Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of 10-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds tender through re-opening A total of HK$1.0 billion 10-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$5.488 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 5.49. The average price accepted is 97.12, implying an annualised yield of 3.580 per cent. Tender results of 10-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
Tender Date* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued. Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announces that a tender of 2-year Exchange Fund Notes will be held on August 21, 2026 (Friday) for settlement on August 24, 2026 (Monday), as set out in the published tentative issuance schedule. This is to roll over an issue of 2-year Exchange Fund Notes maturing on the same day.
A total of HK$1,200 million 2-year Notes will be on offer, of which HK$5 million will be made available for offer to members of the public who wish to submit non-competitive tender bids through Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (HKSCC). If the Notes reserved for non-competitive tender are under-subscribed, the non-subscribed amount will be added to the portion of notes for competitive tender (initially set at HK$1,195 million). The Notes will mature on August 24, 2028 and will carry interest at the rate of 3.00 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears.
Members of the public who wish to submit non-competitive tender applications for Notes that are open to HKSCC may do so through Stock Exchange Participants/Brokers, or for those who hold Investor Accounts of the Central Clearing and Settlement System (CCASS) at the HKSCC, directly through HKSCC, for submission to the HKMA for processing. Competitive tender applications for the Notes must be submitted through any of the Eligible Market Makers appointed by the HKMA, with the current published list available on the HKMA’s website at www.hkma.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof for both competitive and non-competitive tender.
The tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the LSEG screen (HKMAOOE), and Bloomberg. Applicants who submitted non-competitive tender bids through HKSCC may also obtain the tender results from Stock Exchange Participants/Brokers, or for applicants who hold Investor Accounts at HKSCC’s CCASS from the CCASS terminal for CCASS Broker/Custodian/Participants and CCASS Phone System.
HKMA Exchange Fund Note Programme Tender information
—————————————————————–
Tender information of 2-Year Exchange Fund Notes:
Issue Number
:
02Y2808
Stock code
:
4112 (EFN 3.00 2808)
Tender date and time
:
August 21, 2026 (Friday)
9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date
:
August 24, 2026 (Monday)
Amount on offer
:
HK$1,200 million
(up to HK$5 million for non-competitive tender)
Commencement of/
Deadline for submission of non-competitive tender bids by retail investors through HKSCC
:
Please refer to requirements as set down by HKSCC
Maturity
:
Two years
Maturity Date
:
August 24, 2028 (Thursday)
Interest Rate
:
3.00 per cent p.a.
Interest Payment Dates
:
February 24, 2027
August 24, 2027
February 24, 2028
August 24, 2028
Tender amount
:
Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof for both competitive and non-competitive tender. Members of the public who wish to apply for the Notes through non-competitive tenders that are open to HKSCC may do so through Stock Exchange Participants/ Brokers, or for those who hold Investors Accounts at HKSCC’s CCASS, directly through HKSCC. Members of the public who wish to apply for the Notes through competitive tender may only do so through any of the Eligible Market Makers on the current published list.
Other details
:
Please see Information Memorandum published or approach Eligible Market Makers, HKSCC, or brokers who are Exchange Participants of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
:
August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)
Price/Yield Table of the new EFN at tender for reference* only:
Yield-to- Maturity
Price
Yield-to-Maturity
Price
2.00
101.97
3.00
100.04
2.05
101.87
3.05
99.95
2.10
101.78
3.10
99.85
2.15
101.68
3.15
99.76
2.20
101.58
3.20
99.66
2.25
101.48
3.25
99.57
2.30
101.39
3.30
99.48
2.35
101.29
3.35
99.38
2.40
101.19
3.40
99.29
2.45
101.10
3.45
99.19
2.50
101.00
3.50
99.10
2.55
100.90
3.55
99.01
2.60
100.81
3.60
98.91
2.65
100.71
3.65
98.82
2.70
100.62
3.70
98.73
2.75
100.52
3.75
98.63
2.80
100.42
3.80
98.54
2.85
100.33
3.85
98.45
2.90
100.23
3.90
98.35
2.95
100.14
3.95
98.26
3.00
100.04
4.00
98.17
*Disclaimer: The information provided here is for reference only. Although extreme care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, the HKMA does not warrant that all, or any part of, the information provided is accurate in all respects. You are encouraged to conduct your own enquiries to verify any particular piece of information provided on it. The HKMA shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any use or reliance on any of the information provided here.
