Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 23) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on December 24 and 25 to facilitate the celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Road closures

     Road closures will be implemented in Central from 2pm onwards on December 24. The associated bus stops, public light bus stands, taxi stands and parking spaces will be suspended. Depending on the actual situation, the Police may extend the closure area in Central in phases. The bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas may be subject to temporary diversions, suspension of services or adjustments of associated stops. 
 
     The TD urged members of the public to heed ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures which may be implemented by the Police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area at short notice, including roads closures, traffic diversions, alterations or suspension of public transport services and their relevant stops when public safety considerations arise.
 
Public transport services on December 24 will be adjusted as follows:
 

1. The first departure of MTR Airport Express from Hong Kong to Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo will be advanced and its service from AsiaWorld-Expo (via Airport) to Hong Kong will be extended;
2. The service levels of MTR lines (except Airport Express) will be strengthened in phases from 3pm;
3. MTR lines (except Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and East Rail Line section between Sheung Shui and Lok Ma Chau/Lo Wu) and Light Rail route nos. 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751 will provide overnight services;
4. The operating hours of MTR bus route nos. 506, K51 and K54A will be extended;
5. Five special bus services (KMB route nos. N43, N64P, N71, N243 and N272) will be operated in the small hours on December 25. The operating hours of 12 KMB routes in Kowloon and New Territories will be extended; and
6. The operating hours of three GMB routes in Kowloon and one GMB route in New Territories will be extended.

 
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services

     The operating hours of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on December 24 and 25 will be extended to 1am on the following day.

     For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile application “HKeMobility”. Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.
 
     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or “HKeMobility”.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (December 23) on the latest situation and arrangements for the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods.
      
     The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.52 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods (from December 24 to 28, December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher on December 25 (Thursday) and December 28 (Sunday), with around 689 000 passengers and 695 000 passengers respectively.
      
     The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 225 000, 201 000 and 161 000 passengers respectively.
      
     In view of a series of New Year’s Eve countdown events, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has discussed with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to extend the service hours of BCPs on New Year’s Eve. The Mainland port authorities have duly reported to the national port authorities for approval according to the required procedures. Further details will be announced as soon as possible. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) BCP and the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang BCP will maintain 24-hour operation as usual on New Year’s Eve.
      
     To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and operation of additional counters, temporary counters and channels. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.
      
     Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.
      
     The ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. Residents and visitors may also visit “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound), a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus, so as to plan their trips and save waiting time.
      
     For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.
      
     Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
      
     About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance the clearance efficiency of control points and allow more Hong Kong residents to use the fast and convenient e-Channel service, the ImmD has adjusted the applicable age for e-Channel service for holders of smart identity cards. Eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged 7 to 10 years old, who are at least 1.1 metres tall and hold a smart identity card and a valid HKSAR passport, can use the e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via face recognition technology at all control points. Moreover, the Contactless e-Channel service is available at all control points now. All eligible Hong Kong residents, after enrolment, can generate an encrypted QR code through the Contactless e-Channel mobile application to enter the e-Channel and then verify their identity with the facial verification technology for automated immigration clearance.
      
     In addition, the ImmD has extended the e-Channel service to holders of a valid People’s Republic of China (PRC) electronic ordinary passport aged 7 or above and are in transit through Hong Kong to and from another country or territory. Eligible PRC passport holders can use the e-Channel service when entering Hong Kong without prior enrolment for e-Channel service via face recognition technology. Additionally, all control points have introduced self-service departures for visitors to Hong Kong (Smart Departure), which provides greater travel convenience for visitors. The service employs facial recognition technology for identity verification, which allows eligible visitors holding electronic travel documents aged 7 or above to perform self-service departure clearance through Smart Departure e-Channels without prior enrolment. Furthermore, the ImmD has adjusted the applicable age for e-Channel service for holders of Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP). Eligible holders of e-EEP aged 7 or above, who are at least 1.1 metres tall, can use the e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via fingerprint recognition technology at all control points.
      
     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form.
      
     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the New Year’s Eve and New Year festive periods, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 22) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2 million.

     A male passenger, aged 26, arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed in the false compartment of his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 24).

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Regarding the incident announced by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on December 17 in which samples of pigs from a licensed pig farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF), the AFCD launched an operation on December 19 according to the ASF contingency plan. The AFCD has sent staff to cull and handle all pigs on the affected licensed farm. As of today (December 23), a total of 978 pigs have been culled and handled.
 
The AFCD has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of this incident. An epidemiological investigation in collaboration with Mainland and international experts is under way to prevent and control further spread of the ASF virus. Following the culling of all pigs on the farm, the AFCD will arrange thorough cleaning and disinfection of the farm.
 
AFCD has arranged veterinary inspections of one operating pig farm within 3 kilometres of this index farm last week and collected samples from pigs for ASF virus testing. No abnormal health condition was noted in the pigs during the inspection, and all samples have tested negative for the ASF virus. Therefore, the AFCD has resumed the relevant procedures for the farm to transport pigs to slaughterhouses for slaughter.
 
