Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, met the media on the determination results of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee on the 2025 Legislative Council General Election this afternoon (November 10). Following are the remarks by Mr Tsang at the media session:
 
Reporter: We would like to ask about the arrangement for election forums. In the previous elections, the government has not spelled out the structures and arrangements of each forum. But why would the government have such an arrangement this time, and why do you ditch the arrangement for the candidates to questioning each other? Thank you.
 
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: We have stressed once and again that the government attaches great importance to the successful conduct of the LegCo election. For this time, we would like to organise and conduct the election forum so as to let our citizens and our voters to have a better understanding of the election platforms and also the beliefs of candidates, so that they can consider how to make that choice in voting.

     So this time, in terms of the scale, in terms of the organisation, that we trusted the government to organise such an election forum would be better. We decided to make the arrangement to organise the election forum this time. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (November 9) extended her warm congratulations to Hong Kong, China cyclist Lee Sze-wing on winning the gold medal in Women’s Road Cycling Individual at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (NG) defending her title.

Miss Law said, “I am thrilled and excited that Lee Sze-wing has won a gold medal for Hong Kong at the 15th NG. She has once again brought glory to Hong Kong following her gold medal at the last NG, fully demonstrating that Hong Kong athletes are capable of competing with top-tier athletes in high-level competitions.”

The Hong Kong, China Delegation has so far won two gold medals in sailing and cycling at the 15th NG.

Source:

KEYNOTE ADDRESS by Minister of Finance Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale – Molio’o

Talofa lava,

Reverend,

Honourable Ministers,

Your Excellency Will Robinson, members of the diplomatic corp,

President Lagi Keresoma,

Vice President Seiuli Francis Vaigalepa, members of JAWS,

friends of the media,

ladies and gentlemen

The Heart of a Nation Lies in Its Ethics

“O tala ma fa’aupuga, e fausia ai se aiga, se nu’u ma se atunu’u words and truth build a nation.”

And it is truth held with integrity that sustains it.

Every society is measured not only by its power, but by its principles. And nowhere is that principle more tested than in the space between truth and influence between the story that serves, and the story that sells.

We are here today not just to open an office, but to reaffirm a standard that good journalism is not defined by the number of readers, but by the weight of its integrity.

Ethics is not the shadow of journalism; it is its spine.

It is what gives this profession dignity and what gives the public its trust.

The media is both a mirror and a protector.

It reflects our nation back to itself its struggles, its hopes, its character.

But it must also protect not by shielding power, but by shielding truth from distortion.

In the stories you tell about women and children, you shape how Samoa sees its soul.

When we report on pain, we must do so with purpose.

When we uncover harm, we must do so with humanity.

A victim’s story is not a headline to exploit it is a call to compassion. Yet we must also acknowledge a growing challenge when truth is bent for attention, or stories are shaped to stir rather than to serve.

When facts are twisted to fit a narrative, trust is the first to break. Our people deserve reporting that enlightens, not entangles; that builds understanding, not confusion.

Because when truth is lost, every voice including the media’s loses its power.

When we reduce pain to spectacle, we wound twice first the person, then the public.

But when we report with dignity, we turn suffering into strength, and the nation rises.

In my time as Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, one truth has shaped every decision: leadership like journalism must be grounded in empathy.

We must learn to see through the eyes of the heart.

Because the heart brings clarity.

It sees the issue, not just the person.

It understands that the goal is not to condemn, but to correct; not to shame, but to shape; not to expose for attention, but to reveal for change.

That is what it means to name to change, not to shame.

That is what it means to practice ethical journalism with humanity.

Today, more than half of Samoa’s population are social-media users most of them women, around 53 percent.

But in our rural communities, four in ten households still lack internet access.

So the stories shared online are often the ones that shape how the nation thinks, feels, and acts.

Our data remind us of the weight of that responsibility:

One in eight Samoan women has faced intimate-partner violence in the past year.

Nine in ten children have experienced violent discipline at home in the past month.

These are not numbers for shock value they are human lives calling for responsible storytelling.

We do not report these truths to sensationalise we report them to humanise.

To remind Samoa that every woman and child deserves protection, not pity; visibility, not violation.

Good Media and True Partnership

Good media uplifts and enlightens.

