Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee attended the Opening Plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan and met United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu today.

The opening plenary of the conference themed “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future” was held this morning.

Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Member and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered a keynote speech at the event.

In his speech, Mr Ding highlighted that the vision of building an Asian community of common destiny proposed by President Xi Jinping a decade ago has made remarkable progress.

In the face of growing global uncertainties, the Vice Premier put forward four proposals to create a brighter future for Asia and the world – strengthen solidarity and co-operation through enhanced mutual trust; advance economic globalisation through openness and integration; foster prosperity through promoting mutual benefit; and safeguard harmony and stability through peaceful coexistence.

Mr Lee said he was most encouraged by Mr Ding’s speech and pointed out that under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is the world’s only open economy that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage.

Amidst geopolitical shifts, and the emergence of protectionism and unilateralism, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government remains a staunch advocate of free trade and multilateralism.

With its commitment to consolidating resilience against challenges, Hong Kong is the best platform for foreign enterprises entering the Mainland market and for Mainland companies expanding globally.

Mr Lee said that with the nation’s support, Hong Kong will further deepen international exchanges and co-operation. In addition, Hong Kong will work alongside the country and Asian nations to enhance mutual trust and solidarity, openness and integration, and mutual benefits and peaceful coexistence, driving Asia’s economic growth and advancing global economic integration.

Mr Ding also shared his three views on the country’s economic trajectory. He said that China’s economy remains stable, with a consolidated upward trend; innovation-driven development continues to gain momentum, propelling China’s economic transformation; and China is further deepening reform comprehensively and enhancing its business environment.

The Vice Premier also noted that the country’s economic growth target of around 5% this year is underpinned by strong growth potential, favourable conditions and robust policy measures, and that the country is devoted to achieving its national economic and social development goals for the year.

Mr Lee stated that these views reinforce global confidence in China’s economic future. He stressed that the more complicated and volatile the external environment becomes, the more steadfastly should Hong Kong leverage its distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world to promote economic development and integrate into the overall development of the country.

The Hong Kong SAR Government should endeavour to break new ground and continue to promote reforms, uphold the principle of developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, and accelerate the development of an international innovation and technology centre, Mr Lee added.

It will also further consolidate and enhance the city’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre; actively build Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent; adopt an innovative mindset in taking forward the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone developments together with market forces; and further promote the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, actively integrating into national development.

At the same time, the Hong Kong SAR Government will strengthen collaboration with Asian countries to explore diversified economic co-operation, jointly creating a prosperous future and contributing to regional stability and the economic development of both the country and Asia.

Before attending the opening plenary, Mr Lee met Mr Qu to exchange views on enhancing co-operation between the Hong Kong SAR Government and the FAO.

Noting that the Hong Kong SAR Government is actively leveraging Hong Kong’s stringent food safety standards and good reputation in the food sector, Mr Lee said Hong Kong strives to become a hub for food processing and the international food trade, with a view to enhancing the value of high-quality agricultural and fishery products from the Mainland and promoting them to global markets.

The Chief Executive added that he looked forward to further exchanges between the Hong Kong SAR Government and the FAO on areas including the upgrading and transformation of the agricultural and fisheries industries, addressing climate change and the development of a green city, in order to make contributions to global food safety and sustainable development.

Mr Lee also welcomed the FAO to consider holding meetings in Hong Kong, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government would be pleased to provide assistance.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki chaired the 18th meeting of the Youth Development Commission, during which members were briefed on progress to date in implementing the Government’s Youth Development Blueprint.

Members heard that the Government is promoting youth development at full steam, in accordance with the blueprint, which was released in December 2022.

After 160 actions and nearly 60 measures specified in the blueprint were introduced in 2023, various policy bureaus introduced over 30 new measures in the past year in response to youngsters’ needs and an evolving social situation. 

At the meeting, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau gave an update on Youth Link, which was established in September 2023.

Commission members expressed appreciation that the bureau is continuing to organise activities – including dialogue sessions, visits to the Mainland, participation in international affairs, volunteer activities, and special visits – for Youth Link members, offering them opportunities to develop diverse talents and contribute to the community, while strengthening their trust with the Government.

Youth Link links up participants in various government youth development programmes, and currently has over 18,000 members.

Mr Chan said the Government has been implementing and updating measures in the blueprint on an ongoing basis over the past two years, clearly demonstrating its commitment to long-term youth development.

He extended gratitude to commission members for their active participation in the blueprint’s implementation, and for collaboration with bureaus and departments to transform its vision into reality.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) and the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies (CAHKMS) today co-organised a seminar titled “The Spirit of ‘two sessions’ & Hong Kong’s Integration into National Development in the New Era”.

The third session of the 14th National People’s Congress and the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) were successfully held in March.

