Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The value of residential mortgage loans approved in August was $28.7 billion, a 6.3% decrease compared with July, the Monetary Authority announced today.

Mortgage loans financing primary market transactions decreased 0.7% to $10.7 billion, while those financing secondary market transactions decreased 11.9% to $14.6 billion.

Loans for refinancing rose 4.1% to $3.3 billion.

Mortgage loans drawn down during August amounted to $19 billion, a 4.5% rise from July.

The number of mortgage applications in August dropped 6.7% month on month, to 8,405.

The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased 0.1% month on month to $1.8883 trillion at end-August.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that PATEO CONNECT Technology (Shanghai) Corporation (Pateo Technology), a leading Mainland provider of smart cockpit and intelligent vehicle connectivity solutions, was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange today (September 30). This move marks another new step in the group’s global business expansion, following the establishment of its overseas regional headquarters in Hong Kong in February this year.

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Ms Loretta Lee said, “We are delighted to witness Pateo Technology’s choice of Hong Kong as a key hub for its global capital and technology strategy. As an international financial and innovation hub, Hong Kong offers a robust capital market, world-class professional services, and a highly open business environment, providing strong support for Mainland enterprises to expand into international markets. We will continue to attract overseas enterprises and assist Mainland enterprises to go global, helping innovation-driven companies leverage Hong Kong as a springboard to expand internationally, and reinforcing the city’s role as a bridge between the Mainland and the world.”

The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Pateo Technology, Mr Ying Zhenkai, said, “Hong Kong possesses an important international capital market role and a robust professional and technology talent pool. Following our listing, we plan to enhance Pateo Technology Hong Kong’s strategic position in three areas: as a capital hub, a technology platform, and with regional synergy, further deepening our global footprint. Leveraging Hong Kong’s mature international financial centre advantage, we will explore the expansion of smart cockpit domain controller production. We are also engaging with top industry talent to further expand Pateo Technology Hong Kong’s professional team.”

Pateo Technology establishes its overseas regional headquarters in Hong Kong to support its parent company in areas such as listing compliance and financing.

For more information about Pateo Technology, please visit www.pateo.com.cn.

For a copy of the photo, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720329350254.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 30) that four gazetted beaches, temporarily closed earlier due to Super Typhoon Ragasa, will reopen tomorrow (October 1).

     These beaches are:

  ï¼�  Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District
  ï¼�  Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District 
  ï¼�  Trio Beach in Sai Kung District 
  ï¼�  Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District (to reopen at 1pm tomorrow)

     Together with the 19 gazetted beaches that have reopened (namely South Bay Beach, Lido Beach, Approach Beach, Butterfly Beach, Golden Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Anglers’ Beach, Casam Beach, Ting Kau Beach, Tai Po Lung Mei Beach, Pui O Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach, Big Wave Bay Beach and Shek O Beach), a total of 23 gazetted beaches will be open from tomorrow onwards.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 30) announced that it will increase its publicity efforts in tourist areas this week to remind both members of the public and visitors to comply with Hong Kong’s tobacco control laws and foster a smoke-free environment as the community celebrates National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

To protect public health, it is the established policy of the Government to discourage smoking, contain the proliferation of tobacco use and minimise the impact of second-hand smoke on the public. In addition to public transport carriers and the indoor areas of restaurants, shopping malls and public places being designated as statutory no smoking areas (NSA), 272 public transport facilities in Hong Kong are also designated as NSAs. Any person who does a smoking act in NSAs will be liable for a fixed penalty of $1,500. Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will prosecute smoking offenders without prior warning.

Under the laws of Hong Kong, any person bringing alternative smoking products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products into Hong Kong, commits an offence under the Import and Export Ordinance. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was gazetted and came into effect on September 19. The new phase of tobacco control measures will be implemented in stages. The legislation prohibiting the provision of alternative smoking products and conventional smoking products to persons aged below 18 has taken effect. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment, and a fine of $25,000 respectively upon conviction.

Furthermore, effective January 1, 2026, statutory NSAs will be extended to within three metres of the entrances and exits of child care centres, schools, residential care homes, hospitals and specified clinics or health centres. Smoking will also be prohibited while queuing to board public transport carriers or queuing to enter specified places. The fixed penalty for illegal smoking will be raised from $1,500 to $3,000.

