Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs today (October 14) held the inaugural ceremony of the second term of the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Sector Advisory Group at the Customs Headquarters Building. The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, officiated at the ceremony and presented appointment certificates to 17 non-official members from the precious metals and stone industry.

The Advisory Group is a non-statutory body comprising official members from Customs and non-official members from the industry, with a view to providing both sides with a platform for exchanging views on the registration regime for precious metals and stone dealers. Customs can also keep better tabs on the industry to push ahead with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing work.

Mr Chan expressed gratitude to members of the Advisory Group for their continuous support, saying that the regulatory regime for dealers in precious metals and stones has been widely accepted by the industry since its implementation, indicating a mutual commitment to compliance within the industry. Customs will continue to collaborate with the new-term Advisory Group in strengthening the compliance awareness of the industry, combating anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and propelling Hong Kong into an international gold trading market by establishing a transparent, robust and internationally aligned regulatory system, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. For details on the registration regime, please visit the website (www.drs.customs.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The 15th National Games (NG) road cycling (men’s individual) event will be held on November 8. A press conference hosted by the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO), Mr Yeung Tak-keung, was held jointly with representatives of relevant government departments and the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China today (October 14) to announce details of the event and the relevant arrangements, including temporary traffic control measures, clearance arrangements at the boundary control point (BCP), and emergency response and rescue arrangements.

     The road cycling (men’s individual) event this year is the only event that spans over Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in the 15th NG, and a tripartite test event was held last November. In addition, a pre-event comprehensive drill was conducted on September 30 and the process was generally smooth. The official race covers a total distance of 231.8 kilometres, comprising a 55.8km section in Hong Kong. The race will enter Hong Kong from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and go through the Hong Kong Port, North Lantau Highway and Penny’s Bay Highway. The athletes will return after passing by Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and head back to Zhuhai via the HZMB and Hengqin.

     The race is scheduled to start at 9am on November 8, and is expected to conclude at 2.30pm. The event will feature 25 representative teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, with a total of 104 athletes competing. It is anticipated that the race convoy will enter the Hong Kong section around 10.20am and spend about one and a half hours in the Hong Kong section.

     To facilitate better viewing experience, a public viewing zone will be set up on the footpath of Fantasy Road located outside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which can accommodate a few hundreds of spectators. Members of the public may come to cheer up the athletes and enjoy the race there. Implementation of crowd management measures will be made by the Police subject to conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to take heed of instructions of the Police and the staff on site. As temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the race route at the North Lantau Highway, members of the public should take the MTR to the Disneyland Resort station as far as possible to reach the designated viewing zone. The Guangdong competition region has commissioned the China Central Television as the host broadcaster to provide live webcast of the event. All rights-holding broadcasters, including the three local free television broadcasters and Radio Television Hong Kong, will be conferred the live signal.

     To facilitate the holding of the race, temporarily control measures will be implemented on the HZMB Hong Kong Port, the HZMB and some roads on that day. Relevant arrangements are set out as below:

(1) Clearance service arrangement 

     On the event day, temporary control measures will be implemented on the HZMB eastbound from Zhuhai/Macao towards Hong Kong from 9am to 12.30pm, and on the HZMB westbound from Hong Kong towards Zhuhai/Macao from 7.30am to 12.30pm. During the temporary control period, all vehicles are prohibited from using the HZMB. Special arrangements will be implemented on the departure clearance services. Travellers or vehicles wishing to leave Hong Kong for Zhuhai or Macao before the implementation of the temporary control measures are required to arrive at the Departure Hall of Passenger Clearance Building or Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza of the HZMB Hong Kong Port before 6.30am on the event day in order to undergo departure and clearance procedures. The Departure Hall of Passenger Clearance Building and Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza of the HZMB Hong Kong Port will be closed at 6.30am.

     The departure and clearance services at the HZMB Hong Kong Port will resume after 12.30pm on that day. It is expected that traffic will be busy. Travellers and drivers who plan to use the bridge on that day are advised to plan their trips in advance and pay attention to the traffic control arrangements within Zhuhai.

(2) Public transport arrangements 

     Cross-boundary public transport services travelling on the HZMB between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, including the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus), cross-boundary coach and bus services of SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), will be suspended during the implementation of the temporary control on the HZMB Main Bridge and the HZMB Hong Kong Port on that day. As the roads within Zhuhai are still closed for the race until about 2.30pm, the Gold Bus from Hong Kong to Zhuhai is expected to provide limited service from 12.30pm to 1.30pm while the Gold Bus from Zhuhai to Hong Kong will resume service at 2.30pm. Meanwhile, Gold Bus services to/from Macao will resume at 12.30pm.

