Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Public reminded to keep venues clean while enjoying fireworks display
The LCSD, in collaboration with the law enforcement teams of relevant departments, will strengthen patrols at LCSD venues with large crowds, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Salisbury Garden, Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Urban Council Centenary Garden, Hung Hom Promenade, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park, Kai Tak Sky Garden, Kai Tak Promenade, Kwun Tong Promenade and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as the Tamar Park, Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and East Coast Park (Phase 1) at the waterfront of the Hong Kong Island.
The LCSD reminded members of the public to take their belongings with them when leaving the venues and not to leave trash behind.
The LCSD also reminded members of the public that the above venues will be very crowded during the fireworks display. It will be important to remain patient, pay attention to safety, observe the crowd management measures at the venues, and comply with the Police’s instructions.
Issued at HKT 15:00
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AFCD announces arrangements at ecotourism hotspots for National Day Golden Week of Mainland
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
AFCD announces arrangements at ecotourism hotspots for National Day Golden Week of Mainland
High Island Reservoir East Dam
In addition to deploying additional manpower to strengthen management of the East Dam area of High Island Reservoir, the AFCD will use drones equipped with broadcasting functions to conduct surveillance regularly from above the Po Pin Chau viewing platform and remind visitors not to cross the railings. The AFCD will disseminate visitor flow information for the East Dam area via the ”Enjoy Hiking” Information on Visitor Flow at East Dam of High Island Reservoir webpage
Campsites at Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan and Long Ke Wan in Sai Kung
The AFCD will deploy additional staff day and night to patrol, be stationed, enforce regulations against violations, and use CCTV systems to assist in monitoring the campsites. The AFCD staff on-site will enhance publicity on safe hiking, caring for the environment, animals and plants, maintaining cleanliness, and observing camping behaviour and etiquette. They will also strengthen cleaning and waste management efforts around campsites.
The AFCD will provide strainers for collecting food residues outside the Ham Tin public toilet and will, on a trial basis, lend small grill stands to campers in need at Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites to help maintain campsite cleanliness. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has installed an eco-smart toilet near the Ham Tin public toilet to provide additional cubicles and washing facilities, and will deploy toilet attendants to be on duty daily during holidays to enhance cleaning services.
Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island
The AFCD will increase and deploy staff, and use drones to monitor conditions on the beach and along the coastal area. The department will also conduct joint patrols with the FEHD, the Marine Department and the Hong Kong Police Force to carry out publicity and education and maintain order; once frontline staff observe anyone attempting acts that may damage the ecology, such as damaging, disturbing, feeding or collecting marine organisms, or entering the water at coral locations—they will intervene immediately. The Government will also enhance cleaning of public places on the island.
In addition, the AFCD will collaborate with the WWF-Hong Kong to set up a public education booth at the pier of Sharp Island and the beach backshore to promote marine conservation messages and guidelines for appreciating nature. Snorkelling guides and kayaking guides will also patrol the nearshore waters to remind snorkelers to follow coral-friendly routes for entering and exiting the water to avoid accidentally trampling on corals.
The AFCD will monitor visitor flow at Shui Hau on Lantau Island, patrol the Shui Hau sandflat and work with the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong to organise public education activities, including setting up an educational booth, distributing conservation leaflets, and engaging visitors with information on how to protect horseshoe crabs and the surrounding coastal environment.
Reminders on hiking safety and protecting the natural environment
The AFCD urges visitors to pay attention to hiking safety, follow outdoor etiquette and codes, and use only officially managed and maintained trails in country parks. Information boards and direction signs have been placed at appropriate locations in country parks, and warning signs have been erected near locations with dangerous terrains to remind visitors not to get close to dangerous areas to avoid accidents. Visitors should follow the signs and stay on official trails, and must not cross railings or stand close to cliff edges, coastal fringes, steep slopes and other dangerous locations. Visitors must prioritise their personal safety and should not take risks by using shortcuts or for the sake of taking photos or sightseeing.
