Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Sunny Tan and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (March 25):

Question:

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots (chatbots) has become increasingly popular in recent years, but it has been reported that overseas chatbot platforms were alleged to have induced users to commit suicide and unlawful acts. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) given that the Government has formulated the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Framework (the Framework) and the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Technical and Application Guideline (the Guideline) to provide guidance on identifying and managing potential risks of AI projects, whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the Framework and the Guideline in preventing chatbots from inducing users to commit acts of misconduct, including committing suicide and unlawful acts;

(2) whether the Government will consider introducing other specific measures to prevent the risk of chatbot platforms inducing users to commit acts of misconduct; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) of the measures or mechanisms put in place by the Government to encourage generative AI service providers from overseas jurisdictions to make reference to the recommendations in the Framework and the Guideline, and to ensure that the services provided by them comply with the requirements of the relevant legislation of Hong Kong?

Reply:

President,

Regarding the question from the Hon Sunny Tan, upon consulting the Department of Justice and the Security Bureau, our reply is as follows.

(1) The Government attaches great importance to the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and is committed to ensuring that members of the public possess sufficient safety awareness and literacy when using such technologies. In 2021, the Digital Policy Office (DPO) published the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Framework (the Framework) to provide clear guidance for projects involving the development and application of AI technology, with a view to identifying and effectively managing the potential risks and considerations associated with such projects. The Framework recommends that AI applications implement security measures such as adopting technological means to identify unintended, false, or inaccurate outputs, so as to mitigate the risk of applications generating inappropriate or illegal content. 

In April 2025, the DPO also published the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Technical and Application Guideline (the Guideline), stating that service providers are responsible for ensuring that their service systems do not output illegal, non-compliant, or inappropriate content, and should establish mechanisms to enhance the traceability and auditability of their systems. At the same time, the Guideline reminds service users to be aware that AI-generated content may contain misleading, false, or inaccurate information, and to exercise independent judgement when using such content.

The Government has been closely monitoring the development of AI and will review and update relevant guidelines and regulations as necessary to cope with new challenges brought by the technology. The most recent updates to the Framework and the Guidelines were released in December 2025.

(2) The Government has been broadly enhancing public awareness and preparedness regarding AI, information security, and cybersecurity through various channels. For example, the DPO, through the thematic website “Cyber Security Information Portal”, introduces to the public on how to use AI tools properly, including avoiding the disclosure of sensitive personal and work-related information, selecting reputable AI tools that prioritise data security, and carefully reviewing the privacy policies, data processing policies and the terms of use of the relevant AI tools.

Regarding the legal framework, to review whether the laws under different policy areas can keep pace with technological developments including AI, the Secretary for Justice has convened a Steering Committee meeting on March 6 on the establishment of the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI (Working Group). The establishment of the Working Group is crucial for addressing issues arising from the rapid development and widespread application of AI, and its core members will come from different policy bureaux and government departments. Each policy bureau and government department will first conduct a comprehensive and in-depth review of existing laws to identify loopholes or deficiencies, and then based on the actual circumstances of Hong Kong, explore targeted and practicable solutions (including the need for and feasibility of enacting specific legislation or implementing administrative measures).

(3) The Government welcomes innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises from the Mainland and other regions to establish or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, thereby providing local people with more I&T applications. The Guidelines and Framework are consistent with the direction of similar documents on AI ethics and safety standards issued by other regions. Relevant enterprises may refer to the Guidelines and Framework as guidance for developing local products or services. On the other hand, most of the existing laws in Hong Kong are, in principle, applicable to the online world, and can effectively regulate the risks and illegal activities related to AI applications. If an AI service provider extends its business operations to Hong Kong, it must comply with relevant Hong Kong laws. If such operations are suspected of violating the law, law enforcement agencies may investigate and take follow-up actions in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, the Government recognises the cross-border nature of generative AI services and will, through the soon-to-be-launched Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute, promote the establishment of an AI governance framework and related standards in line with international practices. This aims to foster exchanges and co-operation between the Mainland and the international community regarding AI governance and technical standards, thereby addressing the diverse risks associated with generative AI through strategies covering soft guidelines, laws, standard alignment, etc.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Dominic Lee and a reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (March 25):
        
