Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) today said the claim that its enforcement officers “identify a dog as a fighting dog at a glance” is entirely unfounded.

 

It clarified that the criteria adopted for identifying such dogs aligns with common international practice for identifying fighting dog types, adding that this meets scientific and professional standards and takes into full consideration the actual safety risks posed by the dog.

 

The department issued an explanatory note in light of recent suspected cases of fighting dogs being kept illegally. These case have aroused public concern and given rise to some misconceptions in the community.

 

Under the Dogs & Cats Ordinance and related regulations, importation, breeding, and unlicensed keeping of fighting dogs are prohibited.

 

A police officer or authorised AFCD officer who has reasonable grounds to suspect unlawful possession of a dog – for instance, an unlicensed fighting dog – has the authority to seize and detain the dog until it can be identified and for follow-up action to be taken. 

 

Generally speaking, officers will take a dog away for inspection and observation with the owner’s consent. Where the dog concerned does not pose an immediate danger and the owner is able to implement appropriate precautionary measures, the AFCD may allow the owner to bring the dog to an Animal Management Centre.

 

The AFCD urged members of the public to understand and co-operate with its enforcement actions to jointly maintain community safety.

 

As to the criteria for identifying fighting dogs, the AFCD said that before classifying a dog as a fighting dog, its veterinary officers will carefully observe a dog’s physical characteristics and proportions, its body structure, and other related features to assess whether it truly possesses the high-risk traits characteristic of fighting dog types.

 

Regarding suggestions that genetic testing should be used to identify such dogs, the AFCD said this is not the optimal method, as dogs carrying genes from fighting dog types do not necessarily develop all the physical characteristics and features of fighting dogs.

 

The current internationally common practice involves an identification standard that assesses dogs’ physicality and characteristics.

 

The AFCD said it will continue to monitor technological developments and study the latest genetic testing methods, with a view to considering the possibility of using these as auxiliary identification tools in the future.

 

Dog owners may consult a registered veterinarian or contact the AFCD for assistance if they are uncertain as to whether their pets fall into the fighting dog category.

 

As long as strict regulatory conditions are met, current legislation allows owners to continue keeping neutered fighting dogs, the AFCD added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government has announced that the existing Commission on Poverty will be renamed as the Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation, highlighting its strategic direction and firm commitment to advancing poverty alleviation.

Chairing the new-term commission’s first meeting today, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the current-term Government is committed to building a comprehensive poverty alleviation system and to providing a safety net through inclusive social services, encompassing housing, healthcare, education and social welfare. He added that it upholds a people-oriented approach, offering focused and effective support to those most in need.

Members noted that the last two terms of the commission targeted subdivided unit households, single-parent households and elderly households, and identified the difficulties and pain points of these groups by considering their unique characteristics.

The commission launched a series of targeted poverty alleviation measures tailored to these target groups, involving tripartite collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community.

The new-term commission has determined that the targeted poverty alleviation strategy should be adjusted in response to changing societal needs. It will review the strategy and introduce a new target group so that more people requiring assistance can benefit.

Members also highlighted that the Government is preparing to establish a social welfare project matching platform, and aims to roll out the first round of matching activities this year. This initiative will help institutionalise the tripartite collaborative model to support vulnerable people, and will connect business resources with community welfare projects to provide innovative and targeted services for those in need.

The members also took note of officials’ reports on the work of the Community Care Fund and the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund, as well as the progress of various funded assistance programmes.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today met the University Grants Committee (UGC) to exchange views on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s higher education sector.

The discussion focused on several key areas, including strengthening the integration of industry, academia and research through the Northern Metropolis University Town Area development. The meeting also covered building Hong Kong into an international education hub through national and global partnerships, as well as promoting the city’s leadership role in research, teaching and learning in the digital era.

UGC Chairman Tim Lui briefed Mr Lee on the committee’s latest strategic initiatives to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub. These initiatives include organising high-profile summits and forums to facilitate forward-looking exchanges with global academic leaders and stakeholders.

Mr Lui noted that these events will explore how local higher education can align with national development priorities and Hong Kong’s strategic planning objectives, thereby showcasing the city’s academic achievements and promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. He added that the UGC actively supports local institutions in nurturing local talent and attracting global talent.

Mr Lee thanked the UGC members for their advice and their ongoing efforts to enhance the internationalisation and diversification of UGC-funded universities. Highlighting Hong Kong’s widely recognised global standing, he stated that the development prospects for higher education in the city remain highly promising.

Mr Lee announced that the Government will soon release Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan to actively align with the National 15^th Five-Year Plan. This plan will advance core strategies such as accelerating the Northern Metropolis development, growing into an international innovation and technology centre, and building a hub for high-calibre talent.

The Government will adopt a town area concept for the Northern Metropolis University Town, integrating education, technology, talent, industry and urban development. Mr Lee emphasised that this approach will create a high-quality university town area that drives synergy in industry, academia and research.

He said that through digital transformation, deepening collaboration and international partnerships, the Government will consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a leading education hub, strive for research excellence and nurture future-ready talent.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong, Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Stephen Wong, and Permanent Secretary for Education May Chan.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department announced today that a residential site in Ho Man Tin, included on the 2026-27 Land Sale List, will be sold by public tender from September 4 to October 2.

Located on Fat Kwong Street in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon Inland Lot No. 11301 is designated for private residential purposes.

The site area is about 5,170 sq m with a minimum gross floor area of 11,580 sq m and a maximum gross floor area of 19,300 sq m.

Both exclude the gross floor area of the government accommodations, which are a neighbourhood elderly centre sub-base and an integrated community centre for mental wellness sub-base, both of which are to be constructed by the purchaser under the conditions of sale.