Hikers should assess their physical capabilities, make adequate preparations before setting out and pay attention to weather conditions. They should wear appropriate clothing and prepare sufficient drinking water to prevent heatstroke, avoid hiking alone, and ensure that mobile phones are fully charged so that help can be sought by calling 999 or 112 in case of an emergency. For information on hiking safety and outdoor etiquette and codes, please visit the ”Enjoy Hiking” Hiking Information on Green Tourism webpage
Country parks are valuable natural resources. Caring for the natural environment and keeping it clean are every visitor’s responsibility. Visitors should practise “Take Your Litter Home” and hiking etiquette. Camping is permitted only at designated campsites, and fire can only be used at designated barbecue sites or campsites.
The AFCD particularly reminds visitors not to climb trees, disturb or harm wild animals and plants, or cause a nuisance to other visitors. According to the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), any person who fells, cuts, burns or otherwise destroys any trees in a forest or plantation without lawful authority or excuse shall commit an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year upon conviction.
The AFCD will strengthen patrols, publicity and education work at the above ecotourism hotspots during the holiday. Enforcement action will be taken immediately against any violations.
Issued at HKT 15:20
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Order to amend Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to be gazetted on October 2
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Order to amend Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to be gazetted on October 2
The DDO Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 7, 2026, for negative vetting. It is expected to become effective on November 27, 2026. Details including the justifications of the legislative proposal could be found from the brief for the Legislative Council issued today at Annex.
The DDO Order will add three substances, namely-
(1) N-Pyrrolidino isotonitazene,
(2) N-Desethyl etonitazene, and
(3) Methyl 2-{[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)indazole-3-carbonyl]amino}-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (“MDMB-FUBINACA”)
to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). Under the strict control of the DDO, trafficking and manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of these substances in contravention of the DDO will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.
The Government has been vigilant in closely monitoring drug trends in and outside Hong Kong, and takes action in a timely manner to bring new drugs under legislative control. As a regular exercise, the Government, from time to time, proposes amendments to the DDO to include new dangerous drugs under statutory control with a view to preventing them from posing a threat to public health and public safety. The spokesperson said, “The amendments align with international control requirements and aim to strengthen safeguards against any potential trafficking and abuse of these dangerous drugs. This will further reinforce Hong Kong’s defence against drugs.”
Issued at HKT 16:00
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IP financing sandbox cases approved
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government announced today that an initial batch of seven pilot cases under the Intellectual Property Financing Sandbox has successfully secured credit approval. These successful pilot cases span the electronics, construction, toy manufacturing and medical device sectors.
The approved loan amounts range from $1 million to $39 million, backed by patent and trade mark assets. This milestone demonstrates that Hong Kong can steadily develop intellectual property (IP) financing while unlocking a new funding channel for enterprises.
Participating banks demonstrated flexibility regarding loan values and financing terms during the sandbox pilot. The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau, the Monetary Authority and the Intellectual Property Department will continue to evaluate feedback from stakeholders to shape the next phase of the sandbox.
Future expansion plans include increasing the number of participating financial institutions and refining intellectual property valuation processes. Concurrently, the Government today launched a two-year Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme through the Hong Kong Technology & Innovation Support Centre.
The scheme operates on a one-to-one matching grant model for eligible small and medium-sized enterprises. Approved businesses will receive a one-off funding cap of $80,000 to commission qualified valuation service providers.
Opening for applications from today, the initiative aims to leverage professional services to promote IP valuations and provide concrete reference data for credit financing, thereby stimulating a robust local IP trading ecosystem.
Originally introduced in last year’s Policy Address, the sandbox serves as an important initiative to promote IP financing. It provides a risk-controlled, collaborative environment for key stakeholders – including financial institutions, enterprises and professional services organisations – to test the full lifecycle of funding arrangements.
Adopting a “pioneer and pilot” approach, this initiative allows participants to collectively experiment with asset-backed arrangements, enabling the sector to accumulate vital practical experience.