     In addition, during the temporary control period, local public transport services to and from the HZMB Hong Kong Port will implement temporary services adjustment, including airport bus A routes, shuttle bus B routes and Disneyland R routes. The A routes from the airport will not pass through the Hong Kong Port from 10am to 1pm and the A route from urban and New Territories to the airport will not pass through the Hong Kong Port from the first departure to 11.30am. The shuttle bus services B4 and B5 serving between Airport/Sunny Bay Station and HZMB Hong Kong port will be suspended during certain periods. Routes R8 and R33, serving between Disneyland and the Lantau Link Interchange and Tuen Mun Station will also be suspended for some periods. Meanwhile, to facilitate the smooth implementation of the event, Shun Long Road (both bounds) will be closed (see details under (3) below) and affected bus routes will be temporarily diverted. The bus companies will issue notices to inform affected passengers of the details of the above service adjustment.

     The Transport Department (TD) will notify affected operators of cross-boundary and local public transport services, while the Marine Department will liaise with cross-boundary ferry operators, to work out manpower and frequency arrangements. During the temporary control period, travellers should consider the use of land BCPs between Hong Kong and Shenzhen for their travel between Hong Kong and Zhuhai. They should also consider taking cross-boundary ferry services between Hong Kong and Macao.

     Booking for the time slot between 6am and noon for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles will be suspended. Subject to on-site traffic management arrangements on the event day, motorists who have made reservations in the afternoon on that day will only be allowed to enter the Vehicle Clearance Plaza of the Hong Kong Port after the temporary traffic control measures are lifted (estimated to be after around 12.30pm).

     Regarding passenger bus services of SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach of the HKIA, the services between the HKIA and Zhuhai and Macao Port, will be suspended during the temporary control period at the Hong Kong Port of the HZMB. The Airport Authority Hong Kong will maintain close communication with all service operators and continuously monitor the situation to implement timely adjustments as needed.

     In addition, the 15th NG road cycling (women’s individual) event will be held on November 9. Though the race course will mainly be located in Zhuhai and will not affect the HZMB and clearance services at the port, some of the roads in Zhuhai will be closed due to the event. From 7.30am to 11.30am that day, only limited services for routes departing for Zhuhai will be provided by the Gold Bus. Members of the public are advised to avoid taking the Gold Bus to Zhuhai during the abovementioned periods. Moreover, some of the ferry services between Hong Kong and Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port will also be suspended on November 8 and 9.

(3) Road traffic control measures

     Temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the North Lantau Highway and roads near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort during the race period of Hong Kong section (exact time will depend on the actual progress of the race).

     Temporary traffic control measures will be implemented in the vicinity of the race route on the North Lantau Highway. The travel time to and from the airport via the North Lantau Highway is expected to increase by about 30 minutes. Members of the public and travellers who plan to travel to and from the airport should plan their trips in advance and allow sufficient travelling time. They are advised to use railway services, including the Airport Express, the Tung Chung line and the Disneyland Resort line, and avoid driving to the relevant area. Drivers who need to drive to the airport may consider using the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel.

     Temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the race route near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort during the race. Travelling time to and from the park, hotels and the Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre via Penny’s Bay Highway, Sunny Bay Road, Magic Road and Fantasy Road may be increased by about 30 minutes due to the traffic control measures. Members of the public who plan to travel to the vicinity of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort should consider using railway services as far as possible.

     In addition, as this road section connects to the North Lantau Highway, members of the public and travellers who need to travel between the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and the HKIA may also be affected by the temporary traffic control measures on the North Lantau Highway, and the travelling time required may be increased.

Shun Long Road (both bounds) will be closed starting from 6.30am and expected to reopen at about 2pm on that day after the related road section returns to normal. During the above road closure period, the TD will implement traffic diversion such that the original traffic of Shun Long Road (both bounds) will be diverted via Chek Lap Kok Island. The journey time is expected to increase by about 10 minutes. The bus companies will issue notices to inform passengers of the details of service adjustment.

     A spokesperson for the NGCO said as the NG is the country’s highest-level event, this event has to meet stringent requirements in terms of the selection of race course and the organisational arrangements to ensure the safety of athletes. Relevant departments will work together to facilitate the special traffic and transportation arrangements to minimise the impact on the public and travellers who usually use the HZMB and other related road sections. Members of the public and travellers who need to travel to and from Zhuhai or Macao are urged to plan their itineraries in advance, and use other control points and public transport as far as possible. The spokesperson thanked members of the public and travellers for their understanding, as well as the contributions of various organisations and departments to implementing the relevant arrangements.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 15th National Games (NG) road cycling men’s individual event will be held on November 8, when temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port, the HZMB and some roads to facilitate the holding of the race.

