Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Dongguan Songshan Lake High-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and held a meeting today (August 7) to strengthen collaboration and establish a regular co-operation mechanism to support enterprises in Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone in expanding globally via Hong Kong.

     Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone is a core innovation engine within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Led by Huawei, the zone has developed a smart terminal industrial cluster valued at over RMB100 billion. It focuses on the development of next-generation information technology and intelligent connected vehicle industries, as well as strategic emerging industries such as robotics and intelligent equipment manufacturing, semiconductors and integrated circuits, biomedicine and health, and new materials and new energy, with high-tech manufacturing accounting for 89 per cent of the total companies, making it a national-level green industry demonstration zone and a base for foreign trade transformation and upgrading. In terms of innovation resources, Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone is home to Mainland China’s only and the world’s fourth spallation neutron source. It has also attracted numerous research institutions, including the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) and the Greater Bay Area University (Songshan Lake Campus), positioning itself at the forefront of national scientific research.

     To implement the co-operation between Hong Kong and Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, InvestHK signed an MOU today by the Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, and Vice Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People’s Government and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, Mr Chen Qingsong, at InvestHK’s head office. Representatives from both sides also had in-depth exchanges to further promote the deep integration of scientific research and industry between Dongguan and Hong Kong. Leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages in international research network and intellectual property protection, combined with Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and comprehensive industrial infrastructure, both parties aim to jointly build a thriving innovation and technology ecosystem. As an international financial and trade centre, Hong Kong serves as both a gateway for bringing in global innovation, technology and capital to Dongguan and a springboard for supporting Dongguan enterprises in expanding into overseas markets.

     Prior to the signing ceremony, Ms Lau attended the listing ceremony of a renowned pharmaceutical company, Sunshine Lake Pharma, from Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This event highlighted the pathway for Mainland enterprises to access international markets through Hong Kong’s capital markets. Since its establishment in 2000, InvestHK has assisted over 7 700 enterprises from the Mainland and around the world in setting up or expanding in Hong Kong, with more than 145 successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

     Ms Lau said, “As one of the national-level high-tech industrial development zones, Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone has not only developed numerous cutting-edge technologies and nurtured countless innovative talent but also serves as a crucial platform for promoting the transformation of scientific achievements and industrial upgrading. We believe that this co-operation can create a synergy effect from Hong Kong’s international advantages and the innovative edge of Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, helping enterprises and talent from the zone to shine on the global stage.”

     Mr Chen said, “Dongguan and Hong Kong have a long history of co-operation. Today, under the guidance of the national development strategy for the GBA, the two cities are accelerating their collaborative development. This MOU signing will further stimulate the synergy effects of resource sharing and complementary advantages, deepen market connectivity, help more high-quality enterprises expand overseas, and jointly explore new opportunities for innovative co-operation.”

     According to the MOU, InvestHK will provide one-stop support for enterprises from Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone to leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to global markets. This includes facilitating access to international capital markets, matching them with world-class professional service partners, and offering support in areas such as office site selection, R&D implementation and talent acquisition. By integrating resources from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, InvestHK aims to provide comprehensive assistance to help enterprises expand financing channels and enhance the global influence of their brands and technologies. At the same time, both parties will establish a collaboration mechanism to pool policies, funding, and professional resources, promoting the industrialisation and commercialisation of innovative achievements and jointly creating an internationally competitive ecosystem for innovative enterprises.

     Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone also opened a Songshan Lake Science City Hong Kong Operations Centre yesterday (August 6) at the InnoCentre in Hong Kong. This initiative aims to foster collaboration and exchange between Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone and Hong Kong in the technology industry, actively supporting the major strategic deployment of the GBA. InvestHK’s leadership team also attended the unveiling ceremony to explore new opportunities for deepening collaboration and exchange.

     Looking ahead, InvestHK will continue to work with Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone to deepen co-operation in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, talent exchange, and overseas expansion. Through collaborative efforts, the two parties aim to strengthen connection within the GBA, jointly creating a platform for enterprises to go global.

