Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tokyo ETO holds reception in Seoul to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties
In her welcoming remarks, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, once again congratulated Korea for successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings last year, which was a landmark achievement. She noted that the high-level exchanges between Hong Kong and Korea in recent years provided a valuable platform for both places to strengthen collaboration and achieve results across a wide range of areas.
She highlighted Hong Kong’s unique position under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, underscoring Hong Kong’s continued commitment to serving as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” linking the Chinese Mainland, Korea and the wider region. As a measure announced in the 2025 Policy Address, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau has set up the Economic and Trade Express. The platform focuses on supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups by proactively organising overseas business missions including Korea, while at the same time facilitating more enterprises to invest in and establish operations in Hong Kong, thereby promoting the two-way flow of enterprises and investments.
Miss Au also remarked that Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul, held last year, showcased Hong Kong’s East-meets-West creative strengths and drew over 540 000 attendees. The wide span of cultural performances and artistic showcases brought together about 800 Hong Kong and Korean artists and cultural practitioners through over 65 programmes.
Tokyo ETO will continue to work closely with regional partners, including Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to promote economic co-operation and people-to-people exchanges.
Issued at HKT 20:20
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CE officiates at commendation ceremony for HKSAR Delegations to 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games of People’s Republic of China
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE officiates at commendation ceremony for HKSAR Delegations to 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games of People’s Republic of China (with photos/video)
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to medalists and prize winners in the Games.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time, which fully demonstrated our country’s firm support for the collaborative development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It also signified Hong Kong’s practical integration into the overall development of our country which is of great significance and profound impact.
Mr Lee added that the Government’s estimated expenditure for promoting sports development in this financial year exceeded $9.2 billion, more than doubling the $4.3 billion allocated ten years ago. The athletes’ outstanding achievements reflected the enhancement of Hong Kong’s sports prowess as well as the results of athletes’ strenuous training, while affirming that the Government’s long-standing commitment to training elite athletes and strengthening the policy on sports developments is on the right direction.
Other attending guests included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Head of the HKSAR Delegations, Miss Rosanna Law; the President of the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Delegations, Mrs Jenny Fung; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and Honorary Adviser of the Delegations, Ms Vivian Sum; the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services and Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Delegations, Ms Manda Chan; and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Delegations, Mr Cheng King-leung.
The 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time. First-time events also included the cross-boundary marathon between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and the road cycling race spanning Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The 15th NG was held from November 9 to 21, 2025, followed by the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG from December 8 to 15, 2025. The ever largest HKSAR Delegations comprised more than 1 300 athletes in 28 competition events and 23 mass participation events at the 15th NG; and over 280 athletes in 14 competition events and four mass participation events of the 12th NGD as well as seven events of the 9th NSOG. They achieved the best-ever performance at the 15th NG, having won 31 medals, comprising 12 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze; entered the quarter-finals in 19 events; and won one first prize, two second prizes, and one third prize in the competition events and mass participation events. At the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, they won 142 medals, comprising 52 gold, 50 silver and 40 bronze. The competition results and relevant information are available on the dedicated webpage set up by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ngames/2025/index.htmlIssued at HKT 21:07
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Special traffic arrangements for International Chinese New Year Night Parade
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special traffic arrangements for International Chinese New Year Night Parade
The Police announced today (February 12) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the Chinese New Year (February 17) to facilitate the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade. Members of the public are urged to plan their journeys in advance and to make use of public transport services as far as possible.- The fast lane of southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Peking Road and Salisbury Road;
