Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ13: Admission of sports professionals
Question:
It has been reported that in recent years, several international and Mainland sports stars have come to Hong Kong for development or settlement one after another through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) or the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS). There are views that Hong Kong possesses the advantage of attracting sports talent, and the Government should further assist sports professionals coming to Hong Kong for development, so as to promote the development of Hong Kong’s sports industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the number of overseas and Mainland sports professionals who have applied over the past five years for coming to Hong Kong for development through QMAS and TTPS respectively, and among them, the number of applications approved, together with a breakdown by the sports disciplines in which the professionals are involved; whether it has compiled statistics on the employment status of professionals in Hong Kong in the approved cases;
(2) when sports professionals have come to Hong Kong through QMAS or TTPS, how the Hong Kong Talent Engage will follow up on their development and needs in Hong Kong (including support services and development strategies (if any) provided to such professionals);
(3) as it has been reported that several world-renowned billiard players have become Hong Kong residents one after another through QMAS over the past year, whether the authorities will consider launching further initiatives to assist these billiard players in promoting billiards or developing their careers in billiards in Hong Kong, such as opening billiard saloons or training programs, so as to help Hong Kong become an “international billiard hub”; and
(4) whether it will consider optimising QMAS or TTPS, or providing incentives (such as providing tax concessions to international sports stars or sports professionals coming to Hong Kong on a short-term or long-term basis), so as to attract more international sports talent to come to Hong Kong for development?
Reply:
President,
To build Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent, the Government has been implementing various talent admission schemes with different positioning to proactively trawl for talent with diversified backgrounds to come to Hong Kong to build a quality talent pool for meeting Hong Kong’s development needs.
Among them, the Achievement-based Points Test (APT) under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) aims to attract individuals with exceptional talents or skills, as well as outstanding achievements, to come to Hong Kong for settlement. To be eligible for APT, the applicant must have received an award of exceptional achievement (e.g. Olympic medal, Nobel prize, national/international award) or can show that his/her work has been acknowledged by his/her peers or have contributed significantly to the development of his/her field (e.g. lifetime achievement award from industry). Successful applicants will normally be granted a stay of eight years upon first entry. In the past, the majority of international and Mainland sports celebrities who had won awards in major sports events and had come to Hong Kong for development were admitted through the above channel.
Our reply to the Member’s questions, in consultation with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Immigration Department (ImmD), is as follows:
(1) In the past five years (from 2020 to 2024), among the approved cases that have successfully passed the selection exercise under the QMAS, a total of 42 retired or serving athletes have been approved to come to Hong Kong under the APT, including Olympic medalists, Asian Games medalists, and winners of other international sports events.
As the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) aims to attract individuals with high income or full-time bachelor’s degree from top universities/institutions around the world, the ImmD does not have the number of applications from retired/serving athletes.
Persons admitted to Hong Kong under the QMAS or the TTPS are not required to have secured offers of employment before coming to Hong Kong. During the validity period of the first visa, the talent are not required to inform the ImmD when they are employed or have established/joined in business in Hong Kong. When applying for extension of stay, successful applicants under the TTPS are required to provide the ImmD with concrete supporting information and documents to prove that they have been employed or have established/joined in business in Hong Kong so that an extension of stay can be granted. The ImmD does not maintain statistics on the employment situation of successful applicants under the above two schemes when they first arrived in Hong Kong, as well as other statistical breakdowns mentioned in the question.
(2) Since its establishment on October 30, 2023, Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) has been providing comprehensive one-stop support to talent coming to / staying in Hong Kong under the various talent admission schemes (including the TTPS and the QMAS) through both online and offline means. Apart from providing comprehensive information on living and working in Hong Kong as well as handling enquiries from outside talent through its online platform (www.hkengage.gov.hk
Earlier on, many internationally renowned sports professionals (such as Judd Trump, the world’s number one snooker player, and Stephon Marbury, former National Basketball Association (NBA) player) have settled in Hong Kong. HKTE has invited them to participate in promotional activities to give first-hand sharing of their reasons for coming to Hong Kong, thereby promoting Hong Kong’s unique strengths and development opportunities to attract more global talent with diverse backgrounds to pursue development in Hong Kong.
