Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, from January to July 2026, 1,389 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total approved amount of US$ 13,916,690,000 were recorded. This represents a 11.48% increase in the number of cases, and a 78.13% increase in the FDI amount compared with the same period in 2025.

Regarding inward investment from Mainland China, 12 cases with a total approved amount of US$4,067,000 were recorded from January to July 2026. This reflects a 7.69% decrease in the number of cases and a 95.97% decrease in the investment amount compared with the same period in 2025.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 395 projects were registered from January to July 2026, with a total amount of US$ 61,255,651,000. This represents a 20.36% decrease in the number of cases, but a 208.43% increase in the investment amount, compared with the same period in 2025.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 142 applications were approved from January to July 2026, marking a 10.94% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The approved investment amount totaled US$ 572,895,000, representing a 25.87% decline compared with the same period in 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A woman was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for operating an employment agency (EA) without a valid licence in violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (EO). The woman was convicted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (August 17) and was fined $7,000. The court also ordered the woman to refund the service fee of $26,388 to the employer concerned.
 
     In March 2022, the LD received a complaint from an employer. As subsequent investigations revealed sufficient evidence that the woman was operating an EA without a valid licence, the LD took out prosecution against her.
 
     All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations (Cap. 57A). Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs referred, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his or her associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA. Offenders may face prosecution.
 
     The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence. The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
 
     Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)’s new “Pass It On! A Cantonese Opera Fiesta!” series will open with the stage programme “Carrying the Legacy – Lung Kim-sang Cantonese Opera Excerpts” from October 10 to 15 at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Cantonese opera virtuoso Lung Kim-sang will serve as the artistic director of the programme. She will also take the stage to perform classic excerpts from Cantonese opera masterpieces “Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom” and “Princess Changping”, alongside rising local talents, imparting the artistry to pass on the legacy of Cantonese opera.
 
The first half of the programme features selected excerpts from “Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom”, including “‘Stealing Glances at the Tipsy Beau’ and ‘Reunion at the Pavilion'”, “Ode to the Pear Blossoms” and “Three Misunderstandings during an Official Journey”. These scenes vividly portray the intricate love story of the talented scholar Zhao Ruzhou and the famous courtesan Xie Suqiu, from their meeting at the prefect’s mansion without acknowledging each other, to pouring their hearts out using red pear blossoms in the back garden, and culminating in a courtroom trial where all misunderstandings melt away, finalising their twist-filled romance. The second half brings the timeless tragedy of “Princess Changping”, featuring the excerpts “‘Reunion in the Nunnery’ and ‘Recognition'”, “Welcome Princess”, “Presenting the Memorial” and “The Fragrant Death”. It brings the wartime romance of Princess Changping and the imperial son-in-law Zhou Shixian leaping onto the stage, recreating their poignant moments as they recognise each other in a nunnery after surviving countless vicissitudes, feign allegiance to the Qing court, and ultimately wed under a camphor tree before drinking poison to die for their country.
 
The roles of Zhao Ruzhou and Zhou Shixian will be played by Lung Kim-sang, who will alternate with Lai Yiu-wai and Vong Seng-pan.  Yue Ling-lung will portray Xie Suqiu, while Leung Tsz-kei will play the role of Princess Chang Ping. Leung Wai-hong, Lo Lai-see, Fu Shu-wang and Kwan Hoi-shan will also join the cast. The cast will showcase the artistic depth of Cantonese opera that endures through the ages.
 
Tickets for this programme will be available through two methods: “Online Public Sale” and “Registration for Ticket Ballot”.
 
“Online Public Sale” arrangements
————————————–
 

Applicable performances:	October 10, 11, 12 and 15 (four performances)
Sale date:	August 24 (Monday) from 10am
Ticketing methods:	Internet booking (www.urbtix.hk), mobile ticketing app, or telephone booking ((852) 3166 1288) via URBTIX (there will be no counter booking nor self-service ticketing kiosk) (Payment by credit card only. Each credit card is limited to a maximum cumulative purchase of two tickets.)