It questions with courage but reports with care. It holds leaders accountable, but never forgets the dignity of those it writes about.

As Samoa advances under the Pathway for the Development of Samoa (PDS 2021–2026) and our national vision Aiga Manuia, Nu‘u Manuia, Healthy Families, Resilient Communities, the media must continue to stand as a partner in protection not as a commentator on crisis alone, but as a catalyst for conscience.

When government and media walk together in truth and respect, our people rise with us.

“Let our stories be sails, not swords. Let them catch the winds of wisdom, not cut through the hearts of the people. For when truth walks with grace, a nation finds its light again.”

As we open this office today, may it remind us that journalism at its best is not merely about what is seen, but about what it helps our people to see more clearly. Behind every story is a person, a family, a truth and how we tell that story determines whether we build or break.

On behalf of the Government of Samoa,

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Journalist Association of Samoa.

May this new home be a sanctuary of courage, conscience, and compassion.

Fa‘afetai tele lava, ma ia manuia!

November 10, 2025

Source:

Lau Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to Lagi Keresoma JAWS President to Seiuli Francis Vaegalepa Vice President thank you for inviting us this morning. To distinguished colleagues from the media and diplomatic corp very warm good morning to you all. Ou te faatalofa atu ile taitai ole sauniga, vasega tusitala, faapea le mamalu ole auvalaaulia ua potopoto lenei taeao. Lagona lava le fiafia e auai ile faamoemoe ma faia le lauga autu, o lea faapena ona faaperetania atu.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today, I am deeply honoured for the invitation to be part of this ceremony. Before I begin, let me extend my deepest condolences for the recent passing of Rudy Bartley a former President of JAWS.

Although I did not know Mr. Bartley personally but, I have learnt of his significant contribution to the media in Samoa, and his close collaboration with Australia in the form of PACMAS in previous years on media-related work.

His legacy will no doubt continue to inspire many, and I think he would be proud of the milestone that we are celebrating here today. I want to congratulate the journalists of Samoa through the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) for the official opening of its headquarters.

This office space will serve as a vital hub for dialogue, collaboration and innovation in the media sector in Samoa. It will create new opportunities for growth and will help strengthen the principles of a free and independent press.

I’m proud that Australia was able to support this initiative through the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme, known as PACMAS. The world’s media environment faces great challenges whether those are misinformation or disinformation or fragmentation of the media landscape, and social media.

For Australia’s part and I know this sentiment is shared by all democratic nations, our partnership with Pacific media is deep and longstanding. PACMAS supports enhanced skills, training and professional development, ensuring the diverse, independent, and resilient Pacific media sector.

In Samoa, we are proud to have tailored our support to deliver training in advance of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and before the election this year.

Being a watchdog in any society is not an easy task sometimes thankless, it requires courage, requires integrity, and persistence. Yet you know it, as we know it, it is one of the most vital pillars of any democratic nation.

We seek, as I know Samoa seeks and our democratic partners seek as well, a media environment that is rooted in our shared democratic values as well Truth, trust, transparency and respect, to the journalists here today you have a vital in keeping the government of the day to account, giving voice to the voiceless and ensuring transparency.

Australia strongly reaffirms its support for Samoa’s journalists and their right to report without fear or favour.

Manuia ma ia soifua.

November 10, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended an annual sharing session for new Belt and Road (B&R) Scholarship recipients today (November 8) with over 100 new B&R Scholarship awardees for the 2025/26 academic year.

The Education Bureau (EDB) has been organising annual sharing sessions for new awardees since the 2024/25 academic year, with a view to helping them learn about different opportunities in Hong Kong and establish a platform for mutual support. By inviting past awardees to share their experiences of staying in Hong Kong for development after graduation, new awardees are encouraged to do so.

Speaking at the sharing session, Dr Choi said that the EDB is committed to attracting more international students, particularly those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and B&R countries/regions, to study in Hong Kong. The annual quota for the scholarship has been increased to 150, allowing more outstanding students to experience the unique blend of East meets West that Hong Kong offers. The EDB is determined to foster a more international campus environment, where students from different places can learn and grow together to gain diverse learning experience, and become good friends with their counterparts from other places to broaden network.