At a press conference today, National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Head Yeung Tak-keung said the upcoming road cycling (men’s individual) event is the only event that spans over Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau in the 15th NG, and outlined the various arrangements for the race.

Among others, temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the HZMB eastbound from Zhuhai/Macau towards Hong Kong from 9am to 12.30pm, and on the HZMB westbound from Hong Kong towards Zhuhai/Macau from 7.30am to 12.30pm.

During the temporary control period, all vehicles are prohibited from using the HZMB.

The HZMB Hong Kong Port’s Departure Hall of Passenger Clearance Building and Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza will be closed at 6.30am.

The departure and clearance services at the HZMB Hong Kong Port will resume after 12.30pm that day.

It is expected that traffic will be busy. Travellers and drivers who plan to use the bridge on that day are advised to plan their trips in advance and pay attention to the traffic control arrangements within Zhuhai.

Additionally, temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the North Lantau Highway and roads near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort during the Hong Kong section race period.

The travel time to and from the airport via the North Lantau Highway is expected to increase by about 30 minutes.

Members of the public and travellers who need to travel to and from Zhuhai or Macau are urged to plan their itineraries in advance, and use other control points and public transport as far as possible.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes inappropriate comments by China’s Foreign Ministry concerning President Lai’s National Day address

Date：2025-10-10
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

October 10, 2025  

Regarding comments made by China’s Foreign Ministry after President Lai Ching-te’s National Day address, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) stand on equal footing, with neither being subordinate to the other. This is the objective status quo. It is also a reality that is recognized by the international community and a strong consensus held by the people of Taiwan.
 
MOFA emphasizes that following the conclusion of World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco—which has the force of international law—replaced such political statements as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not cede Taiwan to the PRC. The PRC has never governed Taiwan even for a single day and has no right to represent Taiwan in the international community. MOFA urges the Beijing authorities to recognize historical facts instead of distorting them. In particular, MOFA calls on China to refrain from using various anniversary celebrations to engage in united front and lawfare activities with the aim of denying Taiwan’s sovereign status and misleading international public opinion.
 
MOFA firmly opposes China’s persistent and deliberate misrepresentation of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. Despite China’s efforts to force the international community to accept its fallacies and exclude Taiwan from the UN system, it is widely acknowledged that UNGA Resolution 2758 only addresses China’s representation in the United Nations. The resolution makes no mention of Taiwan throughout its entire text, does not touch upon Taiwan’s status, and certainly does not authorize China to represent Taiwan. MOFA urges the international community to stand up to China’s coercion and reject its intentional and malicious distortion of UNGA Resolution 2758. It calls for support of Taiwan’s rightful status in the international community and for recognition of Taiwan’s contributions to the world.
 
President Lai reiterated today that democratic Taiwan was a crucial link for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community. As such, he said that Taiwan would work to uphold the status quo, ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and promote the prosperous development of the region.
 
MOFA echoes President Lai’s call for China to take responsibility as a major power, soberly recognize the devastation that would be visited on the international community with a launch of an invasion of Taiwan, and cease its distortion of UNGA Resolution 2758 and historical World War II documents. It also urges China to end harmful rhetoric that could escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, renounce the use of force or coercion to change the cross-strait status quo, jointly contribute to maintaining the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific, and work together to improve people’s well-being.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) today (October 14) hosted a thematic seminar and invited local experts to brief two visiting Hong Kong business delegations on Indonesia’s tax regime, legal environment and business culture, with a view to helping Hong Kong enterprises gain a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities in the Indonesian market. About 50 business people from both delegations attended the seminar.

     In her welcome remarks, the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, said that “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address” proposed supporting Hong Kong small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in exploring overseas markets. It also proposed to establish the “Economic and Trade Express” by joining forces of ETOs, the overseas offices of Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to form a functional platform to enhance synergy and capitalise on their complementary advantages to help Hong Kong enterprises to “go global”. She encouraged Hong Kong enterprises to leverage the visit to actively explore Indonesia’s market potential and identify business opportunities.

     On the same day, the HKETO Jakarta also co-organised with the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (InachamHK) a networking dinner that brought together around 80 guests from the two delegations and several major Indonesian business chambers. The event provided an important platform for the Hong Kong and Indonesian business communities to exchange views, thereby helping Hong Kong enterprises to expand their networks, and helping business people of both sides to understand each other’s markets.

     The two visiting delegations were the Indonesia: Forging New Opportunities Together delegation co-organised by the Y. Elites Association and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce; and the Garuda Meets Bauhinia Business Delegation co-organised by InachamHK, the Hong Kong Productivity Council’s The Cradle – Go Global Service Centre and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Small and Medium Business, comprising representatives from the aforesaid chambers and organisations, covering sectors including finance, technology, tourism, retail and investment.