– Ashley Road between Haiphong Road and Peking Road;
– Hankow Road between Haiphong Road and Middle Road;
– Lock Road;
– Northbound Nathan Road between Bowring Street and Salisbury Road;
– Southbound Nathan Road between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– Westbound Kimberley Road between Carnarvon Road and Nathan Road;
– Cameron Lane;
– Eastbound Cameron Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road;
– Haiphong Road;
– Humphreys Avenue;
– Ichang Street;
– Mody Road between Nathan Road and Bristol Avenue;
– Peking Road between Ashley Road and Nathan Road;
– Peking Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Middle Road between Hankow Road and Salisbury Road;
– Eastbound Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Eastbound Salisbury Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Hankow Road, expect for the slow lane;
– Eastbound Salisbury Road between Hankow Road and Chatham Road South;
– The slow lane of westbound Salisbury Road between Nathan Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Westbound Salisbury Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Canton Road, including the pick-up/drop-off area outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre; and
– the Salisbury Road underpass.- Middle Road between Hankow Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Hankow Road between Salisbury Road and Middle Road;
– Eastbound Salisbury Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Hankow Road; and
– Southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Canton Road and Salisbury Road.- Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Canton Road.- Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Hankow Road;
– Traffic along eastbound Peking Road must turn right to southbound Ashley Road;
– Traffic along southbound Ashley Road must turn right to westbound Middle Road;
– Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
– Traffic along Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be rerouted one-way eastbound;
– Traffic along westbound Salisbury Road cannot turn right to northbound Nathan Road;
– Traffic along westbound Salisbury Road must turn right to northbound Kowloon Park Drive; and
– Traffic along northbound Carnarvon Road must turn right to eastbound Kimberley Road.- Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South must turn left to eastbound Salisbury Road.Issued at HKT 20:00
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Forge advancement through connectivity and visionary innovation
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, chaired Customs’ 2025 year-end press conference held at the Customs Headquarters Building today (February 12) to review the department’s efforts in the past year. The department continued to spare no efforts in guarding the southern gateway to the country, intercepting various smuggling activities on all fronts, combatting illicit cigarette and dangerous drug activities, and preventing prohibited/controlled items into or out of Hong Kong, as well as strengthening collaboration with the Chinese Mainland, different countries and regions in implementing various measures to facilitate trade and clearance. All these help Hong Kong proactively capitalise on its role as a bridge linking the country and the world, hence contributing to the high-level opening up and high-quality economic development of the country.
Overall enforcement situation
———————————
In 2025, Customs detected a total of 38 869 cases, an increase of 24 per cent from the 2024 figure. About 75 per cent of the cases are related to illicit cigarettes, followed by cases related to dangerous drugs and intellectual property rights infringement.
Illicit cigarettes
——————–
On the anti-illicit cigarette operation front, 29 037 cases were detected and 28 580 persons were arrested in 2025, increases of 36 per cent and 39 per cent from 2024 respectively, with 604 million cigarettes seized, which was about the same as the 2024 figure.
The significant increase in the number of cases and arrestees mainly stemmed from a huge surge in cases of inbound persons bringing in cigarettes exceeding the duty-free concessions by imposing a penalty on offences compoundable at passenger clearance channels, in which about 27 000 inbound persons were involved. This showed an increase of 41 per cent from 2024. Customs also noticed that syndicates exploited travelers and adopted an “ant-moving-home” approach to smuggle tobacco products into Hong Kong.
In addition, 2 600 cases involving alternative smoking products, with seizures of about 9.35 million pieces of relevant products, including electronic cigarettes and heat-not burn products, were detected last year. 2 559 persons were also arrested.
Illicit fuel
———————————–
In 2025, 961 drug cases were detected, which was a decrease of 29 per cent from 2024. A total seizure of about 7.5 tonnes of drugs was made, representing an increase of 19 per cent from 2024.
Smuggling
————
A total of 286 smuggling cases were detected last year, an increase of 22 per cent from 2024, with a seizure value of $4.217 billion in total made, representing a drop of 2 per cent from 2024.——————–
Customs last year detected 12 money laundering cases with 24 persons arrested and $12.8 billion involved. The number of cases showed an increase of 9 per cent while the number of arrests and amount involved dropped 27 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.
