Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) has once again supported the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) held in Bologna, Italy from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time).
  
Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Pavilion was co-organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association, with the theme “Hong Kong: Our Narrative” and sub-theme “STEAM: Words Spark Worlds”. It offers a creative, technology-driven STEAM experience for the global publishing and printing community, showcasing tech-enabled publications and creative paper art that highlight Hong Kong’s innovation and vibrant cultural landscape.

Speaking at the launch cocktail reception of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the BCBF on April 13 (Bologna time) in Bologna, the Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO, Miss Fiona Li, said, “Hong Kong’s creative industries are thriving, driven by a vibrant mix of imagination, talent and international exchange. From design and illustration to digital media and publishing, our city continues to be a dynamic cultural hub where ideas flourish.”
 
Miss Li highlighted the important role of publishing, noting that it was “a field that not only shapes our cultural identity, but also carries it forward to future generations and connects people across borders.” She encouraged guests to connect and collaborate with Hong Kong’s creative communities through Brussels ETO’s cultural promotion activities, and reaffirmed Brussels ETO’s commitment to bringing the richness and diversity of Hong Kong’s culture to Europe.

The BCBF is one of the world’s most established professional fairs for children’s books. Brussels ETO has been supporting the Hong Kong Pavilion at BCBF since 2014.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Dr Gerd Müller, at the Central Government Offices today (April 14), to exchange views on strengthening co-operation of both sides in industrial development, and to witness the signing of a joint statement on collaboration to advance industrial development, innovation and digital transformation by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and UNIDO. The Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Li Yongsheng, also attended.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Deputy to the Director General of UNIDO and the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Co-operation and Sustainable Industrial Development, Mr Zou Ciyong, signed the joint statement. Hong Kong has competitive advantages in digital transformation and AI innovation in industry and manufacturing. Both the HKSAR Government and UNIDO actively promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development. The signing of the joint statement by the two parties aims to establish a co-operative framework to strengthen collaboration, information sharing and exchange of best practices to advance industrial innovation, technology transfers and capacity development, including exploring the joint development of a centre of excellence on global advanced manufacturing and AI in Hong Kong.  

     Mr Lee welcomed Dr Müller’s delegation to visit Hong Kong. He said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle and is accelerating its development into an international I&T centre. With the signing of the joint statement between the HKSAR Government and UNIDO, both sides will strengthen collaboration to jointly promote development including industrial innovation and technology transfers, and seize opportunities in the new round of the technological revolution to accelerate high-quality industrial development and transformation, and further leverage the city’s role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to attract enterprises from the Chinese Mainland and overseas to expand businesses in Hong Kong, promote new industrialisation, and cultivate and strengthen new quality productive forces.

     Professor Sun said that Hong Kong enjoys world-acclaimed academic and research excellence, a strong talent pool, free flow of information and capital, rule of law, and an international environment. Hong Kong looks forward to closer collaboration with UNIDO under the joint statement to share best practices on advanced manufacturing, AI applications and digital transformation; encourage multi-stakeholder dialogue on technology trends and experiences; as well as explore avenues of co-operation in innovation, knowledge transfer and skills development.

     While in Hong Kong, Dr Müller’s delegation also attended the opening ceremony of the InnoEX, Hong Kong’s signature I&T exhibition held during the Business of I&T Week. The delegation also visited the Hong Kong Productivity Council.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Government announced today (April 14) that the Chief Executive in Council has approved, in accordance with Section 8 of the Exchange Fund Ordinance (EFO), that $150 billion will be transferred from the Exchange Fund to the Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF) of the Government. This transfer will be made through a designated account under The Financial Secretary Incorporated, with $75 billion per annum credited to the account of the CWRF in 2026-27 and 2027-28 respectively. The Government will implement the relevant arrangement after the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2026 by the Legislative Council.
 
A Government spokesman said that Section 8 of the EFO sets out the mechanism that empowers the Financial Secretary (FS) to transfer from the Exchange Fund, with the principal condition that the FS is satisfied that such a transfer would not adversely affect the Exchange Fund’s main function to maintain the stability of the exchange value of the Hong Kong dollar, as well as the stability and integrity of the local monetary and financial systems.
 