(3) Several internationally renowned snooker players have settled in Hong Kong, drawing public attention and interest for the sport. The Government will actively promote the development of local billiard sports, maintain connections with top snooker players pursuing development in Hong Kong, and provide appropriate support when needed to foster the development of billiard sports in Hong Kong together.
The Government is committed to sports development through the five policy objectives of promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism, and developing sports as an industry. For the promotion of community sports, the Government organises various types of recreation and sports activities and encourages public participation to cultivate a strong sporting culture in the community, helping them develop a healthy lifestyle.
The Government will continue to devote resources to expand the audience base of sports enthusiasts (including snooker fans) and support the organisation of major sports events through the “M” Mark System. The Major Sports Events Committee awarded the “M” Mark status to the World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 in March this year. It was the first time for the event to be held outside the United Kingdom. In addition to promoting the development of billiard sports in Hong Kong, the event also underlines Hong Kong’s status as the centre for major international sports events.Issued at HKT 11:22
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LCQ18: Management of Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ18: Management of Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin
Question:
There are views that the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, being an important historical and cultural temple, has a profound history and extensive social influence. Regarding the management of the temple, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that according to the information provided by the Chinese Temples Committee, the annual surplus of the Che Kung Temple for the year ended March 31 last year exceeded $16 million, whether the Government knows the intended specific uses of the surplus, including whether it will be transferred to the General Chinese Charities Fund under the Chinese Temples Ordinance (Cap. 153) or used for community projects in Sha Tin District;
(2) whether it knows, in respect of major decisions relating to the Che Kung Temple (e.g. the expansion project and the adjustment of fees for services provided in the temple), how the Committee seeks the views of worshippers or heritage conservation groups, and whether the Committee has held open meetings or kept records of such consultations on a regular basis; if the Committee has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it knows if the Committee has formulated development strategies for the Che Kung Temple for the next 10 years, including coping with the growth in visitor flow, providing digitalised services (e.g. using a platform for electronic blessings) or implementing environmental protection measures (e.g. reducing the pollution caused by joss sticks); if the Committee has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
According to the Ordinance, all revenues from the administered temples under the Committee (including the Che Kung Temple) must first be transferred to the Chinese Temples Fund (CTF). The temple keepers of individual administered temples do not have the authority to determine the use of these revenues. The CTF is primarily used for the purposes of organising customary ceremonies and the maintenance of the temple buildings and temple properties and so on. For instance, the Committee has granted fundings under relevant funding schemes to the Ta Chiu Festival Committee of Kau Yeuk of the Sha Tin Rural Committee for organising the decennial Ta Chiu Festival in the Year of Yisi, and to the Sha Tin Rural Committee for organising the Che Kung worshipping event. Any surpluses from the CTF may be transferred to the General Chinese Charities Fund (GCCF), also managed by the Committee, for the purposes of any Chinese charity in Hong Kong. It includes grants to the Home Affairs Department for provision of emergency financial relief to needy persons of Chinese race who are affected by natural disasters or accidents, as well as the GCCF funding scheme supporting charitable activities and projects for the Chinese community in Hong Kong. The use of surpluses from the CTF is also governed by the Ordinance and is not subject to the discretion of the temple keepers of individual administered temples.Issued at HKT 11:10
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Ombudsman’s three strategic focuses deliver results and tangible benefits to community (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (July 2) presented the 2024-25 Annual Report of The Ombudsman to the public. The Office exceeded all its service targets in handling enquiries, complaints, reassessment and review of complaints in the reporting year.