Intellectual property rights
——————————
Customs detected 723 intellectual property rights infringement cases last year with about 970,000 infringing goods seized. The seizure value of infringing items increased 35 per cent to around $420 million as compared to the figure for 2024.———————————————————–
Clearance
(1) The Single E-lock Scheme was extended to the Fuzhou Customs District in July last year, increasing the number of Customs clearance points under the scheme to 99. Thousands of cross boundary routes were provided to the industry and a “green lane” for facilitating logistics flows between Hong Kong and Guangdong was built.———————————————————-
Hong Kong Customs last year continued to reinforce connections with both the Mainland and the world, promoting regional and global exchanges and co-operation.
New uniform
—————–
To enhance occupational safety, work efficiency, and the department’s professional image, Hong Kong Customs has designed a new uniform. The new design fully considers feedback from frontline staff, meeting their needs for comfort, functionality, and aesthetics. Customs has been replacing the uniforms of 4 500 frontline officers with the new ones starting last June, and the full implementation will be completed in the second quarter of this year, hoping to give the department a refreshed image while improving the work efficiency of staff.——————
Conclusion
————–
Mr Chan said that the department will embrace changes and be bold in promoting trade and clearance measures, as well as in executing daily tasks, so as to pursue the most ambitious goals.
CHP reminds public not to consume raw oysters and observe food safety for the time being as two more food poisoning clusters reported
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP reminds public not to consume raw oysters and observe food safety for the time being as two more food poisoning clusters reported
New food poisoning clusters
————————————
The clusters involve one male and six females aged between 24 and 45. They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about 28 to 36 hours after having dinner at O DELICE! located at Shop L407 on Level 4, THE ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, on January 31 and February 1 respectively.
Three of the affected persons sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the food item that the affected individuals had in common at the aforementioned restaurant was raw oyster. Upon receiving the CHP’s notification of the first cluster on February 5, officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)(including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) immediately conducted an investigation in the concerned restaurant and the raw oyster supplier. Investigations revealed that the raw oyster supplier of these clusters is Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited. The CFS immediately instructed Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited to suspend the sale and supply of raw oysters on February 6, and issued a press release
The investigation of the CHP and the CFS is ongoing.
Continuously rising of norovirus-related food poisoning cases
—————————————————————————
“The number of food poisoning cases recorded over the past few weeks has continued to rise, increasing from an average of one case per week in late December last year to an average of four cases per week in January. From January 18 to February 12, the CHP recorded 45 food poisoning cases, affecting 53 males and 82 females aged between 15 and 75. Nearly 87 per cent (39 cases) were associated with norovirus, affecting 113 persons. Epidemiological investigations showed that all the individuals affected by the abovementioned food poisoning cases related to norovirus had consumed raw oysters during the incubation period,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
“As oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw or undercooked oysters are considered a high-risk food. Persons who consume contaminated or undercooked oysters may contract food-borne diseases, such as norovirus, hepatitis A virus or other bacteria. During the Lunar New Year, people usually gather for meals with relatives and friends. I particularly remind the public that only thoroughly cooked food, especially shellfish, should be consumed, whether dining at home or in restaurants, to avoid contracting enteric diseases. Norovirus cannot be killed by alcoholic beverages, lemon juice or wasabi. When cooking oysters in a hot pot or on the grill, ensure that they are thoroughly cooked to effectively minimise the risk of norovirus infection. Given the recent increase in norovirus activity with epidemiological data indicating that most food poisoning cases are related to raw oyster consumption, and as the CFS of the FEHD is investigating the source of raw oysters, members of the public should not take the risk of consuming undercooked oysters,” Dr Tsui explained.