President Lai hosts state banquet for St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday
On the evening of August 11, following a welcome ceremony with military honors and bilateral talks, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office for Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and his wife. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Friday for his staunch support for Taiwan’s international participation. The president also expressed hope that the two nations will continue to move forward side by side in the international arena, working together to make even greater contributions to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Tonight’s state banquet honors our good friends who have traveled from afar to join us. It also celebrates an important occasion – 45 years of our nations’ deep friendship. Prime Minister Friday, I would like to offer my congratulations. Since you assumed office last November, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has opened a new chapter in its development and actively advanced regional cooperation. You also served as rotating chair of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, underscoring St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ influential role in the Caribbean.
Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines share the values of freedom and democracy, and both understand that the significance of a nation’s existence lies not in its size. What matters most is its adherence to core beliefs, care for its people, and its international contributions and responsibilities. The motto “Peace and Justice” on your nation’s coat of arms reflects these convictions and commitments; Taiwan also engages with the global community with this ideological foundation at its core.
Taiwan stands willing and able to participate in international organizations and activities to jointly address challenges worldwide. Prime Minister Friday, I thank you again for staunchly backing Taiwan’s international participation. Moving ahead, I look forward to your continued support, which will enable both our nations to move forward side by side in the international arena. By working with countries around the world, we can contribute even more to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
In closing, please enjoy tonight’s state banquet. May the diplomatic friendship between our two nations steadily grow and flourish, and may both our peoples enjoy happiness and peace.
Prime Minister Friday then delivered remarks, once again expressing his gratitude for the warm and generous reception his delegation had received. He pointed out that there are many ways for a country to welcome visitors, and while diplomatic protocol can make a visit official, only the people can make it feel special. Taiwan, he said, has made them feel welcome from the moment they arrived. He added that he is pleased to know what a profound ally they have in Taiwan, and that our nations’ goals are so well-aligned.
Prime Minister Friday mentioned that a few months ago, he attended the launch ceremony for the Agricultural Productivity Recovery and Young Farmers’ Training Project at the Orange Hill Agricultural Biotechnology Centre in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He recalled that during the tour of the facility, he saw farming conventions quite different from those of his generation, with various crops growing in controlled environments and technology helping to regulate water and growing conditions. He stated that he saw firsthand how modern science was being applied to something as old and essential as growing food. This project, he noted, brings together the Taiwan Technical Mission and his country’s Ministry of Agriculture, using modern approaches to improve productivity and prepare a new generation of farmers. Adding that he saw Taiwanese knowledge taking root in Vincentian soil, he stated that one of the most valuable things countries can share with one another is knowledge. He then expressed hope that through this visit, they can see more of the innovation and creativity that Taiwan’s people bring to their every endeavor.
Prime Minister Friday pointed out that for 45 years, Taiwan has been eager to share its knowledge and expertise with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which is one of the best measures of a relationship between two countries. He noted that another aspect of the two countries’ relationship is remembering each other when times are difficult. He stated that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has experienced this generosity from Taiwan, and when Taiwan was struck by a devastating earthquake in April 2024, his country also responded with humanitarian assistance, as it was critical to do whatever they could. This, he said, is what friends do: being present when the other is in need.
Prime Minister Friday expressed his belief that there is still much room for the peoples of both countries to know one another better. He noted that Taipei and Kingstown became sister cities on May 21, 2024 to encourage greater exchanges in education, tourism, culture, travel, and business. He stated that while the two capitals are certainly not identical sisters, both are incredibly well-connected, a fact that has become clear to him on this visit.
In closing, Prime Minister Friday expressed hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to create connections across all sectors. He then extended an invitation to President Lai to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines to see their islands, meet their people, and experience their culture, music, and food. The prime minister also expressed hope that the distance between the two countries will never limit the closeness of their connection, and that both nations will continue finding new and creative ways to support each other.
Also in attendance at the banquet were St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Attorney General Sarah Louise Mitchell, and Ambassador Kenton X. Chance.