     To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720328219423.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting two separate tenders for the government properties at (i) Shop No. 503 and (ii) Shop Nos. 519 and 527D, on the First Floor, Passenger Clearance Building, 33 Shun Fai Road, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, Lantau, Hong Kong, each for a three-year tenancy subject to the provisions for renewal for a further term of two years.

     Both premises should only be used for general retail and/or services purposes excluding storage, sale or display of:

(1) dutiable goods as defined under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), unless the premises have been issued with a warehouse licence under the ordinance;

(2) duty-paid goods as defined under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109); and

(3) goods, merchandise or commodities that are from time to time prohibited from import into Hong Kong under the laws of Hong Kong.

     The decision of the landlord as to what constitutes goods, merchandise or commodities under (3) above shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Tenant. All references in the Forms of Tenancy Agreement to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) shall include any regulations made thereunder and any amending legislation. Details are available in the respective tender notices and Forms of Tenancy Agreement.

     The tender notices were uploaded today (August 7) to the GPA Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk/en/index.html. Tender documents are available for collection at the GPA, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the GPA Property Portal.

     Interested tenderers who wish to conduct a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the GPA by calling 3842 6916 or 3842 6915 by August 13.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box placed on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on August 28. Late tenders will not be accepted.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Regarding a report released by the Office of the Ombudsman today (August 7) on its direct investigation into “Housing Department’s Management of Public Housing Estates: Air-conditioner Dripping”, the Housing Department (HD) expressed appreciation to the Ombudsman for recognising the pro-active attitude and initiative of the Housing Authority/HD in implementing enhancement measures in managing water dripping from air-conditioners in public housing estates to continuously improve the effectiveness of estate management.
 
     The HD has implemented multiple measures to address the issue of water dripping from air-conditioners in public housing estates. These include the launching of the Installation Programme of Condensation Drain-pipe for Air-conditioners in 2006 to put in place condensation drain pipes in public rental housing (PRH) flats to facilitate the discharge of condensation water from air-conditioners. Since 2008, water dripping from air-conditioners has been included in the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates (Marking Scheme), with follow-up actions handled through daily patrols and inspections by special operation teams. In addition, the HD adopts information technology, including the trial use of the “Mobile Application System for Daily Patrol” which enables frontline security personnel and building supervisors to report cases of water dripping from air-conditioners in real time for swift follow-up actions. The HD is also actively exploring the use of professional technological equipment to assist in identifying the source of water dripping. 
 
     The number of complaints regarding water dripping from air-conditioners received by the HD has significantly decreased by 93 per cent, from approximately 18 900 cases in 2005 to an average of about 1 300 cases per year from 2022 to 2024, accounting for 0.16 per cent of about 800 000 PRH households and clearly reflecting that the effectiveness of the multiple measures implemented by the HD in the handling of cases for water dripping from air-conditioners.
 
     The HD has further implemented enhanced measures in December 2024 by giving five days for concerned households to rectify any water dripping problem from their air-conditioners, failing which, action would be taken immediately under the Marking Scheme. Meanwhile, enforcement efficiency has been improved by allowing security supervisors in all public housing estates to issue “Notification Slips” to offending households on the spot. The HD will continue to strengthen staff training and supervision of outsourced property management companies.
 
     Furthermore, the HD will continue to strengthen publicity and education for PRH households through various channels, reminding residents to regularly maintain and repair air-conditioners. Since households sometimes may not be aware of water dripping from their air-conditioners, the HD encourages affected individuals to provide information and work together to identify the source of water dripping.
 
