MOFA strongly condemns false narrative regarding Taiwan published by Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Date：2026-01-07
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
January 7, 2026 No. 009In a statement on current developments concerning the “Taiwan issue” published on December 31, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory; that Cambodia considered issues related to Taiwan an internal affair of the People’s Republic of China (PRC); and that it supported China’s effort to achieve “national reunification” while opposing any form of “Taiwan independence.” Such false and absurd claims gravely contradict reality.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) deeply regrets the Cambodian government’s submission to China’s authoritarian actions at the end of 2025, when China conducted military exercises around Taiwan, and strongly condemns Cambodia for disseminating absurd remarks that denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty.MOFA reiterates that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other; that the Chinese Communist Party has never governed Taiwan; and that no country has the right or power to deny the objective fact of Taiwan’s existence. MOFA calls on Cambodia to stop disregarding reality, blindly following China, and endorsing intentionally aggressive rhetoric or deeds that undermine regional peace and stability.MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan is willing to cooperate with all nations that support freedom, democracy, and human rights. Taiwan will work with such nations to constrain the expansion of authoritarianism, safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and maintain freedom and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (E)
MOFA welcomes statement by Global Affairs Canada expressing concern over China’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan
Date：2026-01-02
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs
January 2, 2026
No. 005
In a statement posted on its official X account—Foreign Policy CAN—on January 2, Global Affairs Canada expressed the country’s concern over China’s recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. Adding to the concerns expressed in recent days by the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and other countries, the statement by Canada once again demonstrates the democratic community’s clear position in support of maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere appreciation for Canada’s statement.
Entitled “Statement on China’s decision to undertake large-scale military drills around Taiwan,” Global Affairs Canada’s statement said that Canada opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. It added that the Taiwan Strait was indispensable to the security and prosperity of the international community and that it was in the interest of all parties to maintain the peaceful and accessible nature of this waterway.
Minister Lin appreciates and thanks the Canadian government for conveying concern over China’s military actions, which have heightened cross-strait tensions. The expression of concern showcases Canada’s firm stance on maintaining the cross-strait status quo and demonstrates that upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the international consensus and a key interest for all concerned. The United Nations Charter clearly prohibits the threat or use of force in the settlement of disputes. This principle applies equally to the waters of the Taiwan Strait and those along the first island chain.
Taiwan will continue to work with Canada and other like-minded countries to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly advance global and regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The year’s weather 2025 – a stormy 2025 Sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific were near normal from January through October 2025, then lingered between below normal and near normal in November and December 2025.
In Hong Kong, with all 12 months warmer than usual, including the record-breaking monthly mean temperature in October, 2025 was the sixth warmest year on record, with the annual mean temperature reaching 24.3 degrees, 0.8 degrees above the 1991-2020 normal (Note 1). The annual mean maximum temperature of 27.1 degrees and the annual mean minimum temperature of 22.4 degrees were respectively one of the fifth highest and one of the sixth highest since records began in 1884. There were 53 very hot days (Note 2) and 54 hot nights (Note 3) in Hong Kong in 2025, both ranking the third highest on record. There were also four extremely hot days (Note 4), ranking one of the fifth highest on record.
The lowest temperature recorded at the Observatory in the year was 10.6 degrees on January 27. The number of cold days (Note 5) in the year was six days, 9.2 days less than the 1991-2020 normal. Moreover, this was also the first time that no Cold Weather Warning was in force in November and December in a year since the Cold Weather Warning System commenced operation in 1999.
While the accumulated rainfall recorded in the first half of the year was only 444.4 millimetres, the fifth lowest on record for the same period, with outbreaks of heavy rain during July to September, the annual total rainfall in 2025 was 2 558.7 millimetres, about 5 per cent above the 1991-2020 normal of 2 431.2 millimetres. The rainfall was concentrated during July to September, and the total rainfall during these three months contributed more than 80 per cent of the annual rainfall. There were 16 Red Rainstorm Warnings and five Black Rainstorm Warnings, breaking the respective highest annual numbers on record. The number of days with thunderstorms reported in Hong Kong was 37 days in 2025, 5.3 days less than the 1991-2020 normal.
