Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LegCo Panels elect Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen
The 18 Panels of the Legislative Council (LegCo) have elected their Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen for the 2026 session today (January 23). Details are available in the Attachment.
For membership of the Panels, please visit the LegCo Website (https://www.legco.gov.hk/en/legco-business/committees/panels-and-subcommittees.htmlIssued at HKT 18:52
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FS concludes attendance at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (with photos/video)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FS concludes attendance at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (with photos/video)
In the morning, Mr Chan attended a thematic session titled “How to Finance Decarbonization?” and served as a speaker. The session focused on how, amid global economic slowdown, high debt levels in advanced economies and geopolitical developments, public-private collaboration can continue to support the goal of achieving carbon neutrality.
During the discussion session, Mr Chan pointed out that both the country and Hong Kong are firmly and steadily progressing towards the goal of carbon neutrality. He shared Hong Kong’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and the strategies to realise it. These include leveraging government policy to steer behavioural changes among enterprises and consumers, such as providing tax concessions for electric vehicles and incentives for green buildings. He also mentioned financial support for trials of innovative technologies, such as sustainable hydrogen-powered transport, to encourage innovation.
As an international financial centre, Hong Kong actively facilitates private capital participation in the decarbonisation process through a rich green finance ecosystem, such as green bonds and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government also encourages financial innovation, including the issuance of tokenised green bonds to allow wider investor participation in green projects, and the securitisation of loans for infrastructure projects to release capital for reinvestment into new projects.
Mr Chan stressed that public support and trust are key to achieving a green transition. The HKSAR Government ensures that funds are genuinely used for green projects by formulating internationally aligned standards, including a green taxonomy and disclosure requirements. For high-emission enterprises, such as mining companies, listing in Hong Kong not only enables them to access capital to support their development but also helps enhance their corporate governance, transparency and recognition in global markets.
Mr Chan also continued to meet with leaders from political, business and international organisations yesterday, including the President and Chief Executive Officer of the WEF, Mr Børge Brende, and the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Mr Dan Katz, to exchange views on global finance and issues of mutual concern, and to share Hong Kong’s perspective.
Mr Chan also held separate meetings with the Global Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr Mohamed Kande; the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Group, Mr Thomas Buberl; and the Vice President of Global Public Policy of Amazon Web Services, Mr Michael Punke, to exchange views on the current global economic and market situation, as well as technological development.
Mr Chan has concluded his visit to Davos. He will depart Switzerland today (January 23, Davos time), and return to Hong Kong on Saturday morning (January 24, Hong Kong time).
Issued at HKT 9:00
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Tender period for Widening of Yuen Long Highway (Section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange) extended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Highways Department (HyD) today (January 23) gazetted a notice to extend the tender period for the contract for Widening of Yuen Long Highway (Section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange) (Contract No. HY/2025/13) to noon on February 13.
The HyD invited tenders for the contract on December 19, 2025. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on February 6. Details of the tender notice are available on the HyD’s website
(www.hyd.gov.hk/en/tender_notices/contracts/prequalifications_and_tender_notices/index.html).
The HyD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please call the company at 3922 9000 during office hours.
Legal notices for onboarding of Mandatory Provident Fund industry schemes to eMPF Platform gazetted
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Legal notices for onboarding of Mandatory Provident Fund industry schemes to eMPF Platform gazetted
(i) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Specification of Dates for Purposes of Section 19M(2)(a)) (Amendment) Notice 2026 (Mandatory Use (Amendment) Notice 2026);
(ii) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19U(4)) (Amendment) Notice 2026, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Y(3)) (Amendment) Notice 2026, and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Z(4)) (Amendment) Notice 2026 (collectively Fee Control (Amendment) Notices 2026); and
(iii) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Commencement) Notice 2026 (Commencement Notice 2026).
The Mandatory Use (Amendment) Notice 2026 specifies March 26, 2026, and April 30, 2026, as “material day” for the BCT (MPF) Industry Choice administered by the Bank Consortium Trust Company Limited (BCT) and the BEA (MPF) Industry Scheme administered by the Bank of East Asia (Trustees) Limited (BEA) respectively, such that BCT and BEA are mandated to use the eMPF Platform to perform scheme administration functions in relation to these MPF schemes. On cost savings and fee-setting of the MPF scheme to be charged by the MPF trustee on scheme members, the Fee Control (Amendment) Notices 2026 appoint June 26, 2026, and July 30, 2026, as respective “material day” for the constituent funds of the MPF schemes mentioned above, such that BCT and BEA are mandated to make corresponding reduction in their fees charged on scheme members in relation to the constituent funds of these MPF schemes.
