Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung were in Ruijin, Jiangxi today to attend a launch ceremony for the Long March exchange, which involves youths from Hong Kong and Macau.

Mr Chan stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has always attached great importance to patriotic education.

He said: “In particular, we actively encourage young people to participate in exchange activities on the Mainland to fully understand the country’s history, culture and latest achievements.

“The Long March holds great significance in the nation’s development history. We hope that young people can gain an in-depth understanding of its history, learn from its spirit of perseverance and solidarity, and grow into a new generation with an affection for the country and for Hong Kong that is equipped with global perspectives. They should seize the immense opportunities arising from our country’s new journey and proactively integrate into and contribute to the overall national development.”

In Ruijin, Mr Chan and Mr Leung also visited the Yeping Revolutionary Sites and the Central Revolutionary Base Area History Museum. These landmarks bear witness to the dedication and sacrifices of the country’s revolutionary forebears.

Mr Chan expressed a wish to strengthen co-operation with Jiangxi in the area of patriotic education and to arrange further exchange activities that allow young people from Hong Kong to visit historical sites, thereby strengthening their identification with Chinese culture and cultivating their sense of national identity.

About 120 youths from Hong Kong and Macau, along with Mainland youths, visited Ganzhou, Jiangxi, from May 8 to 11. They toured memorial museums and historical sites related to the Long March, and visited local research institutes, enterprises and heritage sites.

Mr Chan was due to depart for Hong Kong this afternoon.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai and President Peña of Paraguay visit Southern Taiwan Science Park Bureau and NCHC Cloud Compute Center  
On the morning of May 9, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by President Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay, visited the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) Bureau of the National Science and Technology Council and National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC) Cloud Compute Center in Tainan. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan will share its experience in technological development, park governance, and industrial upgrading with Paraguay, making the deep friendship between the two countries an important force in driving prosperity in the lives of both peoples.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Yesterday, I met with President Peña at the Presidential Office and mentioned that Taiwan would work hand in hand with Paraguay to engage with the world together. With today’s visit to the STSP, we are putting that promise into practice. 
The STSP is an important base for Taiwan’s technology industry and a key hub for the development of the semiconductor and AI industries. Taiwan will share its experience in technological development, park governance, and industrial upgrading with Paraguay, making the deep friendship between the two countries an important force in driving prosperity in the lives of our peoples.
As a former mayor of Tainan, I warmly welcome President Peña, government officials, and all distinguished guests to Tainan and wish them a fruitful and successful visit.
President Peña then delivered remarks, saying he is deeply honored to represent the Paraguayan delegation. He thanked the Taiwanese government for arranging the visit, providing the delegation with the opportunity to witness firsthand Taiwan’s achievements in high-tech and semiconductors. He said that forty years ago Taiwan sowed the seeds of technological development, which have now blossomed, making Taiwan a leading nation in the global high-tech and semiconductor industries.
President Peña stated that even though Taiwan and Paraguay are 19,000 kilometers apart and have different languages and cultures, the two countries share a common vision for development. He noted that Paraguay possesses abundant natural resources and significant capacity for production of raw materials. At the same time, he said, Paraguay understands that to achieve its goal of long-term national prosperity and development, it must establish a strong presence in academia, innovation, and the high-tech industry. Thus, he stated, Paraguay is actively promoting the development of its high-tech industries and aiming to become an important strategic partner for Taiwan. 
President Peña said that the visit is very inspiring and that it provides a deeper understanding of how Taiwan integrates the efforts of government, industry, and academia to jointly promote the development of high-tech industries. He further added that these experiences will be an important reference for Paraguay in formulating its own science and technology policies.
After remarks, President Lai and President Peña heard a briefing from the STSP Bureau. Accompanied by Tsai Hung-yin (蔡宏營), president of the National Institutes of Applied Research, they also heard a briefing by Chang Chau-lyan (張朝亮), director general of the NCHC, on Taiwan’s vision for the development of computing power. The visit also included a trip to the NCHC Cloud Compute Center.
Also in attendance were Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Industry and Commerce Marco Riquelme, Chief of Staff of the Presidency Francisco Javier Giménez, and Ambassador Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz. 

Source: Government of Singapore

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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee

Good morning. It is a pleasure to join you, once again, for the opening of the Asia Summit on Global Health, the sixth edition.

You represent the full spectrum of the global health community. That includes medical professionals and government officials, also representatives of multinational pharmaceutical and health-tech enterprises, investors and entrepreneurs.

