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and cigars and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming female passenger, aged 51, at the Lo Wu Control Point on May 27. A total of 5 601 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $22,000 and a duty potential of about $18,000. She was subsequently arrested.

On July 27, Customs officers intercepted the same incoming female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A total of 7 420 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes and 75 grams of duty-not-paid cigars , with an estimated market value of about $30,850 and a duty potential of about $24,800, were seized from her personal baggage. The woman was again arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two 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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 18) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 22 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $4.4 million, a piece of suspected alternative smoking product and 79 sticks of illicit cigarettes.

The first case involved a male passenger, aged 21, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 12kg suspected cannabis buds concealed inside tinfoil bags in his check-in suitcase and a piece of suspected alternative smoking product from his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved another male passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10kg suspected cannabis buds concealed inside vacuum bags in his check-in suitcase and 79 sticks of illicit cigarettes from his carry-on baggage. The man, aged 50, was subsequently arrested.

Investigations of the two cases are ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) hosted a large-scale seminar for the property management sector today (August 19). The event aimed to provide the latest information on chikungunya fever (CF) and mosquito prevention and control measures, further strengthening the community’s mosquito and disease prevention network.

The seminar was targeted at holders of the Property Management Practitioner Licence and property management professionals. The Chairman of the PMSA, Dr Wong Kong-tin, delivered a welcome speech, and the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young, also addressed the seminar. Medical and Health Officer of the Communicable Diseases Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Lui Siu-yee; and Head of the Disease Response and Education Unit of the FEHD, Ms Tsang Wing-sze, shared updates on CF, as well as the strategies and measures for mosquito prevention and control.

In her speech, Ms Young said, “The EEB is highly concerned about the recent imported cases of CF. Effective mosquito control requires the collaboration not only among government departments but also among stakeholders and every member of the public. The property management industry, whose work is closely intertwined with people’s daily lives, plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental hygiene. The Government will continue to work closely with the industry on various fronts to improve living environment and hygiene standards of the properties across Hong Kong.” 

The PMSA said that the industry will actively support the government’s mosquito control efforts and apply the knowledge learned to daily operations, including strengthening inspections in properties, clearing stagnant water and delivering mosquito prevention information to residents.

The FEHD calls on property management sector to collaborate with the Government to step up mosquito prevention and control measures within their properties. These include:
 

• Strengthening publicity of mosquito prevention and control by displaying promotional posters, leaflets or notices at housing estates, lift lobbies and prominent areas to raise residents’ awareness of mosquito prevention;
• Assigning designated staff for mosquito prevention and control work, and conduct inspections of common areas of the property at least once a week;
• Maintaining environmental hygiene, properly dispose of water-storing trash in covered litter containers;
• Tightly cover all water containers, water storage tanks and wells;
• Changing water in flower vases and containers with water plants at least once a week, and remove the water from saucers;
• Keeping drains clear to prevent clogging, scrub and clean drains and surface drainage channels with alkaline detergent at least once a week;
• Making large holes in tyres used as anti-bumping measure and fill up bamboo stumps with sand or soil in car parks to present accumulation of water;
• Leveling uneven ground surfaces, and fill up key holes on manhole covers with sand or cover them with plastic key hole plugs or sticky tape; and 
• Checking umbrella stands, holders and air-conditioner drip trays to prevent water accumulation.

Around 230 property management professionals attended the seminar in person while over 2 900 people watched the live broadcast online.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, today (August 19), called on the central ministries in Beijing and visited innovation and technology (I&T) related enterprises there.
 
Professor Sun called on the Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, and briefed him on the latest development of Hong Kong’s I&T and new industrialisation, as well as the progress of key areas of work and future work plans under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) which include accelerating the development of the Hetao Hong Kong Park, enhancing Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem, promoting new industrialisation, fostering development of technology industries. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the HKMAO of the State Council for its care and support to Hong Kong’s I&T development.
 
Professor Sun also visited the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and met with the Chairman of the SASAC, Mr Zhang Yuzhuo, and Vice Chairman of the SASAC, Mr Li Zhen, as well as the key officials of its various departments. Professor Sun introduced Hong Kong’s I&T overall development plan and the latest progress of the setting up of the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund (ITIF) by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. Both sides had an in-depth discussion on matters including stepping up efforts in the participation of state-owned enterprises in developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, leveraging Hong Kong’s international advantages and attracting talents to support the building of an international hub for high-calibre talents.
 
Professor Sun also held a meeting with the key officials of the Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment of the National Development and Reform Commission to exchange views on how Mainland institutions can participate in the ITIF.
 
Professor Sun, then visited the Tsinghua Unigroup. He toured the group’s exhibition centre and received a briefing on its achievements in relevant semiconductor chip technology and industry development. He also held discussions with the group’s management to understand the full industry chain layout of this smart technology industry group in semiconductor chips, information and communication technologies, finance, education, cloud services and digital solutions. Professor Sun also met with the management of an enterprise focusing on technologies including electron-beam inspection to understand the latest technological developments in semiconductor testing equipment and its future industry plan.
 
