Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai receives credentials from new Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Kenton X. Chance
On the morning of May 28, President Lai Ching-te received the credentials of new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Kenton X. Chance. In remarks, President Lai expressed hope that Ambassador Chance’s deep-rooted connection to Taiwan will further deepen our nations’ cooperation in such fields as agriculture, infrastructure, information and communications technology, and medicine. This, he said, will help us realize our goal of mutual benefit and prosperity and allow the diplomatic ties between the two nations to continue developing steadily.
A translation of President Lai’s address follows:
I am delighted to receive the credentials from Ambassador Chance as he assumes his new post in Taiwan. On August 15 this year, we will mark 45 years of diplomatic relations between our two nations. On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the people of Taiwan, I extend a sincere welcome to Ambassador Chance, whose appointment at such a significant moment will allow us to witness new milestones in our relations.
Ambassador Chance comes from a long career in journalism and communications. He possesses excellent academic and professional credentials. In fact, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ming Chuan University, giving him a deep-rooted connection to Taiwan. I believe that with his assistance, diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to develop steadily.
Since establishing ties in 1981, our nations have enjoyed a profound and enduring bond. We continue to cherish this longstanding partnership as we embrace the future together. Our nations enjoy a fruitful cooperation in such fields as agriculture, infrastructure, information and communications technology, and medicine. Going forward, I believe we will build on existing cooperation in smart agriculture and smart medicine and continue to deepen and diversify our collaboration, helping us realize our goal of mutual benefit and prosperity.
I am extremely grateful to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for actively speaking up for Taiwan over many years at many international venues, including the United Nations General Assembly, World Health Assembly, International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Criminal Police Organization. Such actions embody the priceless spirit of true friendship and mutual support. Moving ahead, we look forward to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation. This will allow Taiwan to use its expertise to make contributions to the international community and work with like-minded nations to enhance global well-being.
In closing, I once again welcome Ambassador Chance to Taiwan as he assumes his new post. Let us work together to further strengthen our diplomatic ties. I wish you all the best with your new duties as we propel bilateral relations to new heights.
Ambassador Chance then delivered remarks, first conveying assurances of unwavering respect and high esteem from King Charles III, King of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, greetings from Governor General Sir Stanley John, Prime Minister Godwin Friday, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, as well as greetings from the government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Ambassador Chance mentioned that his arrival in Taiwan this year as the Ambassador Designate of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Republic of China (Taiwan) is six months short of 20 years after he arrived in 2006 as a recipient of a scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study Mandarin Chinese and to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree. He said he left Taiwan six years after that, in 2012, with an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master of Arts in International Affairs, and that in the subsequent 13 years he pursued a career in journalism and mass communications, during which time he reported for major news outlets around the world. He noted that this work as a journalist resulted in Taiwan’s Ministry of Education recognizing him in 2022 with the Distinguished Taiwan Alumni Award.
Ambassador Chance mentioned that the education he received in Taiwan served him well, explaining that it highlights his deep understanding of the nature of the relationship that exists between our two nations. Noting that this year Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of China (Taiwan) will celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations and that he also just turned 45 years old, he pointed out that he is as old as the relationship between our two nations, and so he considers it a special honor to be representing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Taiwan at this time.
Praising the first ambassador to Taiwan, Her Excellency Andrea Clare Bowman, for laying a solid foundation during her tour of duty, Ambassador Chance stated that he intends to build on that foundation, erecting pillars in support of a broader, expanded relationship. He also stated that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines values its relationship with the Republic of China (Taiwan), and that their government stands ready to deepen and expand our relationship for the continued benefit of both our peoples and our countries.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today the reappointment of 57 members of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) Expert Group, and the appointment of Sonia Cheng, Hendrick Sin, Ling Yu-shih and Prof Anderson Shum as new Expert Group members. The term for all Expert Group members will run from May 30 until June 30 next year.

CEPU Head Stephen Wong thanked the Expert Group members for their active contributions and invaluable advice, as well as for their generous sharing of expertise and research findings, providing important references for the CEPU’s policy research work. He also expressed appreciation to the outgoing members for their contributions during their term of service, and welcomed the new members.

Mr Wong said interaction between the CEPU and Expert Group members continued to take various forms in the past year, including meetings, a “Fireside Chat with CEPU Experts” and written exchanges. In addition, Expert Group members were invited to participate in policy seminars related to the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme in order to provide professional perspectives, and served as external examiners for the two funding schemes.

