Pre-qualified list applications open

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau today invited the industry to submit applications for inclusion in the pre-qualified lists of consultants and contractors under the new support service for building maintenance works.

 

The application period is from tomorrow to October 27.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said that the bureau, together with the Urban Renewal Authority and relevant departments and agencies, will process the applications at full steam. 

“Our goal is to have the pre-qualified lists available progressively by the end of this year and to begin tendering projects for property owners in the first quarter of next year,” she said.

She highlighted that only consultants and contractors on the pre-qualified lists will be eligible to submit tenders for projects under the new support service in the future. 

Ms Linn called on dedicated and capable consultants and contractors in the industry to apply as soon as possible. 

“Together with other enhanced services in the future, such as tender invitation and evaluation services for property owners, we aim to establish a professional and clean maintenance team to work with the Government to provide property owners with high-quality and reliable services, as well as to foster the healthy development of the industry.”

      

The pre-qualified lists cover inspection consultants, supervision consultants, and building works contractors.

There are four areas of pre-qualification criteria – technical competence, integrity, financial capacity, and past performance – with a biennial review mechanism. 

Click here for application details.

MOFA response to UNGA statement by Czech President Pavel that UN principles matter across Taiwan Strait

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to UNGA statement by Czech President Pavel that UN principles matter across Taiwan Strait

September 25, 2026  
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere appreciation to President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic for his speech at the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23, in which he emphasized that UN principles matter across the Taiwan Strait. 
 
In his address, President Pavel stated that countries should draw inspiration from the founders of the United Nations—with the goals of preventing war and destruction and building a predictable international order capable of adapting to change while providing fairness and stability. He noted that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine violated the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law. He further stressed that the United Nations was founded on these principles, which are also of critical importance across the Taiwan Strait. This marks the third time that President Pavel has publicly voiced support for Taiwan at the UNGA General Debate, following previous statements in 2023 and 2025.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the continued support for Taiwan by democratic partners through concrete actions at international events. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is committed to steadily deepening cooperation with the Czech Republic and other like-minded partners to jointly counter the threat of authoritarian expansionism; safeguard such shared values as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law; and uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.

MOFA response to European Parliament resolution recognizing Taiwan’s experience in defense resilience and urging expanded Taiwan-Europe cooperation

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to European Parliament resolution recognizing Taiwan’s experience in defense resilience and urging expanded Taiwan-Europe cooperation

September 17, 2026  
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely appreciates and welcomes the resolution adopted by the European Parliament in a plenary session on September 16 entitled “Hybrid warfare and the protection of the EU’s territorial integrity and critical security and defence infrastructure.” 
 
The resolution notes Taiwan’s successful experience in enhancing whole-of-society resilience and calls for regular exchanges between the European Union and Taiwan on security issues to strengthen related cooperation. It follows the passing of another resolution friendly to Taiwan on September 15, which was entitled “Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield.”
 
The September 16 document points out that Taiwan possesses extensive experience in defending itself against China’s hybrid attacks and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). It also commends Taiwan’s efforts to build whole-of-society resilience, including the establishment of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee and digital resilience networks, as well as the promotion of public preparedness initiatives. 
 
The resolution calls for regular exchanges between the European Union and Taiwan on relevant security issues and for stronger cooperation in countering FIMI and cognitive warfare, protecting critical infrastructure and undersea cables, and fortifying whole-of-society resilience. In addition, it calls on the European Union to expand trade and industrial cooperation with Taiwan, particularly in such areas as semiconductors, 5G/6G telecommunications equipment, drones, and dual-use items. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanks the European Parliament for adopting resolutions favorable to Taiwan in recent days and recognizing Taiwan’s contributions to bolstering democratic defense and societal resilience. Taiwan will continue to work with the European Union and like-minded partners to deepen collaboration, jointly address the hybrid threats and information manipulation of authoritarian countries, and safeguard the rules-based international order and the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights.

MOFA response to European Parliament resolution affirming Taiwan’s democratic defense resilience and calling for deeper Taiwan-Europe cooperation

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to European Parliament resolution affirming Taiwan’s democratic defense resilience and calling for deeper Taiwan-Europe cooperation

September 16, 2026  
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes and appreciates the resolution adopted by the European Parliament in a plenary session on September 15 entitled “Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield.” 
 
The resolution affirms Taiwan’s defense resilience and technological strengths and calls for stronger cooperation with Taiwan and other like-minded partners.
 
The resolution also recognizes Taiwan as an important partner in terms of situational awareness and notes its regular large-scale civil defense and resilience exercises aimed at responding to China’s increasing gray-zone tactics. It adds that Taiwan’s practical expertise in whole-of-society resilience can help the European Union develop preparedness concepts and enhance the overall effectiveness of the European Democracy Shield. 
 
Furthermore, the resolution underscores Taiwan’s leading position in the high-tech sector and its long-standing, extensive experience in countering China’s hybrid attacks and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). It calls on the European Union to conduct regular exchanges and deepen cooperation with like-minded partners in East Asia—including Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea—on such issues as countering FIMI and safeguarding undersea cable security.
 
During its inaugural trip to Asia in July 2025, the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield made a dedicated visit to Taiwan. The delegation, led by Chair Nathalie Loiseau, met with President Lai Ching-te, Minister Lin, and officials from relevant agencies for in-depth exchanges on strengthening social resilience and addressing FIMI and hybrid threats.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its sincere appreciation for the European Parliament’s recognition and support of Taiwan’s democratic resilience expertise. Taiwan will continue to bolster exchanges and cooperation with the European Union and other like-minded partners to jointly defend against FIMI and hybrid threats from authoritarian regimes and make ever greater contributions to peace, security, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and the world.

