Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 30) received a report of a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 and rhinovirus/ enterovirus infection and reminded the public to observe personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. High-risk individuals should receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and receive booster doses at appropriate times to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
      
The case involves a 16-month-old boy with good past health, who developed fever, shortness of breath and wheezing since April 29 and sought medical attention from two private doctors on the same day. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) today. His respiratory specimen was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus and rhinovirus/ enterovirus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 and rhinovirus/ enterovirus co-infection complicated with croup. He is still hospitalised at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of KWH and is in critical condition.
      
A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had travelled to Taipei during the incubation period. Two of his household contacts were tested positive for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test. One of them had respiratory symptoms.
      
    The overall activity of COVID-19 in the local community has continued to rise since mid-March of this year. According to the latest surveillance data as of the week ending April 19, the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the test positivity rate and the average consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise over the past four weeks. In particular, the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus increased to 8.21 per cent from 1.71 per cent four weeks ago (the week of March 16 to 22), a record high in the past six months. The viral load per capita of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 440 000 copy/litre, significantly increased from 260 000 copy/litre four weeks ago. Furthermore, sewage surveillance data showed that the local prevalence of XDV was on the rise. As XDV is a JN.1-related variant, the COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Hong Kong are still effective in preventing it.
      
    The CHP reminded the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities) should receive a booster dose as soon as possible for effective prevention against COVID-19 to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
          
Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses as well as transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times and note the following:
      

• Patients can wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses. Therefore, it is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Practise hand hygiene frequently, wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid sharing personal items;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider to refrain from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

 
For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP’s website.

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 30 APR 2025 5:59PM by PIB Delhi

Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. This demonstrates that the present government is committed to the holistic interests and values of the nation and society.

As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, Census is a union subject listed at 69 in the Union List in the Seventh Schedule. While some states have conducted surveys to enumerate castes, these surveys have varied in transparency and intent, with some conducted purely from a political angle, creating doubts in society. Considering all these circumstances, and to ensure that our social fabric does not come under political pressure, it has been decided that caste enumeration should be included in the main census instead of being conducted as a separate survey.

This will ensure that society becomes stronger economically and socially, and the country’s progress continues without hindrance. It is noteworthy that when a provision of 10 percent reservation was made for the economically weaker sections of society, it did not create tension in any section of society.

Caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since independence. In 2010, then Prime Minister Late Dr. Manmohan Singh assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census would be considered in the Cabinet. A Group of Ministers was formed to deliberate on this subject, and most political parties recommended conducting a caste census. Despite this, the previous government opted for a survey instead of a caste census, known as the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC).

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MJPS/SS/SR

(Release ID: 2125526) Visitor Counter : 268

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department today said that the Government is determined to enhance the service quality of personalised point-to-point transport.

It made the statement in response to press enquiries on the taxi service and complaint figures.

The department met the taxi trade today to exchange views on enhancing taxi service quality and promoting the healthy development of the industry, and reiterated that the Government will continue to combat the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward activities to safeguard the safety and interests of the public.

To improve the taxi service, the Government has implemented the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points system and the two-tier penalty system as well as introduced a taxi fleet regime to provide quality services to passengers by the use of systematic management and technology.

The five selected taxi fleet operators are working intensively to prepare for the service commencement which is anticipated to be in place by end-July 2025.

On the other hand, the Government proposes to mandate the installation of in-vehicle cameras, dash cameras and global navigation satellite systems in all taxi compartments to better protect the rights of passengers. It also proposes to mandate all taxi drivers to provide e-payment means. Follow-up work on the legislative exercise of the relevant proposed provisions is underway.

On the regulation of online hailed car platforms, while the Government is open-minded in respect of the use of different communications technologies, including the use of online or mobile applications for obtaining personalised point-to-point transport services through online hailing services, it is imperative to ensure that the passenger transport services supported by the use of platforms concerned comply with the laws and regulations.

The department is conducting a study on the overall demand and supply of personalised point-to-point transport services.

The Government will, after considering the report of the Working Group for Enhancing Personalised Point-to-Point Transport Services under the Transport Advisory Committee and the views and relevant data collected, formulate legislative proposals on the regulation of online car hailing platforms, vehicles that may provide services complying with the regulations and relevant licensing requirements for the drivers within 2025.

To combat illegal hire car services in accordance with the law, Police have been taking enforcement actions against illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward through gathering intelligence via different channels.

If there is sufficient evidence proving suspected vehicles without a valid hire car permit being used for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, Police will immediately take appropriate enforcement actions.

