Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Greater Bay Area Conference 2025 today (October 23):
 
Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chief Convenor of the Hong Kong Coalition), Mr Qu Yingpu (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join you virtually at the Greater Bay Area Conference 2025. To those visiting Hong Kong, a very warm welcome to all of you.
 
Let me begin by congratulating China Daily and the Hong Kong Coalition for co-organising this meaningful event. Your dedication to fostering dialogue and collaboration across industries has drawn professionals and industry leaders to today’s event.
 
Today’s conference will help to create important momentum to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a cluster city development that brings together Hong Kong, Macao, and nine Mainland cities in Guangdong.
 
With an area of some 56 000 square kilometres, the Greater Bay Area has a population of over 87 million. At last count, its GDP has surpassed US$ 2 trillion. In other words, this piece of land occupying under 1 per cent of our country’s landmass, and inhabited by under 6 per cent of the country’s population, has a GDP that closely rivals that of the world’s tenth largest economy.
 
Hong Kong is the only world city that converges both the China advantage and the global advantage. It stands as a premier gateway for co-operation, bridging people, trades, businesses, cultures and values across the region. As a core city of the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong is dedicated to leveraging its advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle to promote high-quality collaborations worldwide.
 
Hong Kong boasts a long and established tradition of the rule of law. We maintain a common law system that dovetails with most global financial hubs. Our tax system is simple, and our tax rate is as low as it is competitive. Our workforce is multi-talented, hard-working, and well-versed with the business language of both the Mainland and the world.
 
Given the ever-changing global trade order, and our country’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism, there is fast-growing demand around the globe for “Made in China” products. I see growing opportunities in helping Mainland companies go global through Hong Kong’s world-class professional services.
 
In my Policy Address last month, I announced the establishment of a task force focused on supporting Mainland enterprises in going global. This GoGlobal Task Force has already been launched earlier this month, by bringing together the overseas offices of Invest Hong Kong and the Trade Development Council, as well as Hong Kong offices on the Mainland.
 
It is given a simple and important mandate: to assist Mainland companies in taking their businesses globally. And, through the process, create important value for both our country and Hong Kong. For a better tomorrow of us all.
 
That tomorrow is certainly innovation-driven. The Government is expediting Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T (innovation and technology) centre. We will make available land resources for the rapid development of technology and technological transformation.
 
The Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, an area that radiates beyond our boundary with Shenzhen, officially enters its operational phase this year.
 
We are working closely with Mainland authorities to promote the efficient cross-boundary flow of innovation elements in the Co-operation Zone on a pilot basis. With the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranking first, for the very first time, in this year’s Global Innovation Index Ranking of the World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters, I am confident that our collective strength in the Greater Bay Area will boost the country’s global competitiveness.
 
On nurturing talent, I highlighted in my Policy Address that the integrated development of education, technology and talent is a foundational and strategic pillar for progress in the new era. It enables Hong Kong to build rich talent resources, knowledge reserve, and capacities for scientific and technological innovation, thereby enhancing our competitiveness.
 
The Government is pressing ahead with efforts to build Hong Kong into an international education hub, leveraging our distinctive advantage of being home to five universities ranked among the world’s top 100. We will promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, increasing the number of self-financing places for non-local students at our post-secondary institutions to 50 per cent. That, ladies and gentlemen, will create a more diverse and international student body for our education hub.
 
Culture is our root – it connects people and enriches communities. Hong Kong thrives as an east-meets-west centre for international cultural exchange. Through extensive people-to-people ties in the region, we are building cultural bridges that connect Hong Kong with different cities across the Greater Bay Area and the rest of the world.
 
In less than three weeks, the 15th National Games will be held. I hope all of you will take the opportunity to discover and experience Hong Kong’s dynamic spirit, vibrant energy and warm hospitality. I am confident that your time here will lead to meaningful connections and lasting impressions.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you to share your insights on the future of the Greater Bay Area. Your perspectives are vital to shaping a more connected, innovative, and prosperous region. A better bay area for the enjoyment of a world of visitors.
 
