Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited Japan’s Theater Company Hikosen to return to Hong Kong with three performances of the puppetry musical “Jack and the Beanstalk” in November, kicking off its “Cheers!” Series this year. The company reimagines the beloved fairy tale with exquisite puppetry art, bringing a magical rescue adventure filled with courage and joy for kids and adults. This programme is also part of the third Asia+ Festival.
 
     “Jack and the Beanstalk” tells the story of a treasure-obsessed giant living in a castle above the clouds who has captured the charming Princess Mary as his collection. Jack, a kind-hearted boy from humble beginnings, climbs a towering beanstalk grown from magical beans, venturing into the sky and deep into the giant’s lair to rescue the princess. Along the way, he encounters many unexpected wonders, such as a golden harp that plays and sings by itself and a hen that lays golden eggs. After overcoming numerous challenges, Jack rescues Mary successfully and is knighted by the king.
 
     Presented in Cantonese-dubbing and sung version, the actors, adorned with exquisite masks and fanciful puppet costumes, will transform into the cherished characters of the tale. With creative choreography and uplifting music, they will bring this world-famous fairy tale to life for children, conveying its core themes of kindness, courage, friendship and wisdom. The stage design employs vibrant and eye-catching colours with meticulously crafted key sets such as the forest cottage, winding vines, cloudscapes and the giant’s lair. Enhanced by special lighting and dry ice smoke effects, these elements engage audiences of all ages in the unfolding plot and mysterious atmosphere, inviting them to join Jack on his thrilling adventure.
 
     Theater Company Hikosen was founded in 1966 and is internationally acclaimed for adapting famous fairy tales into distinctive “mask play” performances. Their performers are versatile in ballet and gymnastics, and present the truth, goodness and beauty of fairy tales through song and dance with richly designed staging. The company stages over 500 shows annually in Japan and has toured more than 20 countries and regions. In Hong Kong, Hikosen’s past productions have been box-office hits, delighting audiences of all ages.
 
     “Cheers!” Series: “Jack and the Beanstalk” by Theater Company Hikosen (Japan) will be held at 7.30pm on November 14 (Friday) and at 3pm on November 15 and 16 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre. The programme will be conducted in Cantonese with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $250, $350 and $450 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The “Cheers!” Series offers various discount schemes, such as package discounts and family package discounts. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1893.html.
 
     The programme will also feature two backstage tours (in Japanese with Cantonese interpretation) to be held at 5pm on November 14 (Friday) and at 11am on November 15 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre. Tickets priced at $80 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.
 
     The “Cheers!” Series will be held from November to February next year. This series edition will feature five international productions and four local family entertainment programmes, ranging from puppetry and acrobatics to circus, dance, music, theatre, multimedia shows and musicals, to delight audiences during the festive season. For details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/f_entertainment/groups_1883.html.
 
     The third Asia+ Festival will be held from September to November with an aim to create a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchange. Focusing on Asia, the Festival also connects with Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. This year, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, will take part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (October 14) announced that it has established a register of adjudicator nominating bodies in accordance with the Construction Industry Payment Security Ordinance (Cap. 652). The register has been published on the DEVB website (www.devb.gov.hk/en/construction_sector_matters/adjudicator-nominating-bodies/under-ordinance-cap-652/index.html). 

A DEVB spokesman said, “The establishment of the register of adjudicator nominating bodies marks an important step in the implementation of the Ordinance, which allows contracting parties to appoint suitable adjudicators through nominating bodies to conduct adjudication for payment disputes. Applications for adjudicator nominating bodies have been opened since February 10 this year. The feedback from the industry was positive. With consideration of the establishment, recognition, financial resources and implementation capabilities of the applicants, we now announce that we have accepted the registration applications of five nominating bodies. These organisations are professional institutions or institutions specialising in handling contract disputes and are familiar with the operation of the construction industry.”

The five organisations registered as nominating bodies are Asian African Legal Consultative Organization – Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. 

The Ordinance aims to improve the longstanding payment problems in the construction industry and provide better protection for the stakeholders in the supply chains of the construction industry to receive their entitled payments on time. The Ordinance improves contractual payment terms, prohibiting the use of unfair payment terms such as “pay when paid”. It also introduces an adjudication mechanism to provide a speedy, cost-effective and binding resolution process for payment disputes in the interim. The Ordinance has come to full operation on August 28, 2025. Under the Ordinance, the claimant can initiate adjudication proceedings for a payment dispute, and the nominating body will appoint an adjudicator, as an independent third party, to determine a payment dispute. 