People who intend to use a hire car service may enquire with the service operator or make use of the department’s online checking system to ensure the private car concerned has been issued with a valid hire car permit before the journey starts.

The department stressed that using illegal hire car services can put passengers at risk, as the vehicle’s third party insurance may be invalid in case of a traffic accident.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Health’s (DH) Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said today adjusting the number of sampling sites under the Territory-wide Sewage Surveillance Programme does not affect the effectiveness of surveillance.

Responding to a media report that claimed the current number of sampling sites has been substantially reduced under the programme, the CHP clarified and emphasised that the decision to adjust the number of sampling sites was made to align with the programme’s latest objectives and was based on scientific analysis, with a view to enhancing cost-effectiveness while ensuring that the effectiveness in monitoring the activity level of COVID-19 in Hong Kong would not be compromised.

It pointed out that with the resumption of normalcy, COVID-19 has been managed as a general respiratory disease and the objective of sewage surveillance has shifted from source tracing to routine surveillance of virus activity in the community.

The CHP used simulation models to analyse different combinations of sampling sites to optimise the programme while maintaining the effectiveness of the surveillance.

Results showed that by changing the number of sampling sites from three to 14 per district to one per district located further downstream which covered the largest population, the trend of the sewage viral load data and the relevant clinical surveillance indicators were highly correlated.

The CHP further explained that the optimised strategy, implemented since April 2024, continues to monitor the activity of COVID-19 effectively, while significantly reducing operating costs by nearly 80%.

Surveillance results and analyses will be disseminated weekly through “COVID-19 & Flu Express” for public information, it added.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Eswatini king and queen mother, cohosts groundbreaking for strategic oil reserve facility

Date：2025-04-24
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

April 24, 2025   No. 116  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy to Taiwan’s African ally Eswatini, met with Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala and had an audience with King Mswati III on the afternoon of April 23. He and King Mswati III jointly presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a strategic oil reserve facility, broadening bilateral cooperation into a new area.
 
The king and the queen mother expressed appreciation for President Lai’s appointment of Minister Lin as special envoy for the king’s 57th birthday celebrations. They thanked Taiwan for its long-term assistance in developing Eswatini’s infrastructure, which they said had played an important role in economic growth. The king and the queen mother reaffirmed the robust diplomatic partnership between the two countries and pledged to continue to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
 
Special Envoy Lin extended birthday wishes to King Mswati III on behalf of President Lai and presented the king with a congratulatory letter from the president as well as special envoy credentials. He also delivered birthday gifts to the king, including cattle in accordance with local customs, high-tech products and delicacies from Taiwan, and a wooden sculpture entitled Infinite Wisdom by Taiwanese artist Kang Mu-xiang. 
 
In his remarks, Special Envoy Lin thanked King Mswati III for leading a delegation to the inauguration of President Lai in May 2024 to convey support for Taiwan’s new administration. He said that Taiwan, as an important ally of Eswatini, would continue to contribute to the development of key infrastructure projects. He commended the king for fully supporting the launch of the strategic oil reserve facility and noted that it was the largest cooperation project to be undertaken by the two nations since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Special Envoy Lin said the project demonstrated that Taiwan was Eswatini’s steadfast partner, adding that the two countries had always supported each other. He stressed that Taiwan would continue to promote and expand the scope of bilateral exchanges and cooperation to further assist Eswatini in realizing its development goals.
 
Following their meeting, Special Envoy Lin and King Mswati III jointly presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the strategic oil reserve facility. The milestone in bilateral relations was witnessed by prominent leaders from all sectors of Eswatini society. King Mswati III also hosted a reception for Special Envoy Lin, the delegation, and other guests, demonstrating the high regard of the Eswatini royal family and government for the visitors and the project.
 
Taiwan and Eswatini established diplomatic relations in 1968. Over the past 57 years, bilateral ties have been stable and cordial. The government of Eswatini has actively and unfailingly supported Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. It is one of Taiwan staunchest allies. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

April 24, 2025
No. 115

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung is currently visiting Eswatini as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy. He continues to carry out important engagements in Taiwan’s African ally. 
 
On the morning of April 23, the second day of his visit, Special Envoy Lin called on Prime Minister Russell Dlamini to thank him for his friendship with Taiwan. Prime Minister Dlamini, who assumed office in November 2023, led a delegation to Taiwan in March 2024. In the same year, he spoke up for Taiwan on behalf of the government of Eswatini at major international events, including the United Nations General Assembly and the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, demonstrating staunch support for the diplomatic alliance between the two countries.
 