I wish the Conference every success and all participants a fruitful and rewarding day. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Legendary cellist Mischa Maisky will take the stage together with his daughter, pianist Lily Maisky, at Hong Kong City Hall on November 22 (Saturday) as the finale of Great Music 2025, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). This year also marks the 20th anniversary of their first performance as a duo. This recital offers music fans an opportunity to witness the profound musical synergy that has been built between them, united by artistry. This programme is also part of the third Asia+ Festival. 

     The recital will open with Beethoven’s Seven Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” from the opera “Die Zauberflöte” by Mozart, which is one of the works that the duo played in their first concert 20 years ago, followed by Shostakovich’s “Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Op. 40”. The second half of the recital showcases music in German Romanticism. It features music from Brahms’ lieder, namely “Liebestreu, Op. 3, No. 1”, “Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer, Op. 105, No. 2” and “Lerchengesang, Op. 70, No. 2”. The duo will also perform works from the much-loved song cycles by Schumann, including four selected pieces from “Dichterliebe” (namely “Im wunderschönen Monat Mai”, “Ich will meine Seele tauchen”, “Hör’ ich das Liedchen klingen” and “Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen”), and “Widmung”, the opening piece of “Myrthen” (arranged by Mischa Maisky). Schumann’s “Romance for Oboe and Piano, Op. 94, No. 1” (arranged by Walter Despalj) and “Fantasiestücke, Op. 73” will also be performed, showcasing the beauty of classical music to audiences with Romantic masterpieces. 

     Mischa Maisky has the distinction of being the only cellist in the world to have studied with both Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky. He has collaborated with numerous internationally renowned conductors, musicians and orchestras. His recordings have earned worldwide critical acclaim by winning awards including the Record Academy Prize in Tokyo, the Echo Deutscher Schallplattenpreis in Germany, the Grand Prix du Disque and the Diapason d’Or of the Year in France, as well as receiving several Grammy nominations. Mischa was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Istanbul Music Festival in 2018. A year later, he was awarded an Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music, an honour that is limited to 300 living persons at a time, recognising him alongside maestros such as Mendelssohn, Liszt, Stravinsky and Casals.

     Lily Maisky began playing the piano at the age of 4 with Lyl Tiempo, and has received musical advice from various renowned artists including Martha Argerich, Dmitri Bashkirov and Vitalij Margulis. Concert appearances have taken her throughout Europe, and she regularly tours Asia, North and South America. She has been invited to many of the great music festivals, and has performed concertos under the batons of internationally acclaimed conductors. Lily has formed a regular piano and cello duo with her father Mischa since 2005. The duo has released “Adagietto” and “Twentieth Century Classics” to critical acclaim.

     “Duo Recital by Mischa Maisky (Cello) and Lily Maisky (Piano)” will be staged at 8pm on November 22 (Saturday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $280, $480, $680 and $880 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Discount schemes are available for the programmes under the third Asia+ Festival and the Great Music 2025. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1861.html.

     A pre-concert talk entitled “Dynamic Interpretations: Mischa Maisky’s Unique Style” (in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on November 22 at the Committee Room North, 7/F, High Block, Hong Kong City Hall. The speaker will be music practitioner Albert Ho. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

     The third Asia+ Festival is being held from September to November with an aim to create a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. Focusing on Asia, the Festival also connects with Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. This year, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, will take part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en.

     The LCSD’s Great Music 2025, running from June to November this year, brings together world-class musicians and a celebrated orchestra for a spectacular lineup of performances, showcasing the city’s unique charm as an international centre of arts and culture. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1840.html.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Overall consumer prices rose 1.1% year on year in September, the same as in August, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1% in September, slightly lower than that recorded in the previous month.

Compared with the year before, price increases were recorded in September in the following categories: transport; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; housing; miscellaneous services; meals out and takeaway food; miscellaneous goods; and electricity, gas and water.

Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were logged for clothing and footwear, and durable goods.

