Category: MIL-OSI

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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Three incoming male passengers were sentenced between three to six months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 to $1,200 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (October 13) for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

A 54-year-old incoming male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, on July 19. During Customs clearance, Customs officers seized about 94 600 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $255,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the court today in contravention of the IEO.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 40 and 47, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 12). About 24 800 and 27 800 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from their personal baggage. The estimated market values were about $101,600 and $113,900 respectively, and the duty potential was about $81,900 and $91,900 respectively. They were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and 14 weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 respectively in contravention of the DCO by the court today.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette or smuggling 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/en/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (October 13) hosted a briefing and demonstration session for Legislative Council (LegCo) Members on the operation of the electronic counting system to be adopted in the functional constituencies (FCs) in the Legislative Council General Election (LCGE) this year.

The Election Committee subsector by-elections held on September 7 this year were conducted smoothly, and the operation of the new electronic counting system was overall completed in an orderly and efficient manner. The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) will introduce the electronic counting system for the first time for the FCs in the 2025 LCGE scheduled for December 7, with the aim of ensuring that the election will be conducted openly, honestly and fairly, while at the same time applying technology to enhance counting efficiency for a more accurate and smoother counting process.

Representatives from the REO briefed the LegCo Members on the counting process and the electronic counting system for the FCs, followed by a demonstration on the operation of the high-speed scanner, which included scanning of ballot papers and consolidation of counting results of individual FCs. The LegCo Members also received a presentation by REO representatives on the various stringent tests and audits conducted for the operation of the electronic counting system, including independent tests by third parties, computer audit, as well as stress tests and red team security tests arranged by the Digital Policy Office for large-scale information technology systems.

After the demonstration, the LegCo Members engaged in constructive exchanges with the REO representatives on the practical operation of the electronic counting system. They discussed details of counting arrangements and ways to ensure that the counting process will be conducted in an efficient and orderly manner.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the EAC will keep enhancing the election processes and arrangements in a stable and progressive manner as in the past. The REO has been successively arranging a series of drills and training sessions to familiarise electoral staff with the workflow of electronic counting. Efforts are also being made to strengthen the co-ordination and response capabilities among staff taking different responsibilities for making detailed and comprehensive preparations for the LCGE and ensuring a smooth counting process.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 13) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Blue Earth County of the State of Minnesota in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 24 650 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.61 million poultry eggs from the US in the first six months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.