“It is worth noting that norovirus is highly contagious. Individuals infected with norovirus through contaminated food can spread the virus to others through person-to-person contact or environment contaminated by vomitus. In addition to causing food poisoning, norovirus is also one of the primary causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). According to our surveillance data, the AGE activity level in Hong Kong has been rising since early January, including AGE outbreaks in institutions and schools. Laboratory testing indicated that over 75 per cent of the AGE outbreaks were caused by norovirus. Additionally, norovirus activity has increased in other popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, including Japan and Korea. Surveillance data from Korea showed that the norovirus activity has reached its highest level in nearly five years for this time of year. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene when travelling abroad and pay attention to minimise the risk of infection,” Dr Tsui added.Issued at HKT 21:30
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Crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements for Chinese New Year fireworks display
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Police announced today (February 12) that crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the Chinese New Year fireworks display on the second day of the Chinese New Year (February 18). Members of the public are urged to plan their journeys in advance and to make use of public transport services as far as possible.
Hong Kong Island
————————————————– Man Fai Street;
– Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Man Po Street; and
– The unnamed road near Lung Wo Road outside the General Post Office.————————– The slip road linking Lung Wo Road to Central–Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel eastbound; and
– The slip road linking Central–Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel westbound to Lung Wo Road.—————— Lung King Street;
– Eastbound Harbour Road;
– Expo Drive;
– Expo Drive Central;
– Expo Drive East;
– Lung Wo Road between Lung Hop Street and Fleming Road;
– Lung Tat Path;
– Convention Avenue;
– The Fleming Road flyover;
– Fleming Road between Expo Drive East and Harbour Road;
– Northbound Tonnochy Road between Harbour Road and Hung Hing Road;
– Southbound Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
– Marsh Road between Hennessy Road and Hung Hing Road;
– The Marsh Road flyover;
– Hung Hing Road;
– The Hung Hing Road flyover;
– Wan Shing Street;
– Wan Ying Street; and
– The slip road leading from eastbound Victoria Park Road to Causeway Bay Promenade.—————– Lung Wo Road between Man Yiu Street and Lung Hop Street;
– Tim Wa Avenue;
– Legislative Council Road;
– Tim Mei Avenue;
– Lung Wui Road;
– Lung Hop Street;
– The unnamed road between Harcourt Road and Performing Arts Avenue;
– Performing Arts Avenue; and
– Edinburgh Place.—————— Northbound Tonnochy Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
– Harbour Drive;
– Westbound Harbour Road;
– Northbound Fleming Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
– The Fenwick Pier Street flyover;
– Westbound Fenwick Pier Street; and
– Fenwick Street between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road.—————– King Ming Road;
– Hing Fat Street northward of Whitfield Road;
– Whitfield Road; and
– Electric Road between Watson Road and Gordon Road.—————– Man Po Street; and
– Finance Street between Man Yiu Street and Man Po Street.—————— Southbound Luard Road between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
– O’Brien Road;
– Fleming Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road; and
– Stewart Road, Tonnochy Road, Marsh Road, Canal Road West and Canal Road East between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road.———————————————-
– Westbound Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street;
– The slip roads leading from Healthy Street Central and Tong Shui Road to westbound IEC; and
– The entrance of westbound Central–Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel from IEC.- Traffic along the slip road of Tong Shui Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Wharf Road; and
– Traffic along the eastbound Connaught Road West flyover will be diverted via Finance Street.————————————————————————————
– Salisbury Road and the Salisbury Road underpass between Cheong Wan Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Metropolis Drive;
– Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Hom Road;
– Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– Southbound Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Granville Road, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);
– Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;
– Canton Road between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
– Southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
– Northbound Nathan Road between Salisbury Road and Austin Road;
– Southbound Nathan Road between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Nathan Road;
– Hong Wan Path;
– Mody Lane;
– Mody Road;
– Mody Square;
– Granville Square;
– Minden Row;
– Hanoi Road;
– Bristol Avenue;
– Minden Avenue;
– Blenheim Avenue;
– Hart Avenue;
– Prat Avenue;
– Humphreys Avenue;
– Cameron Road;
– Cameron Lane;
– Hau Fuk Street;
– Middle Road;
– Peking Road;
– Lock Road;
– Hankow Road;
– Ashley Road;
– Ichang Street; and
– Haiphong Road.- Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive cannot turn right to southbound Hung Hom Bypass;
– Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Bypass must turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;
– Franchised buses along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Public Square Street or westbound Jordan Road;
– Franchised buses and GMBs along southbound Chatham Road South must turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
– Traffic along southbound Canton Road must make a U-turn to northbound Canton Road outside China Hong Kong City;
– Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
– Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be rerouted one-way eastbound, while traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be instructed to turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
– Traffic along Science Museum Road cannot turn to Mody Road and Granville Road;
– Traffic along southbound Salisbury Road near Hong Chong Road will be diverted to Tsim Sha Tsui East;
– Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
– Traffic along eastbound Granville Road near Chatham Road South must turn left to northbound Chatham Road South;
– Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Kowloon Park Drive;
– Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn right to Peking Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Cheong Wan Road leading to Chatham Road South must turn right to northbound Chatham Road South or proceed via westbound Austin Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs.- Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Gateway Boulevard.- Cultural Drive;
– The slip road of eastbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to westbound Austin Road West near The Harbourside;
– The slip road of westbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to eastbound Austin Road West near Xiqu Centre; and
– The left lane of westbound Austin Road West leading to the Austin Road West roundabout.- Vehicles along southbound Nga Cheung Road are not permitted to enter Museum Drive.
– Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;
– Canton Road between Austin Road West and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Nathan Road between Austin Road and Jordan Road;
– Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
– Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street;
– Southbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Granville Road;
– Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Observatory Road;
– Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Hillwood Road;
– Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Observatory Road;
– Granville Circuit;
– Carnarvon Road between Kimberley Road and Granville Road;
– Kimberley Street;
– Shun Yee Street; and
– Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South.- Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Nathan Road;
– Traffic along westbound Austin Road and southbound Cox’s Road cannot turn to Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Traffic along Observatory Road cannot turn left to westbound Kimberley Street;
– Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn right to eastbound Bowring Street;
– Traffic along eastbound Bowring Street will be diverted via northbound Pilkem Street;
– Traffic along southbound Canton Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road or westbound Austin Road West;
– Traffic along eastbound Austin Road West cannot turn right to southbound Canton Road;
– Traffic along westbound Jordan Road heading for Nga Cheung Road will be directed to Kowloon Station Public Transport Interchange;
– Traffic along westbound Austin Road West will be diverted to northbound Nga Cheung Road flyover; and
– Traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road West.- Oi King Street; and
– Kin Wan Street.- Traffic along westbound Wa Shun Street must turn right to eastbound Hung Luen Road;
– Traffic along southbound Hung Lok Road cannot turn left to eastbound Hung Luen Road; and
– Traffic along eastbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to northbound Hung Lok Road.
MOFA congratulates Japan on successful completion of general election
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA congratulates Japan on successful completion of general election
Date：2026-02-09
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION
February 9, 2026No. 045Japan held its 51st House of Representatives election on February 8. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, won 316 of 465 seats, exceeding the two-thirds threshold and marking the highest number of seats ever secured by a single party in the lower house in postwar Japan. Combined with the 36 seats won by the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s coalition partner, the LDP-led bloc now holds 352 seats. On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung extends his sincere congratulations to Japan on the smooth completion of the election. He has instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to promptly send congratulatory telegrams to Prime Minister Takaichi, members of the cross-party caucus Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, and other lawmakers friendly to Taiwan.Taiwan and Japan are important partners and friends that share the core values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Bilateral interactions have long been close and cordial, with cooperation conducted through values-based diplomacy, alliance diplomacy, and economic diplomacy yielding fruitful results in a wide range of domains. In recent years, Japan has called on the international community to pay attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. There has been a high degree of consensus across political parties and society as a whole on supporting Taiwan’s international participation and deepening friendly exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.Building on this existing solid foundation and in the spirit of integrated diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looks forward to furthering substantive cooperation with the government of Japan and all political parties to steadily elevate bilateral relations, promote a mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership, and advance peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific. (E)
Customs handles 38k cases in 2025
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Customs & Excise Department handled a total of 38,869 cases in 2025, up 24% on the figure for 2025.
Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat announced the figures today during a press conference reviewing the department’s work last year.
Among the cases handled by the department, a majority of 75% were in relation to illicit cigarettes. This was followed by cases involving dangerous drugs and intellectual property rights infringement cases.
Mr Chan highlighted that the number of cases involving illicit cigarettes in 2025 was up by 36% on 2024, reaching 29,037. The number of cigarettes seized stood at 604 million, about the same as in 2024.
He explained that the increase in the number of illicit cigarette cases stemmed from a huge surge in those involving inbound individuals exceeding their duty-free allowances.
Mr Chan also outlined that the department handled 961 drug cases in 2025, down 29% from 2024. About 7.5 tonnes of drugs were seized, a 19% rise year-on-year.
Customs also detected 43 cases involving etomidate last year. About 25.2kg of etomidate and 4,387 etomidate capsules were seized, and 43 people were arrested.
Meanwhile, a total of 286 smuggling cases, comprising a seizure value of $4.217 billion, were handled last year, representing a 22% increase in the number of cases, and a 2% drop in the seizure value as against the figures for 2024.
As regards intellectual property rights infringements, Customs detected 723 cases last year, with the value of infringing items seized rising 35% to around $420 million.
Mr Chan also outlined the department’s work on clearance and trade facilitation, noting that the Single Window Phase 3 services will be implemented in batches, with the first-batch service rolling out in the middle of this year to replace the existing Road Cargo System.
CE lauds NG athletes
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government held the commendation ceremony for the Hong Kong SAR Delegations to the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) of the People’s Republic of China at the Ma On Shan Sports Centre this afternoon.
Chief Executive John Lee officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to medalists and prize winners in the games.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time, which fully demonstrated the country’s firm support for the collaborative development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It also signified Hong Kong’s practical integration into the overall development of the country which is of great significance and profound impact.
Mr Lee noted that the Government’s estimated expenditure for promoting sports development in this financial year exceeded $9.2 billion, more than doubling the $4.3 billion allocated 10 years ago.
He added that the athletes’ outstanding achievements reflected the enhancement of Hong Kong’s sports prowess as well as the results of athletes’ strenuous training, while affirming that the Government’s long-standing commitment to training elite athletes and strengthening the policy on sports developments is on the right direction.
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism and Head of the Hong Kong SAR Delegations Rosanna Law and National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Head Yeung Tak-keung also attended the ceremony.
The 15th NG was held from November 9 to 21, 2025 and was followed by the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG from December 8 to 15.
The ever largest Hong Kong SAR delegations comprised more than 1,300 athletes at the 15th NG, and over 280 athletes at the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG.
They achieved the best-ever performance at the 15th NG, having won 31 medals, comprising 12 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze.
At the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, they bagged 142 medals, comprising 52 gold, 50 silver and 40 bronze.
Click here for the competition results and relevant information.
Traffic measures to be implemented
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
To facilitate festive events occurring on the first two days of the Lunar New Year, the Government will roll out special traffic and transport arrangements at various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon.
In connection with the International Chinese New Year Night Parade due to be held in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm on February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year, special road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases starting from 3.30pm that day. They will remain in place until the roads reopen at about 11.45pm.
With regard to the Lunar New Year fireworks display, which will be staged at 8pm on February 18, special traffic arrangements will be in force on both sides of Victoria Harbour starting from 5pm.
During the road closure hours for both events, taxi stands, including pick-up and drop-off points, public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will not be in use.
In addition, the Marine Department will implement marine traffic control measures and strengthen inspections of spectator vessels to ensure that safety requirements are met.