Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Digital Policy Office announced today (April 16) that Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) has become a recognised certification authority pursuant to the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553) (ETO).
 
The Government established the Voluntary Certification Authority Recognition Scheme under the ETO. A certification authority may voluntarily apply to the Commissioner for Digital Policy for recognition. Recognition will only be granted to those certification authorities and digital certificates that meet the Government’s trustworthiness standards, thus protecting the interests of users of services provided by a recognised certification authority.
 
Under the Recognition Scheme, a certification authority issues digital certificates to subscribers, allowing them to conduct electronic transactions with other parties in a secure manner.
 
     The HKIRC has been granted authority to issue six types of digital certificate to individuals and organisations. The HKIRC’s recognition brings the total number of recognised certification authorities in Hong Kong to three, the other two being Digi-Sign Certification Services Limited and the Postmaster General.
 
     A spokesperson for the Digital Policy Office (DPO) said, “The Government has been encouraging organisations to provide services as certification authorities, offering the public who need certification services more choices and helping to promote and facilitate secure and reliable electronic transactions.”
 
More details of the Recognition Scheme are available on the DPO website (www.digitalpolicy.gov.hk/en/our_work/digital_infrastructure/legal_framework/regulation/eto/ca/introduction/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The sixth-term Commission on Poverty convened its sixth meeting this afternoon (April 16).
 
At the meeting, members noted that the Report on Impact of Targeted Poverty Alleviation Strategy in Hong Kong is being finalised. The Report will elaborate on the content and impact of the Government’s targeted poverty alleviation measures. It will also reflect, from a macro perspective, how the Government’s major policies alleviate, combat and prevent poverty, thereby effectively enhancing people’s sense of achievement and satisfaction. The Report will also outline future strategies for relevant work. It is expected to be released by mid-2026.
 
Members also noted that the Government will continue to support vulnerable groups through the tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, including establishing a platform to encourage family offices involved in philanthropic endeavours to provide resources for implementing projects that benefit disadvantaged groups.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, witnessed the signing of strategic collaboration agreements by The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) with the Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (SZTCMH) and the Hebei Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (HBHCM) respectively yesterday (April 15) and today (April 16) at CMHHK. The agreements laid a foundation and set the direction for collaboration on various fronts between CMHHK and the two Chinese medicine (CM) hospitals in Shenzhen Municipality and Hebei Province.

Professor Lo and member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Shenzhen Municipal Committee and the Party Leadership Group of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, Mr Chen Qing, witnessed the signing of the Strategic Collaboration Agreement between SZTCMH and CMHHK by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CMHHK Operator, Mr Wong Kwai-huen, and the President of SZTCMH, Professor Zhu Meiling, yesterday. Professor Lo also witnessed the signing of the Strategic Collaboration Agreement between HBHCM and CMHHK by Mr Wong and the Director of HBHCM, Professor Zhi Zheng, today. The signing marked the official commencement of collaboration between CMHHK and the two CM hospitals.

Professor Lo said, “CMHHK has been committed to providing a key platform for promoting innovation in CM, deepening regional co-operation and leading future development through establishing closer liaison with healthcare institutions on the Mainland and internationally, thereby further strengthening Hong Kong’s role as an international hub for CM exchanges. The establishment of strategic partnerships with the CM hospitals in Shenzhen Municipality and Hebei Province also responds to the national goals, as set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan, of better integrating into the overall national development and fostering the inheritance and innovation of CM. Hong Kong will continue to leverage the institutional strengths of ‘one country, two systems’ to promote collaborations between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland in the healthcare sector. At the same time, Hong Kong will strive to serve as a bridgehead for CM to go global by leveraging its role as an important window for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Western cultures.”

The two strategic collaboration agreements cover numerous areas, including exchange of CM talents, cross-boundary distance discussions of cases, establishment of a sharing platform for drug interaction alert notifications, organisation of CM academic conferences, development of a scientific research network, as well as other related projects on education, scientific research and healthcare services that are conducive to CM development in Hong Kong-Shenzhen and Hong Kong-Hebei. CMHHK will advance collaboration together with SZTCMH and HBHCM respectively in accordance with the strategic collaboration agreements.