With the relative humidity well below normal in the first half of the year and in November, the annual mean relative humidity of 73 per cent in 2025 was 5 per cent below the normal of 78 per cent and on par with 1963 as one of the lowest on record since 1947. The low humidity in 2025 is mainly attributed to the drier-than-usual northeast monsoon over southern China from January to April and in November. The stronger-than-normal and more westward extending subtropical ridge in May and June, which suppressed the precipitation in Hong Kong, also contributed to the relatively drier weather in these two months.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Green Minibus service to High Island Reservoir East Dam to be suspended on Sunday morning amid temporary traffic and transport arrangements for marathon in Sai KungIssued at HKT 16:09
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (January 8) announced the completion of a direct investigation operation into the work of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on landslide prevention and mitigation as well as management of government slopes, with 32 major recommendations for improvements made to the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), the Lands Department (LandsD), the Highways Department (HyD), the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD). The full investigation report is available on the website of the Office of The Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.hk
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government posts notices for creation of rights of temporary occupation of land for construction of Northern Link Main Line Three private lots will be temporarily occupied until January 11, 2030, starting from the expiry of a three-month period from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. April 9, 2026). The Government will closely liaise with the relevant land owners and affected parties, and properly handle their compensation matters.
The Government executed the Part 1 Project Agreement of the NOL Project (comprising both the NOL Main Line and the NOL Spur Line) with the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) in July 2025 to commence works on the NOL Main Line that are more ready and time-critical. The Government also required the MTRCL to carry out the detailed planning and design of the NOL Spur Line including relevant statutory procedures in parallel. The NOL Main Line will become the public transportation backbone for multiple new development areas in the Northern Metropolis and connect the existing Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line, forming a railway loop linking the New Territories and the Kowloon urban area. This will substantially enhance the coverage and resilience of the railway network and also unleash the development potential of the Northern Metropolis. The NOL Spur Line, as a cross-boundary bifurcation of the NOL Project, would connect the metro networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, offering both local commuting functions within Hong Kong as well as cross-boundary railway services. Issued at HKT 12:08
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender for re-opening of 10-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on January 14
Issue Number9.30am to 10.30amThe accrued interest to be paid by successful bidders on the issue date (January 15, 2026) for the tender amount is HK$759.93 per minimum denomination of HK$50,000. (The accrued interest to be paid for tender amount exceeding HK$50,000 may not be exactly equal to the figures calculated from the accrued interest per minimum denomination of HK$50,000 due to rounding).the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong LimitedIssued at HKT 16:42
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine With the launch of the Government’s first Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint and the opening of Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital, the industry’s focus on modernisation and international development of CM continues to grow. InvestHK hosted the forum to spark discussions on CM and actively attract and support CM enterprises to develop in Hong Kong, through providing one-stop support services to assist companies’ expansion to overseas markets, achieve international certifications, and establish regional headquarters.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “As highlighted in the 2025 Policy Address, the Government is committed to advancing the development of CM. Hong Kong’s advantages lie in its ability to leverage the Chinese Mainland’s robust CM capabilities while possessing internationalised systems and standards. With the advantages of ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong is committed to becoming the ‘super platform’ linking CM enterprises between the Chinese Mainland and the world. InvestHK will assist the industry in accessing global capital and markets, positioning Hong Kong as a springboard for CM to go global.”
The Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint covers service enhancements, professional training, standards development, research translation and international co-operation, providing a systematic framework for high-quality development. The Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development of the Health Bureau, Dr Vincent Chung, said, “The Blueprint is Hong Kong’s first comprehensive policy document in this area, offering a clear direction for the high-quality development of CM. The Government will work closely with the industry to build Hong Kong into a bridgehead for CM to go global.”