“Registration for Ticket Ballot” arrangements
—————————————————-

Tickets for the performances on October 13 and 14 (two performances) will be sold through “Registration for Ticket Ballot”. Applicants can choose up to two tickets, of which at least one must be a concessionary ticket for senior citizens (cannot be upgraded to standard-price tickets afterwards). Successful applicants of the ticket ballot will have seats assigned by a computer system, and receive an SMS notification containing a dedicated purchase code. Successful applicants shall purchase their assigned tickets at URBTIX ticketing outlets at any LCSD performance venue within a designated period. The timetable for balloting registration and ticket purchase is as follows:
 

	Date/Period
Methods to register for ticket ballot*:	Via URBTIX website	From 10am on August 25 (Tuesday) to 9pm on August 27 (Thursday)
	Via Registration Service Counters (located at Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and Sha Tin Town Hall)	From August 25 (Tuesday) to 27 (Thursday), from 10am to 9pm
Announcement of ballot result:	September 3 to 5 (Thursday to Saturday) (Successful applicants will receive SMS notification with dedicated purchase code)
Ticket purchase period for successful applicants:	September 6 to 9 (Sunday to Wednesday) Successful applicants must visit an URBTIX outlet at any LCSD performance venue, present their SMS containing the dedicated purchase code to purchase assigned tickets

* Each person will be eligible to register for just one ballot. All registrations have an equal chance of being selected from the random ballot. There is no need to rush to register.
 
For details regarding the balloting registration and ticketing procedures, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_2008.html.
 
“Carrying the Legacy – Lung Kim-sang Cantonese Opera Excerpts” will be held at 2.30pm from October 10 to 15 at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Lyrics come with Chinese surtitles. Tickets are priced at $380, $580, $780 and $980. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit the above-mentioned programme website. For any problems encountered during the ticket ballot registration and purchase period, please email urbtix@maoyan.com.hk or call URBTIX’s ticketing enquiries and customer service hotline at 3166 1100. (Office hours are between 10am and 8pm, Monday to Sunday (including public holidays)).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of Singapore

17 August 2026 – Southwest Monsoon conditions are prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region, and are expected to persist in the coming fortnight, with winds blowing from the southeast or southwest.

2            Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on some days. There may also be several fair and occasionally windy days. The total rainfall for the second fortnight of August 2026 is forecast to be below average over most parts of the island.

3            In the second fortnight of August 2026, the daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On a few days, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of 35 degrees Celsius. Most nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures staying above 27 degrees Celsius.

4            With the dry conditions in the surrounding region, hotspots with smoke plumes have been observed, mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan. The dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days. Under the prevailing southeasterly or southwesterly winds, Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates if the situation changes. Should the 24-hour PSI enter the Unhealthy range, NEA will provide daily haze advisories.

5            For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

 REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 16 August 2026)

 6            Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of August 2026, with winds blowing mostly from the southeast or south.

7            The first half of August 2026 was mostly dry, with only a few days of brief showers over Singapore. These conditions were attributed to suppressed rain cloud formation caused by a dry air mass over Singapore and the surrounding region. Thundery showers affected parts of the island on a few days during this period. The highest rainfall recorded in the first half of August 2026 was a daily total of 39.2mm, registered at Seraya Road on 2 August 2026 and Paya Lebar on 15 August 2026.

 8        In the first half of August 2026, daily maximum temperatures exceeded 33 degrees Celsius on all but one day. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.9 degree Celsius was recorded at Pulau Ubin on 14 August 2026. The nights were warm, with minimum night-time temperatures remaining above 27 degrees Celsius across many parts of the island.

9     Well-below-average rainfall was recorded across the island in the first half of August 2026. The highest anomaly of 100 per cent below-average was recorded at Changi.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for August   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.4	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.3	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.1	°C
Average rainfall:	146.9	mm
Average number of rain days:	14
Historical Extremes for August   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.7	°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.0	°C (1962)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	526.8	mm (1878)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	11.8	mm (2019)

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

17 Aug 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Following reports of recalls in the United States involving rechargeable hand warmers due to lithium batteries overheating, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), today (August 6) posted the relevant information on its Product Safety Information Website under the “Foreign Defective Product Information” section to alert consumers. The affected products include OCOOPA rechargeable hand warmers, models UT3053, UT3056, ZLS-118, ZLS-118S, ZLS-118D, H01, and H01 (PD). The BSMI has also requested domestic online platforms and distributors to proactively remove the affected products from sale as a precautionary measure.

The BSMI urges consumers to check whether they have any of the above-mentioned models at home and to stop using them immediately. It has also instructed domestic distributors to verify whether the affected products have been imported into Taiwan. If any products are confirmed to be covered by the recall, the distributors will be required to initiate a recall. Relevant details will be published under the “Product Recall Information” section of the Product Safety Information website.

The BSMI further noted that, in response to the growing popularity of portable rechargeable electrical appliances, it has progressively expanded the scope of mandatory inspection since 2023 to include 14 types of rechargeable electrical products, including handheld fans, curling irons, and rechargeable hand warmers. Manufacturers and importers are required to complete the applicable inspection procedures before such products may be imported or released from the production premises. Rechargeable hand warmers were officially announced as products subject to mandatory inspection in 2025, with the requirements taking effect on July 1, 2026. The inspection covers key electrical safety requirements, including heating, insulation, construction, as well as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, to help ensure product safety.