The Commencement Notice 2026 appoints April 30, 2026, as the day on which sections 80, 100 and 106 of the Amendment Ordinance 2021 come into operation, such that the transfer of accrued benefits between trustees could be streamlined. The Commencement Notice 2026 also appoints October 5, 2026, as the day on which the remaining provisions set out in section 1(3)(b) of the Amendment Ordinance 2021 come into operation, such that the eMPF Platform Company Limited is mandated to maintain a new central register whilst repealing the two existing registers on personal accounts and unclaimed benefits maintained by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority.
“With the onboarding of all MPF schemes to the eMPF Platform, it is anticipated that over 10 million MPF scheme members could enjoy fee reductions, representing more than 90 per cent of all scheme member accounts. At the same time, the Government will make use of the favourable conditions created by the eMPF Platform to implement other MPF reform initiatives, including the Phase One Proposal of MPF ‘Full Portability’ for which legislative amendments were completed last year,” a spokesperson for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said.
If scheme members/employers have any questions regarding the detailed operation of the eMPF Platform, they may visit the Platform’s official website (empf.org.hk), or call the Platform’s customer service hotline (183 2622).
The aforementioned legal notices will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on January 28, 2026.
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Session on Golden Week visits held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today chaired a meeting to co-ordinate preparations for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the Mainland’s Chinese New Year Golden Week from February 15 to 23.
Miss Law noted that various districts in Hong Kong will host festive events to create a vibrant New Year atmosphere, leading the Government to estimate a significant increase in visitor arrivals during the CNY Golden Week.
Relevant departments will work closely with related organisations and the travel trade to ensure quality travel experiences for visitors, allowing them to enjoy the city’s unique festive atmosphere.
Close communication will be maintained between relevant parties leading up to the CNY Golden Week to advance visitor reception preparations and provide updates to the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Representatives from Police, the Customs & Excise Department, the Immigration and Transport departments along with District Offices, tourism-related organisations, major tourist attractions and the hotel industry took part in today’s session.
Fisheries licence applications open
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Applications for licenses to operate in the Mirs Bay fish culture zone are open from now until April 30, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department announced today.
The department outlined that the Mirs Bay fish culture zone is located in open waters with favourable currents, making it suitable for the adoption of modern aquaculture facilities and technologies – including steel truss cages and high-density polyethylene gravity-type cages, which have strong wind and wave resistance.
It said the establishment of new fish culture zones enables the aquaculture industry to operate intensively, and to transition towards modernised and sustainable operations.
Interested parties hoping to operate in the Mirs Bay fish culture zone may consider applying for marine fish culture licences, either with the help of funding from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund or through self-financed mariculture businesses.
A briefing session will be held on February 13 to introduce the application process and licensing requirements.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu Received New Year Blessings from the Buddha’s Light International Association Sydney Chapter
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu warmly welcomed the visit of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Sydney Chapter delegation, led by Ms. Chen, Ms. Hsu and Ms. Chiao, accompanied by Mr. Jack Lin, Senior Advisor of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC). On behalf of Venerable Manko, the delegation presented Nan Tien Temple’s Laba congee (also known as Eight Treasure Congee), a 2026 desk calendar, and a Spring Festival couplet written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, conveying blessings of harmony, auspiciousness and joy.
Director General Wu praised Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple for its longstanding commitment to charitable work and its important contributions to promoting Taiwan–Australia exchanges in education and religion. Director General Wu and the visiting delegation exchanged warm New Year greetings, extending their best wishes for a prosperous and auspicious Year of the Horse, with peace and good health.
BSMI Accelerates the Development of National Hydrogen Fuel Cell Standards to Align with International Practices and Drive Industry Growth
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) stated today (January 15) that, to ensure the safety and performance of hydrogen fuel cell applications, the international practice primarily follows the IEC 62282 series of standards for the testing and verification of hydrogen fuel cell power generation systems and their components.