As the flagship institution, The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong is actively driving clinical, research, and teaching initiatives. It is driving partnerships with international institutions to develop Hong Kong’s integrated Chinese-Western medicine model into a global reference. The Hospital Chief Executive of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, stated, “Our hospital will fully support the Government in implementing the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint, taking on the role of both flagship and ‘change driver’. By specialising in disciplines and strengthening treatment of specific diseases, we will gather top talent to provide personalised services. At the same time, we will enhance the ‘Hong Kong model’ of collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine, developing high-standard clinical and research prototypes to set industry benchmarks. We will make good use of Hong Kong’s international gateway advantages, and have already established strategic partnerships with institutions such as Chinese medicine hospitals on the Chinese Mainland, TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting in Germany and Western Sydney University in Australia. Together, we will promote training, applications, and the development of Chinese patent medicines, supporting the high-quality growth of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and internationally to bring it to the world.”
Hong Kong will accelerate its contribution to the internationalisation of CM standards. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute combines local and national expertise and works with international specialists to set standards for Chinese medicinal materials, actively participating in the development of global technical platforms. The Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, said, “Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the international application of CM standards and testing technologies. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute under the Department of Health has already established internationally recognised reference standards for 357 Chinese materia medica, and will continue to strengthen exchanges and collaborations with testing institutions both locally and globally. To establish Hong Kong as a bridgehead for CM to go global, we will continue to actively participate in international herbal medicines platforms and, through our role as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, make greater contributions to the global development of CM.”
The General Manager of the Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Baiyunshan Hong Kong Company Limited, Mr Bruce Chan, added, “The Blueprint offers clear development pathways and new opportunities for internationalisation. Hong Kong’s financial and innovation advantages make it a key platform for CM enterprises to expand globally. We look forward to deepening collaboration with local financial institutions, universities and research bodies to support the development of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute.”
The Chinese Medicine Forum featured two panel discussions focusing on “Research and Clinical Practice in CM” and “Modernisation and Internationalisation of CM”, in which speakers explored how research outcomes can be translated into clinical applications, the role of CM in modern healthcare systems, and strategies for setting international standards and promoting global certifications. Industry representatives shared practical experiences in achieving international certifications such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and discussed strategies for cultural exchanges, standard promotion, and dissemination of clinical model to global. Following the forum, participants visited The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong in Tseung Kwan O and toured the Northern Metropolis to explore opportunities presented by Hong Kong’s development in CM. Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“Hong Kong Art Toys Expo” sponsored by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency kicks off today The “Hong Kong Art Toys Expo” reminisces on the legendary journey of Hong Kong’s toy industry, from being an original equipment manufacturer to nurturing internationally renowned art toy artists. The Expo showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and innovation of Hong Kong designers, featuring 12 popular large-scale original intellectual property (IP) figures and over 100 collectibles from nearly 30 Hong Kong toy brands and original IPs, offering visitors a full experience of the unique charm of Hong Kong’s art toy culture.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, remarked that Hong Kong creators have excelled globally in the art toys realm with their innovative designs and increasing influence in the IP market. They are the key representatives of Hong Kong’s creative force. The Government has been fully committed to promoting the development of creative industries, continuously nurturing local talent and supporting expansion into the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, fostering a conducive environment to facilitate the sustainable development of the industry.
The “Hong Kong Art Toys Expo” is the first event in the “A Tribute to Art Toys of Hong Kong” series, and will be immediately followed by the launch in late January of the Hong Kong Art Toys Chronicle website in which the section of “Masters’ Hall” will feature the lives and creative journeys of original character designers. Thereafter, there will be the Hong Kong Art Toys Parade in the International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Chinese New Year’s Day (February 17); and the Hong Kong Art Toys Carnival from February to March at Victoria Park. This series of events integrates Hong Kong’s original art toys and IPs with tourism, creating unique cultural tourism experiences. Issued at HKT 17:13
Three private lots will be temporarily taken up by the Government from April 9 this year to January 11, 2030, to facilitate construction of the Northern Link (NOL) Main Line.
The arrangement follows today’s posting by the Lands Department of “notices for the creation of rights of temporary occupation of land”, in accordance with the Railways Ordinance. The Government said it will closely liaise with the land owners and affected parties, and ensure that compensation matters are handled properly.
The Government entered into the Part 1 Project Agreement of the NOL Project with the MTR Corporation last July to begin works on high-priority segments of the NOL Main Line. The Government also tasked the MTR Corporation with the detailed planning and design of the NOL Spur Line, including the concurrent management of all relevant statutory procedures.