President Lai meets Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
On the afternoon of August 11, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Presidential Office following a welcome ceremony with military honors for him and his wife. In remarks, President Lai expressed hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to deepen cooperation across all sectors. He also voiced confidence that the two countries can continue to advance the well-being of their peoples through a diverse range of programs and thus inject new momentum into relations, launching a new chapter of collaboration.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I would like to thank Prime Minister Friday once again for choosing Taiwan as the destination for his first intercontinental state visit since taking office. This decision demonstrates to the international community our robust and cordial diplomatic ties. I also want to thank Prime Minister Friday and the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for firmly backing Taiwan’s international participation. Ahead of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May, Prime Minister Friday personally wrote a letter to the director-general of the World Health Organization advocating for Taiwan’s involvement. Minister of Health, Wellness and Energy Daniel Cummings also publicly voiced support for Taiwan at the plenary session of the WHA. We are deeply grateful for this profound friendship.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. With Prime Minister Friday’s support, I believe that our countries will continue to assist each other in the international arena and that our cooperation projects will continue to yield new achievements, advancing the well-being of our peoples. For example, the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative and its Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track Program, launched last year, have encouraged youths from both nations to engage in concrete exchanges in smart agriculture and sustainable tourism.
I was also pleased to learn that Prime Minister Friday has highly commended Taiwan’s smart agriculture project at Orange Hill. The fresh produce from the plant factory and the high-quality agricultural products cultivated by young farmers are gaining popularity among local hotels and operators in the tourism industry, creating more homegrown business opportunities and inspiring more young people to join in agricultural development.
Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with St. Vincent and the Grenadines across all sectors. Through a diverse range of programs, we can continue to advance the well-being of our peoples. I also hope that more young Taiwanese will travel to your country to study and engage in exchanges. We also welcome the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to come to Taiwan so that the younger generations can broaden their horizons together, allowing our nations’ strong bond to endure for generations to come.
Diplomatic ties are deepened, step by step. So let us work together to inject new momentum into our relations and launch a new chapter of collaboration.
Prime Minister Friday then delivered remarks, saying that it is a privilege to meet President Lai and that he is particularly pleased to have the opportunity during the first year of his new government to speak directly about the longstanding relationship between our two countries, our history of cooperation, and the hard work ahead. He noted that what began in 1981 as a decision between our two nations to cooperate has since become a lasting friendship. He said that these 45 years demonstrate the importance of Taiwan’s role in the relationship. On behalf of his government and the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the prime minister expressed sincere gratitude for Taiwan’s generosity and support throughout the years.
Prime Minister Friday said that no country develops in isolation, and that the quality of the relationships countries build internationally, the knowledge they exchange, and their ability to turn cooperation into practical results all matter. He stated that St. Vincent and the Grenadines approaches its relationship with Taiwan in that spirit. Noting that our two countries already have a substantial foundation on which to build, he expressed hope that the relationship can be made more responsive to the challenges and opportunities facing both countries today.
Prime Minister Friday said that he is also here to discuss the future, adding that he believes the bonds between the two nations are stronger than ever. He reiterated his government’s position that St. Vincent and the Grenadines deeply values its enduring friendship with Taiwan and is ready to take the necessary steps to deepen it and move beyond friendship to partnership. He expressed hope that our two sides will remove barriers, expand trade and commercial ties, and better understand how our two countries can complement one another for mutual prosperity.
Prime Minister Friday continued, saying that work is already underway as our two governments negotiate an Economic Cooperation Agreement to facilitate bilateral trade. He noted that practical bilateral matters remained to be concluded, including arrangements for the reciprocal recognition of driving licenses. Although separated by thousands of miles of ocean, he said, our two countries share a common vision for democracy and a desire to continue improving the lives and livelihoods of our citizens. He therefore expressed hope that practical ways can be found for our peoples to engage with one another more meaningfully and gain a better understanding of each other. The prime minister said that he wanted to see many more exchanges between our young people, professionals, businesses, and institutions, and for our two sides to continue building connections that would endure.
In closing, Prime Minister Friday expressed hope that our two countries will continue to build on our substantial foundation and deepen bilateral cooperation. He once again thanked Taiwan for the warm welcome extended to his delegation and expressed appreciation for the profound importance placed on the longstanding friendship between our two peoples. The prime minister said that he looks forward to sitting down with President Lai, speaking candidly, and discussing practical matters concerning what our two governments could accomplish together, what a future partnership between our two nations would look like, and the benefits that partnership could bring to future generations.
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Friday’s wife Mrs. Kathryn Ave Friday; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble; and Attorney General Sarah Louise Mitchell. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Kenton X. Chance.
The Government today launched a one-month public consultation on proposed amendments to the Building Management Ordinance. The exercise aims to further enhance the regulatory regime following the enactment of the Building Management (Amendment) Ordinance 2024.
The proposed updates address five main areas. These include imposing a higher attendance requirement and voting thresholds for large-scale maintenance and high-value procurement, as well as improving the system for handling proxy instruments.