To accelerate the alignment of Taiwan’s hydrogen fuel cell standards with international benchmarks, BSMI established an inter-ministerial Hydrogen Energy Standards Working Group in 2024. The working group systematically reviews and analyzes relevant international standards while continuously coordinating standardization requirements with government agencies and state-owned enterprises.
BSMI further noted that, as of the end of 2025, a total of 17 CNS national standards related to hydrogen fuel cells have been completed. These standards cover the mainstream Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) currently available on the market, encompassing safety, performance, and testing and verification requirements from single cells, stacks, and modules through to complete power generation systems. In addition, standards for mobile grid-connected, vehicle-mounted, and micro-scale hydrogen fuel cell power generation systems will be established and revised in phases to address product safety and testing requirements in resilient power grids, transportation systems, and consumer electronics.
Moreover, in coordination with relevant policy initiatives, BSMI will establish local testing capabilities for hydrogen fuel cell systems at the 100 kW scale, providing domestic industries with testing and verification services and reducing the cost and time associated with overseas testing. To keep pace with international developments, BSMI will continue reviewing and revising relevant safety and testing standards, providing guidance for government, industry, academia, and research institutions, while driving industrial development and technological advancement.
Hydrogen fuel cells offer advantages such as high energy density, low noise, minimal pollution and carbon emissions, diverse fuel options, and long-duration operation. They can serve as distributed power sources for resilient power grids, effectively addressing noise and exhaust emissions commonly associated with conventional diesel generators. Hydrogen fuel cells can also provide power for transportation applications (such as vehicles and vessels), compact electronic devices (including laptops and portable power banks), as well as backup power supply for critical facilities, including hospitals and emergency shelters.
Responsible Division: Inspection Technical Division
Contact Person: Yang Li-yuan, Deputy Director, Inspection Technology Division
Telephone: 02-23431700 ext. 3311;
Email: ly.yang@bsmi.gov.tw
FS concludes Davos visit
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Financial Secretary Paul Chan today departed Davos, Switzerland to return to Hong Kong after concluding his attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting.
Yesterday, Mr Chan spoke at a thematic session focused on how public-private collaboration can advance carbon neutrality goals against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, a global economic slowdown, and high debt levels in advanced economies.
Mr Chan highlighted that both China and Hong Kong are steadily progressing towards carbon neutrality. He explained Hong Kong’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and its strategies to realise it – including tax concessions for electric vehicles, incentives for green buildings, and financial support for trials of innovative technologies such as sustainable hydrogen-powered transport.
He said that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong facilitates private capital participation in the decarbonisation process through a rich green finance ecosystem that includes green bonds and Environmental, Social & Governance funds.
Mr Chan outlined that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government encourages financial innovation, including the issuance of tokenised green bonds to allow wider investor participation in green projects, and the securitisation of loans for infrastructure projects to release capital for reinvestment into new projects.
The finance chief stressed that public support and trust are key to achieving a green transition, adding that Hong Kong SAR Government ensures that funds are genuinely used for green projects by formulating internationally aligned standards.
He said that for high-emission enterprises, such as mining companies, listing in Hong Kong not only enables them to access capital to support their development but also helps enhance their corporate governance, transparency and recognition in global markets.
The Financial Sectary also met WEF President & Chief Executive Officer Børge Brende, and International Monetary Fund First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz to exchange views on various aspects of global finance.
In addition, he held meetings with PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Chairman Mohamed Kande, AXA Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl, and Amazon Web Services Global Public Policy Vice President Michael Punke.
President Lai presides over sixth meeting of National Climate Change Committee
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
On the afternoon of January 22, President Lai Ching-te presided over the sixth meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. In his opening statement, the president stated that facing the challenges of the global net-zero transition and extreme weather, climate governance has become a crucial factor in national security, industrial competitiveness, and social stability. He emphasized that the government will reduce carbon while supporting enterprises and commit to net zero to save the planet, continuing to improve the institutional environment and working with industries and the public to achieve cross-sector collaboration. President Lai also stated that the government will accelerate the promotion of carbon reduction, energy transition, and NDC 3.0 initiatives, and let the world see a more resilient and vibrant Taiwan.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Today is the sixth meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. First, I would like to express gratitude to all the advisors and committee members who have continued to provide professional advice for some time now, laying a solid foundation for climate governance in Taiwan.