Mr Chan said, “Since assuming office on April 1 last year, I have championed three strategic focuses: (1) enhancing mediation to effectively and swiftly resolve public complaints; (2) fostering interdepartmental collaboration to provide highly efficient and quality public services; and (3) cultivating a positive and proactive complaint culture within the community. These three initiatives are designed to improve the quality of public administration, deliver tangible benefits to our citizens, and encourage the Government and citizens to foster a more stable, harmonious and progressive society for all.”
In the reporting year, the Office concluded an all-time high of 555 cases by mediation, nearly tripling the number of the previous year and accounting for 33.5 per cent of the cases pursued. Given that the average time taken to resolve a complaint by way of mediation was only 10.87 days, it significantly expedited the process of redressing grievances for the public.
On the front of fostering interdepartmental collaboration, the Office completed three direct investigation operations and processed 141 complaint cases during the year in this connection.
The Office has stepped up efforts to cultivate a positive complaint culture. In addition to the annual Ombudsman’s Awards Scheme, the Office issued 41 appreciation letters to 16 departments and organisations, and presented 19 appreciation certificates to complainants during the year, recognising their contribution to the enhancement of public administration. For the first time, the Office hosted seminars for universities and tertiary institutes, with a total of 13 seminars held at tertiary and secondary institutes throughout the year to promote a positive complaint culture. The Office is in active preparation for establishing the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy to provide appropriate training for government departments and public organisations, enhance the professional capabilities of staff of the Office, and promote exchanges and co-operation between the Office and overseas ombudsman institutions.
The Office completed eight direct investigation operations and 40 full investigations during the year, delivering a total of 254 recommendations, 37 per cent more compared to that of the previous year, for improvement of public administration. All the recommendations were accepted by the government departments or organisations concerned, including some having been pursued and implemented. From November 2024 onwards, the Office started making observations in cases concluded after inquiries to highlight the improvements that had been or could be put in place more speedily. As at March 31, 2025, 106 observations had been made and were well received by the government departments or public organisations concerned.
In the reporting year, the Office received 4 402 complaints on various topics and completed 4 664 cases (including some carried over from the preceding year), of which 3 009 were assessed and closed and 1 655 pursued and concluded.
The full text of the Annual Report can be viewed or downloaded from the Office’s website at www.ombudsman.hk.
Fatal traffic accident in Yuen Long
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fatal traffic accident in Yuen Long
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Yuen Long yesterday (July 1) afternoon, in which a man died.
At 6.28pm, a private car was travelling along Long Ping Road towards Tin Shui Wai. When approaching Wing Ning Tsuen, the private car reportedly rammed into a 71-year-old man who was riding a bicycle. The private car failed to stop after the incident and left the scene.
Sustaining serious head injuries, the 71-year-old man was rushed to Pok Oi Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 7.06pm.
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is under way.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800.
Issued at HKT 0:19
SHETO celebrates 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR in Shanghai
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SHETO celebrates 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR in Shanghai.
To celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO) hosted a dinner reception in Shanghai today (July 1), attended by approximately 180 representatives from Shanghai’s government departments, institutions, chambers of commerce, enterprises, and Hong Kong community groups.
Delivering a speech at the dinner reception, the Director of the SHETO, Mrs Laura Aron, highlighted that the HKSAR Government has focused on economic development, achieving remarkable results. She encouraged citizens and enterprises in Shanghai and the East China region to continue leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” to explore business opportunities, invest, and pursue employment or entrepreneurship in Hong Kong. She also expressed hope for continued robust co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong in areas such as trade, innovation, culture, and youth development, fostering mutual benefits.
Mrs Aron mentioned that next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the SHETO. She expressed gratitude to the Communist Party of China Shanghai Municipal Committee and the Shanghai Municipal Government for their support for the work of the HKSAR Government and the SHETO. The SHETO will continue to facilitate Shanghai-Hong Kong co-operation and support mutual success to make greater contributions to the country’s high-quality development.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management), Mr Chan Joon-sun, who is visiting Shanghai, attended the dinner. Speaking at the dinner reception, he shared that each anniversary occasion is an opportunity to review the development and achievements of “one country, two systems”. With the introduction of the dual legislation on national security, Hong Kong has embarked on a new journey, advancing from chaos to order, and from stability to prosperity. It demonstrates the institutional advantages and strong vitality of “one Country, two systems”. The country has been providing Hong Kong with opportunities to leverage its unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, promoting two-way exchanges between the mainland and the international community.
