Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai attends 2026 Net Zero Tech International Contest Award Ceremony and Networking Dinner  
On the evening of August 19, President Lai Ching-te attended the 2026 Net Zero Tech International Contest Award Ceremony and Networking Dinner. In remarks, President Lai commended the young contest participants for addressing climate challenges with innovative technologies. He stated that Taiwan possesses complete industry clusters and strong research capabilities, and that the government will continue to promote the development of key net-zero technologies and link resources across all sectors, helping turn research into solutions for industries and international markets and contributing to the global net-zero transformation.
A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I’m very happy to return to my alma mater today for the 2026 Net Zero Tech International Contest Award Ceremony. To begin, I want to thank [National Taiwan University], TECO Technology Foundation, and all the sponsors, judges, and advisors. Thank you for building this stage for young people to gather from around the world.
I also want to congratulate all the winning teams. The judges recognized your hard work, and you earned this honor through many hours of research and experiments, plus good teamwork. Let’s give the winners another round of applause!
This contest continues to grow. In 2023, it began with 146 teams from 10 countries. This year, we have 267 teams from 20 countries. No matter the final results, we truly admire all your hard work. With your skills, you have expertly addressed climate challenges. You have shown a strong sense of responsibility and drive, putting forward solutions for the net-zero transformation.
In today’s world, most carbon reduction comes from scaling up the technologies we already have. But to reach our 2050 net-zero goals, we need new ideas. AI is growing fast, and using more power. We need new materials, energy systems, and production methods. And we must improve computing performance and energy efficiency.
After I took office in 2024, I established the National Climate Change Committee at the Presidential Office. It includes government and industry leaders, civil society groups, scholars, and experts. Together, we discuss Taiwan’s climate governance, energy transformation, and net-zero path. This ensures our policies include diverse input from experts and the public.
Last January, we proposed the beta version of our [Nationally Determined Contributions] 3.0. After consulting widely across society and further refining that plan, we completed our Comprehensive Carbon Reduction Action Plan. It sets a new target: By 2035, we will cut emissions by 38 percent, plus or minus 2 percent, from 2005 levels. This more ambitious target demonstrates Taiwan’s determination to contribute to the global sustainability transition.
Taiwan has complete industry clusters in semiconductors, ICT, and precision manufacturing. We also have strong research capabilities and robust supply chains. These advantages enable us to combine research and manufacturing and develop net-zero technologies that are globally competitive.
Our government will continue to promote net-zero innovations and the development of key technologies. We will help link resources across all sectors. And we will facilitate field verification, industry cooperation, and startup support. This will help promising research become solutions for industry – solutions that international markets are waiting for.
To all the young people here: These awards acknowledge what you have already achieved in research; they also point the way forward. On the next stage of your journey, I hope you all take your research deeper and promote real-world applications. Through this contest, you have built connections with partners from different countries and fields. And I hope you keep those connections alive, because you are all working together to develop new technologies and address climate challenges.
Once more, I’d like to congratulate every winning team. And thank you to the competitors for your dedication. Taiwan wants to be your partner: in research, in collaborations, and in the companies you go on to build. Let the ideas honored today become the force that realizes net zero tomorrow. Together, we can contribute to a more sustainable, more prosperous future for generations to come. Thank you.
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao met today to discuss the planning and development of boundary control points, following an inspection of preparatory work at Huanggang Port.

Mr Tang and Mr Luo co-chaired a meeting of the task force on Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points development. Prior to the meeting, delegations from both cities visited Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area.

In addition to Huanggang Port’s progress, officials also exchanged views on the Sha Tau Kok Boundary Control Point redevelopment project.

Mr Tang noted that preparations for the upcoming opening of Huanggang Port are in full swing, with testing and drills actively underway.

Both sides aim to ensure the port operates safely, efficiently and smoothly while providing high-quality services for residents and travellers.