Your presence here in Hong Kong underscores a simple but powerful truth: in an age of complex health challenges, progress is powered by collaboration.

This summit makes collaboration easy, with more than 90 high-profile speakers from 15 countries and regions. They include Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry Prof Michael Levitt, who will speak at the Dialogue with Global Pioneer in Health session. And count on the latest medical developments and research, together with wide-ranging opportunities for networking and creative partnerships that make all the difference.

Your expertise and contributions are desperately needed. Today’s world grapples with profound health challenges, with new threats continually emerging. We also face the pressing realities of ageing populations. There is the silent crisis of antimicrobial resistance. And there are persistent inequities in healthcare access – both regional and global.

That makes the theme of this year’s summit, “Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs”, particularly relevant. The two-day programme highlights three key areas:

First, China opportunities in aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan’s health priorities. This includes innovative drug access, modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine, silver health, and the outbound expansion of Chinese pharmaceutical companies.

Second, frontier technologies. The programme covers global healthcare trends, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health, medical robotics and devices, and gene and cell therapies.

Third, health innovation and investment trends. You will see pitching sessions for startups. You will also find deal-making sessions that connect projects with capital.

Clinical collaboration with the Mainland

Let me now outline how Hong Kong, under the “one country, two systems” principle, is investing in healthcare and, in doing so, investing in the future of our people and our economy.

Our status as a leading hub for scientific innovation is unrivalled in Asia. And our strengths are magnified by our core position in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. That is the cluster city development integrating 11 dynamic cities in southern China. It boasts a collective economy that rivals that of the world’s 10th-largest nation.

In pursuit of medical innovation, Hong Kong complements the strategies set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The plan optimises an evaluation and approval mechanism for innovative drugs and supports their clinical application. The goal is to develop Hong Kong into a health and medical innovation hub.

Central to this ambition is the rapid expansion of our clinical trial capabilities, the vital engine that drives biomedical research and development (R&D) from the laboratory to the bedside.

That is anchored by the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute. It is wholly government-owned and operated by the University of Hong Kong’s medical faculty. It is located in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

The institute operates alongside its Shenzhen counterpart under an integrated “one institute, one centre” model. Together, they draw on the Greater Bay Area’s combined population of more than 87 million, co-ordinating multi-centre, cross-boundary clinical trials. These trials meet both national and international standards.

By streamlining cross-boundary trials, the institute serves as a one-stop agency for medical R&D institutions worldwide. It accelerates the delivery of life-changing medical technologies to patients.

Last December, we launched the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform. We also set up the Real-World Study & Application Centre. Both deepen our co-operation with Mainland partners.

The collaboration platform offers expert consultation on medicine, statistics, regulatory affairs and ethics. The application centre uses Hong Kong’s medical data advantages to generate real-world evidence. This supports drug and device registration in Hong Kong and on the Mainland.

Drug and medical device regulation

We are also enhancing our drug and medical device regulatory regime. Our “1+” mechanism for new drugs’ registration expedites patient access to life-saving therapies.

It allows new drugs to be registered in Hong Kong after approval from just one recognised reference authority – instead of the traditional two. Supporting local clinical data is required, of course.

This year is transformative for our regulatory landscape. In March, we began the phased implementation of “primary evaluation” for new drugs registration. That marks a milestone in our transition to a fully independent drug evaluation framework. We aim for full implementation by 2030.

I am also pleased to announce that the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation will be established by year’s end. That will put Hong Kong on the map as a trusted hub for regulatory excellence.

Innovation research

InnoHK, our flagship innovation and technology initiative, was launched to develop Hong Kong into a global research collaboration hub. And to date, two InnoHK research clusters have collaborated with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies.

They pool more than 3,000 researchers worldwide. Sixteen of the research centres focus on healthcare-related technologies – biomedicine, chemistry, engineering and AI.

We are also establishing the Life & Health Technology Research Institute. It will be located at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, with three branches to be established by local universities. We expect to complete the preparatory work this year.

We are strengthening the bridge between laboratories and the market through the Research, Academic & Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme, with funding of HK$10 billion, which is US$1.3 billion, allowing money to channel more support to local university research teams. We are focused on those with good potential to become successful startups, commercialising their R&D outcomes.

Health tech downstream industry

Downstream industry is central to supporting a thriving life and health technology sector. That is why we have launched the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme, also with funding of HK$10 billion; that is US$1.3 billion.