For the sake of the health of individuals, their families and others, the Government appeals to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible. Members of the public may call the DH’s Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, which is operated by registered nurses to provide professional counselling services on smoking cessation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is inviting library patrons to take part in a series of Reader Liaison Group gatherings, which will be held from October 4 to 25. Patrons are welcome to express their views on public library services and make suggestions for the improvement of library facilities and service quality.

     Details of the gatherings are as follows:
 

October 4 (Saturday)
10am – 11.30am	Sai Kung and Sheung Shui Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Lockhart Road, Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan Public Libraries
11.30am – 1pm	Yau Ma Tei Public Library
October 5 (Sunday)
10am – 11.30am	Fanling Public Library
10.30am – noon	To Kwa Wan and Yuen Chau Kok Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Shek Tong Tsui and Po On Road Public Libraries
1pm – 2.30pm	Tseung Kwan O Public Library
2.30pm – 4pm	Quarry Bay Public Library (views on North Point Public Library will also be collected)
October 11 (Saturday)
10.30am – noon	San Po Kong and Ngau Tau Kok Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	City Hall, Ma On Shan, Tai Po and Tiu Keng Leng Public Libraries
11.30am – 1pm	Chai Wan Public Library
2.30pm – 4pm	Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library
3.30pm – 5pm	Hong Kong Central Library
October 12 (Sunday)
10.30am – noon	Fa Yuen Street and Shui Wo Street Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Yuen Long Public Library
2pm – 3.30pm	Tung Chung Public Library
2.30pm – 4pm	Ngau Chi Wan Public Library
October 18 (Saturday)
10.30am – noon	Aberdeen and Kowloon Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Lam Tin Public Library
11.30am – 1pm	North Kwai Chung Public Library
2pm – 3.30pm	Cheung Chau Public Library
3pm – 4.30pm	Tsing Yi Public Library
October 19 (Sunday)
10.30am – noon	Sha Tin Public Library
11.30am – 1pm	Tuen Mun Public Library (views on Tai Hing Public Library will also be collected)
2pm – 3.30pm	South Kwai Chung Public Library
October 25 (Saturday)
11.30am – 1pm	Lai Chi Kok Public Library

Interested patrons may register online at www.hkpl.gov.hk/rlg or reserve a seat by completing the reservation form available at all public libraries. Completed forms should be returned to any public libraries, by fax to 2415 8211, or by email to hotline-lib@lcsd.gov.hk before 5pm on October 3. In addition, patrons are also welcome to share their views on public library services and make suggestions at the HKPL website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/rlgform), or by completing the printed feedback form available at all public libraries in Hong Kong, on or before October 31.

     For enquiries, please call 2921 0208.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (September 30) the optimisation of quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland. Animal health certificates issued by official veterinarians of Mainland Customs of all regions are now accepted.

The Mainland has been included in Group IIIA since June 3 this year, with official veterinarians of Shenzhen Customs issuing animal health certificates in the first phase. In light of the smooth implementation of the new quarantine arrangements for importing cats and dogs, and to further facilitate their movement from the Mainland to Hong Kong, the AFCD now accepts relevant animal health certificates issued by official veterinarians of Mainland Customs of all regions. Cats and dogs imported from the Mainland can enter Hong Kong via Hong Kong International Airport (as manifested cargo) as well as by land at designated control points.

The quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland can be reduced to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong as long as they meet the Group IIIA requirements. Relevant quarantine requirements include having the animal implanted with a conforming microchip, holding a valid vaccination certificate for rabies and designated infectious diseases, obtaining satisfactory results from rabies antibody titer testing conducted at a laboratory recognised by the AFCD on a blood sample taken not less than 90 days and not more than one year before departure, and possessing an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians.

Details of the quarantine arrangements and the application procedures for importing cats and dogs from the Mainland, including the method of reserving quarantine facilities, are available on the AFCD website. Detailed requirements for issuing health certificates by the Mainland can be obtained from the Mainland authorities.

The AFCD will continue to closely monitor the latest information on animal diseases announced by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and optimise the quarantine requirements for imported cats and dogs in a timely manner based on operational experience, risk assessment and other factors.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the results of the residential mortgage survey for August 2025.
 
The number of mortgage applications in August decreased month-on-month by 6.7 per cent to 8 405.
 
