Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted a blitz operation yesterday evening (March 3). Fourteen reptiles of endangered species were seized from premises in an industrial building in Kwai Chung, including a crocodile, pythons, lizards and turtles.

The AFCD received a complaint earlier alleging that endangered species were illegally possessed inside premises in an industrial building in Kwai Chung. Following intelligence gathering and investigation, the AFCD immediately mounted an operation. During the operation, AFCD officers intercepted a male suspect at the premises. He was suspected in connection with the possession of endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These included a rock iguana, a big-headed turtle, and three Indochinese box turtles, which are listed in Appendix I to CITES; and a crocodile, a blood python, a carpet python, three monitor lizards, a Chinese water dragon, a black-breasted leaf turtle, and a keeled box turtle, which are listed in Appendix II to CITES. According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), unless exempted or otherwise stipulated, possession of Appendix I or Appendix II species requires a Licence to Possess or relevant documentary proof of the animals’ origin. As the man was unable to produce any Licence to Possess or relevant document, the AFCD has therefore seized the endangered animals for further investigation.

A spokesman for the AFCD said, “Illegal possession of endangered species is a serious offence. Any person contravening the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years, and the seized specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.”

The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and collect intelligence through various channels and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences involving endangered species. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal possession of endangered species to the AFCD by calling 2150 6978 or emailing espint@afcd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The banking industry today introduced three additional measures to provide empathetic and flexible assistance to residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court (WFC) fire.

Recognising that residents need time to evaluate long-term housing options and financial arrangements, the industry introduced the following support:

Repayment extension

All 28 retail banks will extend the repayment grace period for existing mortgages, personal loans and credit card loans for the affected individuals by another six months. The extension will now last until the end of November 2026 to alleviate short-term financial pressure.

Mortgage flexibility

All WFC mortgagee banks will assist owners with various housing options.

For those selecting the “Flat-for-Flat” option, banks will support the substitution of the original property with a newly-purchased Subsidised Sale Flat (SSF) as mortgage collateral, with the repayment grace period extended until the new unit is ready for intake.

For residents choosing the “Cash Acquisition” option to repay their existing mortgage loans, banks will adopt a flexible approach in handling any new mortgage applications for their subsequent housing arrangements.

Communication platform

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry will establish a communication platform. Working with the Housing Bureau’s engagement team, the platform will identify the specific needs of WFC residents and provide appropriate assistance for each individual case.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The value of total retail sales for January, provisionally estimated at $37.3 billion, rose 5.5% compared with the same month in 2025, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 3.4% higher year-on-year.

Online sales accounted for 8.1% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $3 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 25.1% compared with a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 3.5% while jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 31.1% year-on-year.

There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+38.7%); wearing apparel (+5.7%); medicines and cosmetics (+1.3%); motor vehicles and parts (+18.5%); furniture and fixtures (+16.4%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+4.6%); and optical shops (+8.5%).

By contrast, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 5%. Also down were sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-10.5%); commodities in department stores (-11.1%); fuels (-17.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-19.9%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-8.1%).

The Government said the recovery momentum of the retail sector sustained, notwithstanding that the year-on-year comparison in January this year was weighed against a higher base due to the early arrival of the Lunar New Year last year. On a seasonally adjusted comparison, the value of total retail sales increased visibly in January over the preceding month.

Looking ahead, the Government considered that the robust economic growth momentum and the sustained growth in inbound visitors will continue to underpin local consumption, thereby benefiting retail businesses.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In response to the national Weight Management Year initiative and the World Health Organization (WHO) Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today marked World Obesity Day by launching the city’s inaugural Action Plan on Weight Management.

The plan, which involves five key directions and 15 objectives, will be implemented over three years, with each year’s initiatives focusing on a distinct theme:­ “Raise Awareness” in year one, “Positive Changes” in year two, and “Maintenance – Part of Life” in year three.

On March 21, the Government will regularise the existing Walking Challenge, under the “10,000 Steps a Day” Campaign, on the e+Life platform.

Controller at the Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection Dr Edwin Tsui highlighted that the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address emphasised a commitment to raising public awareness regarding weight management through drawing on relevant national and WHO policy frameworks.

He said this includes strengthening health education and promotion, creating a social environment conducive to weight management, strengthening health service delivery, adopting a life-course approach to health promotion, and continuously monitoring weight trends.

The Hong Kong SAR Government established an interdepartmental Weight Management Working Group in October 2025 to co-ordinate policies in areas such as healthcare, education, recreation, culture, and urban planning, and promote multi-sectoral efforts across government, industry, academia, and the community.

Participating units will work together in the future to implement the weight management measures outlined in the action plan.

Among these, the Education Bureau will integrate messages about weight management and healthy living into school practices, while students will be assisted in developing weight-monitoring habits and practising healthy lifestyles from a young age.

In addition, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will make use of its sports facilities and community sports programmes to foster a community environment conducive to weight management.