Yesterday (August 18), Professor Sun, visited the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and held a working meeting with Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Mr Xiong Jijun and relevant key officials of the Technology Department, International Department and Electronics Department. They discussed the latest progress in implementing various initiatives since the signing of the Co-operation Agreement on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces and the Promotion of New Industrialisation between the HKSAR Government and the MIIT in September last year, as well as the development of the manufacturing innovation centre. Professor Sun expressed gratitude to the MIIT for its strong support to the HKSAR Government in promoting new quality productive forces and the development of new industrialisation.
 
In addition, Professor Sun also visited the State Development and Investment Group Co., Ltd and met with the Group’s Party Secretary and Chairman, Mr Fu Gangfeng. Professor Sun learnt about the Group’s achievements in promoting technology innovation, leading the upgrade of the industry, and serving national strategies as a state-owned capital investment company, as well as the Group’s experience in managing various funds, including national-level government investment funds.
 
The Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming, also joined the visit.
 
Professor Sun will visit China Chengtong Holdings Group Limited, and then meet with representatives from several Zhongguancun technology enterprises in Zhongguancun tomorrow (Aug 20).
 
Professor Sun will conclude his visit tomorrow afternoon and return to Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesman for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following statement today (August 19) regarding an incident of a clinical staff member suspected to have been indecently assaulted:
 
An allied heath staff member was suspected to have been indecently assaulted in a rehabilitation ward around 10am today. Upon receiving the report from the staff member, the hospital reported the incident to the Police immediately. An 89-year-old male patient was subsequently arrested by the Police in the ward.
 
TMH is highly concerned about the incident. The hospital strongly condemns the suspected indecent acts against its staff member, resolutely adopts a zero-tolerance attitude towards this incident and will follow up while fully co-operating with the Police investigation. The hospital has expressed sympathy and provided support to the staff concerned.
 
The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, continued her visit to Beijing today (August 19). She called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and visited a railway operation in Beijing.

Together with the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Kevin Choi, and Deputy Secretaries for Transport and Logistics Ms Joan Hung and Miss Amy Chan, Ms Chan called on the Executive Deputy Director of the HKMAO, Mr Xu Qifang, in the morning to report the latest work progress of the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) on various fronts, covering cross-boundary transport infrastructure, shipping and logistics, aviation and local transport. Ms Chan expressed her gratitude for the HKMAO’s full recognition of the work of the TLB and the continued guidance of the HKMAO. She reassured that the Bureau will continue to embrace a bold mindset in breaking new ground and proactively taking forward reforms.

Accompanied by the Mainland China Business Director of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), Mr Sammy Wong, the delegation visited Metro Line 16 to gain insights into the latest situation of the corporation’s business on the Mainland. The MTRCL has been expanding its railway networks on the Mainland and overseas in recent years, including several lines it invests in, constructs and operates. Ms Chan thanked the frontline staff for bringing the MTRCL’s experience in operations to Beijing and different parts of the world.

Ms Chan and her delegation concluded their visit to Beijing this evening, and will return to Hong Kong tonight.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The “Bank of China (Hong Kong) Presents: National Development and Achievements Series – Endless Exploration: The Journey of Chinese Aerospace, Aviation and Navigation” exhibition currently being held at the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) has been well received by the local public and tourists since its opening on August 1, and welcomed its 100 000th visitor today (August 19). To mark this special moment, the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam, and the Deputy General Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility Office of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Ms Angel Yip, presented to the 100 000th visitor a commemorative certificate and a meaningful box set of aerospace pins provided by the News Center of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). This is the first time for Hong Kong to showcase the country’s achievements in three major aeronautical arenas, namely aerospace, aviation and navigation, in the same exhibition. The exhibition will run until September 7, and it should not be missed.
 
The 100 000th visitor is a primary five student, Tim Tong. Today is his birthday, and he is very interested in space, so his mother brought him and his sister to visit the HKScM. Tim’s favourite part of the exhibition is the interactive exhibits.
 
Jointly presented by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the CNSA, this exhibition features over 100 exhibits, including the first concurrent display in Hong Kong of lunar soil samples collected from the near side and far side of the Moon by the Chang’e-5 and the Chang’e-6 respectively. The samples are national treasures. Other exhibits debuting in Hong Kong include the Chang’e-6 returner and parachute, seawater samples collected from 10 000 metres under the sea, as well as models of the “three pearls” of the shipbuilding industry, namely an aircraft carrier, a liquefied natural gas carrier and a luxury cruise ship. The exhibition also showcases three large-scale models including the Long March-5 carrier rocket, the Fendouzhe full-ocean-depth manned submersible, and the Y-20 heavy lifter.
 
The HKScM also organises a series of activities that are free of charge with on-site enrolment. Pop-up science demonstrations are held daily at various intervals, explaining the scientific principles of pressure in the deep sea in a simple way. There are three sessions of fixed-point guided tours in the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays, led by professional docents, for participants to gain a deep understanding of the technological principles and historical significance behind the exhibits. As well, four sessions of the Earth Science Workshop: Deep Sea Odyssey will be held on August 30 and September 7. Participants can test submersibles and conduct experiments to learn about the mysterious deep-sea world, its amazing creatures, unique geology, and the importance of ocean conservation.
 
The exhibition is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the News Center of the CNSA, and is solely sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong). It is one of the activities of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit the HKScM website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/exploration2025.html.