The amendments also aim to optimise the system for the declaration of interests, strengthen authority powers to enforce regulations, and clarify meeting procedures. The updates are expected to better cope with the changing needs of building management while meeting evolving public expectations.
The Government noted that effective building management is essential to improved district governance. The changes will increase owners’ participation, enhance decision-making transparency, and better safeguard owners’ rights and interests.
In February, the Government set out its key amendment directions at the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports. Following preliminary consultations with the property management sector and Legislative Council members, those views – along with several new proposals – have been integrated into the current consultation document.
The public consultation will run until September 11. Members of the public can submit their views via email or by mail to Division V, Home Affairs Department, 31/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai.
As Taiwan enters a super-aged society, demand for health management and care continues to grow. At its dedicated pavilion during the 2026 Healthy Ageing Tech Show, the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), Ministry of Economic Affairs, brings together four research organizations-the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), and Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI). Across three themed zones-Health Management, Compassionate Care, and Rehabilitation Empowerment-the pavilion presents 30 senior health technology innovations. On the show’s opening day, DoIT also facilitated the signing of a letter of intent between ITRI and TAICEND TECHNOLOGY, demonstrating strong momentum in research commercialization and industrial upgrading.
DoIT Director General Chao-Chung Kuo said that the purpose of technology research is to solve real problems in everyday life. Many featured solutions have already been introduced into home care, community service sites, hospitals, and long-term care institutions, while also helping companies transform their business models. One example is the Chronic Wound Care Service jointly developed by ITRI and TAICEND TECHNOLOGY. By bringing artificial intelligence into home-based wound management, the service allows home-care nurses to photograph and upload a wound; the system then automatically assesses its size and healing progress, enabling medical teams to deliver precise intervention at the earliest opportunity. The technology is expected to generate more than NT$400 million in output and investment and help TAICEND evolve from a conventional dressing manufacturer into a one-stop provider integrating AI, an app, and professional care services. DoIT will continue connecting industry, academia, research institutes, and medical organizations to accelerate commercialization and turn senior-care needs into new growth for the smart health sector.
DoIT noted that, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 528 million people worldwide have osteoarthritis, including about 365 million whose knees are affected. TTRI’s Home-Based Digital Exercise Intervention System for Knee Osteoarthritis integrates joint-condition measurement, electrical stimulation support, and motion analysis, enabling older adults to undertake precise, convenient exercise training at home and improve rehabilitation outcomes. The system has completed a clinical trial at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of National Taiwan University Hospital and was selected as one of the expo’s Top 10 Age-Friendly Technologies, Products, and Services. With the global knee-brace market projected to grow from US$6.51 billion in 2025 to US$9.39 billion in 2032, the solution shows significant potential in smart rehabilitation.
Featured Technologies
Protection You Can Wear: TTRI’s Multimodal Physiological Monitoring Garment
TTRI has combined its fabric electrodes, which have generated approximately NT$12 million in technology-transfer revenue, with Quanta’s medically certified electrocardiogram device. The result is a comfortable garment suitable for long-term physiological monitoring. Clinical evaluations are underway at Yuan-Kuo Hospital in Changhua, Chiayi Hospital, and E-Da Hospital. Estimated annual output is NT$500-600 million.
Eat and Swallow with Greater Ease: MIRDC’s Oral Health and Swallowing Service
MIRDC integrates an oral light-therapy panel, a tongue-pressure feedback meter, and facial-exercise courses delivered through a digital mirror. The service helps older adults strengthen the muscles used for chewing and swallowing. It has been introduced at long-term care sites and community locations, supporting applications in devices, platforms, consumables, and professional services. Estimated annual output is NT$500-800 million.
Safe, Nutritious, and Appealing Meals: FIRDI’s Customized 3D-Printed Nutrition Technology
FIRDI uses 3D printing to transform pureed ingredients into realistic-looking meals while precisely adjusting nutritional composition. The technology supports swallowing safety, adequate nutrition, and dignity at mealtimes. It has been transferred to Taiwan Farm Industry Co., Ltd. and can be expanded into care, food-service, and food-manufacturing settings, with an estimated NT$500 million increase in output.
The DoIT Pavilion at the 2026 Healthy Ageing Tech Show showcased innovations in smart healthcare, functional textiles, assistive technology, and more, demonstrating how technology can make daily life warmer, safer, and more dignified for older adults.