Question:

     There are views that the current arrangements under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS), which focuses on implementing major maintenance works, may not fully address the actual needs of housing estates where buildings are in good condition. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it will revise the building score system for target buildings under MBIS to include factors such as routine maintenance records, whether a maintenance fund of a reasonable scale has been set up and the past performance of property management companies (PMCs) as considerations, so that housing courts where buildings’ structures are in good condition and maintenance records are in order may postpone mandatory building inspections or implement ongoing maintenance plans in replacement of major maintenance works under safe circumstances; if so, of the details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(2) of the respective numbers of cases received and approved, and for which the works have been completed under the various funding schemes (including the Integrated Building Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme) implemented by the Government to assist property owners in taking forward the major maintenance projects in each of the past five years; and
 
(3) as there are views that given the increasingly important roles of PMCs in providing assistance in supervising building maintenance works, apart from continuously applying the codes of conduct issued by the Property Management Services Authority, whether the Government will enact legislation to specify the statutory responsibilities of the management companies in relation to mandatory building inspections and major maintenance works, including assisting in administration and monitoring of the tendering procedures and enhancing the transparency of project information, with a view to avoiding problems of unreasonable costs or unclear accounts; if so, of the details and the specific directions; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     It is the fundamental responsibility of property owners to maintain their properties. Under a two-pronged strategy, the Government, on the one hand, encourages and supports property owners to maintain and repair their properties. This includes the Government partnering with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to provide financial and technical support to property owners in need, assisting them with inspection and repair works. On the other hand, the Government takes proactive intervention where dilapidated buildings pose a public safety hazard. 
(1) Under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS), when a private building reaches 30 years of age or above, the Buildings Department (BD) may, in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), issue a MBIS notice to the buildings in need, requiring the owner to appoint a registered inspector to carry out prescribed inspections and, where necessary, prescribed repair works in accordance with the result of the inspections.
 
     I would like to emphasise that the legislation does not require all private buildings that have reached 30 years of age to undergo mandatory prescribed inspections. Since the MBIS was implemented in 2012, the BD has successively issued MBIS notices to approximately 9 000 buildings. About 70 per cent of these buildings were already of age 50 years or more at the time the notices were issued. In fact, the BD adopts a risk-based approach in accordance with the building score system to identify buildings for issuing MBIS notices. The current scoring system, which was formulated after consultation with professional bodies and the District Councils, has a maximum score of 100 points. The higher the score, the greater the chance a building will be selected. Currently, under the system, around 70 per cent of the score covers “building condition”, such as emergency report of building defects, outstanding investigation or repair orders, or ranked to be in “poor” condition in the URA’s building condition survey. 10 per cent of the score depends on “building management”, such as whether the building is classified as a “three-nil building”; 10 per cent depends on building age; while the remaining 10 per cent depends on whether the building has cantilevered structures to prevent structural failure and collapse due to compromised load-bearing capacity. 
(2) The Government has since 2018 introduced a number of subsidy schemes in partnership with the URA with a total financial commitment of $19 billion, including the Operation Building Bright 2.0, the Fire Safety Improvement Works Subsidy Scheme, the Lift Modernisation Subsidy Scheme, the Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Needy Owners and the Building Drainage System Repair Subsidy Scheme. Figures on applications received, approved, and works completed relating to these subsidy schemes are set out in the Annex. In addition, it was announced in the Budget that the Government will conduct a comprehensive review of the Operation Building Bright 2.0 and draw on past experience to formulate a new subsidy scheme. The Government has earmarked $3 billion for this purpose. We will complete the review early next year and finalise the details of the new subsidy scheme, at which time we will also consult the Legislative Council.
 
