Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, at the Low-altitude Economy Development Conference at InnoEx 2026 today (April 15):

Mr Mukhametkaliyev (Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev), Professor Zhang (President of the Liaoning General Aviation Academy, Professor Zhang Qingxin), Dr Boonfueng (Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency, Thailand, Dr Krithpaka Boonfueng), Dr Jane Lee (President of Our Hong Kong Foundation), the Honourable Elizabeth Quat (Founding President of the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance, Dr Elizabeth Quat), Ms Jenny Koo (Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I would like to begin by thanking the organisers of InnoEx 2026 for putting together this marvellous conference yet again in Hong Kong. And my thanks go to TDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council), of course, for everything that TDC has been doing to promote low altitude economy.

Last year, at the 2025 edition of this event, I shared with you Hong Kong’s ambitious plan to develop our low altitude economy. I’m now more than delighted to update you on the significant progress that has since been made, and to share with you the next steps Hong Kong is going to take. 

It is estimated that the low altitude economy could represent a global total addressable market of up to US$9 trillion by 2050. So the potential for growth and the size of this sector over the long term are both enormous.

Here in Hong Kong, we are determined to leverage this huge potential for our economic growth. We will also drive institutional innovation and technological breakthrough. In the process, we will capitalise upon Hong Kong’s unique strengths under “one country, two systems”; our leading positions as a global financial centre and international trade, logistics and aviation hub; and our fast-growing innovation and tech sector.

To put it simply, we are striving to build an internationally competitive ecosystem for our low altitude economy, and to position Hong Kong as the Asia Pacific hub for innovative low-altitude applications.

We started this journey by launching the first batch of low altitude economy regulatory sandbox projects back in March last year. So far, a total of 38 projects have been announced in this batch, with applications across diverse sectors and environments, covering scenarios such as emergency and rescue, logistics and distribution, infrastructure surveillance and maintenance. To date, more than 20 projects that are more mature have successfully transitioned from the exploratory stage to implementation stage. They’ve grown from just test concepts to market solutions with actual service providers and buyers. To facilitate this development, our Civil Aviation Department has issued a number of advisory circulars to provide operators with clear guidance to follow and to provide the market with transparent and effective guardrails.

It is noteworthy that many of these sandbox projects have inspired further innovation in new technologies and operational models. As an example, the MTR Corporation’s intelligent drone system for tunnel inspection and asset digitisation, and the Hong Kong Government’s “SmartAERO”, which is a smart drone management platform, have both won international awards and recognition at the International Exhibition of Inventions held in Geneva last month.

Over the past year, the Government has advanced the legal backbone for low altitude economy through progressive amendments to our civil aviation legislation. The first milestone was reached in July 2025 with the legislation to extend the prevailing regulatory regime to cover larger-scale aircraft weighing over 25 kilograms but not more than 150kg, and empower the trial operations of unconventional aircraft weighing more than 150kg under specified conditions. We believe these amendments to our law will open up new possibilities for more complex applications, especially in our logistics and industrial sectors.

Over the past year, the Government has also kick-started the early planning of the core infrastructure requirements necessary to support a scalable, and higher density, low altitude ecosystem. It includes key elements such as vertiports, air route networks, satellite positioning, three-dimensional spatial data systems and a smart low-altitude traffic management system. In particular, my thanks go to the Office of the Communications Authority which launched the Unmanned Aircraft System (Private) Licence late last year. The Authority has also earmarked the 1.4 GHz spectrum band as the dedicated spectrum for allocation to licensees of unmanned aircraft operations. We believe this is a strategic move which will enhance the reliability and range for command and control links, and will strengthen the technical compatibility for cross-boundary low altitude flights as they are developed.

Ladies and gentlemen, the above is just a short recap of what Hong Kong has done since the Conference last year. Going forward, we will do more. We have to do more. Many of you would be aware that the year 2026 is the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, so Hong Kong will also proactively work to ensure that developments in our robust low altitude economy also align with this all important plan for our future. 