The Exchange Fund achieved a record‑breaking performance last year, delivering an investment income of $330 billion. As at the end of last year, the total value of assets under the Exchange Fund exceeded $4.1 trillion, which would suffice to maintain monetary and financial stability in Hong Kong. As such, in the 2026-27 Budget, on the premise that the Exchange Fund’s function to maintain the stability and integrity of the local monetary and financial systems will not be compromised, the FS proposed transferring $150 billion from the Exchange Fund to the CWRF of the Government over two years in support of the Northern Metropolis and other infrastructure projects. 
 
The Government spokesman emphasised that the transfer is an exceptional arrangement and not a recurring measure, and all funds will be used for infrastructure projects for long-term investment with a view to accelerating and increasing development capacity rather than for the Government’s operating expenditure. The Government has consulted the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee earlier on the proposed transfer and secured its support. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today published, for the first time, the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Services Providers Supporting “Go Global”, comprising more than 70 legal services providers in Hong Kong.

The list aims to facilitate precise connections of Mainland enterprises with Hong Kong’s legal professional services for expanding overseas, and encourage the Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as their preferred springboard of going global. 

The panel list covers international arbitration institutions, practising barristers and 60 local, international and registered foreign law firms of various sizes. All service providers have track records in the relevant professional fields of going global.

Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan noted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan gives explicit support to Hong Kong in leveraging its professional strengths to assist enterprises in their going global endeavours. The release of the panel list at the outset of the 15th Five-Year Plan is a timely and practical response. 

“By capitalising on Hong Kong’s strengths as an international legal hub, it supports Mainland enterprises in improving risk management as they go global, enhancing their international competitiveness and making steady and sustainable progress in international markets.”

Mr Cheung added that the panel list fully reflects the breadth of Hong Kong’s legal professional services as the city’s legal sector has strong professional capabilities to respond to different going global models, stages of development, and industry demands for high-quality legal services, providing enterprises with comprehensive professional support across the full business cycle. 

The panel list also highlights the depth of Hong Kong’s legal professional services by showcasing the specialised practice areas of each legal service provider. 

Apart from listing service providers’ names and contact information, it also sets out, with reference to their track records or case submissions to the DoJ, the service providers’ business and professional strengths. 

Mr Cheung said this will help the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform play the role of a “golden matchmaker”.

In addition, the DoJ released the inaugural edition of the Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global (bilingual in Chinese and English) last year. 

Mr Cheung noted that the DoJ has received a positive response from stakeholders of different sectors and is currently preparing to release a second edition. 

Meanwhile, it will invite representatives from the professional services sector and enterprises going global to share their successful experiences and produce short videos, providing practical references for Mainland enterprises which are interested in learning more about Hong Kong’s legal and other professional services.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today met United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director General Gerd Muller at the Central Government Officers, during which they exchanged views on strengthening co-operation in industrial development and witnessed the signing of a joint statement on collaboration.

Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Li Yongsheng, also attended the meeting.

The joint statement was signed by Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, and Deputy to the Director General of UNIDO and Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Co-operation & Sustainable Industrial Development Zou Ciyong.

It aims to establish a co-operative framework to strengthen collaboration, information sharing and exchange of best practices to advance industrial innovation, technology transfers and capacity development, including the exploration of the joint development of a centre of excellence on global advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) in Hong Kong.

At the meeting, the Chief Executive welcomed Mr Muller’s delegation to visit Hong Kong, noting that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and is accelerating its development into an international I&T centre.

Mr Lee added that with the signing of the joint statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government and UNIDO will strengthen collaboration to jointly promote development including industrial innovation and technology transfers.

He also remarked that both sides will also seize opportunities in the new round of the technological revolution to accelerate high-quality industrial development and transformation, and further leverage the city’s role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to attract enterprises from the Chinese Mainland and overseas to expand businesses in Hong Kong, promote new industrialisation, and cultivate and strengthen new quality productive forces.

