Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Hong Kong Customs conducted enforcement actions yesterday and today (March 10 and 11) to combat the online sale of copyright-infringing teaching materials for primary and secondary schools. During the operations, two women were arrested, and a mobile phone and a tablet suspected to be involved in the case were seized.
 
     Customs earlier received complaints from members of the public and a copyright owner alleging that suspected infringing teaching materials for primary and secondary schools were being offered for sale on an online platform. After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers found that a seller had solicited business via the online platform. Upon receiving an order, the seller requested buyers to transfer money to a designated electronic payment account. Subsequently, electronic files containing the suspected copyright-infringing supplementary exercises were sent to buyers via instant-messaging applications.

     With the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided a residential unit in Ho Man Tin. A 29-year-old woman suspected to be involved in the case was arrested. A mobile phone and a tablet believed to be connected to the case were seized. Following a subsequent investigation, Customs officers today further arrested a 54-year-old woman suspected to be involved in the case. Both women were released on bail pending further investigation.
 
     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs appeals to the public to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell infringing articles.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, without the licence of the copyright owner, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a term of imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing 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

     The fourth edition of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival (PCF), presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will return in April following its resounding success in previous years. Under the theme “Beyond Fantasy”, the PCF will explore what happens when ideas collide, inviting audiences to experience how creators across generations – through boundless imagination – reshape the distinctive character of Hong Kong’s pop culture and turn the impossible into the possible.

     The PCF will present approximately 20 programmes and over 120 events, including stage performances, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, library programmes and outreach activities. Some of the programmes are as follows:————————————————–
     Co-curated by Chu Wan-pin, winner of the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Original Film Score and an erhu virtuoso, and local musician Vicky Fung, this programme blends soundtracks, pop music, street dance and art technology into a musical feast in three chapters. It will feature newly arranged scores from classic Hong Kong films. Guest performers across the two nights include Phil Lam and Winka Chan@COLLAR (April 17), and Tang Siu-hau and Jeremy Lee@MIRROR (April 18). Together with an ensemble and choir members, they will perform pop songs from different eras, joined by young street dancers and emerging musicians in a burst of collaborative creativity to open the PCF.———————————————————————————————-
     The PCF’s flagship programme “ImagineLand”, the outdoor music carnival returning by popular demand, will be held on April 25 and 26 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza and the Salisbury Garden Central Lawn, offering free admission to members of the public and visitors. Daytime highlights include the “Go Beyond Concert”, the “Pop Unboxed” outdoor installation, and the “Funarts Corner”. In the evening, the “Movie Under the Stars” will be presented.—————–
 “Fantasies in Reality: A Cinematic Journey”——————
     Two pre-festival programmes will be held, namely “18dART – Community Arts Scheme in Kwai Tsing ‘Shape of Harmony – Kwai Tsing 3.0’ Acappella Music Project Finale Concert” presented by local a cappella group Boonfaysau; and “2026 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras Concert I – Strings ‘Fairy Tales'”.——————-
     In response to the PCF’s theme “Beyond Fantasy”, public libraries will present a series of activities from April to June, including book recommendations themed around fairy tales, science fiction and mystery; a meet-the-author session; a themed talk series titled “Monthly Literary Talk: ‘The Past and Future of Science Fiction Literature: Mythical Creatures, Animals, Machines, and Artificial Intelligence'”; as well as workshops and storytelling theatre.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government served a notice to the Legislative Council today to introduce a resolution under the Loans Ordinance to raise the borrowing ceiling from $500 billion to $900 billion for the Infrastructure Bond Programme (IBP) and the Government Sustainable Bond Programme (GSBP) under the Capital Works Reserve Fund.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the move would increase the capacity for financing public works projects, given that the Government will accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM) and other public works projects relating to the economy and people’s livelihood.

The Government’s capital works expenditure for 2025-26 is estimated to be about $125 billion. The 2025 Policy Address announced that the Government would earmark an additional $30 billion in the next two to three years to increase expenditure on public works projects to drive sustained economic development and support the local construction industry. The capital works expenditure is estimated to be about $128 billion for 2026-27 and will remain at a similar level from 2027-28 to 2030-31.

Mr Hui emphasised that issuing bonds to support infrastructure development is a common practice worldwide.

He highlighted that as public works projects are long-term investments, in particular those in the NM, there is a need for the Government to issue more longer-term bonds to align more closely the cash flow duration with project requirements, adding that a higher borrowing ceiling and a larger mix of longer-term bonds will bring in more net proceeds.

The Government plans to issue about $160 billion to $220 billion worth of bonds per annum from 2026-27 to 2030-31, and the corresponding ratio of government debt to gross domestic product will rise from 14.4% to 19.9%, which is a highly prudent level and well below that of most advanced economies.