Let me give you just a few examples. Firstly, we are in the process of rolling out another phase of regulatory sandboxes, called Sandbox X. I’ve been told that the word “X” means extension, another level, etc. Sandbox X targets applications that are more advanced, more complicated or have a heavier infrastructure content. I am pleased to report that more than 100 applications have been received, and I am delighted to say that a number of applications related to unmanned aircraft traffic management system and also unconventional aircraft will soon be implemented as pilot projects. Applications in other areas such as cross-boundary operations and a multiple applications shared-platform, are being looked at and we will announce the results shortly.

Secondly, we will draft an action plan on developing the low altitude economy. It will set out a clear way forward, and outline the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders. In drafting the plan, we will draw reference from the best practices around the world, and we will take full account of the experiences gained from sandbox and Sandbox X. Importantly, the plan will also feature the next-phase of legislative and regulatory enhancements that are necessary to lay a firm foundation for the development of our low altitude economy.

Thirdly, we will continue to forge closer integration with the Mainland in maximising the synergy of the low altitude economy in different parts of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. For example, we will work with the relevant authorities to harmonise standards and procedures to facilitate the early commencement of cross-boundary flight operations. We believe this will, in the longer term, unlock a new logistics mode for high-value, last-mile delivery for the entire Greater Bay Area, which has a population of about 90 million people and presents enormous potential for business and profits for those who are ready.

Fourthly, and last but not least, we will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s unique strengths as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to contribute towards the national low altitude economy strategy. Today’s InnoEX serves as a prime example of bringing together enterprises, experts, sellers and buyers from the Chinese Mainland and from overseas. Together, we will discover new business opportunities and forge new partnerships. It is our firm belief that, as the global low altitude economy grows, Hong Kong will also have a bigger and bigger role to play, especially in providing an effective, two-way platform for the Chinese Mainland as well as overseas enterprises, and to provide all the support, in finance, in risk management, in logistics as well as a host of other areas, that they need to succeed.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your attention and for being such a wonderful audience. In closing, I would like to thank the organisers one more time, and to thank the TDC also for one more time. And for everyone here, I wish you great success. Thank you all very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Transport Department (TD) today (April 15) announced that the auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on May 2 (Saturday) at Meeting Room S221, L2, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

“A total of 100 personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be put up for public auction in the morning session, and 220 traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) will be put up for auction in the afternoon session. The list of marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.

For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.

The reserve price of each PVRM is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also attend the physical auction and participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

People who wish to participate in the bidding at the physical auction should take note of the following points:

(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:

(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. Any bidder who wishes to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs on the same day, should bring along at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices (for an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed). Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount on the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through the EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Vehicle Registration Mark or the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(4) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.

(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.

(6) Special vehicle registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special vehicle registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special vehicle registration mark shall be cancelled.

(7) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the vehicle registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the registration mark will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation by the Commissioner for Transport in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

“Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.
    
For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of TVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html) and Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present two classical music lecture series from May to July, hosted by seasoned music practitioner Jimmy Shiu. Through appreciating the “24 Caprices” for solo violin by early Romantic period musician and Italian violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, alongside a selection of Romantic piano concertos, the lectures will explore the pursuit of virtuosity among musicians and the musical ingenuity embedded in these works. 

     The first series, “Paganini 24 Caprices”, comprises four lectures. In addition to an overview of Paganini’s life and musical style, the series will delve into his virtuosic masterpiece, “24 Caprices” – a work revered as a cornerstone of the violin repertoire and regarded as a precursor to 19th-century Romanticism. Each lecture will examine the technical demands of individual caprices, with violinist Wang Liang to present live demonstrations of the complete set. Excerpts will be performed at varied tempos and with different interpretive approaches, offering audiences deeper insights into the musical imagination contained in the entire work. ———————————————————————
Lecture 1
Date: May 20 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 1 – 6Date: May 27 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 7 – 12Date: June 3 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 13 – 18Date: June 10 (Wednesday)
Compositions: “24 Caprices”: Nos. 19 – 24—————————————————————————-
Lecture 1: Introduction and the Early Romantics 
Date: June 17 (Wednesday) 
Compositions: Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, ‘Emperor'” and Mendelssohn’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor” Date: June 24 (Wednesday) 
Compositions: Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor” and Liszt’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat”Date: July 8 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Schumann’s “Piano Concerto in A minor” and Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A minor”Date: July 15 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor” and “Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat”Date: July 22 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor” and Saint-Saens’ “Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor”Date: July 29 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor” and “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (April 15) that it registered 13 lease modifications and two land exchanges in the Land Registry during the quarter ending March 2026, of which three were modifications of a technical nature involving nil premium.