Prof Sun supplemented Hong Kong looks forward to a closer collaboration with UNIDO under the joint statement to share best practices on advanced manufacturing, AI applications and digital transformation; encourage multi-stakeholder dialogue on technology trends and experiences; as well as explore avenues of co-operation in innovation, knowledge transfer and skills development.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

To support the Northern Metropolis and other infrastructure projects, the Chief Executive in Council has, in accordance with the Exchange Fund Ordinance, approved the transfer of $150 billion from the Exchange Fund to the Government’s Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF).

The transfer will be made through a designated account under The Financial Secretary Incorporated, with $75 billion per annum being credited to CWRF’s account in each of 2026-27 and 2027-28.

The Government will implement the relevant arrangement after the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2026 by the Legislative Council.

The Exchange Fund Ordinance sets out the mechanism that empowers the Financial Secretary (FS) to make transfers from the Exchange Fund, with the principal condition that the FS is satisfied that any transfer will not adversely affect the Exchange Fund’s main function of maintaining the stability of the Hong Kong dollar’s exchange value, and the stability and integrity of the city’s monetary and financial systems.

The Exchange Fund achieved a record breaking performance last year, delivering investment income of $330 billion. As at the end of 2025, the total value of assets under the Exchange Fund exceeded $4.1 trillion, enough to maintain monetary and financial stability.

As such, on the premise that the Exchange Fund’s main functions will not be compromised, the FS proposed, in the 2026-27 Budget, transferring $150 billion from the Exchange Fund to the CWRF over two years.

The Government emphasised that the transfer is an exceptional arrangement and not a recurring measure.

It added that the funds will be used for infrastructure projects that require long-term investment, with a view to accelerating and increasing development capacity, rather than as part of the Government’s operating expenditure.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong today officiated at the opening ceremony of the fourth InnoEX at the Convention & Exhibition Centre. This year’s event features more than 550 exhibitors and delegations from 21 countries and regions, alongside 17 Mainland provinces and cities.

In his opening address, Prof Sun noted that this year’s InnoEX fully embodies the “T-E-C-H” elements: Thriving Participation, Elevation, Connection & Collaboration and Hong Kong.

He emphasised that InnoEX has evolved beyond an annual showcase of the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) strengths. It now serves as a premier international platform that connects startups with investors, research institutions and industry, while helping local enterprises bridge with global markets.

Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Gerd Müller was the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony.

The four-day InnoEX is being held from April 13 to 16 under the theme “Innovate • Automate • Elevate”.

The exhibition focuses on five core I&T sectors: AI+, robotics, low-altitude economy, property technology and retail technology. This year’s event has seen a marked increase in both exhibitor numbers and international reach, with new participants arriving from countries including Austria, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, the Philippines and the United States.

Mainland participation is equally robust with 18 pavilions on display. While Liaoning, Chongqing and Shanghai have sent larger delegations than in previous years, Xi’an and Inner Mongolia are making their debuts at the event.

A major highlight this year is the “RoboPark” zone, featuring over 100 robots from more than 50 technology companies across Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. The zone focuses on three application themes – Commercial & Industrial, Health & Living and Entertainment & Social – and includes around 40 interactive demonstrations and thematic seminars.

In addition, the Digital Policy Office (DPO) has set up the “Smart Hong Kong Pavilion” under the theme “AI+ Hong Kong”. The pavilion showcases over 100 Government-developed I&T solutions designed to benefit the public and businesses, alongside award-winning projects from local industry and students, highlighting the city’s progress in smart city development.