The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, also attended the sharing session. During the session, an awardee of the B&R Scholarship who had graduated shared that the scholarship allowed recipients to pursue advanced studies at world-class universities in Hong Kong, much like stepping onto the world stage, and that receiving the scholarship not only broadened their horizons, but also brought endless opportunities.

The Government introduced the B&R Scholarship in the 2016/17 academic year to encourage students from B&R countries/regions to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. Since its launch, the B&R Scholarship has been well received by outstanding students from B&R countries/regions and participating local universities. Up to the 2025/26 academic year, over 830 students from 57 B&R countries/regions have been awarded the scholarship.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs today (November 9) detected a drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 1.5 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $800,000.

A male passenger, aged 52 and preparing to depart from Hong Kong to Nadi, Fiji, was intercepted by Customs today. Upon search, Customs officers found the batch of suspected liquid methamphetamine camouflaged as wine inside his suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from or going to high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Security Bureau (SB) held the SB and disciplined services’ “Join the Election Together We Create the Future” pledging ceremony today (November 8) to mobilise relevant departments, organisations and work partners to show full support for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election, make concerted efforts to publicise messages on the election and encourage members or employees, as well as various sectors of society, to fulfil their civic responsibility by casting their votes.

Some 400 people participated in the pledging ceremony. In addition to members led by the heads of the SB, the six disciplined services and the two auxiliary services, other participants from advisory and statutory bodies under the SB and departments, including the Independent Police Complaints Council, the Disciplined Services Consultative Council and the Police Force Council, as well as staff associations, youth groups and work partners of the SB and its departments were also invited. 

Addressing the pledging ceremony, the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, said that the SB and its departments gathered together today to show unity in support of the Legislative Council General Election. He said that after the implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” in the Legislative Council, quality lawmakers had given valuable advice for the smooth passage of important legislation, including the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other laws benefiting the people and businesses, as well as facilitating the work of law enforcement departments. Mr Tang called on participants to cast their votes on December 7 and encourage relatives and friends to vote as well to create a better future for Hong Kong.

Afterwards, Mr Tang and the heads of the disciplined services and auxiliary services performed the pledging ceremony by piecing together puzzles, each showing a department badge, onto a lighting installation with the election slogan “Join the Election Together We Create the Future”, symbolising the concerted efforts of the SB, the disciplined services and the auxiliary services to fully support the Legislative Council General Election.

After the ceremony, Mr Tang and the heads of the departments led their teams to distribute election leaflets in various districts to appeal people to cast their votes on the December 7 polling day.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative (HKSAR) Government and the Guangdong Pearl River Estuary Chinese White Dolphin National Nature Reserve Management Bureau today (November 8) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Chinese White Dolphin Conservation Co-operation Platform to strengthen co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong in protecting Chinese White Dolphins (CWD) inhabiting the Pearl River Estuary.

     Witnessed by the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Patrick Lai, and Deputy Director of the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province Mr Wu Xiaomou, and others, the Assistant Director (Fisheries and Marine Conservation) of the AFCD, Dr Jim Chu, and the Director of the Guangdong Pearl River Estuary Chinese White Dolphin National Nature Reserve Management Bureau, Mr Zhang Chaoming, signed the MOU today at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Chinese White Dolphin conservation promotion event held in Zhuhai. 

     The MOU seeks to implement the recommendation of the joint promotion of integrated ecological conservation in the Greater Bay Area in the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Chinese White Dolphin Conservation Co-operation Platform, based in the North Lantau Marine Park established last year in the HKSAR and the adjacent Pearl River Estuary Chinese White Dolphin National Nature Reserve in Guangdong Province, enhances co-operation between the two places in the areas of ecological monitoring and research of CWD, management and surveillance of protected areas, and marine conservation education, marking an important step forward in joint conservation of CWD.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, and the Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Mr Daniel Cheung, attended the Cross-Strait, Hong Kong and Macao Internet Development Forum, the Cybersecurity Forum for Technology Development and International Cooperation, and the Data Governance Forum of the 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit held in Hangzhou today (November 8) respectively and exchanged views with representatives of government institutions, international organisations, enterprises and research institutes from various places on Hong Kong’s latest developments in innovation and technology (I&T). The Summit, with the theme “Forging an Open, Cooperative, Secure, and Inclusive Digital Future – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”, is hosted by the WIC.
 