Among these 15 land transactions, one is located on Hong Kong Island, 10 are in Kowloon and four are in the New Territories. The transactions exclude Small House cases.

A further 10 lots were granted by private treaty during the period. One was granted for the development of the university in Ho Man Tin; one was granted for an electricity substation in Tung Chung; one was granted to Urban Renewal Authority for residential development in Kowloon City, one was granted to the MTR Corporation Limited for residential development in Tuen Mun; and the other six were granted to the Hong Kong Housing Authority for public housing developments.
 
​There were no lot extensions registered during the quarter.

The above land transactions realised a total land premium of about $2,107.2 million.

Transaction records of the lease modifications, land exchanges, private treaty grants and lot extensions, including those registered recently, are uploaded to the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/land-disposal-transaction/land-transaction.html) on a monthly basis. Details of the transactions may be obtained by searching the registered documents in the Land Registry.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

At AutoTronics Taipei 2026, the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) presented the TARC Pavilion, showcasing Taiwan’s advancements in smart mobility and new energy vehicle technologies. Centered on the themes of AI and New Energy, the pavilion brought together 7 research institutes and 28 industry partners to present 10 major R&D achievements, highlighting Taiwan’s expanding role in the global smart vehicle supply chain.

DoIT noted that the convergence of artificial intelligence and new energy powertrains is accelerating transformation in the automotive sector. Leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in ICT, the output value of its automotive electronics industry is projected to exceed NT$600 billion by 2026.

Two flagship innovations attracted significant attention. The first, the AI All-Around Intelligent Cockpit developed by the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), integrates advanced sensing technologies to enhance both in-cabin and external safety. Key features include driver eye-tracking, AI-based physiological monitoring, child presence detection, and an AI-powered exterior sentry system. These functions enable real-time monitoring of driver condition, occupant presence, and surrounding risks, significantly improving driving safety. The technology has already supported 20 Taiwanese companies in expanding into international markets, including North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.

The second highlight was Taiwan’s first 16-ton intercity hydrogen electric bus, developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). Designed to overcome the range and charging limitations of battery electric vehicles in long-distance transport, the bus can be refueled in just 15 minutes and has a driving range of up to 420 kilometers. The project demonstrates strong domestic integration of fuel cell systems, motors, and power control technologies, and is progressing toward UN R134 certification-an important milestone for entering the global hydrogen vehicle market.

Overall, the TARC Pavilion demonstrated Taiwan’s capabilities in integrating R&D, manufacturing, and system validation across the smart vehicle ecosystem. By combining AI innovation, energy transition technologies, and industry collaboration, Taiwan is strengthening its global competitiveness and advancing toward a higher-value position in the future mobility market.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, from January to March 2026, 556 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total approved amount of US$ 6,090,292,000 were recorded. This represents a 17.55% increase in the number of cases, and a 169.99% increase in the FDI amount compared with the same period in 2025.

Regarding inward investment from Mainland China, 3 cases with a total approved amount of US$99,000 were recorded from January to March 2026. This reflects a 50% decrease in the number of cases and a 99.90% decrease in the investment amount compared with the same period in 2025.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 154 projects were registered in March 2026, with a total amount of US$ 32,545,837,000. This represents a 16.30% decrease in the number of cases, but a 166.05% increase in the investment amount, compared with the same period in 2025.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 49 applications were approved in March 2026, marking a 6.52% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The approved investment amount totaled US$ 244,004,000, representing a 28.77% decline compared with the same period in 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Education Bureau announced today that the Basic Law & National Security Law Test (BLNST) (non-degree level) for the 2025-26 school year will be held on June 7.