The seminar facilitated in-depth exchanges and interactive discussions on the key takeaways of this year’s “two sessions” and their implications for Hong Kong’s future development.

CAHKMS President Deng Zhonghua delivered the opening address, while China Center for International Economic Exchanges Vice Chairman Wang Yiming and CPPCC Economic Affairs Committee Deputy Director Yin Yanlin served as keynote speakers. CEPU Head Stephen Wong gave the closing remarks.

Nearly 120 representatives from various sectors attended the seminar, including members of local think tanks, research institutes of universities, professional organisations, chambers of commerce, CEPU Expert Group, as well as CAHKMS vice presidents, council members and advisers.

During the Q&A session, participants actively engaged with the speakers and had in-depth and lively exchanges and discussions.

Mr Wong said this year marks the conclusion of the national 14th Five-Year Plan and the commencement of preparation for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

He added that the CEPU will continue to strengthen its research efforts, incorporating the spirit of the “two sessions” into its work to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in leveraging the institutional advantages of “one country, two systems”, enhancing Hong Kong’s role as a bridge connecting domestic and global markets, and uniting society to further deepen reforms comprehensively.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui launched the Hong Kong Family Office Nexus Digital Knowledge Hub at the inaugural Bloomberg Family Office Summit today.

Mr Hui said this new digital platform, as part of the Hong Kong Family Office Nexus initiative, will assist family offices at the forefront of wealth management innovation and enable them to thrive in Hong Kong, where private wealth meets opportunities in Asia.

The bureau has joined forces with Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy and Bloomberg LP to deliver a series of projects and resources to support Hong Kong’s family office sector, including the Hong Kong Family Office Nexus announced last October.

The newly-launched Digital Knowledge Hub is a go-to resource dedicated for family offices in Hong Kong and around the world, bringing them the latest information covering community building, knowledge sharing, technology support and philanthropic collaboration.

Content ranging from expert insights and industry best practices to practical guidance on investment strategies, governance, technology adoption and philanthropy, as well as reports and events worthy of family offices’ attention will be updated from time to time on the knowledge hub. Apart from carefully curated content, registered members can also access exclusive content through this dedicated database for the family office community.

Mr Hui said: “With this knowledge hub, we are not just providing information; we are building a dynamic, evolving resource tailored to the needs of family offices.

“Whether it is navigating emerging investment trends, leveraging technology, or deepening philanthropic impacts, this platform will serve as a trusted guide.”

Noting that family offices are shaping the future of global wealth management with Hong Kong at a unique position to support their growth, Mr Hui said he looks forward to seeing family offices thrive in the city and contribute to the broader financial and philanthropic landscape.

Head of Asia Pacific at Bloomberg Bing Li said Hong Kong is fast becoming one of the world’s most attractive destinations for new and growing family offices, adding that the knowledge hub is a small but important step in providing support to the family office community.

Also at the summit, the financial services chief joined an exclusive discussion for leading family offices to present ways to leverage Hong Kong’s professional services and philanthropy network to bring social impacts.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin received the flag of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) in India today, officially announcing that the next APAIE Conference & Exhibition will be held in Hong Kong.

Attending the APAIE 2025 conference and exhibition in Delhi, Ms Choi said in her speech at the conference’s closing ceremony that Hong Kong, as Asia’s world city, offers a unique confluence of global connectivity, world-class infrastructure and rich cultural experiences for all APAIE conference participants.

The education chief noted that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) forms a world-class innovation hub, providing vast opportunities for academic collaborations.

She invited overseas partners to attend the APAIE Conference next year in Hong Kong to build connections in teaching and research collaboration with representatives from the city and around the globe.

The APAIE Conference & Exhibition is the largest education conference in Asia-Pacific region. Next year’s conference will be held from February 23 to 27 by the Chinese University of Hong Kong with support from the other universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC).

At this year’s conference, Ms Choi also delivered a speech under the theme “Study in Hong Kong”, noting that the city is renowned for its vibrancy, high quality of life and safety, making it an exceptional study destination.

With Hong Kong’s aspirations to become an international hub for post-secondary education as well as its pursuit of excellence in teaching and research, it has five publicly funded universities ranking among the world’s top 100, she added.

Meanwhile, Ms Choi visited the Hong Kong Pavilion to learn about the work of the UGC-funded universities in expanding their international network as well as their promotion for recruiting students from more places to undertake further studies and exchanges in Hong Kong.