It helps companies in life and health technology and other strategic fields to establish high-end smart production facilities in Hong Kong. To date, we have supported two enterprises focusing on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, with a total project cost of over US$120 million.

Another HK$10 billion, or US$1.3 billion, the Innovation & Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, will also be launched this year. It will encourage market capital to invest in five thematic areas, life and health technology among them.

We have long supported the University Grants Committee’s eight funded universities. They carry out academic research in wide-ranging disciplines, including health and medicine. In the 2025-26 academic year, more than 200 research projects in medicine and biology received government support. Total funding exceeded US$32 million.

We are also nurturing PhD and postdoctoral talent. Publicly funded research postgraduate places grew from about 5,600 to 7,200 in two years, up to 2024-25; the increase is 28%. Places under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme also rose by a third.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is committed to medical innovation. We have established vital infrastructure and productive policies. We have also created a dynamic network that turns research into tangible solutions.

True innovation requires deep collaboration and strategic partnerships that span the world and every sector of our industry. Through your interactions over the next two days, we may begin to unlock the next great breakthroughs in medicine and biotechnology.

Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the Asia Summit on Global Health on May 11.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Labour Department will hold an industry-based job fair titled “Embarking on a New Journey” at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on May 12 and 13 featuring more than 2,700 vacancies.

Over 60 organisations will participate, with around 30 booths set up each day. The event will primarily focus on catering, retail, construction and hotel industries, which together account for more than 2,500 of the available openings.

A wide variety of positions are on offer, ranging from technical roles like duty engineer, electrician and safety supervisor to service-oriented jobs such as cook, guest services officer and shop supervisor.

Approximately 79% of the vacancies are full-time positions, with most offering monthly salaries between $13,000 to $24,000. About 95% of the roles require an education level of Secondary 7 or below, and 54% are open to those without relevant work experience.

Job seekers can submit applications and may be invited for on on-the-spot interviews. Department staff will also be able available at a dedicated counter to handle enquiries regarding employment services.

The fair will run from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street. Admission is free, with the last entry at 5pm daily.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The annual Buddha Bathing Ceremony was held at Tzu Chi Sydney, coinciding this year with Mother’s Day and the 60th anniversary of Tzu Chi worldwide. Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu, accompanied by Director May Chiang, attended the event together with community leaders and Tzu Chi volunteers, praying for peace, harmony, and well-being.
DG Wu noted that Tzu Chi has long promoted charity, medical care, education, and humanitarian values around the world, demonstrating compassion and the positive spirit of Taiwan through disaster relief and community service. He also commended Tzu Chi Sydney for its longstanding contributions to Australia’s multicultural society.
The event also carried a strong atmosphere of gratitude in celebration of Mother’s Day, honoring both maternal love and the dedication of Tzu Chi volunteers.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Security Bureau today said it was notified by Guangdong Province’s Nuclear Emergency Committee Office of an operational event at Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station, in which an isolation valve remained closed longer than required.

This incident did not affect the safety of the power station’s Unit 1, the health of the workers, the nearby public or the environment, the bureau added.

On May 7, Unit 1 was undergoing a planned overhaul for refuelling. During routine testing, station staff remotely closed one of the cooling water isolation valves of the standby equipment from the main control room to adjust the cooling water flow, and restored it to normal status on the same day.

Since the isolation valve remained closed for a duration exceeding the requirement of the technical specification, this event was classified as a Level 0 deviation on May 8 in accordance with the International Nuclear & Radiological Event Scale and relevant nuclear safety regulations. 

The bureau stressed that Unit 1 remained in a safe condition throughout the event, while the three safety barriers remained intact and there was no release of radioactive substances.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In 2025, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) cracked a case of illegal goat slaughtering. The premises involved were located in a remote rural area and concealed from view. Accordingly, a key factor in foiling the perpetrators was the use of aerial intelligence.

Officers used drones to capture footage, then cross-referenced this with aerial photographs taken by the Lands Department. This allowed them to identify suspicious locations.

The FEHD outlined that using drones to collect evidence reduces the need for manned patrols, boosts efforts to combat illegal slaughtering activities, illegal meat distribution centres and unlicensed food premises, and improves staff safety.

Expanded capabilities

Explaining the limitations of traditional methods, Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Senior Superintendent (Operations) Lo Chi-man remarked: “Relying solely on manpower-based patrols, plain-clothes operatives could only conduct surveillance in the vicinity of the target premises. Operatives also faced significant safety risks such as potential violence, aggressive dogs and structural hazards.”