Apart from the abovementioned agreements, CMHHK has already signed strategic collaboration agreements with key hospitals in several provincial-level administrative regions (namely Guangdong Province, Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Shandong Province, Sichuan Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region), as well as with TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting in Germany and Western Sydney University in Australia.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (April 16) announced the Values Education Curriculum Framework (2026) (Curriculum Framework (2026)) prepared by the Standing Committee on Values Education (Standing Committee) under the Curriculum Development Council as a guiding document for schools to plan and implement the values education curriculum.

A spokesperson for the EDB said, “With Chinese culture as its backbone, the Curriculum Framework (2026) sets the overarching direction of “Taking root in Chinese Culture, Connecting with the World, Embracing the Future”. It elaborates on major focuses of values education that schools should continuously strengthen, curriculum content, curriculum planning and implementation strategies, and sets out suggestions on expected learning outcomes for students at each key learning stage as well as providing relevant resources and support. It provides schools with a clearer and more forward-looking direction to further enhance values education, and supports schools in equipping students to face current and future opportunities and challenges.”  

The spokesman continued, “In response to the rapid development of society and technology, the Curriculum Framework (2026) recommends that schools continue to strengthen the learning of Chinese culture, national education, life education, sex education, health education (including anti-drug education, resistance to harmful substances and promotion of physical and psychological well-being), and the relevant content and learning elements of education for sustainable development, as well as fostering students’ media and information literacy (covering Artificial Intelligence Literacy), international perspectives, and awareness of ‘building a community with a shared future for mankind’, with a view to nurturing students to become self-disciplined, committed and aspiring future pillars of society with an affection for Hong Kong, a sense of belonging to our country, as well as an international perspective.”

Since the release of the Values Education Curriculum Framework (Pilot Version) in 2021 (Pilot Version), primary and secondary schools, taking into account their respective developmental progress, have made reference to the direction set out in the Pilot Version to review, plan, or refine their existing school-based values education curricula from different entry points. In light of the education policies and curriculum development of our country and Hong Kong, changes in social environment, technological advancement, and students’ learning and developmental needs, the Standing Committee, with reference to the Pilot Version, has continuously collected views from relevant stakeholders through various channels including talks, workshops and focus group interviews. With reference to schools’ practical experiences and in alignment with updates to various secondary and primary curricula, the Curriculum Framework (2026) was compiled for adoption by all secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong starting from the 2026/27 school year.

To support teachers in promoting values education within and beyond the classroom, the EDB not only organises a variety of teacher professional development courses such as talks, seminars, workshops, visits and study tours, interschool visits and exchanges, on-site support, film appreciation and learning communities, but also continuously develops diversified and down-to-earth learning and teaching resources. They include “Life Events” Exemplars, learning resource webpages, short videos, animations and promotional materials. These resources are progressively uploaded to the EDB’s webpage for schools’ reference and use. Furthermore, the EDB continues to organise a variety of promotional activities, including the Values Education Promotion Campaign with the theme “Building Our Dream”. Schools are encouraged to respond by organising or participating in different forms of values education activities in the 2026/27 school year, with due regard to their own characteristics, annual themes for values education, as well as students’ abilities, learning and developmental needs to deepen students’ understanding of proper values and put them into practice.

The Values Education Curriculum Framework (2026) has been uploaded to the EDB’s website for schools’ and teachers’ reference.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau witnessed the signing of strategic collaboration agreements by The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) with the Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (SZTCMH) and the Hebei Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (HBHCM) respectively yesterday and today at CMHHK.

The agreements laid a foundation and set the direction for collaboration on various fronts between CMHHK and the two Chinese medicine (CM) hospitals in Shenzhen Municipality and Hebei Province.

Prof Lo and member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Shenzhen Municipal Committee and the Party Leadership Group of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government Chen Qing witnessed the signing of the Strategic Collaboration Agreement between SZTCMH and CMHHK by Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CMHHK Operator Wong Kwai-huen and President of SZTCMH Prof Zhu Meiling yesterday.

Prof Lo also witnessed the signing of the Strategic Collaboration Agreement between HBHCM and CMHHK by Mr Wong and Director of HBHCM Prof Zhi Zheng today. The signing marked the official commencement of collaboration between CMHHK and the two CM hospitals.

The health chief said that the establishment of strategic partnerships with the CM hospitals in Shenzhen Municipality and Hebei Province also responds to the national goals, as set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan, of better integrating into the overall national development and fostering the inheritance and innovation of CM.