     Addressing the Cross-Strait, Hong Kong and Macao Internet Development Forum today, Ms Cheong shared the latest overview of the promotion of the AI development in Hong Kong. She said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is striving to cultivate a vibrant AI ecosystem. To advance the “AI+” development, the HKSAR Government proposed in this year’s Policy Address to step up the promotion of AI as a core industry for Hong Kong’s future development, guided by the strategy of “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach” to create new quality productive forces for Hong Kong in the era of digital economy.
 
     Ms Cheong pointed out that the HKSAR Government has been adopting an all-rounded approach to support the development of the AI industry by supporting innovative research and development (R&D), uplifting computing infrastructure, actively implementing the open data policy and channelling market capital to invest in emerging and future industries of strategic importance including AI. She added that the establishment of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team was also proposed in this year’s Policy Address to co-ordinate and steer government departments in the effective use of AI technology, with a view to achieving “industries for AI” and “AI for industries” in better alignment with the national “AI+” Initiative, so as to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) into a global highland for the AI industry.
 
     Meanwhile, Mr Cheung delivered a keynote speech at the Cybersecurity Forum for Technology Development and International Cooperation today and shared the HKSAR Government’s policies and practices in promoting threat intelligence sharing and emergency response collaboration, as well as constructing a collaborative defence system. He stated that, in the face of increasingly complex cybersecurity threats, the HKSAR Government continues to promote intelligence sharing with other regions, deepen collaborative defence with local, Mainland and international partners, and further enhances cybersecurity governance to provide robust protection to the digital development of the HKSAR. Hong Kong will also fully leverage its role as a bridge in connecting the motherland internally and the world externally to promote international cybersecurity co-operation, making an active contribution to building a secure, trustworthy, shared and prosperous community of shared future in cyberspace.
 
     Mr Cheung also joined and spoke at the Data Governance Forum this afternoon, when he pointed out that the HKSAR Government has promulgated the Principles of Data Governance as well as the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Technical and Application Guideline respectively to enhance quality and reliability of data, strengthen the protection of data, and provide the industry with an AI governance framework with local characteristics that is suitable for the Hong Kong context, and to effectively manage risks while encouraging innovation. Additionally, since the launch of the facilitation measure on the Standard Contract for the Cross-boundary Flow of Personal Information Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Mainland, Hong Kong), the facilitation measure has been widely acclaimed by the industry for enhancing overall convenience and effectively facilitating the integration of services in the financial, medical and talent aspects within the GBA.
 
     Ms Cheong visited the 2025 Light of Internet Expo and the World Internet Science and Technology Museum in Wuzhen before attending the forum to learn about the latest developments in technology in Hangzhou.
 
     During their visit to Hangzhou, Ms Cheong and Mr Cheung, accompanied by the Director of Zhejiang Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government, Mr Terence Lau, visited the Hangzhou Biopharma Town and the Hangzhou Transfar Science and Technology City on November 6 to learn about the R&D layout, product pipeline and industrialisation planning in biopharmaceutics, medical devices, biomedical engineering and medical big data of the two parks. They also engaged in discussions with enterprises operating in the parks. They then visited the headquarters of the Transfar Group and met with the management team of the Group to learn about its international layout as well as planning and management of its technology park. Ms Cheong introduced the development of Hetao Hong Kong Park to the Group and invited it to settle there where the Group can expand businesses in Hong Kong by combining the Group’s R&D advantages in biotechnology research and building science and technology city with the opportunities in Hong Kong’s rapid I&T development.
 
     On November 7, Ms Cheong and Mr Cheung attended the opening ceremony and plenary session of the Summit. In the afternoon, they, accompanied by Mr Lau, visited Hangzhou Yunshenchu Technology Co Ltd and Hangzhou Yushu Technology Co Ltd of Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons”, to learn about the R&D and application of AI and robotics as well as the global development plans of the two enterprises. The duo shared with the management of the enterprises that under the National 15th Five Year Plan, Hong Kong will enhance its distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, coupled with the proactive development of AI and robotics industries in Hong Kong, which can help the two enterprises connect their R&D outcome and applications with the global markets.
 