The Government said consumer price inflation remained modest in September. It expects that overall inflation should stay modest in the near term, as domestic cost pressures remain contained and external price pressures are subdued.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, in partnership with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the American State Offices Association (ASOA), hosted the 2025 U.S. Business Day in Taiwan on Sep. 23 at the Taipei International Convention Center.

U.S. Business Day serves as an important platform for enhancing trade and investment ties between Taiwan and the United States. This year’s event focused on key industries such as 5G, IoT, AI, ICT, automotive components, and next-generation communications. The event was aimed at fostering connections between U.S. and Taiwan supply chains and helping Taiwanese companies stay abreast of the latest U.S. market trends and partnership opportunities.

In his opening remarks, Director General William Liu of the International Trade Administration stated that the MOEA continues to uphold its Rooted in Taiwan, Connecting Globally trade policy, actively assisting Taiwanese businesses in diversifying their international presence and strengthening supply chain resilience. He noted that the government is promoting the Five Trusted Industry Sectors initiative and advancing key technologies such as silicon photonics, quantum computing and AI robotics. With the U.S. holding strong foundations in these fields, Taiwan–U.S. cooperation can further enhance the competitiveness of supply chain partnerships, he added.

AIT Acting Director Karin M. Lang highlighted that Taiwan and the United States share a close economic relationship. She pointed out that total trade volume between the U.S. and Taiwan’s 23 million people has surpassed that of the U.S. and India’s 1.4 billion population, making Taiwan the United States’ seventh-largest trading partner. She also noted that Taiwan’s investment in the U.S. has reached record highs and that Taiwan has sent the largest delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit for six consecutive years, demonstrating the strong commitment of Taiwanese enterprises to expanding their presence in the U.S. and deepening supply chain cooperation.

This year’s event welcomed representatives from Hawaii, Nevada, North Dakota, Kentucky and Missouri, who introduced the latest investment opportunities in their respective states. ASOA also organized on-site state investment consultation booths to facilitate direct exchanges with Taiwanese businesses. Fifteen major U.S. buyers also joined this year’s event, including Humax Digital, Littelfuse (joining virtually) and Telamon Corporation.

To help Taiwanese small and medium-sized enterprises expand internationally, the MOEA will also co-organize upcoming sessions of Business Day in Europe (Sept. 24) and Africa (Nov. 4) along with the Taiwan Select Global Sourcing Fair in Taichung (Oct. 1-2) and in Kaohsiung (Nov. 4). These events will bring global buyers to Taiwan to explore procurement opportunities in machinery, metals, hardware, hand tools, and fasteners, creating precise matchmaking channels that enhance the international competitiveness of local industries and SMEs.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA solemnly refutes false claims made by China’s Foreign Ministry regarding Taiwan

October 22, 2025  

On October 21, a spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry falsely claimed that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory and that the Taiwan question was purely China’s internal affair. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that the international community recognizes this status quo. In accordance with Taiwan’s democratization process and the principle of self-determination of peoples enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan. This is an irrefutable fact. MOFA categorically refutes China’s false claims and calls on its government to face reality rationally and cease all attempts to mislead the international community.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Delegation of National Model Workers & Craftsmen concluded its four-day visit to Hong Kong this morning. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government hosted a farewell ceremony at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port before their departure.

At the farewell ceremony, Under Secretary for Labour & Welfare Ho Kai-ming expressed his sincere gratitude to the delegation for visiting the city, which allowed Hong Kong citizens to experience the remarkable contributions and noble spirit demonstrated by the National Model Workers, National Advanced Workers and National Great Craftsmen in their respective fields, and to gain a deeper understanding of the profound essence of the spirit of craftsmanship.

He said that the professionalism, wealth of experience and passion for work demonstrated by the delegates have profoundly inspired and encouraged members of the public in Hong Kong, particularly the younger generation.

Deputy Director-General of the Social Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Wu Xiaochuan also attended the farewell ceremony.

The delegation commenced its visit to Macau after departing Hong Kong today.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region