Online applications will be open from 9am on April 17 to 5pm on April 30.

The test is intended for those who do not hold a bachelor’s degree and plan to apply for non-graduate teaching positions in secondary schools, primary schools or kindergartens.

A pass result in the non-degree level BLNST is applicable only for non-graduate teaching posts. Candidates who have already passed a BLNST organised by the Education Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau or recruiting departments/grades are not eligible to retake the test.

People holding a bachelor’s degree, or those expected to obtain one in the current or next academic year, are eligible to apply for the Digitalised BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades).

Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, all newly appointed teachers in public sector schools, Direct Subsidy Scheme schools, and kindergartens under the Kindergarten Education Scheme must pass the BLNST to be considered for appointment.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Janice Tse will depart for Beijing this afternoon to discuss Hong Kong’s alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

The delegation will call on the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, and is scheduled to return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.

During their absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be the Acting Chief Secretary, while Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will serve as Acting Financial Secretary. Under Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Clement Woo will be the Acting Secretary. 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to foreign media reports alleging that Taiwan is highly dependent on energy imports, maintains low LNG inventories, and that maritime disruptions could impact power supply and disrupt civil and economic operations, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) issued a stern clarification today (14th). In the 46 days since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict on February 28, the government has managed dispatches effectively, and there have been no instances of domestic power or natural gas shortages. The MOEA obtained and assessed the relevant information immediately and activated the Energy Emergency Task Force on March 2. The Task Force conducts daily inventories of domestic oil, gas, and coal reserves, all of which currently remain above legally mandated safety levels. Not only is the domestic energy supply fully secure, but Taiwan’s LNG inventory regulations, supply dispatching, and crisis response capabilities are also superior to those of other nations. The “severe shortage crisis” described by the media is entirely unfounded, and the MOEA urges the public and the industrial sector to remain assured.

The MOEA specifically noted that Taiwan currently mandates a minimum of 11 days of natural gas safety stock, a requirement that will be elevated to at least 14 days starting in 2027. Compared to neighboring Asian countries-where Japan currently has no natural gas safety stock regulations and South Korea requires only 9 days-Taiwan’s regulatory standards are significantly superior, reflecting more rigorous and solid preparedness. Furthermore, to mitigate risks associated with potential blockages in the Strait of Hormuz, CPC Corporation, CPC, Taiwan has long initiated a three-phase contingency framework: “Preemptive Delivery,” “Asian Cargo Swaps,” and “Spot Market Procurement.” Currently, all gas supplies for April and May have been fully secured and dispatched; June’s supply is nearing completion, and sourcing arrangements for July and beyond have already commenced, ensuring uninterrupted domestic gas supply.

The MOEA further pointed out that, according to the International Energy Agency’s review of countries’ energy response policies to the Middle East conflict, many countries globally have implemented mandatory gas restrictions and energy reduction strategies. In contrast, owing to preemptive measures and proper current dispatch management, Taiwan has ensured the normal operation of civilian life and the economy, demonstrating that our nation’s energy resilience is relatively superior to that of other countries.

Regarding the overall power supply, the MOEA emphasized that CPC, Taiwan and Taipower maintain a tight early-warning mechanism, and the blackout risks suggested in the media will not occur. All of Taipower’s generating units are currently operating according to scheduled protocols, and concrete contingency plans have been prepared to ensure stable electricity supply for both national civilian operations and industries under various extreme scenarios.

Spokesperson:
Mr. Chung-Hsien Chen, Deputy Director General , Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7700 / +886-919-998-339
Email: ctchen2@moeaea.gov.tw

Contact Person:
Ms. Hsiu-Fen Tsai, Director, Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7730/ +886-905-506-658
Email: hftsai@moeaea.gov.tw