Representatives from the Architectural Services Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Department of Health and the Government Property Agency also attended the meeting.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 18) shut down a suspected drug manufacturing centre in Kowloon Bay and a suspected drug distribution centre in Yau Tong and seized about 1.9 kilograms of suspected cannabis oil, about 2.4kg of cannabis-infused gummy candies and about 2 200 sticks of suspected cannabis oil vape capsules. The total estimated market value was about $1.3 million. A 46-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
 
Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigation, Customs targeted a man and arrested him in Prince Edward yesterday. Customs officers escorted the man to an industrial unit in Kowloon Bay for a search and found about 1.9kg of suspected cannabis oil, about 2.4kg of cannabis-infused gummy candies and a batch of drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia. Customs officers then escorted the man to an industrial unit in Yau Tong for a search and found about 2 200 sticks of suspected cannabis oil vape capsules, about 7 grams of cannabis-infused gummy candies and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.
 
The arrestee was charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of manufacture of a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (August 20).
 
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 – 4

To prepare for the new school year, and to enhance food safety and hygiene awareness among licensed food factories supplying school lunch boxes, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched a series of operations to inspect licensed food factories supplying school lunch boxes in various districts of Hong Kong with a view to ensuring food safety. 

A spokesman for the FEHD said today (August 19), “The FEHD has enhanced inspections of food factories supplying school lunch boxes to ensure that the licensing conditions in respect of food handling and processing are observed by the operators, and that hygienic standards stipulated in the laws are met. Food samples are continuously collected for testing. Meanwhile, FEHD staff will also provide health education to operators and staff of food factories, distributing food safety pamphlets to remind them of the proper way of handling school lunch boxes.” 

The CFS hosted an online trade meeting on July 9 to remind lunch box suppliers to adhere to good hygiene practices and establish a food safety plan based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system. Suppliers may refer to the relevant guidelines for more safety information on lunch box production. Furthermore, to ensure food safety on campuses, the CFS arranged an online seminar for schools on July 29, highlighting food safety hazards such as choking and food allergies, and advising schools to choose lunch box suppliers that hold a valid Food Factory Licence issued by the FEHD and are endorsed to provide lunch boxes. Before placing orders, schools should visit the premises to ensure that food handlers observe food safety and hygiene practices. 

The CFS has published “A Practical Guide for Ensuring Food Safety in Schools and Childcare Facilities”, to which schools and childcare facilities can refer when choosing lunchbox suppliers and ensuring food safety on campus. For further details, please visit the “Safe Food at School” thematic webpage. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To ensure the smooth conduct of the 94th INTERPOL General Assembly scheduled to be held in Hong Kong in late November this year, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), in collaboration with various government departments and relevant organisations, successfully carried out a comprehensive inter-departmental exercise last night (August 18), at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Victoria Harbour and the West Kowloon area.
 
The exercise covered a wide range of measures and arrangements, including simulating crowd flow management for approximately 1 000 delegates within the venue and their movement between the main and side event venues, command and coordination of sea and land transport, wireless network stress test, and contingency deployment plans for unexpected situations. These efforts aimed to ensure that every segment of the General Assembly would proceed efficiently and smoothly, while showcasing Hong Kong’s capability and determination in hosting major international events.
 
The exercise also simulated a scenario in which terrorists rammed a vehicle into the venue and opened fire during the General Assembly, resulting in mass casualties. Concurrently, an evacuation was carried out at a neighbouring educational institution due to a separate incident. Various departments and organisations swiftly activated their emergency response mechanisms. The exercise comprehensively tested the coordination capabilities of relevant stakeholders across various key operational areas, including immediate tactical intervention, emergency response, triage and emergency medical treatment of casualties, handling of suspicious objects, and management of affected persons. By refining contingency protocols, the exercise further strengthened inter-departmental counter-terrorism readiness and incident response capabilities.
 
The exercise mobilised over 2 600 personnel from various government departments and relevant organisations, including the HKPF, the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, observed the exercise on site, and commended the professional performance and coordination of all participating units.
 
As an international metropolis, Hong Kong must maintain a high state of vigilance amidst the complex and volatile global terrorism landscape. Through this comprehensive exercise, various departments further refined collaboration and contingency protocols, making every effort to ensure meticulous preparations for the upcoming major international events.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Police today (August 19) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tuen Mun.

     Sze Po-chi, aged 81, went missing after she was last seen at a roundabout in Fu Tai Estate last night (August 18). Her family then made a report to Police.

     She is about 1.5 metres tall, 65 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short white hair. She was last seen wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, black trousers with white polka dots, grey slippers, carrying a black crossbody bag and holding a walking stick.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3128 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region