Subject to the legislative process, the Government will move the resolution in LegCo on April 1.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

A cup of coffee does more than foster friendship; it serves as a beacon of hope, lighting up the future for students in remote areas across the ocean. Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) stated on March 6 that to support the government’s efforts in deepening ties with diplomatic allies, the company has been sourcing coffee beans at fair prices from Guatemala since 2023. This initiative led to the domestic launch of “High Lands Small Farms (Antigua) Coffee.” TSC’s coffee trade program not only improves the livelihoods of local smallholders but also reinvests a portion of the proceeds into constructing classrooms. This allows Taiwanese consumers to enjoy specialty coffee while simultaneously supporting rural education in allied nations, collectively building a boundless future for both farmers and students.

TSC explained that by importing Guatemalan smallholder coffee, the company not only bolsters the Guatemalan economy but also brings about tangible and positive changes to local rural education. In collaboration with the international organization IMPACT HUB and the local NGO Guatemala Prospera, TSC has spearheaded a coffee marketing and educational feedback initiative. To date, the project has successfully completed the construction of two rural classrooms. While the first classroom was inaugurated in 2024, the newly completed second facility at the “Official Rural Coeducational School” (located in the El Rosario community, Cienaga Grande village, Chimaltenango Department) officially opened its doors on March 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time (midnight March 5, Taiwan time). This new facility provides a modern and comfortable learning environment for middle school students aged 12 to 15.

TSC noted that these classrooms represent more than just infrastructure they are a beacon of hope. The company hopes that through these educational opportunities, local students will be empowered to see a broader world and ultimately transform the future of both themselves and their communities.

TSC points out that the Guatemalan High Lands Small Farms Coffee is a sustainable brew that bridges the gap between consumers, the origin of production, and hope. Sourced from premium Arabica beans grown at altitudes above 1,500 meters in Guatemala’s renowned Antigua region, the coffee is hand-picked, wet-processed, and roasted to perfection. It boasts a rich body with a balanced acidity, featuring distinct notes of caramel, chocolate, and subtle fruit aromas. Upholding the core values of “Specialty Quality, Public Good, and Affordability,” TSC has distributed the coffee across major retail channels in Taiwan and onboard Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) carriages. This initiative empowers citizens to transform their daily coffee ritual into a tangible force for supporting smallholders and rural education.

TSC emphasizes that coffee is more than just a daily beverage; it is a bridge that connects international friendships. Furthermore, coffee trade is not merely an industrial exchange, but a solemn promise of cross-border guardianship. Looking ahead, TSC will continue to integrate corporate resources with social efforts to promote international cooperation programs that balance industrial growth with philanthropic value. By extending Taiwan’s goodwill across the sea, TSC aims to deepen diplomatic ties, stimulate trade, and unlock a brighter, more expansive future for children in remote areas.

TSC News Contact Person:
Chang Mu-Jung
Public Relations, Department of Secretariat, TSC
Contact Number: 886-6-337-8819 / 886-920-636-951
Email:a63449@taisugar.com.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Labour Department will host the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Youth Employment Scheme Job Fair at Cordis, Hong Kong in Mong Kok on Friday.

The event will offer a wide range of job vacancies in the GBA Mainland cities for Hong Kong young people aged 29 or below with sub-degree qualifications or above.

Over 20 organisations will participate in the fair, providing openings for various positions, including engineers, assistant quantity surveyors, graphic and multimedia designers and accountants. Other available rolls include maths instructors, graduate interns, human resources and administration officers, Chief Executive Officer assistants and senior marketing executives.

Under the scheme, participating organisations must employ young people in accordance with Hong Kong laws.

The job fair will feature talks providing advice on CV preparation and the use of social media and artificial intelligence tools. Information on working and living in GBA Mainland cities will also be available.

Additionally, Wong Chi-him, Chief Hong Kong & Macao Liaison Expert of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone, will share insights on development opportunities in Qianhai.

All talks will be conducted in Cantonese.

The event will take place from 10.30am to 4.30pm at the Ballroom, Level 7, Cordis, Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok. Admission is free, with final admission set at 4.15pm.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Swordfish” for three consecutive days from March 8 to 10, targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 20 persons, including 14 suspected illegal workers and six suspected employers, were arrested.

     During the operations, ImmD investigators raided 19 target locations, including restaurants, retail shops, residential care homes for the elderly, guesthouses, industrial and commercial building units and public areas. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and 13 women, aged 28 to 50. Among them, 11 persons were current helpers, one person was an overstaying ex-helper, one person was permitted to stay in Hong Kong on visitor status, and one person was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment in Hong Kong. The suspected illegal workers were found performing massage, pedicure, dishwashing and kitchen assistant duties. Meanwhile, six suspected employers, comprising one man and five women aged 30 to 60, were owners or persons-in-charge of the companies and restaurants involved. The relevant cases are still under investigation, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests. 
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region