     Mr Cheung attended the 2025 edition of the “Straight to Wuzhen” Global Internet Competition – the “Wings of Digital” Innovation Night yesterday evening in support of the annual “Straight to Wuzhen” Global Internet Competition organised by the WIC and the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province. He took the opportunity to cheer for the two Hong Kong teams that won in the Asia-Pacific regional competition, wishing them great success in the finale.
 
     Ms Cheong concluded her visit today and returned to Hong Kong in the evening.
 
     Mr Cheung will attend the Awards Presentation Ceremony and present awards at the “Straight to Wuzhen” Global Internet Competition, which is co-organised by the Digital Policy Office, tomorrow (November 9). He will return to Hong Kong in the evening.
 
     In addition to the renowned annual Wuzhen Summit, the WIC will continue to designate Hong Kong to host the WIC Asia-Pacific Summit in April next year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Health Bureau, the Department of Health (DH) and Radio Television Hong Kong co-organised an event today (November 8) to promote the Organ Donation Day 2025. By honouring and showcasing the outstanding achievements of organ transplant recipients in international sports events, the event aims to encourage the public to embrace the spirit of generosity by actively supporting and registering as organ donors, to rekindle hope for patients urgently awaiting organ transplants.

     Officiating and delivering a speech at the event, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “Despite the rapid advancement in medical technology nowadays, for some patients with organ failure, organ transplant remains the only hope to live on. Due to limited supply from donations of transplantable organs, many patients are struggling to battle their diseases every day, with some of them having passed away while waiting for suitable organs. Therefore, I appeal to members of the public to actively support organ donation by registering your wishes in the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR) now and informing your family members. This is crucial in shortening patients’ waiting time for organ transplants. Your decision can bring hopes for a new lease of life to patients waiting for organ transplant and their families.”

     Other officiating guests included the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Acting Deputy Director of Broadcasting, Mr Vincent Lee; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee. Representatives from various organisations actively promoting organ donation also attended the event to support Organ Donation Day.

     At the event, two organ transplant recipients who won awards at the 25th World Transplant Games in August this year shared their unforgettable experiences at the games. Their stories enabled the audience to witness not only their joy but also their perseverance in honouring the donors’ generous spirit through hard-earned medals. Organ Donation Day 2025 ambassadors Ms Michelle Wai and Mr Cheung Siu-lun also voiced their support for organ donation to more than 200 attendees.

     Besides sharing sessions, multiple organ transplant recipients teamed up with event hosts, university students and artistes in two groups to compete in three matches of pickleball, bowling and rhythmic fitness to showcase their skills. This allowed the public to witness how organ donation transforms recipients’ lives, enabling them to restore their precious health and empowering them to continue contributing to society.

     The Government has been working closely with community partners to promote organ donation and raise public awareness. Since its launch in 2016, more than 600 enterprises, organisations and schools have joined the Organ Donation Promotion Charter. In 2023, the CODR system was enhanced to facilitate the public to conveniently register or check their registration status via the “iAM Smart” mobile application, enhancing efficiency in identity authentication. This year, the DH has set up over 2 000 promotional booths across 18 districts in government or statutory bodies’ buildings, exhibitions, educational institutions, hospitals, District Health Centres, and other venues, and organised 10 health talks and train-the-trainer workshops. With ongoing publicity and promotional efforts through a multi-pronged approach, the number of registrations in the CODR has been steadily increasing in recent years, reaching a record-high of over 410 000.

     In Hong Kong, more than 2 000 patients and their families are still waiting in despair. The DH rolled out a new round of organ donation promotional campaign last month. From October 23 to December 3, the Organ Donation Promotion Vehicle will travel to various districts in Hong Kong, to remind the public of the “3Ss” motto of organ donation: to register their wishes in the CODR (Sign up), inform family members (Speak out), and advocate for organ donation among relatives and friends (Spread out). Members of the public can register for organ donation at the spot. Details of vehicle parking locations are available on the thematic website (www.organdonation.gov.hk/en/promotional_activities.html). Members of the public may also register through the CODR website (www.codr.gov.hk), or mail/fax application forms to the CODR Office. In future, the DH will continue to engage stakeholders to regularly review, co-ordinate and implement publicity and education initiatives on organ donation.

     For more information on organ donation, please visit the thematic website (www.organdonation.gov.hk), or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/organdonationhk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/organdonationhk) of Organ Donation at HK.