Under the Ordinance, functions of a nominating body include establishing and maintaining a panel of adjudicators, formulating nomination procedures, appointing suitable adjudicators for payment disputes, setting appropriate adjudication rules for conducting adjudication proceedings, etc. To facilitate smooth implementation of the Ordinance, the DEVB will oversee the performance of the adjudicator nominating bodies to ensure that the operations of the adjudicator nominating bodies comply with the requirements of the Ordinance and relevant guidelines. 

The DEVB welcomes other eligible organisations to apply for the adjudicator nominating bodies. Please refer to the DEVB website for the application details and relevant information: 
(www.devb.gov.hk/en/construction_sector_matters/adjudicator-nominating-bodies/under-ordinance-cap-652/application/index.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

New Zealand government grants Taiwan nationals access to e-gate services

Date：2025-10-13
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

October 13, 2025 
No. 403 

Thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Immigration New Zealand, and the New Zealand Customs Service in promoting reciprocal access to automated immigration and customs inspection and clearance services, the New Zealand government announced today that starting from October 13, Taiwan e-passport holders were eligible to use e-gates when entering and departing New Zealand.
 
According to MOI data, this makes New Zealand the eighth country to grant Taiwan nationals access to automated customs clearance services following the United States (where nationals are required to pay an application fee for the service), the Republic of Korea, Australia, Italy, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia.
 
As New Zealand has already granted Taiwan nationals access to its online New Zealand Traveller Declaration (www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz), travelers only need to complete a declaration up to 24 hours before boarding their flight to be able to use e-gate services upon arrival in New Zealand. This provides them with a more efficient and seamless clearance process.
 
In accordance with the principles of parity and reciprocity, Taiwan is now working toward granting New Zealand e-passport holders access to Taiwan’s e-gate services. This arrangement is expected to be implemented by late November or December 2025.
 
Taiwan and New Zealand are like-minded partners that share the values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. With around 60,000 journeys being made between the two countries annually, reciprocal e-gate access will make travel even more convenient and facilitate closer cooperation and exchanges across various fields.
 
Moving forward, the MOI will continue to promote the reciprocal use of e-gates with other countries. This will allow Taiwan nationals to travel overseas in greater convenience and dignity while also attracting even more international tourists to Taiwan. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

October 7, 2025No. 393On October 7, a ceremony was held to mark the relocation of the country office of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) in Taiwan. The ceremony was presided over by CABEI Executive President Gisela Sánchez, who led a delegation to Taiwan for the event. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung was invited to attend the ceremony and help unveil the office’s plaque together with Political Deputy Minister of Finance Juan Ching-hwa and Central Bank Counselor Lin Chi-fu.The ceremony was also attended by ambassadors and representatives to Taiwan from several CABEI member countries, including Guatemalan Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López, Belizean Ambassador Katherine Vanessa Meighan, Argentina Trade and Cultural Office Director Carlos Alberto Hernández, and Spanish Chamber of Commerce Director General Germán Bejarano García. Many representatives of Taiwan’s financial sector were also present to witness the lively event.Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Lin extended a warm welcome to the CABEI delegation led by Executive President Sánchez. He also noted that the move of the CABEI country office to the Tianmu Diplomatic Quarter would further its collaboration with the embassies and representative offices of CABEI member countries in Taiwan and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF).In addition, Minister Lin remarked that Taiwan had long taken part in CABEI projects so as to advance Central America’s economic and social development, as well as joint responses to such global challenges as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. He praised TaiwanICDF and CABEI for jointly launching the Co-financing Facility for Assisting the Economic Empowerment of Women in the Post-Pandemic of COVID-19 this year. He noted that it would help women in Guatemala start businesses and achieve sustainable operations, adding that such efforts demonstrated Taiwan’s determination to ensure the prosperity of its allies. Meanwhile, Minister Lin stated that since taking office, Executive President Sánchez had actively promoted organizational reforms and transparency, thereby effectively raising CABEI’s credit ratings. He said that Taiwan looked forward to further collaborating with CABEI to jointly improve the bank’s governance.In her remarks, Executive President Sánchez emphasized that Taiwan was an important member and strategic partner that shared CABEI’s values and proactively supported sustainable development in Central American countries. She also said that CABEI highly regarded Taiwan’s robust financial market and that the Taiwan-CABEI Partnership Trust Fund, established by the bank in collaboration with the government of Taiwan, had benefited Taiwan’s allies Guatemala and Belize. She added that she was confident that the new office in Taiwan would serve as an important bridge between Taiwan and Central American countries.Also on October 7, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger hosted a luncheon for Executive President Sánchez and her delegation. The two sides exchanged views on a broad range of issues such as the status of ongoing cooperation and CABEI’s reforms.Founded in 1960, CABEI is headquartered in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. Taiwan joined CABEI as a non-regional member in 1992 and is currently the largest shareholder among the bank’s 15 member countries. In 2021, CABEI opened a country office in Taiwan, its first country office in Asia, which also marked the first time that an intergovernmental organization had established a branch office in Taiwan. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The steering committee for the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force), chaired by Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, held its first meeting today.