Mortgage loans approved in August decreased by 6.3 per cent compared with July to HK$28.7 billion. Among these, mortgage loans financing primary market transactions decreased by 0.7 per cent to HK$10.7 billion and those financing secondary market transactions decreased by 11.9 per cent to HK$14.6 billion. Mortgage loans for refinancing increased by 4.1 per cent to HK$3.3 billion. 
 
Mortgage loans drawn down during August increased by 4.5 per cent compared with July to HK$19 billion. 
 
The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR decreased from 95.7 per cent in July to 94.4 per cent in August. The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to best lending rates increased from 1.2 per cent in July to 1.3 per cent in August.
 
The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.1 per cent to HK$1,888.3 billion at end-August. 
 
The mortgage delinquency ratio stood at a low level of 0.13 per cent and the rescheduled loan ratio was unchanged at nearly 0 per cent.

Source:

[PRESS RELEASE – Apia, September 25] — The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the commencement of a major bathroom construction and renovation project for the Magiagi Primary School in Samoa. The project is designed to address the growing needs of the school’s staff and student population by upgrading sanitation infrastructure. Under the leadership of Lieutenant Jeffrey Moore, a team of 20 engineers will renovate existing restrooms, repair plumbing systems, and restore the roof, while constructing a new toilet block to enhance accessibility and capacity.

The start of the project was marked by a commencement visit from the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Daniel Tarapacki and the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tuaopepe Perenise Tinei of the Ministry of Education and Culture, underscoring the strong bilateral cooperation and shared commitment to safety, public health and community.

The project focuses on sanitation and the restoration of school bathrooms for Magiagi Primary School students, encompassing renovation and repair of existing restrooms, comprehensive plumbing system repairs, roof restoration, and construction of a new toilet block to improve accessibility and capacity, with a strong emphasis on safety, hygiene, and long-term usability for staff, students, and the surrounding community.

Lieutenant Jeffrey Moore, Project Lead stated, “This project is more than building facilities; it’s about investing in the health, safety, and future of Magiagi Primary School and its surrounding community. By renovating existing infrastructure and adding a new block, we are ensuring reliable sanitation that supports learning and daily life for years to come.” The team will collaborate with school administration, local workers, and PP25 partners to ensure timely completion and adherence to high standards of safety and quality.

This initiative is part of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP25), a sustained annual military-civilian mission aimed at strengthening partner nations’ ability to deliver essential services to civilian populations. PP25 emphasizes humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, medical and public health, engineering, and host-nation capacity building. The Magiagi Primary School project exemplifies the program’s mission to support resilient communities through practical, on-the-ground infrastructure improvements.

U.S. Embassy Chargé, Daniel Tarapacki, acknowledged the support of Principal Muliagatele Masae Tupou in facilitating the commencement visit. “This effort, conducted under Pacific Partnership 2025 and led by LT Jeffrey Moore, exemplifies the power of collaboration to deliver safe, dignified facilities for students, staff, and the surrounding community. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Ministry of Education and Culture, our Pacific Partnership 2025 partners, and all who contribute to strengthening our shared humanitarian mission and resilience.”

End Release.

US Embassy Apia, Samoa

September 30, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

According to statistics published today (September 30) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, total deposits with authorized institutions increased by 0.9 per cent in August 2025. Among the total, Hong Kong dollar deposits decreased by 2.1 per cent while foreign currency deposits increased by 3.3 per cent in August, mainly reflecting fund flows of corporates. In the year to end-August, total deposits and Hong Kong dollar deposits increased by 8.7 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively. Renminbi deposits in Hong Kong increased by 3.2 per cent in August to RMB968.0 billion at the end of August, mainly reflecting fund flows of corporates. The total remittance of renminbi for cross-border trade settlement amounted to RMB996.9 billion in August, compared with RMB1,233.3 billion in July. It should be noted that changes in deposits are affected by a wide range of factors, such as interest rate movements and fund-raising activities. It is therefore more appropriate to observe the longer-term trends, and not to over-generalise fluctuations in a single month.

Total loans and advances decreased by 0.4 per cent in August, while increased by 1.0 per cent in the year to end-August. Among the total, loans for use in Hong Kong (including trade finance) and loans for use outside Hong Kong decreased by 0.1 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively in August. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio increased to 74.6 per cent at the end of August from 73.1 per cent at the end of July, as Hong Kong dollar deposits decreased at a faster pace than Hong Kong dollar loans.