Climate governance and energy transition are not issues that stand alone, independent from national development; they are the core foundations supporting Taiwan’s industrial sustainability and social stability. Therefore, in the new year, we must continue our efforts, and ensure that every transition initiative is more thoroughly institutionalized and implemented.
I want to emphasize that addressing the net-zero wave in global supply chains is a total war with repercussions for the nation’s survival. The net-zero transition is a collective mission in which government, industry, and the public must participate and become partners.
The government will take on the responsibility of establishing a stable institutional environment and incentive mechanisms. At the same time, we need all industries to invest in technological upgrades, and all individuals to implement carbon reduction practices in their daily lives so that Taiwan can seize opportunities in the midst of transitional change.
At the end of last year, COP30 concluded in Brazil. In addition to emphasizing the need to accelerate action, the international community also reaffirmed its consensus on collective global action. To address the challenges of extreme weather and net-zero transition, the government, civil society, and industries must not only fulfill their own respective transition obligations. They must also cooperate across sectors and assume collective responsibility through in-depth collaboration.
Therefore, the government will accelerate the promotion and implementation of net-zero transition in the following key directions:
First, we must pragmatically reduce carbon while supporting enterprises. Now that our carbon fee system has officially taken effect, it will lead enterprises to invest in voluntary carbon reduction plans. The government will launch a pilot carbon emissions trading system, and carefully plan a Taiwan version of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The government will support industries, help align with international standards, and turn transition pressures into competitive advantages.
Regarding the energy issues that enterprises are concerned about, I want to emphasize again that based on objective scientific data, Taiwan’s power supply will remain stable. While upholding our net-zero target, the government will continue to actively promote renewable energy and energy decarbonization, maximize green energy, and enhance power grid resilience to ensure an even more stable power supply.
Second, we must firmly commit to net zero to save the planet. At our committee meeting in January last year, we proposed the beta version of NDC 3.0 to the people of Taiwan. The administrative team has continued to listen to suggestions from all sectors and review and improve that plan, and has completed an overall carbon reduction action plan for Taiwan. These more ambitious NDC 3.0 targets demonstrate Taiwan’s firm determination to contribute to the global sustainable transition.
This kind of cooperative spirit cannot be just a concept, but must be implemented in government policy decisions and social participation. Therefore, this first committee meeting of 2026 will review the practical results of cross-sector collaboration:
First, the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Ministry of Agriculture will jointly report on the interim results and future prospects for net-zero transition in six major sectors. This report documents the impact of the collective efforts of the government, industry, and citizens.
Whether it is the low-carbon transition of the energy and manufacturing sectors, the transformation of residential, commercial, and transportation models, or the expansion of green agriculture, each achievement is concrete proof of the public’s collective cross-sector efforts as the government improves systems, industries introduce technology and capital, and society makes lifestyle adjustments. This proves that Taiwan has not only established a carbon reduction path, but has also demonstrated solid capabilities to execute it.
After that, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) will report on the implementation and results of community-driven net-zero sandboxes. Among the six major institutional innovations for transition, community-driven initiatives are key to ensuring that policies are implemented effectively.
We have used technological innovation to bring net-zero concepts into neighborhoods, extending net-zero momentum from industry chains to everyday life. When technology is transformed into a tool to solve life problems and promote mutual benefits and well-being, the shared practices of the public become the most solid social foundation for Taiwan’s sustainable development.
Fellow committee members, the climate challenge has no end. As we pursue national security, societal resilience, and investment in the future, climate governance will be the most critical concrete action we can take.
The new year will be a year full of hope and action. Let us forge greater consensus, accelerate our transition, and let the world see a more resilient and vibrant Taiwan. Thank you.
Following his statement, President Lai heard the report on the interim results and future prospects for net-zero transition in six major sectors from Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明), Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lai Chien-hsin (賴建信), Deputy Minister of the Interior Tung Chien-hung (董建宏), Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱), and Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季), and the report on the implementation and results of community-driven net-zero sandboxes from NSTC Deputy Minister Lin Faa-jeng (林法正). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.