Hong Kong member of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Shanghai and Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Frontier Group, Mr Carl Wu, also shared remarks at the dinner on Shanghai’s support for Hong Kong-invested enterprises and the exchanges between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The SHETO also invited emerging Hong Kong young artists to perform at the dinner reception, showcasing Hong Kong’s diverse cultural charm through a suona performance blending Chinese and Western elements. Several Hong Kong students in Shanghai were also invited to showcase their talents.
The theme of the dinner reception was “Multifaceted Hong Kong, Infinite Possibilities”, featuring interactive exhibition areas and photo check-in points themed around nine tourism development projects recently announced by the Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots, alongside the giant pandas gifted by the Central Government as design ideas, offering guests an immersive, multifaceted, and engaging experience of Hong Kong.
The SHETO, in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong, also organised a seminar entitled “Hong Kong: Enabler of Mainland Catering and Food Enterprises to Go Global” today. Insights on the competitive advantages and development opportunities of Hong Kong as a preferred place for business were shared with over 100 representatives from catering, food and other industrial sectors in the East China region. They were encouraged to set up business in and develop overseas markets through Hong Kong.
Issued at HKT 22:00
Warm Nights Expected To Continue In Next Fortnight
Source: Government of Singapore
Singapore, 1 July 2025 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon conditions are forecast to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region in the next fortnight with winds blowing mainly from the southeast or southwest.
2 During this period, localised short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on most days. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds in the pre-dawn and morning on a few days. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of July 2025 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 a few days. Several nights may also be warm and humid, and the temperatures may stay above 28 degrees Celsius.
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 (16 – 30 JUNE 2025)
5 Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the second fortnight of June 2025, with winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.
6 In the second fortnight of June 2025, localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island on several days. On 28 June 2025, regional convergence of winds brought moderate to heavy thundery showers over many areas of Singapore in the early afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 69.3mm recorded at Woodlands that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the second fortnight of June 2025.
7 The daily maximum temperatures in the second fortnight of June 2025 were between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.3 degree Celsius was recorded at Paya Lebar on 22 June 2025. There were also several warm nights, particularly over the eastern, southern and western parts of the island where the minimum night-time temperatures stayed above 28 degrees Celsius.
8 Most parts of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in the second fortnight of June 2025. The area around Jurong West registered rainfall of 69 per cent below average, and the area around Admiralty registered rainfall of 63 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
1 Jul 2025
~~ End ~~
For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.5 million at airport (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.5 million at airport.
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 30) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 7 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million.
A male passenger, aged 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 2).
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 to 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.
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).
Issued at HKT 14:12
Secretaries of Departments and Director of Bureau celebrate July 1 by supporting catering sector special offers (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, visited a Chinese restaurant in Wan Chai today (July 1) after attending the flag-raising ceremony and reception to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). They enjoyed tea and July 1 dining discounts to commemorate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
The Secretaries of Departments and Director of Bureau ordered a variety of dim sum and had morning tea, including shrimp dumplings at a discount of 29 per cent. The atmosphere there was lively and members of the public were enthusiastic about the dining discount activities. The catering sector special offers have received strong support, with the number of participating restaurants increasing each year, from more than 1 400 in 2023, to more than 2 200 in 2024, and reaching 4 100 this year.
After morning tea, Mr Cheuk, Mr Wong and Mr Tsang enjoyed the Free Tram Day offer and arrived at Lee Tung Avenue, where they experienced the festive atmosphere featuring free distributions of ice cream, popcorn and panda-shaped balloons.