“’Hong Kong will continue to leverage the institutional strengths of ‘one country, two systems’ to promote collaborations between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland in the healthcare sector. At the same time, Hong Kong will strive to serve as a bridgehead for CM to go global by leveraging its role as an important window for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Western cultures,” he added.

The two strategic collaboration agreements cover numerous areas, including exchange of CM talent, cross-boundary distance discussions of cases, establishment of a sharing platform for drug interaction alert notifications, organisation of CM academic conferences, development of a scientific research network, as well as other related projects on education, scientific research and healthcare services that are conducive to CM development in Hong Kong-Shenzhen and Hong Kong-Hebei.

Apart from these two agreements, CMHHK has already signed strategic collaboration agreements with key hospitals in several provincial-level administrative regions, namely Guangdong Province, Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Shandong Province, Sichuan Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region, as well as with TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting in Germany and Western Sydney University in Australia.

Source: Government of Singapore

16 April 2026 – Inter-monsoon conditions are expected to continue for the rest of April 2026. Prevailing winds will be mostly light and variable in direction, and blow from the southeast or southwest on some days.

 2.          In the second fortnight of April 2026, short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. On some occasions, the showers may extend into the evening. On one or two days, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers accompanied by gusty winds during the pre-dawn and morning hours. There may be a few days with little rainfall. Overall, the total rainfall for the second fortnight of April 2026 is forecast to be near average over most parts of the island.

3.          The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days, with highs of around 35 degrees Celsius on a few days.

4.          For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 15 April 2026)

 

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for April   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	32.4	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.3	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.2	°C
Average rainfall:	164.3	mm
Average number of rain days:	15
Historical Extremes for April   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	33.9	°C (1983)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.1	°C (1934)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	454.9	mm (1900)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	16.6	mm (1977)

—————||————–

 

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

16 Apr 2026

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department today posted a notice regarding the acquisition of two parcels of land, with a combined area of about 1,726 sq m, for the construction of the Northern Link (NOL) Main Line, in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Possessory Title) Ordinance.

The land in question will be vested in the Government on July 17.

The Government signed the Part 1 Project Agreement for the NOL Project with the MTR Corporation (MTRC) in July of last year in order to expedite time-critical NOL Main Line works. It also stipulated that the MTRC should carry out detailed planning and design work, and carry out relevant statutory procedures, for the NOL Spur Line.

The NOL Main Line will provide a public transportation backbone for multiple new development areas in the Northern Metropolis and connect the existing Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line. 

The NOL Spur Line, as a cross-boundary bifurcation, will connect the metro networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, offering both local commuting functions within Hong Kong and cross-boundary rail services.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To foster literary and cultural exchange while promoting creative works in literature and culture, the National Museum of Taiwan Literature (NMTL) is launching this year’s short-term Writers-in-Residence program at the Taiwan Literature Base (TLB).

Organizer: National Museum of Taiwan Literature
Qualified applicants shall
A. be a natural person 18 years old or over;
B. be able to communicate in one of Taiwan’s nationally spoken
languages or in English;
C. not have been accepted for an NMTL residency in the last two years; and
D. be a writer engaged in creative works across literary genres,
including fiction, essay, poetry, drama, screenplays, literary
translation, non-fiction, or cross-disciplinary literary works.
Residency accommodations
A. Location: NMTL Taiwan Literature Base (No. 2, Lane 53, Qidong
Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City)
B. Description: Selected writers may stay free of charge in the Muse
Garden at the Taiwan Literature Base (TLB), which is a single
Japanese-style dormitory house equipped with a reception room, study,
bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.
Residency Time Frame: The current residency year runs from August
13th, 2026 to July 31st, 2027. In their residency proposals,
applicants may request a period of residency of between 7 and 30 days.
Application Submissions: Applications may be submitted between
April 10th and May 11th, 2026 only (UTC+8).
All applications must include: 1) A portfolio statement describing
the applicant’s creative practice and experience; 2) a residency
proposal; and 3) at least one published (commercial or non-commercial)
work.
Only online applications will be processed. After you complete the
Writers-in-Residence application form on the official online
registration platform
(https://event.culture.tw/mocweb/reg/NMTL/Index.init.ctr), please
submit copies of requested ID documents, a properly formatted digital
copy of your residency proposal, and all other supporting materials to
the same website before the deadline.
More details on website:
https://artres.moc.gov.tw/en/calls/content/ff8081819cd603ad019d8596f6b90075?pageLang=en