She also toured various booths at the exhibition and exchanged views with representatives from different countries and regions on the development and promotion of post-secondary education.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

As global industrial competition intensifies, to enhance the competitiveness of Taiwan’s industrial parks, the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held the “2024 Industrial Parks Development Policy Summit Forum” on October 23, 2024. The forum brought together elites from central and local governments, academia, and industries to jointly explore how to promote comprehensive upgrades in park safety management through smart transformation and achieve sustainable economic development goals.
The Director of BIP, Yang, Po-Keng, stated that the Industrial Park Policy Summit Forum has entered its 10th year, and this year’s forum is even more significant as it is the first held after the BIP’s reorganization under the MOEA. After the reorganization, the BIP now oversees 80 industrial parks nationwide. In the future, the BIP will strive to attract more enterprises to settle in the parks and provide more comprehensive value-added services.
The Director also mentioned that many industrial parks are currently facing infrastructure aging. To address this, the BIP will actively seek funding from the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program to carry out major renovations of industrial zones. In addition, with more than 13,000 manufacturing companies operating in the parks, the BIP will assist businesses in developing research and sales capabilities. At the same time, The BIP will also accelerate the promotion of digital, intelligent, and AI-based production. Therefore, this forum focuses on the theme of ‘Smart, Safe, and Sustainable: Park Upgrades and Cross-Disciplinary Cooperation” to discuss the future development direction of Taiwan’s industrial parks and how to integrate hardware and software strategies to achieve the mission of smart, safe, and sustainable development.
As one of the highlights of the forum, Lin, Chien-Yuan, the professor of National Taiwan University, delivered a speech titled “Industrial Park Development and Spatial Optimization Upgrades,” providing an in-depth analysis of the current state and future challenges of industrial park development. He emphasized that with the ever-changing demands of industries, industrial parks need to continuously innovate, focusing on spatial optimization and smart technology to meet future challenges. Following this, Zheng, Xiu-Rong, the Director of the Southern Taiwan Science Park Bureau of the National Science and Technology Council shared successful experiences in smart operations and investment environment optimization, noting that these experiences will serve as important references for the development of other parks.
In the second half of the forum, discussions shifted toward how central and local governments can work together to promote the construction of smart parks. Lin, Rong-Chuan, the Director of the Tainan City Government’s Economic Development Bureau and Sheng Hsiao-Rung, the Deputy Director of the New Taipei City Government’s Economic Development Bureau each introduced their cities’ innovative initiatives in promoting smart parks. They emphasized that cooperation between local and central governments is key to unleashing the full potential of smart technology in park management and realizing sustainable industrial development.
The forum concluded with insightful dialogues between representatives from industry and government on topics such as the application of smart technology in park management and the close connection between smart city construction and industrial parks. The participants unanimously agreed that close cooperation between central and local governments and the introduction of innovative technologies will be crucial to enhancing the competitiveness of Taiwan’s industrial parks in the future.
The successful hosting of this forum demonstrated the BIP’s firm commitment to promoting smart and sustainable development. In the future, the bureau will continue to advance smart transformation policies, deepen cooperation between central and local governments, and lead Taiwan’s industrial parks to a more advantageous position on the global stage.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

Contact Person: Luo, Fong-Ying (Industrial Parks Development Division, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-361-1212 ext 121
Email: luofeng@bip.gov.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Watch out for text-message scams. Recently, fraud rings have been impersonating Taipower, sending fake “unpaid electricity bill reminder” messages to trick you into clicking on suspicious website links. These messages are an attempt to steal personal information and credit card details. A Taipower representative emphasizes that real Unpaid Electricity Bill Reminder messages never include website links. Also, all these reminders are now sent exclusively through the 111 Government SMS Platform. Be cautious and ensure that any messages come from 111.

There have been recent incidents of fraud rings impersonating Taipower’s electricity bill inquiry website and sending text messages to lure you into clicking fraudulent links. Because of this, Taipower further clarified that starting in 2024, all Unpaid Electricity Bill Reminder messages will be sent exclusively through the 111 Government SMS Platform developed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. These messages only provide the unpaid electricity bill number and the billing month; they do not include any links. You are urged to verify that any Taipower reminder message is sent from 111.

A Taipower representative explained that you can visit the Taipower website (Customer Services > Internet Service Counter > e-Bill Service > Payment Status Enquiry) and use the electricity bill number on your bill to check your payment status – no login is required. Alternatively, you can use the Taipower app to verify your payment status. If you receive a suspicious text message or phone call, contact Taipower’s 24-hour customer service hotline at 1911 or the 165 anti-fraud hotline to avoid being scammed.

Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Department of Business Director Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6650/0922-696-383
Email: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To promote the integration and innovative upgrade of local industries in Taiwan’s Technology Industrial Parks, the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), in collaboration with the Metal Industries Research&Development Centre (MIRDC), has established four new industrial alliances based on regional industrial characteristics within the jurisdictions of the Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung-Pingtung branches. These alliances focus on medical equipment, hand tools, automotive components, and the circular economy. By showcasing local industry features, integrating smart technology with hardware and software, and linking manufacturers with governmental, academic, and research institutions, these alliances aim to accelerate the digital transformation of industries in the parks, promote industrial clustering, and drive regional development.
The Bureau of Industrial Parks indicated that over 75% of Taiwan’s industrial land falls under BIP’s jurisdiction. As of 2023, the medical equipment industry comprises 770 manufacturers with an annual output of about NT$52.9 billion and R&D expenditures of about NT$4.7 billion. The hand tools industry has 2,274 manufacturers with an annual output of about NT$99.9 billion and R&D expenditures of about NT$660 million. The automotive components industry comprises 2,523 manufacturers, with an annual output of about NT$276.9 billion and R&D expenditures of about NT$5.5 billion. The circular economy industry includes 447 manufacturers with an annual output of about NT$52.8 billion and R&D expenditures of about NT$300 million. This shows that the four major themed and characteristic industries have strong momentum within the BIP’s jurisdiction.
The Taipei branch’s digital healthcare alliance includes companies such as Inventec, Wellell, Igiban, Headstar Medical Products Co., Ltd., Welson Li, and D.C. Med. Focusing on digital healthcare, industrial upgrading, and regulatory adaptation, the alliance aims to build demonstration applications by enhancing services, upgrading product technology, and expanding into international markets, leading the industry into a new era of smart healthcare.
The Taichung branch’s hand tools alliance includes companies such as Cosda, Eclatorq, Data Systems Consulting, Allprofessional Mfg., Infar, and William Tools. It has made breakthroughs in fields such as low-carbon green materials, process automation, and digital e-commerce transformation. This has strengthened the localization of technology applications, promoted collaboration among local industries, and enhanced competitiveness and innovation in the hand tools industry.
The Tainan branch’s automotive components alliance includes companies such as Vision, Swisys, Wehoin Design, Sinpro Electronics, Clientron and Nan Hoang. It focuses on three key fields: automotive electronics, electric vehicle components, and automotive components, facilitating cross-field collaboration to resolve issues related to molds and forming processes, driving new breakthroughs in Tainan’s automotive industry.
The Kaohsiung-Pingtung branch’s circular economy alliance includes manufacturers such as Young Ching Industry, Tien-Chen, Houn Way, and Cowin. The alliance is committed to reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints in production processes and incorporating carbon handprints through recycling and reuse. It is hoped to drive industrial transformation through systemic green, low-carbon solutions.
The Bureau of Industrial Parks emphasized that it will continue to introduce collaborations with corporate teams in the future, striving to assist manufacturers in connecting with government, industry, academia, and research, promoting corporate transformation and upgrading. The BIP will assist manufacturers in achieving sustainable development and creating outstanding operational results, further enhancing Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

Contact Person: Tseng, Shih-Jie (the Investment Service Division)
Contact Number: 886-7-361-1212 ext 303
Email: sjtseng@bip.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department today announced that with effect from Monday, eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged seven or above may use e-Channel services.

At present, the age requirement for use of e-Channel services is 11. 

From March 31, Hong Kong permanent residents aged from seven to 10 years old will be able to use e-Channel services at all control points, without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance, provided they hold a smart identity card and a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport and are at least 1.1m tall.

For enquiries, call 2824 6111, fax 2877 7711, or send an email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The “Great Music 2025”, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, returns this year with star-studded performances running from June to November. Renowned musicians and ensembles from all over the world will come to Hong Kong to perform an array of programmes, showcasing the city as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

Details of the June and July programmes are as follows:

“Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev”

Date and time: June 17 (Tuesday), 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket prices: $320 to $920.

The legendary pianist Mikhail Pletnev returns to Hong Kong after a hiatus of 10 years. Universally recognised as one of the finest pianists of our time, Pletnev will be presenting a solo recital, delighting music fans with a curated selection of piano sonatas by Beethoven and short pieces from the “Lyric Pieces Book” by Grieg.

“Concert by the 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker”

Date and time: July 9 (Wednesday), 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket prices: $350 to $1,150

The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker will make their first appearance in Hong Kong. This unique ensemble is as renowned for their versatility as for their musical mastery. In this concert, they will perform a diverse repertoire ranging from classical, tango, jazz and spiritual to French chansons and film scores, shining a new light on the classics with an incredible sense of musical unity.

Tickets for “Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev” and “Concert by the 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker” will be available from April 3 (Thursday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1840.html.
In addition to the above-mentioned programmes, the “Great Music 2025” will feature more notable programmes from September to November, namely the “Piano Recital by Nikolai Lugansky” on September 14 at Hong Kong City Hall, “Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia – Roma” concert on November 20 and 21 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, as well as the “Duo Recital by Mischa Maisky (Cello) and Lily Maisky (Piano)” on November 22 at Hong Kong City Hall. Programme details and booking schedules will be announced later. Music fans should stay tuned.