Prof Sun toured the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion as well as various international and Mainland pavilions. He expressed his gratitude to the exhibitors for choosing InnoEX as a platform to explore business opportunities and drive global I&T collaboration.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the morning of April 13, the Office of the President held a press conference to announce that President Lai Ching-te will lead a delegation from April 22 to 26 on a visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, and will return on April 27. On this trip, President Lai hopes to achieve the three core objectives of shared prosperity in security, prosperity in economy, and prosperity in digital technology. While joining in the celebration of the deep-rooted friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini, the president also looks forward to further deepening bilateral cooperation and advancing side by side toward a prosperous future, creating lasting well-being and sincere friendships for the peoples of both nations.
At the press conference, Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) stated that this year marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini. It also coincides with the 40th anniversary of His Majesty King Mswati III’s accession to the throne. A series of celebrations will be held from April 24 to 26 in Eswatini to commemorate this anniversary, as well as His Majesty’s 58th birthday.
Spokesperson Kuo stated that earlier this year, King Mswati III sent a personally signed letter cordially inviting President Lai to attend these historic celebrations, and noted that the king had traveled to Taiwan in 2024 to attend the inauguration of the 16th-term president and vice president. In a positive response to the king’s warm invitation and to demonstrate the importance Taiwan places on its ties with Eswatini, President Lai scheduled this visit from April 22 to 27 to further strengthen our nations’ close partnership and, based on our existing firm foundations, inject new momentum into future bilateral cooperation.
The spokesperson indicated that the theme of this visit is “Celebrating Together, Prospering Together,” symbolizing the two nations standing side by side in celebration at a key historical juncture and highlighting the continued deepening of cooperation on the path to prosperity to create greater well-being for both peoples.
Spokesperson Kuo then elaborated on the three core objectives set by the president for this trip:
The first objective is shared prosperity in security. In recent years, Taiwan and Eswatini have achieved concrete, fruitful results in fields such as agriculture, public health, education, women’s empowerment, and renewable energy. Moving forward, the two nations will collaborate on the construction of a strategic oil reserve facility to further enhance Eswatini’s energy security and promote sustainable national development.
Second is shared prosperity in economy. Located in Africa, Eswatini is a key diplomatic ally with a stable investment environment and talented workforce. It is also an important member of the Southern African Customs Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area. Taiwan is promoting projects in Eswatini such as the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP), which will help Taiwanese businesses expand their global presence and connect with African markets while simultaneously creating more local employment opportunities and fostering a firm and mutually beneficial strategic partnership, further promoting national prosperity and development.
The president’s third objective is shared prosperity in digital technology. As a vital node in the global technology supply chain with world-leading capabilities in semiconductors and information and communications technology, Taiwan will assist Eswatini in implementing smart medicine and telemedicine systems. These efforts aim to overcome geographical limitations, narrow the digital divide, and safeguard health in our allied nation.
The spokesperson mentioned that the delegation will include Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an (潘孟安) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). The group is scheduled to depart on Wednesday, April 22. During the visit, President Lai will meet with King Mswati III to engage in a comprehensive exchange of views on key bilateral cooperation projects and international issues, highlighting Taiwan’s commitment and determination to engage with the world and its spirit of working hand in hand with its allies toward mutual prosperity and development.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Chihchung Wu (吳志中) subsequently provided further details on the itinerary, which is divided into three main components: official meetings, bilateral cooperation, and celebratory activities.
In terms of bilateral cooperation, President Lai will hear briefings on the TIIP and strategic oil reserve project, witness the signing of letters of intent by Taiwanese investors, inspect the smart medicine outpatient services provided by the Taiwan Medical Mission, and attend an exhibition showcasing the results of the microfinance revolving fund for women’s entrepreneurship.
As for celebratory activities, the president will attend the dual celebrations of the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne and his 58th birthday, as well as a state banquet, the opening ceremony of the International Convention Centre, and a garden party.
Deputy Minister Wu added that President Lai will also host a banquet for the expatriate community in Eswatini and Southern Africa. He emphasized that head-of-state diplomacy and the deepening of friendships between senior officials on both sides are top diplomatic priorities. As this is President Lai’s first visit to Eswatini since taking office, and given the historical significance of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the trip is of profound importance. He stated that all meetings and site visits are currently being meticulously planned and coordinated, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work closely with relevant agencies and the government of Eswatini to ensure that all arrangements for the trip are well-planned and that its objectives are successfully accomplished.