The 31st Taiwan-Australia Joint Energy and Minerals, Trade and Investment Cooperation Consultations Held in Taipei; Australia and Taiwan Jointly Respond to Global Energy Shifts
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The 31st Taiwan-Australia Joint Energy and Minerals, Trade and Investment Cooperation Consultations (JEMTIC) was held on August 26 this year (2026) in Taipei, Taiwan. The Australian delegation was led by Acting Head of Division Alison Drury of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, who co-chaired the meeting with Wu Chih-wei, Director-General of the Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Both sides exchanged information and technical insights in areas such as energy transition policies, natural gas supply, hydrogen cooperation, resources trade, and critical minerals. They also officially signed the 31st Action Plan for Strategic Partnership, establishing an exchange channel for Taiwan and Australia on critical minerals.
In his opening remarks, Director-General Wu stated that Australia has always been an important and solid partner in energy and minerals cooperation for Taiwan. Under its second energy transition, Taiwan is developing diversified green energy and deep energy saving, while enhancing energy security and resilience through strengthening energy storage technologies and a more resilient power grid. Meanwhile, Australia continues to promote clean energy development through initiatives such as “A Future Made in Australia” (FMIA), opening up opportunities for cooperation in the low-carbon industry supply chain between Taiwan and Australia. He also expressed special gratitude to Australia for maintaining communication with Taiwan regarding its domestic natural gas export policy developments amidst this year’s unstable global energy supply chain situation.
In the face of global trends such as energy transition, net-zero emissions, and complex geopolitical shifts in recent years, both Taiwan and Australia agree that developing resilient and affordable clean energy is crucial to maintaining industrial competitiveness and supporting the growth of emerging industries like AI. Both sides have recently achieved impressive results in renewable energy development; for instance, Taiwan’s cumulative installed capacity of offshore wind power ranked fifth globally in 2025, while Australia boasts one of the highest solar penetration rates in the world. Therefore, beyond being partners in natural gas and minerals trade, both sides welcome continued deepening of technical and industrial cooperation in the clean energy sector.
According to the Energy Administration, through this meeting, Taiwan and Australia exchanged information and discussed multifaceted topics including energy policy, technology, and industry, thereby strengthening energy security and resilience for both sides while deepening cooperation in critical minerals. Continuing past momentum, both sides reached a consensus on cooperation across various energy and mineral issues-including liquefied natural gas (LNG) investment, natural gas cooperation mechanisms, and promising low-emission technology collaborations-and newly added exchanges regarding critical minerals.
Facing uncertainties in the global energy landscape, both parties remain strong partners committed to enhancing mutual energy resilience. Through JEMTIC, Taiwan and Australia look forward to expanding cooperation in energy and mining to further deepen a mutually beneficial, win-win partnership.
Spokesperson:
Deputy Director General Chen, Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7700 / +886-919-998-339
Business Contact:
Director Liao, Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2775-7710
Five HK universities rank in top 100
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Hong Kong has five universities among the top 100 in the World University Rankings 2027, published by Times Higher Education (THE).
Commenting today, the Education Bureau highlighted that two of the city’s ranked institutions had gained higher positions in the latest rankings.
It said the results demonstrate the robust strengths of Hong Kong’s higher education system and its world-class standing in terms of teaching, research, and international outlook.
It added that the rankings reflect the Government’s investment of resources and its policy support over the years, both of which have laid a solid foundation for the city’s higher education institutions.
In the latest rankings, the University of Hong Kong ranks 33rd globally; the Chinese University ranks 42nd; and the University of Science & Technology ranks 58th. City University and Polytechnic University have risen to 70th and 79th respectively.
The bureau said the consistent high international rankings of Hong Kong’s universities not only reflect the local higher education sector’s excellence, but also bear witness to the Government’s proactive leadership in policy measures aimed at driving innovation and change, as well as expanding capacity while enhancing quality.
It added that the Government will continue to spare no effort in promoting the sector’s comprehensive integration into overall national development, contributing to China’s development as a leading country in education.
Looking ahead, the bureau said that with the advent of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, the city’s higher education is ushering in a golden period of development full of promising potential.
