Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the morning of August 4, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the Ketagalan Forum: 2026 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue. In remarks, President Lai stated that as the CCP’s authoritarianism continues to expand, Taiwan will safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, maintain regional peace and stability, and foster global prosperity and development. He also stated that Taiwan will continue to upgrade national defense and build whole-of-society defense and resilience, while connecting with democratic partners to build non-red supply chains. The president emphasized that Taiwan is a beacon of freedom and democracy and a cornerstone of peace in the Indo-Pacific. He expressed hope of continuing ahead, side by side, to protect common values and achieve shared goals. 
Upon arriving at the event, Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) Co-founder and Executive Director Luke de Pulford outlined the content of the statement issued by IPAC regarding China’s implementation of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law before personally presenting a copy of the statement to President Lai.
A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I sincerely welcome our overseas friends to Taiwan.
This year marks the 10th Ketagalan Forum. In many cultures, the number 10 represents fullness and renewal. So, thank you for making the long trip here, to be with us for this special milestone.
I would also like to thank all the participants and organizers. Since 2017, when the forum was established, we have lived through a changing international landscape. We have also overcome the challenges of the pandemic, when we adopted an online format. But no matter the distance; no matter the challenges, we walked close together because of our shared values and beliefs.
Last month, China implemented the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, ignoring international opposition. IPAC immediately released a statement on the law, condemning it as “a flagrant breach of basic fundamental rights.”
I would like to thank IPAC Co-Chair [for Japan] Nakatani [Gen],  Executive Director de Pulford, and all the rest of IPAC for reaffirming that position by their participation today. I am honored to represent the people of Taiwan in expressing our sincere gratitude and support for IPAC’s statement. And we will stand firmly, together with you, to defend global democracy and the rule of law.
I want to emphasize that China’s ethnic unity law infringes upon Taiwan’s sovereignty and persecutes religions and minority groups. But it goes beyond that. By using forms of transnational repression, it imposes political censorship in all parts of the world, creating a chilling effect. The entire international community should come together and staunchly oppose this malicious law.
As the CCP’s authoritarianism continues to expand, red terror is also spreading into every corner of the world. In this context, this year’s forum focuses on global democratic resilience, collective responses to gray zone aggression, and building non-red supply chains. These reflect Taiwan’s global positioning and the international responsibilities we hope to shoulder.
So, as the forum enters a new milestone, I want to tell the world that Taiwan will not waver from its path.
First, we will safeguard the values of freedom and democracy.
Thirty years ago, the people of Taiwan bravely went to the polls, undaunted by China’s missile threats. With our first direct presidential election, voters announced to the world that Taiwan is a democratic country and that the country’s future will be decided by the people of Taiwan. Our democratic success has earned international recognition, and we will not reverse course. 
Against threats from China’s ethnic unity law, Taiwan’s position is clear. We will not accept united front infiltration or red terror. We will not stand by while China tries to extend its reach into Taiwan or any other free nation or region.
We will build stronger systems to prevent, counter, and protect against these threats. We will also deepen our cooperation with friends and allies. Together, we will defend free speech, boost defense and resilience around the world, and uphold the rules-based international order.
Second, we will maintain regional peace and stability.
Recently, the G7 leaders’ statement and a report from the European Parliament both reaffirmed their support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also expressed opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the strait.
We thank our international partners for their strong focus on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. And we will respond with action, based on the principles of collective defense and shared responsibility. We will continue to upgrade our national defense and build whole-of-society defense and resilience. By expanding global cooperation, we will unite our full strength, to secure peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.
Third, we will foster global prosperity and development.
As the world enters an era of smart technology, Taiwan is promoting AI applications in all sectors. We are also putting focus on three key technologies: silicon photonics, quantum computing, and robotics. Taiwan will be more than a hub for AI infrastructure. Moving forward, we will continue to lead tech development worldwide.
We will also leverage our expertise in AI, semiconductors, and [information and communication technology] to connect with democratic partners. Together, we will deepen our industry and trade ties, and build non-red supply chains. This will make our economies more resilient and our nations more secure and prosperous.
Taiwan is a beacon of freedom and democracy. We are also a cornerstone of peace in the Indo-Pacific. Even in the face of authoritarian threats and emerging global challenges, we will stand firm. We will make sure that this beacon of democracy continues to shine and that the foundation of our freedom stays strong.
Your support is key in powering Taiwan forward. Thank you for taking action for democracy, peace, and prosperity. Let’s continue ahead, side by side, to protect our common values, and achieve our shared goals. Thank you again, and I wish this forum great success. Thank you.
Also in attendance at the event were Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini Russell Dlamini, United States House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul, former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin, and former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council:

The Sir Edward Youde Memorial (SEYM) Fund Council reminded interested applicants today (August 3) that the SEYM Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships and the SEYM Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships for Disabled Students for the 2027/28 academic year have been open for applications since June 22. The closing date is September 4, 2026.