“I look forward to maintaining close liaison and co-operation with Expert Group members, pooling professional expertise and wisdom in support of the Government in further deepening reform and improving people’s livelihood, thereby fully leveraging our strengths and working together to create a brighter future,” Mr Wong remarked.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be published in the Gazette tomorrow (May 29) to amend the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) to introduce specific offences and a presumption of fact provision to enhance enforcement against the mishandling of duty-exempt methyl alcohol (MA, also known as methanol).
 
     To promote Hong Kong’s development into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Government adopts a two-stage approach to provide duty exemption for MA used as fuel in outbound vessels. The first stage was completed with the passage of the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2025 by the Legislative Council in October 2025, bringing the duty exemption into operation on October 17, 2025. The second stage involves amending the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance to enhance the enforcement efficacy of duty-exempt MA. 
 
     The Bill aims to introduce into the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance specific offences against the mishandling of duty-exempt, non-denatured MA, including using, selling, supplying or permitting the use, sale or supply of such MA other than for the specified exempted purpose. It also makes it an offence to not deliver duty-exempt non-denatured MA together with a note with a specified statement to remind recipients of the sole purpose of such MA. In addition, to enhance the effectiveness of enforcing the control of duty-exempt non-denatured MA, the Bill provides for a presumption of fact, specifying the facts establishment of which would lead to the presumption that certain non-denatured MA is dutiable, unless contrary evidence is available.
 
     A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “To support Hong Kong’s development into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Government introduced legislative amendments last year to exempt MA for use as fuel in outbound vessels from duty, facilitating the development of MA bunkering in Hong Kong.The first two MA bunkering operations took place at anchorage and the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals respectively on March 5 and March 10, 2026.
 
     “In anticipation of the increase in volume of MA being bunkered in Hong Kong as its popularity as a green maritime fuel grows, we see the need for introducing the Bill to enhance the efficacy of enforcement against the mishandling of MA, upholding the integrity of the regime for controlling dutiable commodities, thereby fostering our development as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.”
 
     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on June 10.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan, visited Bangkok, Thailand, on May 27 and 28. During the visit, she signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) and visited the Nation Group to explore future partnership opportunities as part of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK)’s efforts to deepen co-operation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) broadcasters.
 
     Ms Kwan yesterday (May 27) signed the MOU with the Director General of Thai PBS, Mr Vanchai Tantivitayapitak, to explore collaboration in areas such as news and current affairs, and cultural and travel programming. The agreement also aims to promote joint productions, the exchange of production teams for on-location filming, talent training and staff exchanges.
 
     Ms Kwan also met with the management of the Nation Group today (May 28) to gain insights into the local media landscape.
 
     Ms Kwan stated that Thailand is an important member of ASEAN. The signing of the MOU with Thai PBS, together with her engagement with local media, will help deepen RTHK’s collaboration with ASEAN broadcasters and elevate its international communication capacity. She affirmed that RTHK has already established co-operation agreements with public broadcasters in Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, and will continue to seek partnerships with other public broadcasters. Through programme and knowledge exchange, RTHK aims to foster mutual understanding, strengthen people-to-people connectivity, and leverage Hong Kong’s unique role as a hub linking the country and the wider world to share Hong Kong’s stories internationally.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The “Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” for January to March 2026 is now available for access and download.

The report contains statistics on labour force, employment, unemployment and underemployment for the first quarter of 2026. It also contains detailed analyses of the characteristics of different categories of members of the labour force, including their age, sex, educational attainment, employment status, occupation, industry, hours worked per week and monthly employment earnings, etc. Information on duration of unemployment for the unemployed is also presented.

Users can browse and download the report at the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).

The summary of broad survey findings published in the report is shown in Table 1 attached. Enquiries about the contents of the report can be directed to the General Household Survey Section (3), Census and Statistics Department (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 28) the external merchandise trade statistics for April 2026. In April 2026, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 42.9% and 44.4% respectively.

     In April 2026, the value of total exports of goods increased by 42.9% over a year earlier to $620.9 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 35.8% in March 2026. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 44.4% over a year earlier to $650.4 billion in April 2026, after a year-on-year increase by 41.2% in March 2026. A visible trade deficit of $29.5 billion, equivalent to 4.5% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in April 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region