The BSMI also reminds consumers to purchase only products bearing the Commodity Inspection Mark and to check the required Chinese-language labeling, including the manufacturer’s name and address, rated voltage, power consumption or current, and model number. Consumers should also follow the instructions provided in the user manual, including avoiding charging the product unattended, using it in wet or humid environments, or subjecting it to strong drops or impacts, to ensure safe use.

Business Contact: Ching-Hong Cheng, Deputy Director, Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI)
Tel. (O): +886-2343-1700 ext.1211

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will depart for a visit to Shanghai and Zhejiang tomorrow morning (August 17).

During the visit, Mr Tse will meet with the leadership of the International Cooperation Department of the State Grid Corporation of China, as well as representatives of the State Grid International Development Company Limited and the State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company. He will also visit electricity facilities including the Power Dispatching and Control Center and Superconductivity Engineering Demonstration Project display center of the State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company to learn about the latest technology and developments of local electricity networks and power transmission infrastructure.

In addition, Mr Tse will attend part of the activities of the “Green Dreams Come True: HK Electric Green Energy, Innovation, Technology and Cultural Study Tour” organised by the Hongkong Electric Company Limited, and meet with students from Hong Kong. They will also visit the “Two Mountains” scenic area in Anji County of Zhejiang Province, which is the birthplace of the concept of “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”, to learn about the successful experience in green development impetus in the fields of eco-tourism and conservation.

A representative from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department will also join the trip.

Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong on August 19. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, will be the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Invest Hong Kong today (August 13) announced that S-GAME, a leading Chinese Mainland game and content developer, has established a new Hong Kong office dedicated to game publishing and distribution, promotion, trading, and cross-media intellectual property (IP) business. Using Hong Kong as its base, the company will drive the overseas expansion of its soon-to-be-launched AAA martial-arts action game Phantom Blade Zero.

     Hailed as the most anticipated Chinese AAA game of 2026, Phantom Blade Zero has attracted keen attention from players worldwide. The martial-arts action title blends Eastern wuxia elements with dark fantasy aesthetics to form its distinctive “Kungfupunk” style. Phantom Blade Zero’s art centre is also based in Hong Kong, with the art team bringing together creative talent from across Greater China. Several veteran Hong Kong film martial-arts choreographers took part in the game’s action production, and as a result, the high-speed combat and action design within the game are rich with the flavour of Hong Kong’s martial-arts cinema. The game opened for global pre-order starting yesterday (August 12). In its latest trailer, S-GAME announced that renowned Hong Kong kung fu film star and director Donnie Yen has served as the Creative Consultant of Phantom Blade Zero since 2023, and personally performed both the motion captures and facial captures for a major in-game character, “Mó Yuan”. The game is scheduled to launch worldwide simultaneously on Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation on October 29 this year.

     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Arnold Lau said, “China is not only a vast IP consumer market, but has also become a globally recognised base for creative exports. As a hub connecting the world, Hong Kong, with its mature professional services, bilingual talent, media networks and a robust intellectual property protection regime, will provide crucial support for S-GAME’s overseas distribution and IP internationalisation. Meanwhile, Phantom Blade Zero has drawn on Hong Kong’s rich pool of international film talent and resources, fusing the martial-arts aesthetics of classic Hong Kong cinema into a next-generation video game, achieving cross-border and cross-media cultural inheritance. We look forward to enterprises leveraging Hong Kong as a base for global promotion so that outstanding works can extend their influence far and wide.”

     The Marketing Director of S-GAME, Mr Julius Li, said, “Hong Kong is the natural choice for S-GAME’s journey into international markets. Hong Kong is not only a top-tier global financial and business centre, but also a storied hub for international film and publishing – an inspiration for Phantom Blade Zero and a strategic vantage point for taking ‘Kungfupunk’ game culture global. The talent, legal and business environment, media influence and urban culture here all meet our global distribution needs and align closely with the creative roots of Phantom Blade Zero. The newly established Hong Kong office will support us in advancing international business liaisons, international advertising, IP licensing, as well as the possible future production and distribution of film and television spin-offs, bringing this work rooted in the East onto the world stage.”

     S-GAME was founded by Mr Liang Qiwei (Soulframe) in 2011, with original IPs including the Rainblood series and the Phantom Blade series of mobile games. Phantom Blade Zero, the title being launched, drew an enthusiastic response at a large-scale offline trial event held in Beijing in July 2025, capturing the attention of players at home and abroad, with cumulative views surpassing 100 million and livestream viewership exceeding 20 million.

     For more information about Phantom Blade Zero, please visit pbz.s-game.cn.