The current-term Government has pioneered the practice of turning the anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR into a festival, which has received positive responses from all sectors of society. The Government and different sectors have jointly launched a series of special offers and activities covering public transport, culture and arts, leisure, food and consumption, among others, to encourage the public to go out for consumption, participate in activities, and joyfully celebrate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland on July 1.
1st digital education week launches
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today officiated at the first Digital Education Week 2025 kick-off ceremony held in the Central Government Offices.
Also attending was Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Department of Educational, Scientific & Technological Affairs First-level Inspector Liu Maozhou.
To dovetail with the national development of digital education and to nurture talent for the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, the Chief Executive announced the formation of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education in the 2024 Policy Address. The committee has identified four key focuses and strategic directions.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the education chief said that the first Digital Education Week features a wide range of enriching programmes, including the annual flagship event for the education sector, Learning & Teaching Expo 2025, as well as the International Summit on the Use of AI (artificial intelligence) in Learning & Teaching Languages & Other Subjects (AIinLT) and Post-Summit Workshop Series.
“These functions enable teachers to stay abreast of the latest developments in I&T and digital education, fostering professional exchanges and enhancing the effectiveness of learning and teaching.”
The Learning & Teaching Expo 2025 will bring together global educational technology resources, set up nearly 600 booths, and host more than 270 keynote speeches, seminars and public demonstration classes to fully showcase the latest teaching solutions and technology trends.
Meanwhile, the International Summit on AIinLT will gather education experts from home and abroad to discuss the practical application of AI in various disciplines through 100 paper presentations, teaching demonstrations and 11 in-depth workshops, helping teachers and students enhance their AI literacy.
The Education Bureau also announced that the first batch of deliverables including the three projects under the e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme funded by a provision of $500 million from the Quality Education Fund were released today.
The deliverables of the projects will be exhibited at the Learning & Teaching Expo, the bureau said.
The bueau outlined that the programme provides 22 innovative e-learning solutions for primary and secondary, kindergarten and special education students in Hong Kong, 18 of which incorporate AI technology.
Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for former Japanese Economic Security Minister and current Representative Kobayashi
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for former Japanese Economic Security Minister and current Representative Kobayashi
Date：2025-06-27
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION
June 27, 2025
No. 223
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome luncheon on June 26 for Takayuki Kobayashi, former Japanese Minister in Charge of Economic Security and current member of the House of Representatives. They exchanged views on issues such as integrated diplomacy, response strategies for countering gray-zone tactics, and Taiwan-Japan cooperation in third countries.
Minister Lin stated that since assuming office, he had been proactively implementing integrated diplomacy. He said that the policy combined the strengths of the public and private sectors to expand Taiwan’s international presence and promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, which aimed to deepen substantive and mutually beneficial relations with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries. He added that Taiwan was pleased that the Japanese government had recently bolstered strategic partnerships with Palau, Paraguay, Guatemala, and other diplomatic allies of Taiwan, and thanked Japan for actively advancing cooperative relations with Taiwan’s allies. He emphasized that Taiwan and Japan faced similar regional security and economic challenges and that the two sides should enhance collaboration and joint strategic responses.
Furthermore, he indicated that the industries of Taiwan and Japan were highly complementary and that, in the face of China’s aggressive pursuit of global high-tech industry dominance, Taiwan and Japan should work together to build non-red supply chains and boost economic resilience and industrial competitiveness to ensure that democracies steadily keep pace with technological developments worldwide.
Representative Kobayashi stated that Taiwan and Japan had a close friendship in terms of history, the economy, and personnel exchanges. He expressed hope that the visit would increase his understanding of Taiwan. In addition, he affirmed his desire to help further Taiwan-Japan ties in the future, which would contribute to safeguarding regional peace and stability.
Also in attendance at the luncheon were Taipei University of Marine Technology President Lu Yao-zhi, Institute for National Defense and Security Research Chief Secretariat Office Director Lin Yen-hung, and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Kazuyuki Katayama. The atmosphere was lively and cordial. (E)