The land sale documents will be available on the department’s website starting September 4.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hongkong Post announced today (September 2) that a set of special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Lingnan Craftsmanship – Guangcai (The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain) Making Technique” will be released for sale on September 17 (Thursday).
 
Guangcai, the shortened form of “Guangzhou painted porcelain” or “Canton Famille Rose Porcelain”, is one of the traditional craftsmanship of Lingnan culture. It involves painting patterns on pre-glazed white porcelain, followed by secondary firing. The technique dates back to the early Qing dynasty and was transmitted from Guangzhou to Hong Kong in the 1920s. In addition to conserving the traditional hand-painting technique and auspicious patterns, Guangcai produced in Hong Kong also incorporates local painting techniques and special motifs, hence the name Gangcai (Hong Kong painted porcelain). The Guangcai making technique was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2024. Hongkong Post will issue special stamps on the theme of “Lingnan Craftsmanship – Guangcai (The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain) Making Technique” to promote Lingnan craftsmanship and local intangible cultural heritage, showcasing the finesse of Hong Kong artisans that has been passed down through generations.
 
Official first day covers for “Lingnan Craftsmanship – Guangcai (The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain) Making Technique” will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post’s online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (September 3). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from September 17, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps will be available at philatelic offices only.
 
A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on September 17 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
 
Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk).

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of September 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Italian Senate Vice President Gian Marco Centinaio. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Italian Parliament for its longstanding support of Taiwan’s international participation. He stated that in the face of continued authoritarian expansion, democratic countries should lend mutual support and safeguard democracy and peace. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and Italy will further deepen economic, trade, and industrial collaboration, and that the friendship both have built over the years will yield even more tangible results, opening a new chapter in their cooperation.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Senate Vice President Centinaio is an old friend of Taiwan, and this is his fifth visit. Two years ago, he and Senator Daniela Ternullo also traveled here to attend my and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao’s inauguration ceremony. I am pleased to meet and exchange views with them again, and I would like to thank the entire cross-party group of lawmakers present today for being part of the largest-ever delegation from the Italian Parliament to visit Taiwan. This visit reflects the Italian Parliament’s strong support for Taiwan.
Your strong support is evident in many areas, including cultural exchanges. After more than 20 years of effort over five parliamentary terms, the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Senate passed a bill this year protecting foreign artworks on temporary loan from seizure. This legislation will provide a solid legal foundation for Taiwan’s treasured cultural artifacts to be exhibited in Italy in the future.
Regarding international affairs, the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee issued its first Indo-Pacific investigative report last year, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. A number of Italian senators have also repeatedly challenged China’s distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 through interpellation, and expressed support for Taiwan’s international participation. I would again like to express my deepest gratitude to the Italian Parliament, Senate Vice President Centinaio, and members of the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group for their longstanding efforts to speak up for and stand with Taiwan.
In the face of continued authoritarian expansion, it is only through mutual support that democratic nations can safeguard democracy and peace. During Italy’s G7 presidency in 2024, it deployed the aircraft carrier Cavour to the Indo-Pacific for the first time to participate in joint military exercises. Over the last two years, Italy has continued to deploy naval vessels to the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating its determination to uphold peace and stability in the region. Going forward, Taiwan will continue to work with Italy and other like-minded partners, not only to uphold the rules-based international order, but also to further expand economic, trade, and industrial collaboration.
As for Taiwan-Italy economic and trade relations, Italy is currently Taiwan’s fourth largest trading partner in the European Union, and our industries are highly complementary. Italy has strong capabilities in automobiles, design, and advanced materials, while Taiwan has well-developed industrial clusters in semiconductors, information and communications technology, and electronics manufacturing. This past June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) led an economic and trade delegation to Milan, creating further opportunities for Taiwan and Italy to expand industrial cooperation.
With the support of our guests, I look forward to the friendship that Taiwan and Italy have built over the years yielding even more tangible results, bringing greater prosperity and development to both sides. I hope we can continue to work together to open a new chapter in Taiwan-Italy cooperation.
Senate Vice President Centinaio then delivered remarks, stating that the delegation, in size and composition, is the most significant delegation from Italy to visit Taiwan in recent years. He noted that it includes members of both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, representing ruling and opposition parties and different regions across northern, central, and southern Italy. Thus, he said, the delegation is honored to represent the whole of Italy in visiting Taiwan.
Senate Vice President Centinaio indicated that Taiwan and Italy’s relationship extends beyond economic and trade ties from business. For both countries, he said, democracy is a fundamental principle, and exchanges are ultimately about advancing and protecting the interests of the people. He stated that members of the delegation have continued to promote this work in parliament, including passing the bill protecting foreign artworks on loan and consistently voicing support for Taiwan-Italy relations. He stated that this demonstrates many members of the Italian Parliament deeply believe in the friendship with Taiwan. Furthermore, he said, they hold an important conviction – that supporting Taiwan and helping maintain the status quo in the international community are vital to safeguarding democracy around the world.
Senate Vice President Centinaio stated that continued parliamentary and people-to-people exchanges are critical to achieving the goals shared by Taiwan and Italy. He remarked that Taiwan’s establishment of an additional representative office in Milan helps more Italians learn about Taiwan, and also contributes to the shared missions of promoting democratic values worldwide and moving forward together to achieve even more through cooperation in the years to come. Finally, he reiterated that Italy remains a friend of and stands with Taiwan.
The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Italian Economic, Commercial and Cultural Promotion Office in Taipei Representative Marco Lombardi. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region