After the introduction of drones, however, intelligence can now be gathered at high altitude, adopting a bird’s eye view. This allows operatives to clearly map entry or exit points, personnel distribution, suspicious vehicle locations and escape routes in advance.

Smart inspections

Beyond intelligence gathering, the FEHD has been working with the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department since 2025 to study the feasibility of using drones to support street cleanliness inspections.

Under planned trials, drones will conduct automated aerial patrols along pre-set routes in order to detect accumulated rubbish, overflowing litter bins and damaged refuse collection facilities. The captured images will then be analysed using artificial intelligence, enabling the FEHD to arrange timely follow-up actions.

Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Senior Superintendent (Innovation & Technology) Kuan Man-hou highlighted that street cleaning inspections largely depend on frontline staff making in-person site visits. Officers are required to carry out visual checks and take photos to record conditions. However, some locations are remote and transport can be inconvenient, so the trips are often time-consuming.

With the automated inspection system, however, the FEHD will be able to analyse street cleanliness more quickly and accurately, enabling more effective deployment of manpower and resources.

Drone docking stations are expected to be installed on top of public toilets managed by the FEHD, serving as bases for take-off, landing and charging. The team revealed that flight tests for the project will commence soon.

Phased trials

Electrical & Mechanical Services Department Senior Engineer (Drones, Robotics & Automation) Vanessa Yau said her team is applying to the Civil Aviation Department for operational approvals.

”The trials will be conducted in two main stages. In the first stage, flights under visual line of sight and extended visual line of sight will be tested. Once stable performance is achieved, beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations will be tested for fully automated aerial patrols.”

