Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued to attend the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, on November 12 (Belém time). He spoke at the thematic discussion session in China Pavilion’s side event, and had bilateral meetings with other representatives.
 
     Mr Tse attended the China Pavilion’s side event themed “Promoting Green Innovation and Cooperation to Jointly Build the Green Silk Road”, which was guided by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and co-hosted by the BRI International Green Development Coalition, the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the MEE and the Secretariat of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. It aimed at establishing a pivotal platform for governments, financial and research institutions, non-governmental organisations and private sectors to foster international collaboration under the framework of the Green Silk Road. Discussions focused on promoting global green transition through key areas such as technological innovations, climate finance and market mechanisms.
 
     Speaking at the first thematic discussion session titled “Innovation in Climate Finance Mechanisms: Exploring New Models for South-South Cooperation”, Mr Tse said located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong serves as a “super connector” and acts as a bridge between Chinese Mainland and the world. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong adopts the common law system and is the third largest global finance centre and the leading centre for green and sustainable finance in Asia, attracting local and transnational funds to support mitigation and adaption actions to reduce the impacts of climate change.
 
     Mr Tse said in 2024 alone, the volume of green and sustainable bonds issued in Hong Kong reached about 45 per cent of the regional total and ranked first in the Asian market for seven consecutive years. To encourage the development of green finance, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government launched the Green and Sustainable Finance Grant Scheme to provide funding support for eligible bond issuers and loan borrowers to cover part of their expenses on bond issuance and external review services. The Scheme has been extended to 2027 with the scope of subsidies expanded to cover transition bonds and loans to encourage regional decarbonisation.
 
     He added that in September 2025, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding with various carbon exchanges markets in the Greater Bay Area, strengthening the collaboration of carbon market development in the region. The Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance was also launched in May 2024, driving cross-border investments and facilitating green finance flows.
 
     Mr Tse said, “the HKSAR Government and the MEE will sign a cooperation agreement on jointly setting up a Belt and Road Green Development Cooperation Platform in Hong Kong. The platform will connect international environmental co-operation networks and facilitate technology exchanges and transfers of solutions among Belt and Road countries.”
 
     After attending the China Pavilion’s side event, Mr Tse had a bilateral meeting with the head of the Malaysian delegation, the Deputy Secretary General (Environmental Sustainability) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Nor Yahati binti Awang, at the Malaysia Pavilion. They exchanged experience and views on carbon reduction strategies and low carbon green transition. Mr Tse also met with the Acting Group CEO of the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation, Mr Saiful Adib Bin Abdul Munaff, and the Secretary General of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, Mr Gino Van Begin, respectively. They exchanged experience and views on various topics, including addressing climate change, sustainable development and strengthening city-to-city collaborations.
 
     Mr Tse will leave today (November 13, Belém time) and arrive at Hong Kong on November 15.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To raise public interest in planting and promote greening, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will organise a horticultural education exhibition entitled “Exploring the Amazing Bulbous Plants” this weekend (November 15 and 16) from 10am to 5pm at the Arcade and the Green Education and Resource Centre of Kowloon Park. The two-day event will also feature pot-planting activities, game stalls, workshops, talks and guided tours. All are welcome and admission is free.

     Bulbous plants generally refer to herbaceous plants with enlarged underground stems or roots that serve as storage organs. Packed with nutrients, water, and buds essential for growth, these specialised underground structures allow the plant to remain dormant during harsh conditions, such as cold winters, hot summers, or drought, and they quickly sprout and bloom when seasons return favourable. Therefore, bulbous plants are hailed as nature’s “master of energy storage”.

     Through the exhibition, members of the public can learn more about the classification, selection and pre-planting preparation, planting steps and practical tips, plant care and propagation methods of bulbous plants. Some beginner-friendly species that are easy to care for, have distinct blooming periods, and offer great visual appeal will also be introduced.

     In addition to exhibition panels, there will be hands-on workshops for creating scented sachets, bookmarks featuring compressed flowers, and plant rubbing art, alongside game stalls. Visitors can also enjoy the fun of pot planting under the guidance of horticulture instructors.

     Two talks in Cantonese, namely “Protected Plants in Hong Kong” and “How to plant Bulbous Plants”, will be held at the Green Education and Resource Centre in Kowloon Park from 12.15pm to 1pm on November 15 and 16 respectively. All are welcome to participate. While admission is free, tickets are required and available at the Centre on the event day on a first-come, first served basis.

     For enquiries, please call 2723 6053 or 2723 6767 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/green/gerc/activities/exhibitions.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To further boost the electoral atmosphere and enhance public awareness, and to appeal to all electors to cast their votes on December 7, the polling day of the Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will organise a large-scale outdoor variety show, “Let’s Vote, Together We Create the Future Gala” at Wonderland of the West Kowloon Cultural District between 8pm and 10pm on December 6. The gala will be simulcast by seven local electronic media outlets, namely Television Broadcasts Limited, ViuTV, HOY TV, Phoenix Satellite Television, Radio Television Hong Kong, Metro Broadcast and Commercial Radio (in no particular order).
 
     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, together with senior representatives from the seven electronic media outlets, attended the “Let’s Vote, Together We Create the Future Gala” press conference held at TVB City today (November 13). They introduced details of the gala simulcast and officiated at a launch ceremony marking the gala kick off.
 
     To further promote the LegCo General Election, the theme song “Let’s Vote, Together We Create the Future” was written as adapted from Aaron Kwok’s popular hit “å¼·”. The song features nearly 70 singers and artists, including representatives from the seven local electronic media outlets. The music video of the theme song was premiered at the press conference and will continue to be broadcast across various platforms to encourage the public to cast their votes on the polling day.
 
     The gala boasts a diverse programme combining traditional and innovative elements, providing a rich audio-visual experience for audiences. It will feature a stellar line-up of established and emerging artists sharing the stage, showcasing cross-generational unity and collaboration. Highlights include large-scale illusion performances by a renowned magician, grand dance performances and an interactive session with the audience, sharing fun and joy with the public and fostering the spirit of solidarity and community support for the election. Tickets for the gala will be distributed for free, with details to be announced in due course.
 
     A Government spokesperson said, “The eighth LegCo General Election to be held on December 7 marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s journey from stability to prosperity. It plays a vital role in accelerating Hong Kong’s economic development and improving people’s livelihoods. The Government once again calls on all electors to actively participate and cast their votes on the polling day to elect capable, responsible, passionate and pragmatic candidates to be new-term LegCo Members, who will work together with the Government to create a brighter future for Hong Kong.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

November 12, 2025 
No. 464 

At a regular press conference on November 12, a spokesperson of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated that Taiwan could only participate in next year’s APEC activities as a regional economy under the so-called “one China principle.” China will serve as the host economy for APEC in 2026.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) emphasizes that this statement is a serious departure from the facts concerning Taiwan’s APEC involvement, not only exposing China’s malicious intention to suppress and undermine Taiwan’s equal participation in APEC but also disrupting harmony within the organization.
 
Taiwan formally became a full member economy of APEC in 1991 under the name Chinese Taipei through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of accession with that year’s host economy, the Republic of Korea. The text of the MOU, which did not refer to any “one China principle,” made clear that Taiwan would participate in APEC meetings and activities with other member economies on an equal basis.
 
It is also understood that in the MOU signed in relation to China’s accession to the organization, APEC only took note of China’s so-called “one China principle” and its position that there is a distinction between sovereign states and regional economies. APEC did not express agreement with or acceptance of such a stance.
 
Furthermore, all APEC member economies, including China, unanimously supported the inclusion of the following text in joint ministerial statements issued following APEC Ministerial Meetings this year and in 2024: “We attach great importance to APEC’s continued cooperation in the spirit of multilateralism, on the basis of consensus with all members participating on an equal footing in all its events, including Leaders’ Week, in accordance with the Guidelines for Hosting APEC Meetings and Relevant APEC Conventions.”
 
During last year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, China’s APEC senior official sent a letter to all APEC member economies extending explicit assurances that “participants meeting APEC delegates requirements and conducting APEC cooperation and responsibilities will be facilitated smooth and safe participation in APEC meetings, including entry and exit facilitation.”
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state, that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, and that the PRC has never ruled Taiwan. These are internationally accepted, objective facts and the status quo. China has no right to comment on or interfere in the sovereign actions of other nations. Its use of the so-called “one China principle” to undermine Taiwan’s participation and status is a grave violation of the core principle of APEC member economies participating on an equal basis.
 
MOFA firmly demands that China carry out its duties as APEC host economy satisfactorily; fulfill its commitments properly in accordance with APEC guidelines, standards, and practices; and guarantee Taiwanese participants equal, dignified, and safe involvement in next year’s APEC meetings and activities. Taiwan will not accept any political maneuvers aimed at undermining or excluding its participation and will work with like-minded partners to oppose such moves. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region