President Lai welcomes St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday with military honors
On the afternoon of August 11, President Lai Ching-te welcomed Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and his wife with full military honors. In remarks, President Lai stated that the upcoming Saturday will mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, noting that this is also Prime Minister Friday’s first visit to Taiwan since assuming office last year. The president indicated that from the very beginning of the two countries’ diplomatic partnership, both have upheld the shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. He added that both countries have also supported each other, advancing hand in hand while continuing to deepen cooperation and achieve numerous successes in such domains as agriculture, healthcare, and education. The president expressed hope that through Prime Minister and Madam Friday’s visit, Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will lay an even more solid foundation for cooperation to jointly build an ever-more prosperous future.
The welcome ceremony began at 4:30 p.m. in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office. President Lai and Prime Minister Friday each delivered remarks after a 19-gun salute, the playing of the two countries’ national anthems, and a review of the military honor guard.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I am delighted to welcome, with full military honors, the delegation led by Prime Minister Friday and Madam Friday today on this state visit. Saturday will mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This is also Prime Minister Friday’s first visit to Taiwan since he assumed office last year, making this occasion deeply significant in many regards.
I wish to thank Prime Minister Friday for demonstrating his high regard and support for Taiwan through action. From the very beginning of our diplomatic partnership, our two countries have upheld the shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. We have also supported each other, advancing hand in hand while continuing to deepen cooperation and achieve numerous successes in such domains as agriculture, healthcare, and education.
In April, the ROC Navy’s Dunmu Fleet conducted a goodwill visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It was a testament to our deep bilateral friendship and mutual trust. Moreover, it underscored our resolve to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean.
I am confident that through Prime Minister and Madam Friday’s visit, Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will lay an even more solid foundation for cooperation as we jointly build an ever-more prosperous future. I very much look forward to our discussions and wish you a pleasant and productive visit.
Prime Minister Friday then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for welcoming the delegation with a military honors ceremony. He noted that this was his first visit to Taiwan since taking office, and expressed hope that the state visit would further deepen bilateral relations. The prime minister said that when the two countries established diplomatic relations on August 15, 1981, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was still a young nation, having gained political independence less than two years prior on October 27, 1979. Over the 45 years since, he said, Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have developed a deep and fruitful friendship, and have become not only friends, but partners.
Prime Minister Friday noted that Taiwan is still unable to contribute fully in international forums and organizations, while small island developing states still lack the support needed to withstand the impacts of climate change, natural disasters, and external economic shocks. He said that for 45 years, Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have withstood these challenges together, and that that is so much more than friendship.
Prime Minister Friday indicated that, amid the current economic environment, his government has set a straightforward yet demanding task, which is to improve the lives of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Achieving that goal, he said, requires partnership with a country that recognizes development must ultimately improve people’s lives, and that Taiwan has demonstrated exactly that. Taiwan has shown the world what is possible when innovation, enterprise, and human talents are deliberately cultivated, he said; it has also shown that a country’s impact is never limited by its scale, but is unlocked by the resourcefulness and talents of its people. He thanked Taiwan for its longstanding cooperation with his country and stated that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to speak up for Taiwan at the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as in international organizations such as the International Criminal Police Organization, expressing hope that his country will do even more in the future.
Prime Minister Friday further noted that his government has identified four key sectors of the economy for investment: agriculture, tourism, the blue economy, and the new economy, and hopes to attract investors in these sectors in particular to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Although St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a small country, he said, like Taiwan, it will not allow its size or starting point to limit its goal of improving people’s lives. He stated that with talented people, extraordinary natural beauty and other assets, a strategic location in the Caribbean, and a government determined to foster the conditions in which investments succeed, St. Vincent and the Grenadines hopes to create more opportunities and good jobs, and promote prosperity for its people.
Prime Minister Friday emphasized that with the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, their predecessors decided to begin a journey together, and that today, both Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are not only the beneficiaries of that decision, but also its custodians. He said that what we do now will shape what this relationship means to the next generations of both countries who will inherit it. The responsibility of leadership, he added, is not only to honor what we inherit, but also to leave the relationship stronger, more meaningful, and more useful to those who come after. He said that he has come to Taiwan as both a friend and as the representative of a new government with great ambitions for its country. He expressed hope that St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan will work together to write the next chapter in their 45-year relationship, saying he looks forward to what the two countries will accomplish together.
Also in attendance at the welcome ceremony were St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Kenton X. Chance, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Lucia Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis, and other members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today officiated at the official opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Kuala Lumpur during his visit to Malaysia.