In view of the current ASF case, the AFCD has been liaising closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. The relevant departments have immediately ceased the collection of livestock wastes from the index farm, enhanced cleansing of the nearby public roads around the index farm, and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected relevant animal carcass collection points and animal carcass collection vehicles, as well as adjusted the routine animal carcass collection routes, to minimise the risk of spread of ASF. Moreover, the AFCD has conducted joint inspections and investigations at the index farm with experts and collected environmental samples for further analysis, with an aim to understand the potential cause and source of ASF infection. Advice on optimising biosecurity measures and farm management have also been provided to support the industry in further preventing and controlling ASF.
 
The AFCD held a meeting with licensed pig farm operators today to remind them to ensure proper implementation of good biosecurity measures and alert the Department immediately if any abnormal health condition is observed in pigs. Meanwhile, the AFCD personnel will continue to inspect all local licensed pig farms to ensure good biosecurity measures have been properly implemented. Surveillance of the activities of wild pigs in the vicinity of the index farm has also been stepped up.
 
Apart from the measures mentioned above, the AFCD has been maintaining close communication with Mainland and international veterinary experts and has implemented a series of preventive measures based on their advice, including:
 
(1) The AFCD has revised the licence conditions for pig farms, requiring local pig farms of high infection risk to properly implement biosecurity requirements specified by the Department. The AFCD will provide technical assistance to pig farms concerned to prevent and control ASF;
(2) The AFCD has invited an expert on ASF prevention and control to provide training to local pig farmers in November this year to facilitate prompt implementation and strict observation of the biosecurity measures specific to their pig farms, thereby effectively containing the spread of ASF on local pig farms on different levels;
(3) In order to strengthen the knowledge of local pig farmers about the clinical signs of ASF for early detection and reporting of abnormalities in pigs, the AFCD has launched the Guidelines for Reporting Cases of African Swine Fever to assist pig farmers in identifying suspected cases for early reporting and to take appropriate follow-up;
(4) AFCD staff have been distributing ASF rapid test kits to all local pig farms to assist them in enhancing testing; and
(5) AFCD staff are keeping close communication with pig farmers to update them on the latest situation of ASF.
 
The AFCD stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans; hence, it does not present any food safety risk. Pork cooked thoroughly is safe for consumption. Members of the public do not need to be concerned. The incident does not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs.
 
Due to the ongoing culling operation, the AFCD will release daily updates on operational information on the departmental webpage (www.afcd.gov.hk) for public reference.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     According to the report “Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2024” released today (December 23) by the Census and Statistics Department, the gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) in Hong Kong has been on the rise and reached $35,772 million in 2024, representing an increase of 8.4 per cent compared with the corresponding figure in 2023 ($33,006 million). The GERD as a ratio to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has also further increased from 1.11 per cent in 2023 to 1.13 per cent in 2024. In addition, the number of research and development (R&D) personnel showed a steady increase over the years and reached 47,210 in 2024 (compared with 43,403 in 2023).

     A government spokesman said, “The country indicates clear support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Promoting I&T development has always been one of the key policy areas of the current-term Government. In recent years, the Government has been focusing on encouraging innovation activities, developing I&T infrastructure, strengthening basic research and promoting commercialisation of R&D outcomes, attracting and nurturing talent, supporting start-ups, etc. Moreover, since taking office, the current-term Government has been actively enhancing the local I&T ecosystem by consolidating our strengths in upstream basic research, accelerating the midstream transformation and realisation of scientific research outcomes, and supporting industry development in the downstream. Various initiatives have achieved good progress. It is encouraging to see that the GERD and the GERD as a ratio of the GDP have recorded satisfactory growth in 2024. With three major I&T parks and five key R&D institutions as the framework, we will continue to propel I&T development at full steam by proactively promoting the synergistic development among upstream, midstream and downstream sectors in Hong Kong.”

     The spokesman also stated that a series of measures have been announced in the 2025 Policy Address, including expediting the development of the third InnoHK research cluster as well as that of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, HSITP), promoting the development of new industrialisation, launching the $10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, etc., to achieve high-quality economic development through technological empowerment.  Since announcing the 2025 Policy Address, the Government has made strides in progressing various measures.  For example, the HSITP has officially opened in December. The Government also promulgated the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation and Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole in November this year to advance the development of the Loop and San Tin Technopole San Tin area under the new strategic layout plan of “South-North dual engine (finance-I&T)”.

     “The Government will continue to take forward various policy measures to create favourable conditions for Hong Kong’s I&T development, with a view to further promoting the development of I&T and new quality productive forces in Hong Kong, and realising the vision of developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

All verified cases of the Tai Po fire have been processed for financial and welfare support so far.

The Government earlier announced it would provide a $100,000 living allowance to each affected household from the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, while families of each deceased victim would be provided with a token of solidarity of $200,000, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. All verified cases have been processed so far.

Regarding accommodation support, as of this morning, 504 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 554 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,557 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.52 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods.

Releasing the information today, the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary, noted that the period ranges from December 24 to 28, December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points.

The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher this Thursday and coming Sunday, with around 689,000 passengers and 695,000 passengers respectively.