“We will continue to promote the all-round connectivity in areas such as talent training, frontier scientific research, and industry-academia-research collaboration, optimise resource allocation, support various institutions in consolidating their existing advantages while pioneering innovation, and nurture more outstanding talent equipped with both international perspective and exceptional capabilities, thereby making greater contributions to the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the country.”
MOFA reiterates that UNGA Resolution 2758 makes no mention of Taiwan and cannot be used to exclude Taiwan from UN system
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
September 26, 2026
No. 468
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reiterates that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758, which consists of just 150 words, makes no mention of Taiwan. It neither states that Taiwan is part of China nor authorizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to represent Taiwan in the UN system. Therefore, no party can invoke this resolution to preclude Taiwan’s participation in the UN system.
Neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the PRC is subordinate to the other. This is the objective status quo across the Taiwan Strait and an internationally recognized fact that cannot be distorted or misrepresented. Only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent Taiwan in the UN system and other international multilateral mechanisms.
The 81st session of the UNGA is currently being held at the UN headquarters in New York. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758. In recent years, China has continually intensified its efforts in bilateral and multilateral arenas to distort the resolution and coerce or entice the nations of the Global South to go along with its stance. China’s aim is to eliminate the existence of the ROC (Taiwan), reinforce its narrative that the Taiwan issue is an internal affair, and build a legal foundation for its misguided intention to alter the regional status quo through aggressive actions.
This has caused discontent in the international community, which has repudiated this behavior. In addition to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the executive or legislative branches of such nations as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, and Belgium, as well as the European Union, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, and the American Legislative Exchange Council, have all voiced public support through diverse means to refute China’s improper interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758.
Recently, the European Union also clearly pointed out that UNGA Resolution 2758 consists of only 150 words in total, that its content is very brief, that it addressed the transfer of the representation of China at the United Nations from “the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” to “the representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China,” and that the word Taiwan appears nowhere in the text. MOFA expresses its sincere gratitude to international partner countries for clearly expressing their positions.
MOFA emphasizes that following the end of World War II, the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which has the force of international law, superseded such political statements as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not hand Taiwan over to the PRC, and the PRC has never ruled Taiwan.
Crucially, starting from the mid-1980s, Taiwan underwent a process of political liberalization and democratization through a bottom-up transformation, and completed its first direct presidential election in 1996. By then, all central executive and legislative representatives of the ROC (Taiwan) government were elected by the people of Taiwan. This made the ROC（Taiwan）government the sole legitimate government to effectively govern and externally represent Taiwan. It also established the objective status quo and fact that the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC exist on an equal footing, with neither being subordinate to the other. Since then, Taiwan has witnessed three changes of governing party―in 2000, 2008, and 2016―consolidating its democratic system and sense of identity. This also reflects the firm belief in and strong commitment to freedom and democracy among Taiwan’s people.
MOFA therefore solemnly calls on the international community to collectively counter China’s malicious distortion of UNGA Resolution 2758 and jointly defend the rules-based international order. MOFA further demands that the United Nations maintain neutrality and refrain from acquiescing to China’s suppression of Taiwan’s legitimate right to participate in international affairs. The United Nations should facilitate Taiwan’s contributions to regional and global peace and stability, as well as the well-being of all humanity, so as to promote the early realization of “a United Nations that delivers for all.” （E）
MOFA welcomes joint statement by European and Indo-Pacific nations supporting Taiwan Strait peace and stability
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA welcomes joint statement by European and Indo-Pacific nations supporting Taiwan Strait peace and stability
Date：2026-09-24
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
September 24, 2026
No. 462
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung greatly welcomes and appreciates a joint statement issued by Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom that called for Taiwan Strait peace and stability.
