Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

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

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

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

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

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

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

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

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

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

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

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

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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

Details of the June and July programmes are as follows:

“Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev”

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

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

“Concert by the 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker”

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

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

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​Three men were each sentenced to three to four months’ imprisonment and fined between $500 and $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (March 27) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted three incoming male passengers, aged 36, 39 and 48, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 26). About 37 000, 39 000 and 40 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $484,000 and a duty potential of about $390,000 in total, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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/en).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​Hongkong Post announced today (March 27) that, as advised by the postal administration of Korea, due to the impact of wildfires, mail delivery services to the areas with the postcodes 364xx–367xx and 374xx are subject to delay.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Police today (March 27) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsuen Wan.

     Lam Ka-leung, aged 38, went missing after he left his caring home on Tsuen King Circuit yesterday (March 26) afternoon. Staff of the caring home made a report to Police today.

     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 90 kilograms in weight and of fat build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt, brown trousers, black shoes and carrying a black crossbody bag.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 5239 7701 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (March 27) that, with effect from March 31 (Monday), the eligible age for Hong Kong permanent residents holding a smart identity card to use the e-Channel service will be adjusted to seven years old or above.
 
     The ImmD has been making good use of technology and adopting various measures to optimise the service quality and enhance the handling capacity of control points. At present, eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above holding a smart identity card can use the e-Channel service. To further enhance the clearance efficiency of control points and allow more Hong Kong residents to use the fast and convenient e-Channel service, starting from March 31, the ImmD will adjust the applicable age for e-Channel service for holders of smart identity cards. Eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged seven to ten years old, who are at least 1.1 metres tall and hold a smart identity card and a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, can use the e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via face recognition technology at all control points.
 
     For details of the e-Channel service available to smart identity card holders, please visit the ImmD website (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/mec.html). For enquiries, please call the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111, fax 2877 7711, or send an email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.