At the session, the steering committee approved its terms of reference and discussed the overall strategies of the GoGlobal Task Force in the future and related publicity and promotion work.

Mr Yau said the GoGlobal Task Force aims to build a bridge for Mainland enterprises to the world by gathering professionals from various sectors, encouraging more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to expand globally in an orderly way.

The task force will strengthen collaboration across policy bureaus, departments, organisations and sectors, proactively providing comprehensive and timely support for the Mainland enterprises, he added.

“By leveraging the global network and extensive experience of its partners, the GoGlobal Task Force will be able to provide comprehensive support to Mainland enterprises.

“In line with the national policy and direction of encouraging Mainland enterprises to ‘go global’, it will assist these enterprises to expand their international business in an orderly manner, transforming the task force into a new driver for Hong Kong’s economy, and further consolidate the city’s position as an international business and trade hub.”

Click here for the task force’s membership list.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee said today that he respects those current Legislative Council members who have decided not to run in the next Legislative Council General Election, recognising that they have made personal choices.

Commenting ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting, he stated that it is normal for any organisation to see changes of personnel during a change of term.

“These are their personal choices,” he said. “I respect their decisions. I have always attached great importance to the opinions of LegCo members. Every year, my Policy Address incorporates many of the suggestions of LegCo members. I thank them for their work during the term and their contributions to Hong Kong.”

Mr Lee urged patriots with a passion for the country and Hong Kong, and talented individuals who are committed to serving the city, to actively seek nomination and register to run for election.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The steering committee for the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force), chaired by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, held its first meeting today (October 14).
 
     To better support Mainland enterprises in going global, the 2025 Policy Address outlined integrating Hong Kong’s overseas offices, including those under Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as Hong Kong offices on the Mainland, to set up a one-stop platform, the GoGlobal Task Force, to proactively attract Mainland enterprises seeking to expand their overseas business to “go global” via Hong Kong. The GoGlobal Task Force was officially launched on October 6.
 
     Mr Yau said, “The GoGlobal Task Force aims to build a bridge for Mainland enterprises to the world by gathering professionals from various sectors, encouraging more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to successfully expand globally in an orderly way. The GoGlobal Task Force will strengthen collaboration across policy bureaux, departments, organisations and sectors, proactively providing a more comprehensive and timely support platform for Mainland enterprises.”
 
     Mr Yau added, “By leveraging the global network and extensive experience of its partners, the GoGlobal Task Force will be able to provide comprehensive support to Mainland enterprises. In line with the national policy and direction of encouraging Mainland enterprises to ‘go global’, it will assist these enterprises to expand their international business in an orderly manner, transforming the GoGlobal Task Force into a new driver for Hong Kong’s economy, and further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international business and trade hub.”
 
     The steering committee approved its terms of reference at its meeting today and discussed the overall strategies of the GoGlobal Task Force in the future and related publicity and promotion work.
 
     Members of the steering committee for the GoGlobal Task Force include:
 
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Chairman)
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services)
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council
Commissioner, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation
Director-General of Investment Promotion

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 13) announced that a sample of bottled preserved bean curd was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. Members of the public should not consume the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Salted bean curd cubes in brine with chili (with sesame oil)
Brand: Giant Tree
Place of origin: China
Net weight: 130 grams
Best-before date: August 19, 2027
Distributor: Foundation Agents Ltd.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Wan Chai for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 180 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.”

The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed it to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The distributor concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS’s instructions. Members of the public may call the distributor’s hotline at 2330 6340 during office hours for enquiries about the product recall.

“Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea,” the spokesman said.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.