     “We would like to thank the Ombudsman for the affirmation and recognition of our efforts, and appreciate its valuable views on the current mechanisms and measures. We accept the relevant recommendations and will continue to streamline our workflow, thereby ensuring such cases can be detected and addressed promptly,” an HD spokesman said.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for former UK Prime Minister Johnson

Date：2025-08-05
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

August 5, 2025No. 276Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome luncheon for former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on August 5 and thanked him for staunchly supporting peace across the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait. During the luncheon, they held an in-depth exchange of views on issues including geopolitical developments and Taiwan-UK economic and trade cooperation.Minister Lin expressed appreciation to former Prime Minister Johnson for having mentioned for the first time the importance of cross-strait peace and stability in a Group of Seven leaders’ communiqué in 2021. At the time, the United Kingdom was under his leadership and held the rotating presidency of the G7. Minister Lin noted that in the same year, the UK’s Integrated Review outlined the Indo-Pacific tilt policy, which underscored the interconnectedness of the Indo-Pacific and the transatlantic regions. He added that the United Kingdom had continued to take concrete action to protect peace and stability by transiting naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait, upholding freedom of navigation. Minister Lin said that he looked forward to Taiwan and the United Kingdom advancing cooperation in all domains and deepening their democratic partnership.  Former Prime Minister Johnson remarked that Taiwan stood on the front line of democracy and freedom against totalitarianism. He stated that at this critical moment, as the world was facing daunting challenges, Taiwan’s peace and stability were of utmost importance. He added that the world needed Taiwan to successfully preserve democracy and that the United Kingdom—also an island country—would support Taiwan and jointly safeguard shared values.During his tenure from 2019 to 2022, former Prime Minister Johnson closely followed developments in the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, he led the United Kingdom in emphasizing fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law at international events and in policymaking. This visit demonstrated his steadfast support for Taiwan as well as the friendly ties between Taiwan and the United Kingdom. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA sincerely thanks Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba for publicly expressing concern over heavy rainfall in Taiwan

Date：2025-08-05
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

August 5, 2025 
No. 273 

On August 5, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba posted a message on social media platform X expressing concern over losses caused by torrential rainfall in central and southern Taiwan. He stated that whenever natural disaster occurred, Taiwan and Japan always showed concern and offered support to each other. He also expressed hope that all those affected would be able to resume their normal lives as soon as possible. 
 
Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan immediately extended appreciation to the Japanese government for the message of concern. 
 
The message followed one posted on July 12 on X by Prime Minister Ishiba, in which he expressed sympathy over losses caused by Typhoon Danas. This highlighted the profound and sincere friendship between Taiwan and Japan. The government and all sectors of society in Taiwan will continue to put their all into rescue and reconstruction work and help those affected rebuild and return to normal life.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung again thanks the Japanese government for its warm sentiments and assistance. He expresses his hope that in the future Taiwan and Japan will continue to engage in extensive cooperation in related areas so as to develop an even closer, friendlier, and more robust bilateral partnership and jointly respond to challenges. (E) 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA to host the Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue; event will focus on regional security, whole-of-society defense resilience, and economic resilience

Date：2025-08-01
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

August 1, 2025  
No. 269  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the ROC (Taiwan) and the Prospect Foundation will convene the Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue at the Grand Hyatt Taipei on August 5. This will be the ninth edition of the forum, and MOFA anticipates that the forum will once again serve as a platform for fostering dialogue and cooperation among relevant stakeholders, while drawing greater international attention to pressing security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
 
Keynote speeches will be delivered by  The Rt. Hon Boris Johnson, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Hon. François de Rugy, Former President of the French National Assembly. The forum will bring together 12 prominent political leaders, scholars, and experts from 10 countries, including the United States, Japan, and like-minded countries in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. They will engage their Taiwanese counterparts in discussions on Indo-Pacific security dynamics; gray-zone tactics and countermeasures; and the impact of economic, technological, and industrial diplomacy on global politics.
 