Prime Minister Dlamini warmly welcomed Special Envoy Lin to Eswatini and thanked Taiwan for its long-standing support. He reaffirmed that relations with Taiwan were rock-solid and emphasized that Eswatini, as a sovereign nation, had the right to choose its own friends without being influenced by other countries. He underlined that Eswatini was firmly committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with Taiwan.
 
Also on the morning of April 23, Special Envoy Lin joined Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu; Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo; and other high-level officials at an event to showcase the results of a microfinance revolving fund implemented by Taiwan and Eswatini to help women start businesses.
 
In his remarks, Special Envoy Lin stated that Taiwan had announced an investment of US$1 million to establish the revolving fund in September 2023. He said the program provided start-up loans for women in rural areas, increased household incomes, and contributed to the economic and social development of Eswatini. In the past year or more since the fund was launched, over 500 loans had been approved, leading to changes in people’s lives and helping women achieve economic independence, he added. Highlighting a touching result of the initiative, Special Envoy Lin noted that one beneficiary had named her newborn baby Taiwan to thank Taiwan for its assistance. He further announced that the Taiwan government would inject an additional US$500,000 into the fund to further expand the virtuous cycle.  Special Envoy Lin said this underscored Taiwan’s strong commitment to economic empowerment in Eswatini.
 
Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Dladla recalled her 2019 visit to Taiwan as foreign minister, during which she presented a proposal to the Taiwan government for the revolving fund on behalf of Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala. She said that in 2020 the Technical Mission of the International Cooperation and Development Fund in Eswatini had introduced the Women’s Microenterprise Mentoring and Capacity Building Project, under which more than 6,000 women had received entrepreneurship skills training. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla said this was followed by a bilateral cooperation agreement to launch the fund, signed at a ceremony witnessed by the heads of state of both nations in September 2023. She praised the results that the program had achieved since it was launched just over a year ago in effectively giving women in rural areas of Eswatini an avenue to finance their start-up plans.
 
Around 100 beneficiaries of the fund attended the event. Participants sang classic Taiwanese songs such as “Fight to Win,” creating a warm and lively atmosphere. Special Envoy Lin presented a stuffed leopard cat to the child named Taiwan, highlighting the profound friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work with the government of Eswatini to enhance the well-being of the peoples of both countries and further deepen bilateral relations. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Czech Senate adopting resolution on China’s misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758

Date：2025-04-30
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

April 30, 2025 

The Czech Senate on April 29 adopted a resolution on the misrepresentation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. In the resolution, the Czech Senate opposed China’s mischaracterization of UNGA Resolution 2758, emphasizing that it did not substantiate the “one China principle,” and rejected China’s related claim that Taiwan was part of China. The resolution also reiterated its support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the resolution and expresses its sincere appreciation.
 
The resolution stated that when UNGA Resolution 2758 was adopted on October 25, 1971, it made no mention of Taiwan, the Taiwanese people, or Taiwan’s political status; did not establish PRC sovereignty over Taiwan; and did not discuss Taiwan’s status or participation in UN agencies. Moreover, the resolution pointed out that China’s deliberate distortion of UN resolutions endangered the legitimacy of the United Nations and infringed on the basic principles of international law. It called on China to respect the content of UNGA 2758 and stop misusing it for its own political ends.
 
In addition, the resolution supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in multilateral organizations and fora such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Criminal Police Organization. It urged the Czech government to address China’s misrepresentation and misuse of UNGA Resolution 2758 in the UN system and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations and other international organizations.
 
The Czech Chamber of Deputies Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a resolution on December 12, 2024, opposing China’s improper linking of UNGA Resolution 2758 with the “one China principle.” The new Czech Senate resolution therefore once again demonstrates the Czech Parliament’s staunch backing of Taiwan and underscores the close and cordial relations between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere gratitude to the Czech Senate for supporting Taiwan through concrete action and calls on the international community to likewise counter China’s false narratives regarding UNGA Resolution 2758. Taiwan will continue to work hand in hand with like-minded partners worldwide to resist the efforts of authoritarian regimes seeking to undermine the international order and to jointly safeguard the core values shared by the global democratic community.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA demands Somali government immediately revoke notification to airline operators not to accept Taiwan passport for travel to Somalia

Date：2025-04-29
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

April 29, 2025  
No. 128  
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) on April 22 issued a notification to all airline operators and stakeholders that, starting from April 30, passports and related travel documents issued by Taiwan and its subordinate authorities could no longer be used to enter, exit, or transit through Somalia. The SCAA stated that the Somali government’s decision was made in line with the “one China principle” based on United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly protests Somalia’s imposition of restrictions on Taiwan nationals’ freedom and safety of travel at China’s instigation. It demands that the government of Somalia immediately revoke this notification. MOFA also solemnly refutes and strongly condemns the Somali government’s misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758, conflation of the resolution with the so-called “one China principle,” and propagation of the falsehood that Taiwan is subordinate to the People’s Republic of China.

