Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

International conflicts have created a level of uncertainty surrounding the global energy supply. To increase the flexibility of natural gas dispatch and ensure a stable power supply, countries around the world have adopted short-term response measures to adjust their power generation structure. To strengthen energy dispatch resilience, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has instructed Taipower to temporarily dispatch Mai Liao Plant Units 1 and 3. A Taipower representative expressed that even with the short-term dispatch of Mai Liao Plant, annual coal consumption will not exceed the level from last year.

A Taipower representative explained that the government is making every effort to manage the natural gas supply. The domestic gas supply is currently adequate, and all generators are operating according to the established schedule. However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has impacted the global energy supply. Major international natural gas facilities have been affected by the conflict, and it is difficult to restore operations in the short-term, which has intensified the risk to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply. Considering national energy security, countries such as Japan, South Korea, Germany, Thailand, and the Philippines have adopted adjustments to their power generation structure and increased coal-fired generation as an emergency measure in response to natural gas supply risks, aiming to reduce the impact of high natural gas prices on electricity prices and people’s lives.

A Taipower representative expressed that the future of the conflict in the Middle East remains uncertain. To assist CPC Corporation in increasing the flexibility of subsequent natural gas dispatch, Taipower has referred to the common practices of neighboring countries, and will be temporarily increasing coal-fired generation. Starting in May, Taipower will temporarily procure energy from Mai Liao units as needed. Nevertheless, annual coal consumption will not exceed the level from last year.

A Taipower representative explained that Units 1 and 3 of the privately-run Mai Liao Plant currently both have operating permits and power generation licenses and can legally operate. Additionally, wet electrostatic precipitators and other environmental protection improvement measures have been installed to further reduce air pollutant emissions. Taipower will maintain close communication with local governments, continue to pay attention to changes in the global energy situation, and progressively adjust its response measures to ensure that the public’s electricity demands are met.

Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
E-mail: u030573@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Business Department Director Chung Si-Si
Phone: (02) 2366-6650; 0922-483-804
E-mail: u149447@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Power Dispatching Department Director Chou Fang-Cheng
Phone: (02) 2366-6600; 0952-810-417
E-mail: u027007@taipower.com.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2026-27 is now open for applications from Hong Kong students until September 21, the Education Bureau announced today.

The scheme will benefit eligible Hong Kong students pursuing undergraduate studies on the Mainland who have financial needs. It covers 217 designated Mainland institutions, including 165 that participated in the 2026-27 Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions.

While the scheme is not subject to a quota, applicants may only receive either a means-tested subsidy or a non-means-tested subsidy in the same academic year.

Subsidies are granted on a yearly basis. The subsidised period covers the normal duration of the undergraduate programme pursued by the student.

Eligible students can submit their applications online or by post. The results are expected to be released in phases from the first quarter of 2027.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 20) announced that a sample of iron goddess basque burnt cheesecake was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a bakery in Causeway Bay for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 280 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.”

The CFS instantly sent staff to the bakery concerned for an investigation, and has informed it of the irregularity. The bakery concerned has stopped selling and discarded the affected product according to the CFS’s instruction. The CFS has also provided education on food safety and hygiene to the staff of the bakery concerned, and requested that they carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection.

“Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea,” the spokesman said.

According to section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) today (July 20) commenced on the second day of the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. They attended exchange sessions and thematic seminars at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) to deepen their understanding on how to improve the quality of LegCo’s work, the holistic approach to national security and social governance, as well as the international economic and political landscape, thereby strengthening Members’ capability of broad and strategic thinking.

     In the morning, Members attended the opening ceremony for the Study Visit and a sharing session on how to improve the quality and standard of LegCo’s work. Members gained a profound understanding that, as an integral part of the governing team of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), they must perform their duties diligently and play a pivotal role in the reform and development of the HKSAR under the executive-led system. They must also respond to the citizens’ earnest expectations of LegCo Members through high-quality participation in politics and policy deliberation.

     In the afternoon, Members attended a thematic seminar to study the implementation of the holistic approach to national security for improving the standard of social governance. Through analysing various domestic and foreign cases about the risks to national security, Members learnt that when preventing and handling national security risks, risk assessment, organisational mobilisation, unified command, and emergency rescue are all key elements in achieving the overall secure development of society.

     Members then attended a thematic seminar on the analysis of the international relations landscape to gain further understanding on the current political turbulence and changes. Members also exchanged views and shared perspectives with the speaker on Hong Kong’s roles and responsibilities under the complex and ever-evolving international political landscape at present.

     In the evening, Members attended a welcome dinner at the NAG.

     Members will continue with the Study Visit programme tomorrow (July 21), which includes attending thematic seminars.

     Click here to watch the video highlight of today’s Study Visit.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs today (July 20) detected two suspected cases of illegal importing of animals at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Three suspected illegally imported live cats with a total estimated market value of about $36,000 were seized.

Customs officers today intercepted a 59-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger and a 58-year-old incoming Mainland female passenger at the Arrival Hall of the Control Point. Upon examination, two live cats and one live cat were seized from their backpacks respectively. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. The cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence.

Under the Rabies Regulation, any person found guilty of illegally importing animals, carcasses or animal products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected a dangerous drug case on July 16, and seized about 131 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $51.4 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
 
Through intelligence exchange with Mainland anti-smuggling counterparts and risk assessment, Customs on July 14 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying rock sugar and arriving in Hong Kong from Germany, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found about 131kg of suspected ketamine inside 17 plastic buckets and arrested a 58-year-old local male who came to collect the consignment. Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation and further arrested two 24-year-old Bangladeshi males in Pat Heung, Yuen long, on July 16.
 
The arrested local male has been released on bail pending further investigation; while the two arrested Bangladeshi males have been jointly charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on July 20.
 
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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police today (July 18) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Happy Valley. 

Chung Wing-kai, aged 77, went missing after he left his residence on Shiu Fai Terrace yesterday (July 17) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

He is about 1.7 metres tall, 55 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a light-coloured short-sleeved shirt, grey trousers, dark sneakers, a beige cap, a white mask, carrying two hiking poles and a black backpack.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Two incoming passengers were each sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (July 18) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109).
 
Customs officers intercepted two inbound private cars at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port on July 17.  A 38-year-old Mainland female passenger and a 32-year-old Mainland male passenger, arriving in Hong Kong from Macao were arrested. A total of 88 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $450,000 and a duty potential of about $290,000, were seized from their personal baggage.
 
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
 
Customs reminds members of the public and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account ​(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).