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 October 12 to 14, targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 16 persons, including ten suspected illegal workers and six suspected employers, were arrested.

During the operation, ImmD investigators raided 26 target locations including restaurants, guesthouses, retail stores and commercial buildings. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised ten women, aged 26 to 43. Among them, five persons were current helpers, three persons were overstaying ex-helpers, one person was visitor and one person was found to be an imported worker. ImmD investigators found most of the suspected illegal workers at restaurants or guesthouses performing dishwashing, cleaning, etc. Meanwhile, six suspected employers, comprising five men and one woman, aged 41 to 63. 
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today met Supreme People’s Court President Zhang Jun and welcomed him and his delegation to Hong Kong for an exchange event involving the judicial and legal sectors.

Mr Lee expressed gratitude to the Supreme People’s Court for rendering support to the Department of Justice through establishing extensive mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, setting up a standing interface platform on judicial and legal co-operation in the Greater Bay Area, and helping Hong Kong to develop as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.

He highlighted that measures allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law and to choose the city as a seat of arbitration have been incorporated into the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, reflecting the central government’s support for Hong Kong’s legal system.

Mr Lee added that Hong Kong will continue to leverage the unique advantages of its internationalised common law system and dispute resolution services to function as a two-way platform for enterprises to go global and attract external investment, serving the bay area in building an international business environment.

The Chief Executive stressed that Hong Kong boasts world-class legal and dispute resolution professionals, and is also the most preferred seat of arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region.

With the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) being headquartered in Hong Kong, Mr Lee said the city can deepen international co-operation and support the IOMed’s provision of friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services to consolidate its status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services and as a mediation capital. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the appointments of three senior officials.

Permanent Secretary for Transport & Logistics Kevin Choi will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry on October 27. He will succeed Eddie Mak, who is on pre-retirement leave.

Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office Director Vic Yau will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Transport & Logistics on November 17.

For her part, Private Secretary to the Chief Executive Vicki Kwok will take up the post of Director of Government Logistics on October 27. She will succeed Carlson Chan, who is on pre-retirement leave.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said the appointees are all seasoned administrative officers with proven leadership and management skills.

“I have every confidence that they will continue to serve the community with professionalism in their new posts.”

Regarding the retirements of the two senior officials, Mrs Yeung thanked them for each rendering over 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community and making significant contributions to the Government. She also wished them a fulfilling and happy retirement.

“During Mr Mak’s tenure as Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry, he played a pivotal role in driving the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub. He spearheaded an array of key policy initiatives, including diversifying funding avenues for innovation and technology initiatives, attracting talent with research expertise and outcomes, deepening collaboration with the Mainland, and promoting digital government services.

“Mr Mak twice served in Hong Kong’s overseas Economic & Trade Offices to advance Hong Kong’s economic and trade interests, while supporting overseas enterprises to expand business in Hong Kong.”

The civil service chief added that during his tenure as Director of Government Logistics, Mr Chan made sterling efforts to provide quality services to government departments in terms of procurement and supplies, transport operations and management, and printing services.

Moreover, during Mr Chan’s tenure as Director (Special Duties) of the Housing Bureau, he spearheaded the amendment of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance to implement tenancy regulation on subdivided units.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that in accordance with the Articles of Association of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and as its majority shareholder, the Financial Secretary Incorporated has appointed Jacob Kam to succeed Rex Auyeung as Chairman of the board of directors.

The appointment is for three years effective January 1, 2026. Earlier today, Mr Kam was appointed as a non-executive director of the corporation by the MTRCL, taking effect on the same date.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan thanked Mr Auyeung for his contributions since taking up the MTRCL chairmanship in July 2019, noting that under his leadership, the corporation completed the full commissioning of Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line Cross-harbour Extension projects, enhancing the railway network’s connectivity.

The MTRCL also proactively advanced a series of strategic railway projects including Tung Chung Line Extension, Oyster Bay Station, Kwu Tung Station, Tuen Mun South Extension, Hung Shui Kiu Station, and Northern Link which commenced works recently, contributing to Hong Kong’s socio-economic development, she added.

Ms Chan said that the MTRCL, carrying over five million passengers daily, is the backbone of Hong Kong’s public transport system and that she expects the new chairman to draw on his extensive experience in railway operations to lead it in applying innovative technologies to continuously enhance the safety, efficiency and reliability of Hong Kong’s railways.

The transport chief also hopes the new chairman can uphold the MTRCL’s mission of “Keep Cities Moving”, such that railway infrastructure can be leveraged to add momentum to the city’s development and cross-boundary integration with the Mainland.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region