(3) According to the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), as a result of the commencement of the new procurement requirements stipulated under the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) (BMO) in July last year, the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) has updated the Code of Conduct on Carrying Out Procurement for Clients and Prevention of Bid-rigging and the related Best Practice Guide under the Property Management Services Ordinance (Cap. 626) (PMSO). These updates assist PMCs in handling procurement in a professional and effective manner. If the PMSA has reasonable grounds to suspect that a licensee has failed to comply with the Code, it may initiate an investigation. Upon completion of the investigation and if a disciplinary offence is confirmed, the PMSA may conduct a hearing and impose penalties according to the PMSO, including verbal warnings or written reprimands, fines, imposing or varying a condition of the licence, temporarily suspending the licence, or revoking the licence.
 
     As part of the work in deepening the reform of building management, the HYAB is taking forward the next-phase review and amendment of the BMO. The five preliminary amendment directions include increasing the quorum and voting-in-person thresholds for meetings concerning large-scale maintenance works and high-value procurement; further improving the mechanism of declaration of interests by requiring the works consultants to declare their relationships with the contractors, thereby enhancing the transparency of the procurement process. Following the approach taken in the previous BMO amendment, the PMSA will also update the related Codes of Conduct in tandem with the amendments to the BMO, enabling licensed PMCs to assist owners’ corporations and owners in fulfilling their building management responsibilities more effectively.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau today announced a five-year collaboration arrangement with Art Basel, solidifying Hong Kong’s status as the exclusive regional host city.

The agreement aims to deepen the Government’s partnership with the world-renowned art fair over the next five years.

Beyond the annual fair held each March, Art Basel Hong Kong will continue to promote public art and education in the city. It will also support the bureau in developing strategies to further enhance the local art ecosystem and market.

Speaking at the opening reception of Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 today, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law said the long-term partnership underscores the Government’s commitment to cementing Hong Kong’s status as a global hub for premium arts trading. She added that the collaboration reinforces the city’s role as a premier centre for international cultural exchange between East and West.

Over the next five years, the Government and Art Basel will work together to elevate Hong Kong’s high-end arts trading platform and showcase the brilliance of local and Asian talent to a global audience.

Miss Law expressed confidence that the partnership will extend beyond the exhibition hall to the wider community.

She noted that Art Basel Hong Kong has consistently served as a powerful engine for the city’s mega-event economy, attracting art enthusiasts, collectors and industry leaders from around the world to experience Hong Kong’s unique energy.

The bureau highlighted that Art Basel Hong Kong has become a flagship event and a key fixture on the city’s international event calendar since its debut in 2013. 

Last year, the five-day fair featured 240 galleries from 42 countries and regions. It attracted over 86,000 visitors with more than half travelling from outside Hong Kong specifically for the event.