The show of support came as foreign ministers and high-level representatives from the group of European and Indo-Pacific nations met on September 22 for its second meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a section of its statement dedicated exclusively to the issue, the group emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and said that it encouraged dialogue and opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
Pointing out that security, peace, and prosperity in Europe and the Indo-Pacific were increasingly intertwined, the group also pledged to enhance collaboration with a view to countering hybrid threats and other shared challenges and ensuring each nation’s resilience.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the fact that the international community and like-minded partners continue to express concern and emphasize the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the maintenance of the status quo. In the face of mounting geopolitical and regional challenges, Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense and whole-of-society resilience. Building on the solid foundations that already exist, it will also continue to bolster cooperation with like-minded democracies so as to jointly safeguard Taiwan Strait peace and stability and advance regional security and prosperity. (E)
MOFA welcomes joint statement by US, Japanese, South Korean foreign ministers reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA welcomes joint statement by US, Japanese, South Korean foreign ministers reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait
Date：2026-09-22
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs
September 22, 2026 No. 454
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes and appreciates the joint statement issued following a trilateral meeting in New York between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi, and South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The statement reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo. It also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations. The fact that the United States, Japan, and South Korea once again publicly reiterated these positions fully demonstrates that Taiwan Strait security has become a strong international consensus.
Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are not only central to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region but also closely connected to the stability of the global economy and international supply chains.
In the face of growing regional challenges, Taiwan will continue to bolster its national defense and resilience, staunchly uphold the status quo, and strengthen cooperation with the United States, Japan, South Korea, and other democratic partners to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes the international community’s continued attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. MOFA will continue to work hand in hand with international partners to actively promote Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and enable Taiwan to make greater and more substantive contributions to addressing global challenges. (E)
MOFA offers sincere congratulations on establishment of Panama-Taiwan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group by Panama’s National Assembly
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA offers sincere congratulations on establishment of Panama-Taiwan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group by Panama’s National Assembly
Date：2026-09-09
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
September 9, 2026
No. 425
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes the establishment of the Panama-Taiwan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group by the National Assembly of Panama, which will deepen parliamentary exchanges and the democratic partnership between the two countries.
The friendship group was officially inaugurated during a ceremony at the National Assembly on September 8. A total of 45 legislators joined, including President of the National Assembly Shirley Castañedas, First Vice President of the National Assembly and Cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) Manuel Cohen Salerno, Second Vice President Manuel Cheng, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee Joan Manuel Guevara, IPAC Cochair Ronald Ameth De Gracia, and Medin Jiménez, who will serve as chair of the friendship group. Membership accounts for more than 60 percent of all lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung was invited to record a video message for the occasion, underscoring the friendly cross-party momentum and staunch support for Taiwan in the National Assembly. Minister Lin extended sincere congratulations on the launch of the friendship group and stated that Taiwan and Panama shared such common values as democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. He anticipated that the friendship group would help enhance parliamentary diplomacy, expand cooperation and exchanges across domains, and advance the welfare of the peoples of both nations, creating mutual benefit and coprosperity.
Over the past six months, more than 20 Panamanian legislators have visited Taiwan. Minister Lin actively encouraged members of the National Assembly friendly to Taiwan to build consensus and promote the formation of the friendship group. The group’s smooth establishment marks a historic milestone in the resumption of exchanges between Taiwan and Panama.
Additionally, US Congressional Taiwan Caucus Cochair Mario Díaz-Balart recorded a video congratulating the National Assembly on the founding of the friendship group. In it, he affirmed that Taiwan and Panama shared the core values of prosperity, freedom, and democracy. Citing his own experience cochairing the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, he said that he fully understood the significance of the friendship group’s establishment. Also via video, Taiwan Legislator and IPAC Cochair Fan Yun extended felicitations to the National Assembly on establishing the friendship group, noting that it would serve as a new platform for exchanges and cordial interactions between Taiwan and Panama. Representatives from embassies of like-minded countries and diplomatic allies in Panama—including the United States and Paraguay—attended the event to offer congratulations, highlighting their support for the strengthening of democratic alliances.
MOFA expresses its appreciation to Panamanian supporters of Taiwan across all sectors for their steadfast backing. It will continue to work closely with the National Assembly and the friendship group to actively further parliamentary diplomacy and bolster the Taiwan-Panama partnership. (E)