MOFA and the Taiwan Representative Office in the Republic of Somaliland as well as the government of Somaliland have jointly requested that like-minded nations and international organizations take concrete steps to press for the abjuration of this wrongful action. To ensure Taiwan nationals’ travel safety and convenience, MOFA reminds them not to travel to either Somalia or Somaliland until the Somali government revokes the notification.

Since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has held four presidential elections. It enjoys political stability and a deepening democracy. Somaliland and Taiwan are like-minded countries that uphold freedom and democracy. The Somali government controls Somaliland’s airspace, and its crass efforts to halt interactions between peoples of democratic nations have a deleterious effect on the situation in the Horn of Africa. MOFA will provide timely updates should there be subsequent developments. (E) 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin concludes successful visit to Eswatini, elevating bilateral relations to new heights

Date：2025-04-27
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

April 27, 2025  
No. 122  

On April 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving as a special presidential envoy, successfully completed a five-day visit to Eswatini and returned to Taiwan.

On the final day of the trip, Special Envoy Lin announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would cooperate with Big Game Parks, an Eswatini wildlife conservation organization, and contribute one million emalangeni to assist the protection of rhinoceros habitat. The donation was witnessed by Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu and Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane. In a gesture symbolizing the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini, Special Envoy Lin named a newborn baby rhino in the national park Formosa. The announcement represented a further expansion of the scope of bilateral collaboration into the sphere of preserving ecological diversity.

In his remarks, Special Envoy Lin thanked Big Game Parks for its contributions to conservation. He said that Taiwan attached great importance to biodiversity and understood that every species played an indispensable role in human survival. Special Envoy Lin explained that as well as prioritizing conservation work, the government of Taiwan had also enacted the Wildlife Conservation Act and incorporated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora into national law. He added that Taiwan had worked hard to protect plants and animals at home and abroad to stop illegal exploitation of natural resources. Looking ahead, Special Envoy Lin said he hoped Taiwan and Eswatini would continue to jointly engage in related efforts.

Acting on behalf of President Lai Ching-te, Special Envoy Lin led a large delegation including industry representatives to Eswatini from April 21 to 26 to join celebrations for the 57th birthday of King Mswati III. The visit demonstrated Taiwan’s high regard for Eswatini and further deepened the cordial relations and constructive cooperation between the two countries. 

During the trip, Special Envoy Lin had audiences with the king and queen mother of Eswatini and met with other senior officials including the prime minister and foreign minister. He discussed bilateral cooperation plans and signed memorandums and joint statements that covered areas such as providing medical care, building 5G infrastructure, countering disinformation, and conserving wildlife. Special Envoy Lin also visited the referral and emergency complex and operating theater of Mbabane Government Hospital, which were built with assistance from Taiwan, as well as a factory that receives investment from local Taiwanese businesspeople.

The successful trip further strengthened Taiwan-Eswatini diplomatic ties, broadened cooperation between the two nations, demonstrated Taiwan’s active contributions to the international community, and laid even more solid foundations for the countries to progress toward common prosperity. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Azerbaijan

Date：2025-04-24
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

April 24, 2025  
  
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visited China from April 22 to 24. Following a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on April 23, the two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Among other spurious content, the statement falsely claimed that Taiwan was an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns the Chinese government for continuing to issue preposterous pronouncements that aim to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty on the international stage. It also expresses deep regret at the Azerbaijani government’s submission to, and compliance with, authoritarian China. 

MOFA reaffirms that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent, sovereign country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the Chinese Communist Party-governed People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. No statement intended to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status or undermine international peace and stability can alter the internationally recognized status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

MOFA calls on the international community to recognize China’s authoritarian nature, as well as its efforts to deceitfully frame the issue of Taiwan as being a domestic matter and block international support for Taiwan. It also urges the international community to continue to respond with concrete action and clearly oppose China’s malicious attempts to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait so as to help jointly maintain peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.