Hong Kong dollar M2 and M3 both decreased by 1.9 per cent in August, while both increased by 4.0 per cent when compared to a year ago. The seasonally-adjusted Hong Kong dollar M1 decreased by 2.9 per cent in August, while increased by 16.1 per cent compared to a year ago, reflecting in part investment-related activities. Total M2 and total M3 both increased by 0.7 per cent in August. Compared to a year earlier, total M2 and total M3 both increased by 10.4 per cent.

As monthly monetary statistics are subject to volatilities due to a wide range of transient factors, such as seasonal funding demand as well as business and investment-related activities, caution is required when interpreting the statistics.

Source:

Official Speech by the Acting Prime Minister of Samoa Afioga Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo

Honourable Ministers of Cabinet

Your Excellency, Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

President and CEO of SUNGO and Board Members

Executive Director of PIANGO

Chief Executive Officers of Government Ministries

Representatives of Civil Society Organisations

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Talofa lava, malo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mamā.

Today is not just the opening of a building — it is the opening of possibilities.

This centre is more than bricks and mortar — it is a beacon of hope, where government, civil society, and our partners build together the resilient Samoa our people deserve.

It marks a milestone in our national journey, where government, civil society, and international partners stand shoulder to shoulder to build a stronger and more resilient Samoa.

On behalf of the Government of Samoa, I extend our deepest appreciation to the Government and People of Japan for their generosity and enduring friendship.

Your Excellency, Japan has long been a partner whose support is humble yet transformative.

From education and health to climate resilience and infrastructure, Japan’s assistance has strengthened our communities and touched countless lives.

This training facility is not just development aid — it is a bridge of trust, respect, and shared values between our two nations.

Our nation’s strength lies in collective action. Civil society, especially through SUNGO, has always been central to this.

Today, SUNGO unites over 100 non-governmental and community-based organisations, reaching thousands of Samoans across every district. In times of disaster, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and throughout community recovery, SUNGO has stood at the frontline — ensuring that voices from the grassroots are heard, respected, and acted upon.

But challenges remain. We know that too many village committees still lack access to formal training in accountability and governance. We know that many civil society organisations continue to face gaps in skills, resources, and systems to strengthen their impact.

This new facility will help to close those gaps — building the knowledge, capacity, and confidence our communities and civil society leaders need to serve effectively.

This centre is more than bricks and mortar. It is an investment in people, in leadership, and in potential.

Here, youth leaders will sharpen their skills.

Here, women’s committees and disability advocates will grow their capacity.

Here, communities will gain tools for governance, disaster preparedness, and rights-based advocacy.

It will be a hub for leadership and governance training, financial literacy and accountability, disaster resilience, rights-based education, and inclusive dialogue — ensuring that voices from every district are heard.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT VISION

This facility also reflects our national vision. It complements the Pathway for the Development of Samoa, and connects directly with the work of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development.

Through the District Development Programme, Government is investing one million tala every year in every district.

Through the Early Childhood Development Framework, we are prioritising the first 1,000 days of life.

Through our Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion strategies, we are ensuring dignity and opportunity for all.

SUNGO’s training facility is a natural partner to these initiatives — providing a space where communities are not only recipients of development, but shapers of it.

Let me be clear: the Government of Samoa does not see civil society as separate. You are our partners in nation-building.

Together, we can ensure that development funding — whether through the District Development Programme or through civil society initiatives — delivers real, accountable impact at the grassroots.

This facility is a tool for that partnership. But its true power lies in how it will be used: in every workshop, in every dialogue, and in every leader it nurtures for the good of Samoa.

In closing, I once again thank the Government of Japan for your generosity and enduring friendship. I congratulate SUNGO on this milestone, and I commend the unity and effort of all who have made it possible.

Let this centre stand as a beacon of hope, a hall of learning, and a platform for change. May it remind us that when government, civil society, and our partners work together — Samoa moves forward, stronger and more resilient than ever.

Ia fa’amanuia le Atua i lenei nofoaga fou, ma fa’amalō atu i le galuega lelei.

Soifua ma ia manuia.

September 30, 2025