The opening marks a significant milestone in deepening partnerships between Hong Kong and Malaysia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Yau highlighted the strategic importance of this office, which is the 15th overseas ETO of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the fourth in the ASEAN region.
Mr Yau noted that ASEAN stands firmly as Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner in goods while Malaysia is the city’s eighth largest trading partner. He added that the new ETO shoulders the responsibility of deepening Hong Kong’s economic, trade and investment ties with this strategically important region and strengthening the city’s presence in it.
The geographical coverage of the Kuala Lumpur ETO includes Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Laos and Pakistan.
Mr Yau also led a business delegation to attend the “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” symposium and luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
The business delegates, including representatives from Mainland enterprises looking to go global, Hong Kong chambers of commerce and other organisations, held exchange sessions with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and local chambers to gain a deeper understanding of the situation and needs of the Malaysian market.
Speaking at the symposium, Mr Yau said that amid the profound transformation in the global economy characterised by geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments and technological changes, Hong Kong, with its core strengths, can be Malaysia’s partner to navigate the increasingly complex external environment.
He noted that Hong Kong’s unique strength lies not only in its robust infrastructure or business-friendly policies, but also in its unmatched connectivity with the Mainland and the rest of the world, empowering Hong Kong to serve the Malaysian business community as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.
Mr Yau said that Malaysian businesses can readily gain access to the Mainland market, particularly the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, via Hong Kong. Concurrently, the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global provides one-stop, customised services to help Mainland firms invest directly in overseas markets like Malaysia, creating a win-win outcome.
He identified new opportunities for bilateral collaboration in innovation, technology and green development, noting that Hong Kong and Malaysia are strategic partners in shaping future economies.
During the event, Mr Yau witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between four Hong Kong media organisations and Malaysian media and other organisations to foster new partnerships. The HKTDC also signed agreements with local chambers of commerce and related institutions to strengthen collaboration.
The Department of Health (DH)’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today reminded parents to ensure their children receive timely vaccinations under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP).
Hong Kong implemented the HKCIP in the 1960s, providing immunisation services to children through the DH’s Maternal & Child Health Centres and School Immunisation Teams.
CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui highlighted that Hong Kong’s high vaccination coverage has successfully kept childhood infectious diseases at extremely low levels. Recommendations for the programme are made from a public health perspective by the CHP’s Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
Dr Tsui noted significant milestones achieved through immunisation, including the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the elimination of poliomyelitis in Hong Kong in 2000. He added that measles and rubella were also successfully eliminated in Hong Kong in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
Under the HKCIP, children receive the combined Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months, followed by the Measles, Mumps, Rubella & Varicella (MMRV) vaccine at 18 months. Due to consistently high vaccine uptake, imported measles cases over the past two years have not caused significant local transmission, allowing Hong Kong to maintain its measles-eliminated status.
Furthermore, Hong Kong’s hepatitis B vaccination coverage among pre-school children stands at 99%. Consequently, the prevalence of the disease among individuals born after the introduction of the universal childhood hepatitis B immunisation programme in 1988 has dropped below 1%.
The CHP emphasised that all public health policies and medical recommendations are strictly evidence-based. Parents are reminded that vaccination schedules should not be altered arbitrarily without reliable scientific data or medical research support, as doing so poses severe and irreversible health risks to children.
The Transport Department (TD) today announced that it has issued a pilot licence for autonomous vehicles (AVs), approving a trial between the Express Rail Link at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and the Airport Express at Kowloon Station.
Issued in accordance with the Road Traffic (Autonomous Vehicles) Regulation, the pilot licence approves the trial of four private cars operating in autonomous mode. The approved route includes Wui Man Road, Jordan Road, Nga Cheung Road and Station Perimeter Roads South, East and North.
A backup operator will remain inside each vehicle to take control if needed. Additionally, all participating AVs must display the TD’s designated labels for public awareness.
The department noted that the trial will test AV technology safety, stability and operational feasibility in high passenger flows and complex traffic dynamics. Success in this multimodal transport hub will help integrate autonomous fleets into the wider public transport network.
Once regular operations begin, the AVs will provide a seamless, automated interchange between the Express Rail Link and the Airport Express. This convenient connection is expected to attract more travellers to use both the Express Rail Link and Hong Kong International Airport.
Chaired by the Commissioner for Transport, the Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group will monitor the project. The group will collaborate with relevant departments and the industry to review the progress of each AV project. The group will also guide trial locations, vehicle types and licensing frameworks to support commercial development, while exploring regulatory arrangements for limited commercial services.