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai confers decoration on President Santiago Peña Palacios of Republic of Paraguay, hosts state banquet  
At noon on May 8, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, conferred a decoration upon President Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay and hosted a state banquet in his honor. In remarks, President Lai thanked President Peña for firmly supporting Taiwan at numerous international venues. He stated that Taiwan and Paraguay will continue to engage with the world together, as well as deepen cooperation in various fields including the economy and trade, technology, public health, education, and talent development. President Lai said that Taiwan and Paraguay will walk hand in hand on the path of democracy, together fostering prosperity.
During the ceremony, President Lai decorated President Peña with the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
This highest honor not only recognizes President Peña’s outstanding contributions to deepening the diplomatic partnership between Taiwan and Paraguay, but also represents the sincerest gratitude of the people of Taiwan.
Three years ago, in his inaugural address, President Peña mentioned the deep friendship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Paraguay, grounded in friendly cooperation. He emphasized that our two nations are not only allies, but brothers. This sentiment has remained deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of Taiwan. I attended President Peña’s inauguration ceremony that day as a special envoy of former President Tsai Ing-wen. I witnessed President Peña’s steadfast commitment to democracy, national development, and the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay. Through that visit, I gained a profound appreciation for the close cooperative relationship between our two countries.
Since taking office, President Peña has continued to support our bilateral collaborative projects. He has also spoken up for Taiwan at many important international venues, emphasizing that the Republic of China (Taiwan) deserves a seat in the United Nations. This unwavering support has deeply moved the people of Taiwan and has shown the world that the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay is built on shared values and mutual trust. Going ahead, Taiwan and Paraguay will engage with the world together. By deepening cooperation in various fields including the economy and trade, technology, public health, education, and talent development, we can translate these friendly diplomatic ties to our peoples’ daily lives, bringing about tangible prosperity and development.
In the face of rapidly changing global dynamics, Taiwan, as a nation that cherishes freedom and peace, will continue to act with stability and responsibility. We will stand with Paraguay and every partner who supports us to jointly address the challenges of these changing times. On the basis of our democratic values, we will share the fruits of prosperity with the international community, bringing more positive energy to the region and the world. We will let the world see Taiwan’s shining example of goodwill.
I want to thank President Peña once again for everything he has done for Taiwan. This exchange has demonstrated once more that our two countries will support each other through thick and thin. As we move forward in cooperation, we will continue to walk hand in hand on the path of democracy. I also wish President Peña the best of health. May our two countries enjoy peace and prosperity, and our alliance remain unshakable.
President Peña then delivered remarks, expressing his deep honor to be visiting Taiwan once again, and noting that this long-anticipated state visit holds significant meaning, as Taiwan is a cherished ally with whom both he and Paraguay share deep ties of friendship. He stated that he is immensely proud to be conferred the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon, the nation’s highest order. He emphasized that this distinction is not only a personal honor, but a supreme tribute to the steadfast and enduring fraternal bond that has united our two nations for decades. He further remarked that receiving this decoration has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Republic of China (Taiwan), and stated that he will continue deepening the two countries’ diplomatic ties, shared bond, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
President Peña noted that Taiwan and Paraguay will celebrate the 69th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this July. He affirmed that Paraguay will remain Taiwan’s staunchest ally, standing shoulder to shoulder with Taiwan in the international arena. He also emphasized Paraguay’s steadfast, unchanging commitment to defending Taiwan’s right to participate actively in the systems of democratic nations – a commitment rooted in mutual respect and a firm belief in the shared values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and human rights. President Peña remarked that the relationship between the two countries has evolved into a strategic partnership that delivers tangible benefits to both peoples. He highlighted the continuous progress in bilateral economic and trade cooperation in recent years, noting that Taiwan has become one of Paraguay’s key trading partners and a premier destination for Paraguayan agricultural and livestock exports. He expressed hope for continued access for Paraguay’s high-quality products to Taiwan’s high-standard market. Leveraging this economic momentum, he said, Paraguay aims to promote technological cooperation to achieve the goals of enhancing rural productivity and strengthening the competitiveness of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.
President Peña further pointed out that bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay has yielded significant results in enhancing the well-being of the Paraguayan people. He noted that the memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation for the years 2023 to 2028 signed between the two governments stands as a testament to Taiwan’s friendship and their shared vision for progress. The president detailed the extensive advancements made across various sectors, including education, public health, security, national defense, science, technological innovation, and digital connectivity. He then highlighted key initiatives including Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University, the TaiwanICDF Scholarship Program, the construction of a general hospital in Asunción, the implementation of health information systems, and social housing. President Peña also underscored projects aimed at strengthening policing capabilities and introducing modern electric buses. These efforts, he emphasized, have been instrumental in improving his fellow citizens’ quality of life and enhancing the efficiency of public administration, thereby driving the overall national development of Paraguay.
The president also noted that bilateral cooperation in the technology sector is entering a pivotal phase, highlighted by joint initiatives in cybersecurity and government digitalization. He pointed to the upcoming inauguration of the Taiwan-Paraguay Smart Technology Park, a challenging project that seeks to attract investment from Taiwan and across the globe in fields such as AI, the digital economy, and high-value-added agriculture. These efforts, he stated, will help propel Paraguay toward modernization and sustainable industrialization. The president emphasized that the Taiwan-Paraguay partnership is evolving into a core strategic alliance centered on investment, innovation, and mutual prosperity. To this end, he reaffirmed his commitment to actively improving the environment for foreign investment by ensuring legal certainty and streamlining administrative procedures. The goal of this, he said, is to establish Paraguay as a land full of opportunity and a trustworthy investment destination.
President Peña expressed hope that Paraguay will be more than a diplomatic ally, but also a strategic partner for Taiwan in South America as it seeks to diversify supply chain risks and expand its technological footprint. He noted that the recently held Paraguay-Taiwan Investment Opportunities Forum and the Taiwan-Paraguay Technology and Semiconductor Forum further demonstrated Paraguay’s potential to leverage the introduction of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry to drive national industrial transformation.
President Peña emphasized that, amidst the current complex and volatile international situation, the relationship between the two countries has demonstrated a resilience that transcends political transitions and changing global circumstances. He expressed confidence that our bilateral strategic alliance will continue to be consolidated on a foundation of solidarity, mutual trust, and rock-solid commitment, always with the well-being of the peoples of both nations as its ultimate goal.
In closing, President Peña expressed hope that this visit will foster the continued deepening of bilateral relations, trade, and investment, saying that he looks forward to the two nations becoming innovation partners in the development of cutting-edge technologies, allowing the bond between our two countries to serve as a beacon of sincere cooperation for the international community. President Peña concluded his remarks by offering his best wishes for the everlasting alliance between the Republic of Paraguay and the Republic of China (Taiwan), saying, “Long live democracy and freedom!”
Also in attendance at the state banquet were Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Industry and Commerce Marco Riquelme, Chief of Staff of the Presidency Francisco Javier Giménez, and Ambassador Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz.