Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Judy Chan and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (June 24):

Question:

     It is learnt that at present, the obstetrics and gynaecology departments of public hospitals encourage pregnant women to opt for natural delivery whenever possible, and caesarean sections will only be performed under specific circumstances. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it knows the respective criteria adopted by public hospitals for encouraging pregnant women to opt for natural delivery, and determining to perform caesarean sections for the pregnant women concerned;

(2) whether it knows the number of caesarean sections performed in public hospitals in each of the past five years, and the respective reasons for performing the surgeries, together with a breakdown by type of hospital ward (i.e. general wards and private wards); and

(3) as it is learnt that at present, public hospitals in quite a number of countries allow pregnant women to opt for caesarean sections, whether the Government and the Hospital Authority will make reference to international practices and review the existing policy of public hospitals on caesarean sections; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether the relevant review will be conducted in future?

Reply:

President,

     Hong Kong has high quality obstetric services and is one of the regions with the lowest neonatal mortality rate and maternal mortality rate in the world. In 2025, the neonatal mortality rate in Hong Kong was 1.0 per 1 000 live births, and there were even no case of maternal death during childbirth. The Government attaches great importance to providing appropriate obstetric services for pregnant women. The obstetric departments of the Hospital Authority (HA) adheres to the principles of evidence-based medical practice and conducts comprehensive risk assessments for every pregnant woman during antenatal care and the delivery process. Dedicated teams in the delivery suites provide vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections. In the absence of definitive medical necessity, the healthcare team will arrange natural delivery for the pregnant woman, while caesarean sections are used for pregnant women who are not suitable for vaginal delivery.

     Vaginal delivery is a natural physiological process, which results in a small extent of wounds with fast maternal postpartum recovery. Research evidence indicates that vaginal delivery not only enables pregnant women to avoid the inherent risks associated with surgery, but also allow pregnant women to get out of bed almost immediately, or just a few hours postpartum, whereas those who deliver via caesarean section often require a longer rest period and only able to get out of bed at least 12 to even over 24 hours postpartum. Compared to caesarean sections, pregnant women who undergo vaginal delivery experience fewer discomforts such as physical pain and vomiting during the early postpartum period, and is conducive to maternal postpartum recovery, thereby enabling them to care for and accompany their newborns. They also encounter fewer difficulties in breastfeeding. For infants, natural delivery through the birth canal also helps lower the risk of neonatal respiratory complications.

     Caesarean section is a major surgical procedure involving maternal abdomen and uterus, it may pose risks of anaesthetic complications, organ injury, haemorrhage, wound healing infection complications etc., as well as a longer hospital stay. According to global statistics, the risk of surgical site infection following a caesarean section ranges between 3 per cent and 10 per cent.

According to data collected by the HA, the incidence rate of postpartum haemorrhage, defined as blood loss exceeding 500 ml, is 34.9 per cent for caesarean sections, far exceeding the 9.1 per cent for vaginal deliveries by nearly four times. In addition, caesarean sections may cause organ injury, with the probability of urinary bladder injury ranging from 0.1 per cent to 1 per cent, and the risk of developing thromboembolic disease is also 3.7 times higher than that of vaginal deliveries. In the long run, it may also lead to long-term complications such as chronic pelvic pain induced by abdominal or pelvic adhesions, as well as leave a scar on the uterus, thereby significantly increasing the risks of placenta accreta, placenta praevia and uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies.

     For infants, caesarean sections carry a risk of causing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal hypoglycaemia. Furthermore, medical research indicates that caesarean sections are associated with an increased risk of children developing cardiovascular diseases, asthma, overweight and autism spectrum disorder later in life.

     Health authorities worldwide have pointed out that caesarean sections should only be reserved for cases with clear medical needs. The World Health Organization discourages non-essential caesarean sections and continuously promotes various initiatives to reduce such unnecessary caesarean section surgeries. The National Health Commission has also explicitly stipulated “encouraging vaginal delivery and implementing caesarean section where medical indications are met” be adopted as a working principle for maternal and child healthcare. In addition, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have all emphasised that unless medical indications arise for the mother or the fetus, vaginal delivery should be routinely recommended as the primary mode of delivery.

     Therefore, the HA performs caesarean section surgeries for pregnant women based on clear medical necessity, and does not perform delivery for reasons such as a preferred delivery date and time in general. Reasons such as purely subjective choices regarding the mode of delivery generally do not account for deciding to perform caesarean section surgeries.

     In consultation with the HA, the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Judy Chan is as follows:

(1) All public hospitals under the HA determine the mode of delivery appropriate for pregnant women based on the principles of evidence-based medical practice. Only upon comprehensive assessment over the medical risk on the pregnant woman and embryo with medical needs, the healthcare team will arrange for the pregnant woman to undergo a caesarean section.

(2) During the period from 2020 to 2024, the total number of deliveries in public hospitals ranged from 19 488 to 26 494 per annum, while the number of caesarean sections per annum ranged from 6 196 to 8 234, i.e. on average, approximately 30 per cent to 35 per cent of pregnant women gave birth via caesarean sections each year.

     According to the HA’s data on caesarean section in 2024, the major clinical indications for caesarean sections in public hospitals include uterine scar, i.e. previous caesarean section or myomectomy, at 37.7 per cent as the most prevalent indication; failed induction of labour at 17.8 per cent; fetal distress (abnormal fetal heart rate) at 14.2 per cent; abnormal fetal presentation at 13 per cent and hypertension at 7.2 per cent. Many other clinical indications include antepartum haemorrhage, multiple pregnancy, arrest of labour, cephalopelvic disproportion, failed assisted vaginal delivery, intra-uterine infection, fetal intra-uterine growth restriction, macrosomia and placenta praevia/placenta accreta. Regardless of whether a pregnant woman is admitted to a general ward or a private ward, the HA determines the necessity of a caesarean section surgery based on the actual clinical conditions. Therefore, the HA does not compile breakdown statistics according to ward types.

(3) As stated above, international standards as well as multiple health authorities worldwide have pointed out that caesarean sections should be reserved for cases with clear medical needs. Unnecessary caesarean section surgeries shall be avoided whenever possible.

     Out of consideration for safeguarding patient health, the HA currently has no intention of adjusting the existing policy on caesarean sections.

     Thank you, President.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Michelle Tang and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (June 24):
   
Question:

     In order to enhance the overall level of occupational safety and health (OSH) in Hong Kong and safeguard workers’ safety, the authorities have been promoting the optimal use of innovative technology in the construction industry for the implementation of the Smart Site Safety System (the System) in recent years. However, it has been reported that many frontline workers not only resist using technology-assisted equipment such as smart safety helmets, but even seek ways to evade monitoring by various smart devices. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) apart from the several new measures introduced in 2024 (including a labelling scheme and subsidies for the application of the System in private construction projects), of the additional measures the authorities have adopted over the past two years to promote the implementation of the System in the industry, including whether the authorities have allocated additional resources and strengthened training; whether the authorities have assessed the territory-wide coverage and actual effectiveness of the System and such measures; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) over the past two years, apart from using small unmanned aircraft to assist in stepping up OSH inspections, whether the authorities have adopted any other new technological equipment to step up site inspections, and provided more smart site-related OSH education and training to various stakeholders in the construction industry; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) in view of the behaviour of some frontline workers who evade monitoring by various smart devices, whether the authorities will discuss with the industry as soon as possible the corresponding strategies to further enhance OSH level at construction sites across Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     The Government, as a party responsible for public works projects and an advocate of site safety policies, attaches great importance to site safety. The Development Bureau (DEVB), as a major stakeholder for public works, maintains close co-operation with the Labour Department (LD) and other stakeholders to deliberate and implement various site safety measures, including driving the construction industry to fully adopt the Smart Site Safety System (4S) to enhance site safety. The 4S enables remote monitoring of high-risk activities of construction sites in real time (such as lifting operations, confined spaces work, and mobile machinery operations). It can detect hazards early and issue immediate alerts to prevent the occurrence of serious incidents. The 4S can analyse the safety performance data collected to identify the crux of potential safety hazards for formulating appropriate enhancement measures.

     Having consulted the LD, the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:

(1) The DEVB has required public works contracts exceeding $30 million to fully adopt the 4S since February 2023. Contractors are required to update and review the adoption of the 4S during monthly site safety management committee meetings with the resident site staff and take effective measures to ensure the 4S is properly adopted on site. Resident site staff will also check whether the 4S has been properly adopted in a continuous manner during site inspections.

     Regarding private works projects, to expedite full adoption of the 4S in the construction industry, the Government has introduced a series of enhanced measures since 2024 with a view to promoting the adoption of the 4S in private building works. The measures include:

(i) The Buildings Department (BD) has introduced mandatory measures since July 2024. Conditions will be imposed on building works under the Buildings Ordinance when the first approval for superstructure plans of private works projects or approval for major revisions of superstructure plans is granted. For building works with an estimated cost exceeding $30 million and involving the use of mobile plants and tower cranes, registered contractors should use the 4S Mobile Plant Alert System and Tower Crane Alert System. Since July 2025, the aforementioned mandatory requirements have been extended to demolition works, excavation and lateral support works, foundation works and site formation works. Even if the relevant mandatory requirements have not been imposed when the building plans of the private works projects are approved, the aforesaid requirements will also be imposed by the BD when the first consent for the commencement of building works is granted. The mandatory requirements are also applicable to additions and alterations projects involving structural works;

(ii) In May 2024, the DEVB and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) launched the 4S Labelling Scheme, under which labels are issued to construction sites that have been verified as properly adopting 4S. The 4S plaques are placed at conspicuous spots around construction sites that have been issued with the labels for identification and to facilitate monitoring of the construction sites without 4S labels by enforcement departments (such as the LD). The list of such construction sites is available at the CIC’s webpage (www.cic.hk/content/4s-labelling/en/project-list) for public inspection; 

(iii) The DEVB and the LD have established a notification mechanism. During site inspections, the LD will assess the adoption of the 4S at construction sites. If it is obvious that the sites with 4S labels issued have failed to adopt the 4S properly, the LD will notify the DEVB as soon as possible for referring the cases to the CIC for follow-up actions. The CIC will also conduct surprise inspections to check the adoption of the 4S of the construction sites with 4S labels issued. The 4S label of a construction site will be confiscated by the CIC if the site is found not having properly adopted the 4S. The above measure is also applicable to public works sites with 4S labels issued; 

(iv) The Government has been subsidising the adoption of the 4S at construction sites of private works projects (including works projects self-financed by public organisations) through the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF). The scope of subsidy under the CITF has been extended since May 2024 to cover the relevant additional expenses in various aspects of adopting the 4S, including network capacity upgrades, additional manpower employed for the 4S operation, maintenance and technical support arising from the use of the 4S. From September to November 2024, the applicant eligibility of the CITF has been extended to local mobile plant/tower crane rental companies. The subsidy ceiling for each company is $7.5 million to support the installation of danger zone alert system on their machinery; and 

(v) The Government has injected $1 billion again into the CITF in 2026, together with the CIC’s contribution of $400 million, bringing the total to $1.4 billion to continue supporting industry development and promoting the wider adoption of innovative construction methods and new technologies, including the 4S, in the industry.

     The CIC has stepped up its publicity efforts and arranged outreach teams to visit construction sites. These teams aim to promote the use of the 4S in the industry, and the financial support available through the CITF. In addition, the CIC prepares and proposes different types of 4S packages with a view to assisting the industry to choose appropriate devices under the 4S having regard to factors such as the different nature of works and site environment. The CIC has also provided 4S-related training courses, including Certificate in 4S Planning and Implementation and Certificate in Safety Supervision with 4S. The CIC has also incorporated 4S-related content into its safety conference, seminars and safety training courses for site personnel at different levels to enhance the awareness and attention to the 4S of relevant personnel.

     Currently, about 60 per cent of new construction projects and maintenance projects underway across the territory with a contract sum exceeding $30 million have adopted the 4S and been issued with labels. Since the introduction of the above-mentioned policy measures requiring construction sites to adopt the 4S or its related devices, the overall accident rate in the construction industry has dropped notably by approximately 20 per cent from 2023 to 2025, thus having a positive impact on site safety and providing workers with more comprehensive protection.

(2) The LD has started using small unmanned aircraft (SUA) to assist frontline officers in law enforcement work since October 2025. The SUA is used for aerial photography and videography of work sites. The captured images are used to generate three-dimensional photorealistic models to enhance the effectiveness of occupational safety and health inspections, accident investigations and evidence collection, etc. In addition, the LD has recently introduced the use of handheld point cloud scanners, allowing frontline staff to quickly and accurately scan the environment of the workplace under scenarios where drones cannot be used (such as congested areas, indoor areas, or restricted flying zones). The data collected by scanners can also be used to generate three-dimensional photorealistic models to assist in accident investigations and law enforcement.

     As the technology matures and the deployment of body-worn video cameras (BWVC) has become increasingly common in the construction industry, the DEVB has recently required the frontline staff of resident site staff and contractors in all public works contracts to equip with BWVCs during site inspections, with a view to effectively enhancing site supervision, safety management, quality control and works progress monitoring. 

     For enhancing the awareness and attention to the 4S of relevant personnel, the CIC has provided 4S-related training courses, please refer to the part (1) of the reply above.

(3) We understand that the situations where frontline workers resist the use of or attempt to evade monitoring by various smart devices are not common. We nevertheless will continue to closely monitor the situation and deliberate feasible measures to uplift site safety with industry stakeholders. In fact, every member of the project team plays a crucial role in ensuring site safety. Everyone has the responsibility to perform their own duties. The CIC has been proactively implementing measures to enhance the safety awareness of frontline personnel and nurturing a safety culture. The Government also appreciates that the CIC and industry stakeholders have reached a consensus and duly implemented the Frontline Personnel Safety Performance Recording Scheme applicable to frontline personnel of construction sites, aiming to let the frontline personnel to continuously take note on their safety performance during daily work, to praise and record the good behaviour of outstanding performers. It can also timely remind those whose safety behaviours need improvement. Specific safety performance improvement courses will be arranged for them outside working hours, with a view to helping frontline personnel to further enhance their safety awareness and site safety performance.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 24):
 
Question:
 
     The Government has been actively promoting the application of innovation and technology in recent years, yet there are views pointing out that there is a significant gap between Hong Kong and the Mainland in terms of the level of application of unmanned cleansing technologies. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the use of innovative cleansing technologies by the Government in the past five years; with a breakdown by: (i) date of introduction, (ii) duration of testing, (iii) scope of application, (iv) expenditure involved, and (v) manpower and expenditure saved following the use of such technologies;
 
(2) some members of the sector have relayed that automated cleaning equipment, such as unmanned sweepers, may require supporting infrastructure such as charging facilities and network base stations which involve lengthy interdepartmental vetting and approval processes, whereas the duration of most existing government outsourcing contracts is just three years, making it difficult to recover the costs; whether the Government will consider extending the contract duration or directly providing the infrastructure, and setting up an interdepartmental coordination task force to establish a one-stop green lane for vetting and approving recognized new technologies; and
 
(3) as it is learnt that currently, street cleansing service tenders are subject to minimum staffing requirements, and some members of the sector have relayed that this will lead to high manpower costs, which will in effect discourage bidders from introducing technologies; whether the Government will consider adopting an output-based or performance-based model for tender evaluations, and suitably relaxing or abolishing the minimum staffing requirements for such service tenders?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Various government departments have applied innovative cleansing technologies. In respect of public cleansing services, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has actively introduced innovative technologies, including unmanned cleansing technologies, to enhance the efficiency and quality of street cleansing work and to safeguard the occupational safety and health protection for staff. In response to the question raised by the Hon Steven Ho, the reply is as follows:

(1) Over the past five years, the FEHD has introduced or applied the following cleansing technologies:
 
Pressure washer surface cleaners
 
     Since 2018, the FEHD has tested mini street washing vehicles equipped with high pressure hot water cleaners and pressure washer surface cleaners. The pressure washer surface cleaners can quickly remove stubborn stains, streamline manual scrubbing work, save time and energy, and reduce disturbances to pedestrians. The FEHD has now deployed the mini street washing vehicles across the territory, in areas of high footfall and frequent activities and are easily fouled. As the use of pressure washer surface cleaners has been incorporated into street cleansing service contracts and is provided by contractors, the associated procurement and operating costs are subsumed under the overall contract value, and the FEHD does not maintain separate expenditure figures.
 
Autonomous street cleaning robots
 
     Since last year, the FEHD has been testing the use of autonomous street cleaning robots for street cleansing, at a cost of about HK$580,000. These robots integrate multiple functions, including automated sweeping, refuse disposal, charging, and intelligent obstacle avoidance, making them particularly suited to broad, flat pavements and waterfront areas. As the initial trial results were satisfactory, the FEHD has commissioned the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to procure two additional robots, with the next phase of trials expected by the end of this year.
 
Industrial grade robot dogs
 
     Since last year, the FEHD has been testing the use of industrial grade robot dogs to assist in transporting refuse at remote and rural locations (such as hillside paths, slopes, and stairways), at a cost of about HK$670,000. The robot dogs can navigate slopes and autonomously traverse rugged terrain, improving the efficiency of refuse transport and reducing the risk of injury to workers from heavy lifting. The FEHD is actively exploring the addition of functions such as automatic navigation and full automation, so that the robot dogs can better meet practical operational needs.
 
Electrically-assisted trolleys
 
     To reduce the physical burden on frontline workers when transporting refuse and other heavy loads, the FEHD has been testing the use of electrically-assisted trolleys since last year, at a cost of about HK$220,000. The trolleys are foldable and suitable for use on pavements. The FEHD has further optimised the functions of the trolleys and is conducting field trials, strengthening the occupational safety and health protection for staff.
      
     Except for the pressure washer surface cleaners, the above three technologies remain at the trial stage, and the FEHD is not yet able to estimate the resources that may be saved. Any manpower and resources saved in future will be flexibly redeployed on a priority basis to other environmental hygiene duties.  
     First, the FEHD has been proactively collaborating with the EMSD and other departments to conduct market research and arrange field trials for suitable projects to assess their operating conditions and effectiveness. Taking autonomous street cleaning robots as an example, the FEHD also assessed the supporting infrastructure and operational requirements required, such as charging stations, etc, during the trial phase. Should the FEHD decides to incorporate the use of such robots into future street cleansing service contracts, it will first assess whether the supporting infrastructure is sufficient and how much additional resources contractors would need to invest, to ensure that the contract duration and terms are reasonable and practicable and the services are cost‑effective.
      
     On the other hand, in line with the government procurement principles to support innovation, the FEHD encourages tenderers to propose feasible innovative solutions beyond the basic requirements stipulated in contracts. In the assessment of street cleansing service tenders, marks will be awarded under that criterion if tenderers provide innovative suggestions for adopting technology or other means that help enhance service efficiency, effectiveness or productivity, thereby incentivising tenderers to introduce innovative technologies. Where a contractor submits an innovative proposal in its tender and is successfully awarded the contract, the FEHD will require the contractor to implement the proposal. If the innovative proposal is proven feasible and effective, the FEHD will incorporate such technologies or equipment into future contract requirements to promote wider adoption. Vehicles equipped with automatic on-board refuse bin cleaner, which are widely used by the the FEHD’s contractors at present, were introduced and put into application through this approach.
      
     In determining contract duration, a range of factors must be carefully balanced, including the need to maintain market competition, service stability, and the upfront capital investment required of contractors. In accordance with prevailing government procurement guidelines, for services like street cleansing which involve the employment of a large number of non-skilled workers, the FEHD generally sets a contract term of three years. For certain contracts where contractors require a longer period to recoup their investment, such as those involving a substantial number of specialised vehicles, the contract term would be set at five years.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To recognize the long-standing dedication and outstanding contributions of workers in industrial parks, the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held the “2026 Labor Day Awards Ceremony” on April 27, honoring one National Model Worker and 107 Model Workers from industrial parks across Taiwan. The award recipients represent northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan and come from a wide range of industries, highlighting the solid foundation that supports the steady development of the nation’s industrial parks.
BIP Director General Yang Chih-Ching stated that the achievements of industrial parks are the result of the collective efforts of workers and enterprises alike. He noted that the awards ceremony serves not only as recognition of excellence but also as an important source of motivation for continuous improvement. Looking ahead, BIP will continue enhancing labor environments and service mechanisms to foster a more attractive industrial ecosystem. This year’s National Model Worker, Liu Yen-Hung of Asia Optical Co., Inc., was recognized for obtaining multiple patents through his professional expertise and actively participating in process optimization initiatives, significantly improving efficiency and reducing costs, thereby setting an exemplary standard for industrial park workers.
According to BIP, the awards ceremony not only recognizes individual workers but also honors enterprises with outstanding labor-management relations, exemplary labor unions, and distinguished union personnel, reflecting the collective efforts of diverse stakeholders within the industrial sector. Through public recognition and the promotion of role models, BIP aims to enhance workers’ sense of pride while encouraging enterprises to strengthen management systems and workplace practices, thereby fostering harmonious labor-management relations and improving overall industrial competitiveness. These efforts also contribute to the sustainable development of industrial parks.
In addition, the Work-Life Integration Friendly Enterprise Award was presented to FSP Technology Group, Daxin Materials Corporation, and Asia Optical Co., Inc. in recognition of their efforts to promote gender equality, family-friendly policies, and flexible working arrangements. The Community Service Contribution Award was granted to 27 enterprises, including Futaba Taiwan, NXP Semiconductors, Brogent Technologies Inc., and Canon Taiwan, for their long-term commitment to labor-management communication, workplace improvement, and corporate social responsibility. These enterprises have become an important force supporting stable business operations and reflect the industry’s gradual transformation toward people-centered and sustainable development.
BIP emphasized that this awards program not only showcases the outstanding achievements of workers and enterprises but also strengthens industrial cohesion, enhances workplace pride, and promotes team solidarity. Going forward, BIP will continue advancing its “Happy Industrial Parks” policy initiatives, improving the quality of employment environments, and fostering an industrial development model that balances competitiveness with human-centered values, thereby providing sustainable and long-term momentum for Taiwan’s industrial growth.

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

Contact Person: Chen, Kuo-Lian (Environment and Labor Affairs Division)
Contact Number: 886-7-3611212 ext.477
Email: ckl123@bip.gov.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced on April 22 that its Tainan Branch has actively supported industrial upgrading through smart technologies. Through dedicated guidance, Chia Yi Steel Co., Ltd., located in the Minxiong Industrial Park, successfully implemented an AI-powered management system. By integrating digital supply chain connectivity and intelligent melting process analytics, the company increased its product yield rate from 85% to 95%, improved Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) from 55% to 77%, and reduced electricity consumption by approximately 1.04 million kWh. These improvements translated into production cost savings of approximately NT$52 million, demonstrating the tangible benefits of smart manufacturing and net-zero transformation for traditional industries.
BIP has been actively promoting the “Industrial Park Smart Technology Value-Added Innovation and Cross-Domain Development Program,” assisting enterprises within industrial parks in adopting digital tools and smart applications. Through technical support provided by the Metal Industries Research&Development Centre (MIRDC), Chia Yi Steel Co., Ltd. successfully prepared and secured a subsidy of NT$16 million under the MOEA’s “Smart Machinery-Digital Supply Chain Integration and AI Applications for Industrial Clusters” Program administered by the Industrial Development Administration (IDA). Through AI implementation and information integration with supply chain partners, the project has accelerated the transformation of the entire supply chain toward smart manufacturing.
According to BIP, Chia Yi Steel Co., Ltd.’s successful transformation demonstrates that traditional industries can significantly enhance productivity, reduce energy consumption and operating costs, and strengthen international competitiveness through the effective adoption of AI-enabled technologies. Amid rapidly changing global markets and increasing customer demands for flexible production, stable quality, and efficient delivery schedules, AI applications have become a critical enabler for overcoming production bottlenecks and enhancing operational resilience.

The company’s transformation centered on building a next-generation smart production line. By introducing an AI management system-often regarded as the “digital brain” of a factory-Chia Yi Steel improved manufacturing processes that previously relied heavily on human experience and judgment. Through real-time data monitoring, intelligent melting analysis, and predictive process control, the company further enhanced operational stability and product quality. In addition, Chia Yi Steel established a comprehensive production and operational big-data platform, enabling management personnel to make data-driven decisions regarding workforce allocation, inventory management, and production scheduling. This has laid the foundation for predictive maintenance and early quality anomaly detection, significantly reducing the risk of product defects.
This year, Chia Yi Steel Co., Ltd. was invited to participate in the Net Zero City Expo, where it showcased its AI-driven smart manufacturing achievements and collaborated with five upstream and downstream supply chain partners to promote a new model of green net-zero supply chain development. Looking ahead, BIP will continue to facilitate the adoption of smart technologies within industrial parks through cross-sector collaboration and technical guidance, helping more traditional industries seize AI transformation opportunities and enhance their global competitiveness.

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

Contact Person: Kuo, Chung-Wen Deputy Director of Tainan Branch, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-6-3842980 ext.6312
Email: kuo1224@bip.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) will hold an Electoral Information Centre Open Day on July 1 to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with members of the public.

The open day will feature talks on electoral matters, along with various interactive games. These will cover topics such as voter registration, the different stages of an election, the counting process, and clean elections, all with a view to deepening public knowledge of elections.

Participants can take photos with the Ballot Box Family mascots and will have a chance to win souvenirs.

Located at 7/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, the Electoral Information Centre will be open to visitors from 2pm to 6pm during the open day. Entry will be free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis.

For enquiries, call the REO hotline on 2891 1001 between 8.45am and 6pm from today until June 30.

Source: Government of Singapore

24 June 2026 – From 1 July 2026, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will strengthen regulations to enable consumers and businesses to make more informed choices and advance Singapore’s decarbonisation efforts. The Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) will introduce registration requirements for regulated goods [1] imported for own use and tighten advertising rules for regulated goods.

Extension of MELS and MEPS 

2.       Currently, regulated goods imported for sale in Singapore must meet the requirements of the MELS and MEPS (more information of MELS and MEPS in Annex A). Similar goods that are imported by end users, including businesses and households, for their own use are not covered. The volume of such own use imports is small, but this could grow over time as online marketplaces have made it increasingly easy for consumers to directly import goods, which are often inefficient. Some businesses have also been directly importing commercial storage refrigerators for their own use.

3.      Businesses and households who import regulated goods that are energy inefficient and do not comply with the MELS and MEPS could lock themselves into higher lifecycle energy costs and carbon footprints. To ensure that Regulated Goods imported by end users for own use are MELS and MEPS compliant, the Energy Conservation Act was amended on 8 April 2026 to extend these requirements to such regulated goods.  

Registration requirements

5.      Prior to registration, individuals and businesses should ensure that the regulated goods to be imported into Singapore meet the Minimum Energy Performance Standard requirements (refer to Annex B for detailed requirements and registration requirements). 

Tighten Advertising Rules for Regulated Goods

6.      From 1 July 2026, advertisements of non-compliant regulated goods, including those on online platforms, are not allowed. This regulation will ensure that non-compliant products are not offered to end users in Singapore. Visual advertisements must feature an Energy Label next to the product image or description. Where space is limited, the product’s energy efficiency rating (tick rating) and Certificate of Registration (COR) number must be prominently displayed. 

Support for Business and Households  

7.       Businesses and households can take advantage of government schemes to support the upfront cost of energy efficient regulated goods while benefiting from long-term energy savings. Eligible Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Food Services and Manufacturing sectors can also apply for the EnterpriseSG’s Energy Efficiency Grant to support the adoption of pre-approved energy-efficient regulated goods.

8.       Singaporean and Permanent Resident HDB households, as well as Singapore Citizen households living in private residential properties, can use the Climate Vouchers under the enhanced Climate Friendly Households Programme to purchase eligible energy-efficient regulated goods.

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Annex A

ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS: MELS AND MEPS 

Energy Efficiency standards

MELS and MEPS drive the supply and adoption of more energy efficient products in support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030’s decarbonisation targets. 

Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS)

The MELS was introduced in 2008 to help consumers make informed, energy efficient purchasing decisions for major energy consuming household appliances through clear visual indicators such as the tick rating. This requires suppliers of household appliances covered under the MELS to prominently affix their products with energy labels. These labels carry information on the energy consumption and energy cost of operating the appliance. 

End users that buy energy efficient appliances enjoy cost savings over the lifespan of the appliances. For example, the energy cost of operating a typical 5-tick air-conditioner is about 30 per cent less than that of a 2-tick model. The lifecycle cost of energy efficient appliances is generally lower than that of energy inefficient products, notwithstanding higher upfront costs, due to energy savings over the product lifecycle.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)

The MEPS was introduced in 2011 to raise the energy efficiency of household appliances by removing the least energy efficient appliances from the market. This protects end users from being locked into the high energy costs of operating energy inefficient appliances. MEPS increases the number of energy efficient models in the market, where the distribution of regulated goods gradually shifts towards higher energy efficiency models over time. 

Since the introduction of the MEPS and MELS, the average energy efficiency of air-conditioners and refrigerators has improved by 61% and 45% respectively, and this translates to annual energy savings of more than $560 million [2] across all households which is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of about 447,000 4-room housing units. 

[2] Based on the energy efficiency improvement of air-conditioners and refrigerators sold between 2015 and 2024.

Annex B

MELS AND MEPS REQUIREMENTS FOR REGULATED GOODS IMPORTED FOR OWN USE

Scope of MELS and MEPS

The following regulated goods are subject to the MEPS and MELS requirements:

(a) Air-conditioners: Household air-conditioner, Portable air-conditioner and Three-phase Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air-conditioner

(b) Refrigerators: Household refrigerators and commercial storage refrigerators

(c) Clothes dryers

(d) Televisions

(e) Household water heaters

(f) Three-phase induction motors

MELS and MEPS requirements

3.      Regulated goods imported by end users for own use will be required to comply with the same MEPS and MELS requirements as with current requirement for supply of regulated goods. Once regulated goods have met the MEPS, they will be assigned tick ratings and Energy Labels, where required, upon approval of the registration.

5.       For details on tick ratings and Energy Labels for respective regulated goods, please refer to the following websites:  

Registration of regulated goods with NEA

7.      The following documents are required for registration at ELS Portal:

• CorpPass (For companies importing regulated goods for own use)

• SingPass (For individuals importing regulated goods for own use)

• Test report (Please refer to Paragraph 9) for model to be registered

• Any other documents (e.g. In-principal approval from SCDF for usage of flammable refrigerant in equipment)

8.      A Certificate of Registration (COR) will be issued upon the approval of the registration and is valid for 3 years. End users who wish to extend the validity of the registered model (e.g. intention to import the same registered model after its 3 years validity) will be required to renew the COR at least 2 weeks, but not earlier than 90 days, before it expires.

Test reports and prescribed test standards

9.       A test report of a test carried out in accordance with the prescribed test standards is mandatory. End users may rely on test reports from suppliers and manufacturers when registering their model of regulated goods with NEA. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, at Greenway 2026 – Closing and Sharing of Business Recommendations today (June 23):

Ambassador Rouse (Ambassador and Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Harvey Rouse), Mr Hack (Chair of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Mr Johannes Hack), Professor Wong (Chairman of Environment and Sustainability Committee of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Professor Steve Wong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Apart from hydrogen, we are working on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green maritime fuels. We have started building a SAF value chain in the Greater Bay Area, and we aim to achieve a 1 per cent to 2 per cent SAF usage for flights departing from Hong Kong by the year 2030.

I would like to start by thanking the European Union Office and the European Chamber of Commerce for co-organising this marvellous event.

We are excited to unveil the Greenway 2026 Industry Recommendations just presented to me. They provide a collaborative roadmap for our partnership on green transition. They also highlight the power of open exchange between Hong Kong and our international business partners, including the vibrant community of over 1 780 European companies in Hong Kong.

It is highly encouraging to see how the Green Way insights closely align with Hong Kong’s approach. In the next few minutes, I would like to share with you how we are tackling the challenges involved through policies and new initiatives in four areas.

Firstly, new sources of energy and their efficient use. We are transforming our fuel mix and phasing out coal. Specifically, for electricity generation, we will progressively increase the use of zero-carbon energy to about 60 per cent to 70 per cent by 2035, up from 25 per cent last year. And we aim to achieve the target of “net-zero electricity generation” by 2050.

We are also working on hydrogen, which we see as a promising source of new energy. We believe hydrogen can help particularly to decarbonise heavy-duty vehicles. In this regard, we announced our strategy regarding hydrogen development back in June 2024, and are progressively establishing the relevant comprehensive safety standards and codes of practice. Currently, we are formulating a green and low-carbon hydrogen certification framework, and we aim to get it ready next year or even earlier.

Apart from hydrogen, we are working on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green maritime fuels. We have started building a SAF value chain in the Greater Bay Area, and we aim to achieve a 1 per cent to 2 per cent SAF usage for flights departing from Hong Kong by the year 2030.

In parallel, we are gearing up to develop Hong Kong into a pre-eminent green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre. In 2025 alone, over 220 000 tonnes of green maritime fuels were bunkered in Hong Kong. This March, we performed our first green methanol bunkering operations at anchorage and at our container terminals. Both were highly successful.

Secondly, our work regarding waste reduction and the promotion of biodiversity. Our first modern waste-to-energy facility for treating municipal solid waste, I‧PARK 1, commenced its first phase of trial operation in December last year, and we will soon seek funding for the construction of I‧PARK 2. Furthermore, a recycling facility for EV (electric vehicle) batteries will commence operation in our EcoPark very soon.

As regards biodiversity, we updated the relevant Strategy and Action Plan, the so-called BSAP (Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan), in December last year. It will help align with the relevant national and global frameworks well into the next decade.

Thirdly – I think that was mentioned by Chairman Hack and Professor Wong – green tech and green finance. We see them as indispensable elements supporting our green transformation. We have established a HK$400 million Green Tech Fund. It has already approved 39 R&D (research and development) projects covering decarbonisation technologies ranging from hydrogen energy to advanced waste upcycling.

As regards green finance, we will continue to leverage our strengths as an international financial centre to connect international capital with green projects. In 2025, the total green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong exceeded US$76 billion. Within this amount, the volume of green and sustainable bonds arranged in Hong Kong was about US$38 billion, and this accounted for about 40 per cent of the regional total, and we ranked first in the Asian market for eight consecutive years since 2018.

My fourth and last sharing this afternoon relates to public education. Sustainable development cannot succeed without an environmentally conscious public. We have therefore included in our primary and secondary school curricula relevant content ranging from carbon neutrality to waste reduction. At the community level, we have recently launched a new campaign to let members of the public know how they can help reduce carbon through green living.

Ladies and gentlemen, the European Union business community is a critically important partner for Hong Kong. We deeply value the European Union’s pioneering contributions to green technologies and to the development of robust international standards. And I must thank our European partners again for bringing to Hong Kong their vision, their world-leading techs, and their environmentally friendly culture. Hong Kong has much to learn, and Hong Kong will do our part in contributing towards a more resilient, more sustainable world in collaboration with all like-minded partners in the European Union. Thank you all very much.