Looking ahead, the bureau said that its close collaboration with Art Basel Hong Kong will continue to foster the growth of the cultural and arts industries, delivering sustained economic and social benefits for Hong Kong.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of March 24, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Chairman Eto Seishiro. In remarks, President Lai thanked the association for its longstanding support for Taiwan and for promoting exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in various fields. He stated that Taiwan and Japan have established models for close cooperation in such key fields as semiconductors and AI, while travel between the two countries has continued to increase. The president expressed hope that bilateral ties will steadily grow, and that Taiwan and Japan can build on their existing foundations to further expand cooperation and contribute even more to regional economic development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I want to extend a warm welcome to Chairman Eto, who is leading a delegation from the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association on another visit to Taiwan. I look forward to conducting an in-depth exchange of views on a range of important issues with our guests shortly so that we can continue to expand our bilateral cooperation.
I would like to thank Chairman Eto for his strong and longstanding support for Taiwan, and for his outstanding contributions to Taiwan-Japan relations. For many years, under Chairman Eto’s leadership, the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association has actively promoted bilateral exchanges among legislators and in other fields. These activities have continued to deepen mutual understanding and trust, and have further elevated the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. On behalf of all our citizens, I wish to convey sincere appreciation to our guests.
After Taiwan’s Hualien County was hit by a major earthquake in 2024, the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association donated funds to assist with reconstruction. Taiwan is  deeply grateful and moved by this gesture. The heartfelt concern and support shown by people from all walks of life in Japan have laid a solid foundation for Taiwan and Japan to cooperate in disaster response and in efforts to strengthen societal resilience. In recent years, due to the continuous expansion of authoritarianism, the issue of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait has received a high level of attention in the international community. I want to thank the government of Japan for emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at numerous international venues. Just last week, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting, following which they issued a fact sheet  reiterating their commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This reflects the concern and support for regional security within the international community.
In the face of regional challenges, besides continuing to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, Taiwan will also deepen cooperation with Japan and other like-minded friends and allies in order to jointly defend regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Taiwanese and Japanese industries have already established models for close cooperation in such key fields as semiconductors and AI, and have played a crucial role in global supply chain stability. I am confident that Taiwan and Japan will be able to build on our existing foundations to further expand cooperation, bringing progress and prosperity to both nations while contributing even more to regional economic development.
Last year, the total number of visitors traveling between Taiwan and Japan exceeded 8.2 million. I hope that in the future, we can push that number beyond 10 million. The Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association has organized delegations to Taiwan many times. I hope that with the support of Chairman Eto and our other guests, the number of visitors traveling between our two countries will grow even more. This will help spur the growth of our tourism sectors and economies, deepen the ties of friendship between our peoples, and enable Taiwan-Japan relations to steadily grow. In closing, I wish the delegation a pleasant and successful visit, and hope you make wonderful and lasting memories here in Taiwan.
Chairman Eto then delivered remarks, first expressing sincere gratitude to President Lai for taking the time to meet with the delegation. He noted that the history of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association dates back to 1949, when it was organized as a club . It was later restructured as the East Asia Friendship Association  in 1971, he said, and adopted its current name in 2018. He emphasized that the association has long been dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and exchanges and continuing to deepen bilateral relations, and that its core mission has remained unchanged.
Chairman Eto mentioned that in President Lai’s National Day Address last year, he noted that democratic Taiwan is a crucial link for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific, and as such, will work to uphold the status quo; furthermore, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are seen as cornerstones of regional economic prosperity.  The chairman then noted the consensus reached at the recent Japan-US summit, where the Japanese prime minister and US president emphasized the critical importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for regional security and global prosperity.
Chairman Eto stated that amid the changing international situation, Taiwan’s performance in freedom, human rights, and the rule of law has been recognized by the international community, and these core values are increasingly important in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized his full support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Criminal Police Organization, demonstrating a firm stance of support.
Regarding Taiwan-Japan exchanges, Chairman Eto also noted that the number of visitors between Taiwan and Japan has exceeded 8 million, and they will work toward the goal of 10 million. He stated that grassroots exchanges are also vital, especially interactions between young people, and expressed hope for more frequent and in-depth exchanges between senior high school and junior high school students. The chairman said that he looks forward to continuing to work with Taiwan to further deepen various cooperative relationships. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced that Leonie Lee will assume the post of District Officer (Sha Tin) tomorrow, succeeding Frederick Yu.

Ms Lee joined the Administrative Service in 2006. She has served in various bureaus and departments, including the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office, the then Home Affairs Bureau, the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Development Bureau, the then Food & Health Bureau and the Health Bureau.

Before taking up the new post, Ms Lee was Commissioner for Harbourfront at the Development Bureau.

Source: Government of Singapore

25 March 2026  – The National Environment Agency (NEA) continued its stepped-up enforcement approach to uphold high standards of public cleanliness in 2025.

Over 13,600 enforcement actions taken for littering offences in 2025 

2.        In 2025, NEA took approximately 13,600 enforcement actions for littering offences islandwide, of which 13,200 were for ground littering. At cleanliness hotspots – identified through localised litter counts, public feedback and sustained ground observations – enforcement efforts were enhanced through visible patrols, standees, surveillance cameras, and ground engagements.

3.         About 300 enforcement blitzes were conducted at hotspots, more than double the blitzes in 2024.  Additionally, NEA issued over 700 Corrective Work Orders (CWO) in 2025, with 60 CWO sessions conducted at cleanliness hotspots to enhance deterrence. These targeted measures proved effective, resulting in a 40 per cent reduction in litter count at hotspots observed over a six-month period. 