Updates on relevant information will be available on the Ketagalan Forum website (ketagalanforum.tw). Proceedings will be livestreamed on the Ketagalan Forum channel, which can be reached via a link on the website. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Belizean delegation led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade CEO Mai

Date：2025-07-29
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

July 29, 2025No. 264 Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from Belize led by Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Amalia Mai on the morning of July 28. The group included Director General of the Directorate General for Foreign Trade Andy Sutherland, Executive Director of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service Ishmael Quiroz, and Director of the Belize Bureau of Standards Samantha Banner. The delegation was in Taiwan to attend the second meeting of the Administrative Commission of the Taiwan-Belize Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) and a trade and investment opportunities seminar. Minister Lin welcomed the group and exchanged views with them on the Taiwan-Belize ECA and other matters concerning bilateral trade and economic exchanges.Minister Lin began his remarks by congratulating Belize on successfully completing general elections in March, which he said demonstrated the country’s achievements in democratic development and showed that there was a high degree of public approval for Prime Minister John Briceño’s policies. Minister Lin added that the government of Taiwan was actively making efforts to facilitate imports of Belizean white shrimp into the Taiwanese market and expressed hope that economic and trade exchanges would further deepen the bilateral partnership. The two sides also exchanged opinions on collaboration to promote scholarship programs, the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, the development of talent in the Belizean tourism industry, and other issues. Minister Lin further invited Belize to send representatives to take part in the Taipei International Travel Fair in November.In her remarks, CEO Mai expressed appreciation for the generous hospitality extended by the government of Taiwan. She underlined that diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Belize were rooted in the shared values of democracy and human rights. Looking ahead, she said the two countries would continue to work together to develop opportunities for cooperation in economics and trade. CEO Mai thanked Taiwan for its long-standing provision of scholarships, adding that Taiwan had become a top choice for Belizean students pursuing overseas studies. She said this reflected that the program was deeply appreciated by the Belizean people and had helped advance Belize’s national development.After the meeting, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi hosted a luncheon for the delegation. Other Taiwanese attendees included representatives from the International Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance, and the Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei. They exchanged views with the delegation on further strengthening economic and trade exchanges and other aspects of the bilateral partnership.Taiwan and Belize have maintained robust diplomatic relations since the establishment of official ties in 1989. The governments of the two countries continue to work closely together on infrastructure, public health, medical care, education, culture, women’s empowerment, and other areas. The results of cooperation are widely welcomed and appreciated by the government and people of Belize. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Eswatini delegation led by Public Service Minister Maseko and Education and Training Minister Nxumalo

Date：2025-07-29
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

July 29, 2025  
No. 262  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini led by Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko and Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo on the morning of July 29. The two sides had an in-depth discussion on bilateral cooperation, civil service exchanges, vocational training, education, and other issues.
 
Minister Lin welcomed the visit of the delegation led by the ministers, which underscored the close exchanges and interactions between Taiwan and Eswatini, as well as their profound and staunch diplomatic ties. Minister Lin traveled to Eswatini as special presidential envoy at the end of April and attended the birthday celebration of King Mswati III. Moreover, through integrated diplomacy and under the framework of the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan is actively promoting a number of initiatives in Eswatini regarding the economy, trade, vocational training, and other domains. These development programs aim to enhance the well-being of the people of both countries and advance mutual benefit and coprosperity.
 
Minister Maseko and Minister Nxumalo thanked the Taiwan government for its warm hospitality. They stated that their visits during this trip to the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Civil Service, the Civil Service Development Institute, and other government agencies had facilitated their understanding of Taiwan’s talent cultivation policies and the operations of its government agencies. They emphasized that Taiwan was an important partner of Eswatini and that both nations shared the same values and ideals. They also said that they looked forward to expanding areas of bilateral cooperation in the future to further mutual benefit and coprosperity. 
 
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu hosted a luncheon for the delegation on July 29. Attendees included MOE Chief Secretary Lin Po-chiao, Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Chief Secretary Chou Wei-ting, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Department of West Asian and African Affairs Director General Yen Chia-liang. The guests exchanged views with the delegation.
 
Eswatini is an important diplomatic ally of Taiwan in Africa. MOFA will maintain close cooperation with the Eswatini government to promote a variety of initiatives under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project and steadily deepen and consolidate the already rock-solid diplomatic relations between the two countries. MOFA will also continue to showcase Taiwan’s concrete contributions to the international community and help Taiwan’s allies boost national development to achieve the goals of shared success and common prosperity. (E)