The fellowships and scholarships aim at encouraging outstanding students to pursue further studies in renowned institutions overseas. Awardees should aspire to contribute to Hong Kong and be ready to give back to the community upon graduation.

The fellowships are for overseas studies leading to postgraduate degrees either by research or coursework. The maximum value of a fellowship is HK$300,000 per year, tenable for up to three years for a doctoral degree or two years for a master’s degree. The scholarships are for overseas studies leading to undergraduate degrees. The maximum value of a scholarship is HK$280,000 per year, tenable for up to three years.

The applicants will be responsible for fulfilling all application procedures and admission requirements of the academic institutions of their choice.

Information notes for the applications are available on the website of the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/en/resources/forms/form.htm). Applicants should submit the completed form through the GovHK website (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/sfo031/en/). For details, please visit the website of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/seymf/en/whatwedo/index.htm), or call (852) 3752 8711 or (852) 3752 8704.

Shortlisted applicants of the Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships will be invited to attend interviews in Hong Kong. The first round of interviews is scheduled for December 2026 or January 2027. If found suitable, applicants will be invited for a final interview to be held in January or February 2027. For the Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships for Disabled Students, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in Hong Kong in January or February 2027.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong West Office of Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department will be relocated to a new office for operation starting from August 10 (Monday).

The address of the new office is Units 904-906, 9/F, Infinitus Plaza, 199 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong (via Exit E5 of Sheung Wan MTR Station). The office will be open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6.15pm, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The telephone and fax numbers of the office will remain unchanged.

To facilitate the relocation, the current office at 3/F, Western Magistracy Building, 2A Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, will be closed after the service hours on August 7 (Friday).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced today (August 3) a series of new measures to deepen further the practical co-operation and coordinated development of the two markets, consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) warmly welcomes the measures.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “The series of measures announced today will support the development and cross boundary financing of enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and further promote the connectivity between the Hong Kong and Mainland markets through deepening co-operation in indices, futures and exchange traded funds. Under ‘One Country, Two Systems’, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world. As an important bridge in our country’s financial system, Hong Kong will continue to leverage its role in ‘bringing in and going global’, better integrating into and serving the overall development of our country. Hong Kong is proactively aligning with the National 15th Five Year Plan and is working at full speed to formulate our first five-year plan, fostering high quality market development by promoting Renminbi internationalisation and cross boundary capital flows. I sincerely thank the Central People’s Government and relevant authorities for their staunch support for Hong Kong all along. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s financial markets to consolidate and elevate Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, while serving our country’s high-quality financial opening-up and contributing to the long term development of our country’s financial markets.”

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “The 10 new measures cover a wide range of areas including cross boundary listings, exchange traded funds, index co-operation, Renminbi-denominated futures products, streamlined applications for Mainland professional qualifications, and strengthened financial regulatory co-operation. They will facilitate Mainland and overseas investors to seize the enormous investment opportunities arising from our country’s steady and high-quality economic development and the building of a modern industrial system, while at the same time consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s function as a hub connecting the Mainland market and global capital. These measures will further promote the coordinated development of the two capital markets on a more open, resilient and efficient basis. We sincerely thank the Central People’s Government, relevant authorities and the Mainland regulators for their strong support for Hong Kong, and will work closely with relevant Mainland institutions to expedite implementation of the measures.”

The CSRC and the SFC announced today a series of new measures for further deepening the practical co-operation and coordinated development of the markets of Hong Kong and the Mainland. The HKSAR Government and regulators will actively facilitate the implementation of the measures.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Two directors of Xtech Lighting System Company Limited and Xtech Engineering Company Limited were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The two directors pleaded guilty at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (August 3) and were fined a total sum of $66,000. The directors were also ordered to pay the employees concerned an outstanding total sum of about $102,000.