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

2025 Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 3:
A Fair and a Just Future for All
Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence

Thank you, Chair.

The advancement of technology is both a remarkable opportunity and significant challenge for humanity.

 
To shape a future of fairness for all, I would like to underscore three points.

First, the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) must provide fair opportunities for all nations and all peoples.

 
In this regard, we welcome the G20’s announcement of the AI for Africa initiative.

 
The Republic of Korea will work closely with the international community to help realize a Global AI Universal Basic Society where the benefits of AI are shared fairly by all humankind.

 
In particular, as this year’s Chair economy of APEC, we will keep working to ensure that the APEC AI Initiative, which reflects this very spirit, can extend its impact beyond the Asia-Pacific and resonate across the world.

Second, we must establish a stable and mutually beneficial supply chain for critical minerals, where mineral-rich and mineral-importing countries share the benefits.

In this regard, we attach great significance to the discussions held this year within the G20 on the ‘G20 Critical Minerals Framework’, which reflects this very objective.

 
As the chair of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Republic of Korea has been actively expanding cooperative projects that serve the needs of both mineral-rich and mineral-importing countries.

Through the Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue, we are also working to strengthen cooperation grounded in mutual trust.

The Republic of Korea will continue to support international efforts to build mutually beneficial and resilient supply chains.

Third, the AI innovation and the strengthening of resilience in critical minerals supply chains must translate into inclusive opportunities for all.

For this reason, we welcome the G20’s adoption of the Nelson Mandela Bay Target, and the Brisbane-eThekwini Target.

The Republic of Korea is establishing AI Digital Learning Centers to ensure access to AI for groups that are vulnerable to being left behind, and we are expanding AI and software education tailored specifically for young generation.

 
Just as we have supported mathematics and science education for female youth in Ghana and Tanzania, and established a specialized software high school in Rwanda, the Republic of Korea will continue to actively support efforts to strengthen the digital capabilities of women and youth across Africa.

Colleagues,
As a country that helped build the G20 and has seen it serve as a compass for the international community in times of crisis, the Republic of Korea seeks to once again assume the Presidency in 2028, marking the twentieth anniversary of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

With a profound sense of responsibility, we will do our utmost to ensure that the G20 further consolidates its role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

 
In closing, I wish to convey my deepest respect and appreciation to President Ramaphosa for the exemplary leadership he has demonstrated as this year’s Chair.

 
Thank you. /END/

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

2025 Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 2:
A Resilient World – the G20’s Contribution for Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Just Energy Transitions, Food Systems

Thank you, Chair.

Although this session’s agenda items may appear distinct, they are in fact deeply interconnected facets of a singular systemic challenge.

 
As the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has highlighted, we face a cascading, multidimensional crisis that spans multiple sectors.

Yet if we can adequately absorb these shocks and strengthen our resilience, we will unlock new opportunities and forge new foundations for growth.

To this end, the international community must continuously strengthen its efforts to address the climate crisis.

The Republic of Korea has reaffirmed its commitment by establishing a 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and mid- to long term Climate-Resilient Development Pathways.

The Republic of Korea will stand as a responsible partner in the international community’s shared journey to combat climate change.

 
Second, disaster risk management must be fundamentally reoriented toward prevention and resilience.

 
The G20’s adoption of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) as its goal at this year’s Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction represents a timely and crucial advancement.

The Republic of Korea is committed to realizing “a future of inclusive safety-where all communities are protected from disaster threats,” and is actively supporting Asia-Pacific nations in this endeavor, providing technical assistance for disaster risk reduction initiatives, including the establishment of flood early warning systems.

The Republic of Korea will actively collaborate with G20 member states to strengthen resilience for disaster response.

Thirdly, we must make substantial investments in resilient infrastructure systems while pursuing the energy transition.

The Republic of Korea is advancing Energy Highway initiative – a signature project to expand renewable energy – to address the climate crisis and foster green industry growth.

The Korean government is also expanding offshore wind clusters and building distributed power networks while simultaneously promoting benefit-sharing models – such as ‘solar income’ and ‘wind income’ programs – that deliver tangible benefits to our citizens.

Lastly, the international community must sustain solidarity and cooperation to strengthen the resilience of the global food system.

 
The Republic of Korea has expanded its food assistance programs with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to 17 countries and has been advancing the K-Rice Belt initiative across 14 African nations.

 
The Republic of Korea will continue to take the lead in strengthening solidarity and cooperation within the international society.

Colleagues,
As the African saying goes, “Rain does not fall on one roof alone.”

The G20 has demonstrated its capacity to lead global economic recovery during times of crisis – through the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The convergence of climate, disaster, energy, and food crises demands the same spirit of responsible solidarity.

 
One nation’s resilience contributes to the world’s resilience.

 
The Republic of Korea will remain committed to taking a leading role in building a robust global architecture – one that mitigates risks in advance, stands firm against shocks, and recovers stronger than before.

 
Thank you. /END/