2026 Selection Guidelines for Taiwan Literature Base
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following are the closing remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the National Security Legal Forum today (April 15):
 
Professor Wang (Vice President of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and Professor of the School of Law of Tsinghua University, Professor Wang Zhenmin), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. Having heard our eminent speakers share views on the practice of Hong Kong’s national security laws and on how Hong Kong continues to thrive in an orderly and stable environment, today’s Legal Forum has successfully come to an end. I would like to take this opportunity to summarise and share with you the key takeaways of this forum.
 
     First, this year is the inaugural year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, a pivotal year that Hong Kong is poised for leapfrog development in both its economy and society. At this juncture, the white paper released in February this year has significant guiding value as an authoritative pronouncement for Hong Kong. It stated outright in its preface that the highest principle of fully, faithfully and resolutely implementing the policy of “one country, two systems” is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. It comprehensively outlined five important areas, namely (i) the unrelenting fight for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, (ii) the Central Government’s fundamental responsibility for national security matters concerning Hong Kong, (iii) Hong Kong’s achievements in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security, (iv) Hong Kong’s transformation from disorder to stability and prosperity, and (v) creating high-standard security for the high-quality development of the “one country, two systems” policy. Last but not least, the white paper reminded us once again that Hong Kong has the constitutional responsibility of effectively safeguarding national security, and that we, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and all sectors of the community, should proactively implement the requirement. In this regard, we are honoured to have had Professor Wang deliver a keynote speech earlier this afternoon, which reaffirmed our dedication and solidified our commitment to the essence and principles set out in the white paper.
 
     Second, the Hong Kong National Security Law was enacted to address prominent issues related to national security in the implementation of “one country, two systems” and to prevent national security risks. Its ultimate purpose is to uphold the “one country, two systems” principle, maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, and serve the best interests of Hong Kong and its residents. Together, the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Basic Law constitute a legal foundation for Hong Kong to safeguard national security. In Panel Session 1, we were most delighted to have in our company, Mr Jonathan Chang, SC, the honourable Carmen Kan, Professor Cross, SC, and our Anthony Chau to review the developments of Hong Kong’s national security laws, including how Hong Kong continues to improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security. Most importantly, without compromise to the practical need to address security risks, they highlighted the significant features of the improvement exercises that we have been undergoing while strictly adhering to the rule of law principle, with reference to recent major national security cases and comparable overseas legislation. I am sure we all find their sharing to be insightful, informative, and leave us on a high note.
 
     Third, in every community, security is a prerequisite for development, and development provides a guarantee for security. Without national security, we cannot offer better development and a better life for residents, and we cannot provide better protection for the legitimate rights and interests of investors. We know from experience that the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance have been jointly serving as a shield for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, and the society continues to remain stable and prosperous. Last year, Hong Kong was the world’s freest economy. We were also number one in global IPO market rankings, and number one as Asia’s largest hedge fund hub and cross-border wealth management centre. Having said that, we must not overlook the importance of national security education as an essential tool for encouraging a proactive and continuing commitment from the community at large in safeguarding national security. On this front, I am indebted to our Panel Session 2 guest speakers Ms Melissa Pang, Dr William Wong, SC, Mr PC Yu and Ms Joyce Chan for their sharing from the holistic perspective, and from standpoints of the court room, board room and classroom. Their contribution sparked our exploration of how Hong Kong could achieve a dynamic balance between development and safeguarding national security.
 
     Safeguarding national security is a responsibility shared by all members of society; everyone is a stakeholder and beneficiary, and no one can be a mere spectator. The fruitful discussion by our distinguished guests this afternoon provides an excellent starting point for us to understand the essential requirements of the white paper. It is my hope that the insights shared by our guests this afternoon could further enhance public awareness of safeguarding national security, and enrich our understanding of the importance of the white paper.
 
     As the white paper affirms, we should all share a common aspiration: stability and peace, not riot and turbulence; vitality and prosperity, not decline and decay; unity and solidarity, not opposition and division; civility and rule of law, not lawlessness and disorder. We must bear that in mind and cherish the safe and stable environment today. Thank you.