The companies wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay two employees’ wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of employment contracts totalling about $123,000, as well as the awarded sums totalling about $117,000 within 14 days after the date set by the Labour Tribunal (LT). The two directors concerned were prosecuted and convicted for their consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.

“The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages, termination payments and sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.

“The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government’s first-phase measures to enhance the regulation of licensed money lenders (money lenders) take effect today (August 1), including prohibiting money lenders from requesting borrowers to provide loan referees, and introducing “debt servicing ratio” caps for unsecured personal loans of low-income earners.

With the above measures in place, money lenders are not allowed to request borrowers to provide loan referees, and members of the public need not worry about facing harassment due to acting as a loan referee. Setting “debt servicing ratio” caps – for borrowers with monthly incomes of HK$6,000 or less, the cap is 35 per cent, and for borrowers with monthly incomes from HK$6,001 to HK$12,000, the cap is 40 per cent – will not only protect the public, but also encourage money lenders to grant loans more responsibly, thereby helping to address the issue of excessive borrowing and foster a more healthy market development.

The second-phase measures will be rolled out on June 1 next year, and will include requiring all money lenders engaging in unsecured personal loan businesses to regularly submit personal credit information of their unsecured personal loan borrowers to the Credit Data Smart (CDS). Money lenders will also need to meet specific requirements to join the CDS to obtain personal credit information of borrowers for loan application assessment.

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) hopes that the community will continue to support implementation of the measures, with a view to addressing the issue of excessive borrowing via a multipronged approach. The FSTB and the Companies Registry have been maintaining close liaison with the money lending industry, and have provided information and guidance to money lenders in order to ensure the smooth implementation of the measures.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

    ​The President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, together with members of the LegCo Panel on Security and other Members, conducted a visit to the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area (the Hong Kong Port Area) today (August 1) to learn about the latest preparatory work prior to its opening, including facilities operations and clearance arrangements.

Accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, Members first received a briefing by representatives of the Security Bureau on the latest progress of the preparatory work for the Hong Kong Port Area, as well as the passenger clearance routes and facilities layout in the building. Members considered that the redevelopment of Huanggang Port is one of the key initiatives through which the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) better integrates into and serves the overall development of the country, as well as a major livelihood project long-awaited by the public. In this regard, Members expressed their hope for early opening of the port.

The Hong Kong Port Area was established at the midnight of July 31 and is under the jurisdiction of the HKSAR in accordance with the laws of the HKSAR. Members noted that the redeveloped Huanggang Port will be positioned as the most important 24-hour passenger land boundary control point between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Adopting the co-location arrangement and the novel “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” mode, the overall clearance time will be significantly reduced from 30 minutes to approximately 5 minutes, significantly enhancing the passenger clearance experience and efficiency.

Members then visited facilities of the Hong Kong Port Area, including the Public Transport Interchange, Passenger Clearance Hall, Vehicle Clearance Level and the Immigration Clearance Hall for On-board Passengers, to gain first-hand knowledge of various operational arrangements of the Hong Kong Port Area. Members received a briefing by representatives of the Immigration Department on the operation of the “collaborative inspection” automated channels at the Passenger Clearance Hall, noting that passengers will only need to queue up once for document inspection or “face scan” clearance for identity verification to complete the respective immigration procedures of the two places, simplifying the passenger clearance procedures.

Members also observed the “joint one-stop” vehicle lanes at the Vehicle Clearance Level, and were briefed by representatives of the Customs and Excise Department on the “five-party inspection” arrangement for vehicles and drivers. Members learned that drivers will have to complete clearance procedures with the collection of body temperature, travel document, facial features and fingerprint data in one go through the “integrated information collection device”. The relevant information will then be transmitted to five different customs, immigration and quarantine authorities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen for respective immigration inspections. This will significantly enhance clearance efficiency.

During the visit, Members exchanged views with government representatives on various issues, covering the public transport facilities connecting to the Hong Kong Port Area, preparatory tasks prior to its opening, including status of various tests and drill arrangements, as well as supervision of operations, with a view to ensuring smooth operations after the opening of the port in the future.

A total of 37 Members attended the visit. In addition to members of the Panel on Security, other non-members also attended.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs today (August 1) seized four live turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $20,000, at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

A 43-year-old local woman was intercepted for customs clearance at the departure hall of the Control Point. Customs officers found four live turtles on her body. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of turtles were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.

The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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).