The ImmD estimates that passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 225,000, 201,000 and 161,000 passengers respectively.

Residents and visitors may also visit Easy Boundary, a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director-General David Cheng-Wei Wu caught up with Mr. Eddie Yeh, China Airlines’ GM for Oceania & Australia, and his Sydney team for a year-end luncheon. It was a great chance to share festive blessings and celebrate a year of fantastic teamwork.
DG Wu expressed his heartfelt thanks to China Airlines for their constant support of TECO in Sydney and their active role in Taiwanese community events. He especially thanked the team for their professional airport facilitation and assistance in welcoming visiting delegations.
As a key partner in public diplomacy, China Airlines does a brilliant job promoting Taiwan’s brand in the skies. We look forward to working together even more closely to grow Taiwan’s presence across Australia and the Oceania region.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member and LDP Executive Acting Secretary-General Hagiuda Koichi  
On the morning of December 22, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and Executive Acting Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hagiuda Koichi. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for continuously expressing support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan since taking office, and for demonstrating concern over peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue to support each other, strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges, and work together to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I want to extend a warm welcome to Representative Hagiuda as he leads another delegation to Taiwan. I saw Representative Hagiuda this past September when Taiwan’s National Chengchi University held an inauguration ceremony for its Abe Shinzo Research Center, and I am happy to welcome the delegation to the Presidential Office today. We have many friends who have come from Hachioji City in Tokyo, and their presence here is very meaningful.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi has continuously expressed support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan and demonstrated concern over peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at the United States-Japan leaders’ summit, the Japan-ASEAN summit, the APEC annual meetings, and various public venues. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to convey our gratitude. The Takaichi Cabinet has continued to enjoy strong support from the Japanese people since it took office. I am confident that Japan will make even greater contributions to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region going forward. I hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue expanding cooperation in such areas as national strategy, regional cooperation, economic security, high-tech industries, and enhancing societal resilience, and that we can work together to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan and Japan must treasure such friendly ties as ours, and support each other and continue to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges, for that is the only way we can together confront future challenges. All democratic nations must join forces in order to avoid being picked off one by one, and to defend our cherished values of democracy and freedom, as well as promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. I want to again thank Representative Hagiuda and our good friends here for their long-term support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and for promoting friendly ties between Taiwan and Japan.
Representative Hagiuda then delivered remarks, first expressing gratitude for having the opportunity to come to Taiwan again to meet with President Lai, and conveying condolences for the deaths and injuries caused in an indiscriminate attack in Taipei a few days earlier to the victims and their families.
Representative Hagiuda mentioned that Taiwan and Japan are important partners and friends sharing universal values and enjoying close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. At the recent APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, he said, Prime Minister Takaichi engaged in bilateral talks with Leader’s Representative Lin Hsin-i (林信義) on enhancing cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in the economy and disaster preparedness. In addition, he said, the LDP has long conducted exchanges with Taiwan through its Youth Division, with the two sides having a longstanding friendship. Representative Hagiuda expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can build on our firm foundation of friendship to further enhance cooperation and exchanges.
Representative Hagiuda noted that this past November, Taiwan lifted restrictions on imports of Japanese food products and resumed ordinary import regulations, which is very helpful for rebuilding and revitalization in the disaster-stricken area of Fukushima. He extended respect and gratitude to those who helped facilitate the process, and expressed hope that the people of Taiwan will have more opportunities to enjoy delicious Japanese foods. Turning to the subject of economic and trade cooperation, Representative Hagiuda noted that the first fab built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Kumamoto began mass production in December of last year, and construction of a second fab began this past October. Cooperation in the semiconductor industry stands as the best model of bilateral industrial cooperation between the two countries, he said, and expressed confidence that Taiwan and Japan can also create win-win situations in emerging fields such as AI and information and communications technology. He also expressed hope that this approach can spread into even more fields, and that both countries can promote cooperation in trade and technological exchanges, enhance each other’s supply chain resilience, and train the relevant talent, together creating bilateral win-wins.
Representative Hagiuda stated that according to the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s latest survey on Taiwanese public perception of Japan, Japan was the favorite country of the Taiwanese people, and a corresponding survey in Japan showed that nearly 80 percent of Japanese people feel a sense of closeness toward Taiwan. He said that he felt the foundation of the deep friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and Japan was established when each offered the other aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and after natural disasters, and through frequent people-to-people exchanges. Representative Hagiuda stated that the current Taiwan-Japan relationship is seen as the best it has ever been, and expressed hope that it can continue to be further enhanced.
The delegation also included Chairman of the Hachioji-Taiwan Friendship Exchange Association Kurosu Ryuichi, and was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po today conducted a site visit to learn more about the actual situation at the estate.

Committee chairman David Lok, along with members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung, inspected various indoor and outdoor locations at Wang Fuk Court.

They aimed to gain a better understanding of the estate’s actual environment and conditions, the causes and circumstances that led to the fire and its rapid spread, the fire service installations and equipment used in the buildings, the materials used in building maintenance and renovation works, and construction safety matters.