About 350 enforcement actions taken for high-rise littering in 2025

4.           High-rise littering feedback has remained stable over the past three years, averaging 28,600 feedback cases annually. In 2025, NEA conducted approximately 2,200 camera deployments and took about 350 [1] enforcement actions for high-rise littering offences.

5.           One notable enforcement outcome involved a case at Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. Following persistent feedback of high-rise littering, surveillance cameras were deployed and successfully captured multiple acts of littering from a unit within a two-week period. The offender was convicted in court and fined a total of $2,800. 

6.            Under the Environmental Public Health Act, any individual who litters is liable on conviction to a court fine of up to $2,000 for a first conviction, $4,000 for a second conviction, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent convictions. The court may also impose a Corrective Work Order, requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours. 

Strengthening detection through extended surveillance and partnerships

7.           NEA continues to explore new ways to enhance surveillance and enforcement capabilities. Since August 2025, NEA has extended camera surveillance duration for high-rise littering from 14 days to up to 28 days, to improve the effectiveness of the intervention.  

8.            In October 2025, NEA also introduced a six-month pilot programme with town councils (TCs), providing each TC with two high-rise littering surveillance camera deployments per month, to enable TCs to respond to the ground situation. TCs can deploy cameras at high-rise littering hotspots identified by their ground staff. All TCs have joined the pilot, with 39 cameras deployed since October 2025 with a 30 per cent catch-rate.

About 1,300 enforcement actions for rat-related lapses in 2025

9.            NEA’s two-monthly surveillance cycle showed a decrease in the average number of rat burrows per cycle from about 5,400 in the first half of 2025 to about 4,200 in the second half of the year. Majority of burrows were detected in public housing estates, followed by grass verges along roadsides and in industrial estates. 

10.           Since 1 April 2025, NEA has tightened enforcement against premises managers and owners for rat-related lapses including poor refuse management and housekeeping practices, defects in refuse handling facilities (e.g. bins, bin centres), and presence of rat harbourage. About 1,300 enforcement actions were jointly taken by NEA and the Singapore Food Agency against premises owners for rat-related lapses, of which about 620 were for poor refuse management.  

11.          Targeted operations were conducted in areas such as Little India, which saw stepped up rat control efforts since September 2025. These efforts included engaging stakeholders on good housekeeping and proper refuse management, conducting regular night inspections, and stepped-up enforcement. Between September 2025 and January 2026, a total of 114 enforcement actions were taken against premises owners and operators for rat-related lapses, of which 70 were for poor refuse management [2] . With the collective efforts of stakeholders in the area, NEA’s latest thermal and passive infrared camera deployments showed up to 70 per cent reduction in rat activities at various locations within Little India. 

12.          Sustained efforts from all stakeholders remain crucial, as rat populations can quickly rebound if good housekeeping practices are not maintained consistently. NEA will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach encompassing enforcement, innovative solutions, and stakeholder engagements, to uphold high standards of public cleanliness. Everyone plays a part to keep Singapore clean. All residents are encouraged to take active ownership of cleanliness in their environment and report public health offences via the OneService app. 

[1] Data is provisional as of 6 March 2026

[2] Data is provisional as of 6 March 2026

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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) and Friends of the Country Parks will hold the Country Parks Hiking & Planting Day 2026 on two separate Sundays, April 19 and April 26.

The event, at Tai Lam Chung Country Trail, Tai Lam Country Park, is open to the public. Participants can register on-site at the designated point from 9am to 10.30am on each of the event days. No pre-registration is required.

Seedlings and planting tools will be provided by the AFCD. Seedlings will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The department reminded the public to assess their physical strength and hiking experience before taking part.

Participants are also encouraged to hike with friends or family members and help conserve the countryside by practising proper hiking etiquette. This includes bringing reusable water bottles and towels, as well as following the “Take Your Litter Home” principle.