Haze Situation Update (29 September 2026)

Source: Government of Singapore

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Haze Situation Update (29 September 2026)

29 Sep 2026

Air Quality Forecast

24-hr PSI Forecast: High Moderate to Mid Unhealthy

Health Advisory

Healthy persons: If 24-hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24-hr PSI is Unhealthy, reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Elderly, pregnant women & children: If 24-hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24-hr PSI is Unhealthy, minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Persons with chronic lung/heart disease: If 24-hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If PSI is Unhealthy, avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.

Refer to the 1-hr PM2.5 for immediate activities, and the 24-hr PSI forecast to plan ahead.

Singapore, 29 September 2026 – It was partly cloudy over Singapore today. As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 36 – 63 µg/m3, in Band 1 (Normal) / Band 2 (Elevated), and the 24-hr PSI was 107 – 157 in the Unhealthy range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2.         Moderate to dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan continue to drift towards Singapore. Smoke haze was also observed from fires detected in southern Sumatra.

3.         Dry conditions are expected to persist over southern Sumatra and parts of Kalimantan. While showers are forecast over Singapore and the parts of the surrounding regions tomorrow, there remains a risk of smoke haze affecting Singapore under the easterly or southeasterly prevailing winds. The 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the High Moderate to Mid Unhealthy range.

Activity Guidelines

4.         The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Use the 24-hr PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories for planning next day outdoor activities.

5.         For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myENV) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at http://asmc.asean.org.

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery. The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation could not be determined due to extensive cloud cover.

– End –

CE to lead National Day ceremony

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception on October 1 to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The flag-raising ceremony will be held at 8am at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Community leaders and members of uniformed groups will attend the ceremony. No public viewing area will be set up.

The Police Band will perform at the ceremony, and a choir from N.T. Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School and Yuen Long Public Secondary School will sing the national anthem led by singers Alex Tam and Phoebe Tam. The performances will be followed by a disciplined services fly-past and sea parade.

The National Day reception, officiated by the Chief Executive, will be held at the Grand Hall on Level 3 of the Convention & Exhibition Centre following the flag-raising ceremony.

Police will implement special traffic arrangements around Golden Bauhinia Square during the celebrations.

Hong Kong Customs seizes illegally imported live turtle of suspected scheduled endangered species

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs seizes illegally imported live turtle of suspected scheduled endangered species (with photo)           
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming 24-year-old local male passenger at the Arrival Hall of the above-mentioned Control Point yesterday. Upon examination, the live turtle was seized from the pocket of his trousers. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and preliminarily identified that the live turtle was of an endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

     Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
           
     According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
           
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:05

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SFST leads financial sector delegation to visit Northern Metropolis to promote integrated development of financial industry and real economy

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, today (September 29) led a delegation of local financial sector representatives to visit the Northern Metropolis, receiving briefings from the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office and relevant park companies on the latest developments and construction progress in the area. The delegation comprised senior management from various sectors, including asset management, private equity, insurance, accounting, and fintech, as well as senior representatives from financial regulatory bodies.

     Mr Hui and the delegation visited three core development areas in the Northern Metropolis, namely the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (i.e. the Loop Hong Kong Park), the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (NDA), and the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA, to gain an in-depth understanding of the industrial layout as well as potential investment and financing opportunities in each district.

     Through on-site inspections of the three areas, the delegation gained a comprehensive understanding of the unique development advantages of “one river, two banks” and “one zone, two parks” in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, as well as its synergistic development with the adjacent San Tin Technopole, including support for the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town; the taking-shape infrastructure and housing development in the Kwu Tung North NDA; and the strategic positioning of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA as a hub for high-end professional services and logistics, particularly its geographical advantage in being adjacent to Qianhai.

     During the visit, they explored the role of financial services in supporting technological innovation and project financing; the financing needs arising from the Kwu Tung Station, the Northern Link, housing development plans in the Kwu Tung North NDA, and various project developments; as well as the latest developments and immense growth potential of various sectors, including the Hung Shui Kiu Industrial Park, large-scale district development, and the University Town.

     During the visit, Mr Hui said, “The Chief Executive explicitly stated in the newly announced Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan that ‘finance is the foundation and the greatest strength of Hong Kong’. As the most important new growth engine for Hong Kong’s future, the Northern Metropolis serves as the optimal setting to realise the ‘dual integration’ of ‘Finance+’ strategy with the real economy. Over the years, Hong Kong’s financial sector is not just an observer in terms of the city’s growth, but rather an active engine driving its strategic transformation. We organised this visit precisely to enable the financial industry to have the first-hand insights into the land, with a view to comprehensively promoting the integrated development of the financial sector and the real economy.

     “The development of the Northern Metropolis must be closely combined with the deployment of financial resources. Leveraging market forces and social capital to provide diversified and sustainable financial support for the infrastructure, commercial projects, and industry parks in the Northern Metropolis is a key strategy for the Government to accelerate and enhance efficiency for the development. This is also the most vivid embodiment of our full-fledged efforts to drive Hong Kong’s evolution from a ‘financial city’ into a ‘finance-empowered city’, using finance as a catalyst to boost development in technology, green transition, and livelihoods,” he added.

     As of July this year, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council has approved over $180 billion in funding for public works projects related to the Northern Metropolis, demonstrating the Government’s firm commitment to supporting infrastructure development in the area. In addition, the Government will inject $10 billion each into three park companies – the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited, and the San Tin Technopole Company Limited – and has reserved $10 billion to support the development of the Hung Shui Kiu University Town campus area by way of loans, thereby engaging market forces to accelerate project development.

     At the same time, the 2026 Policy Address stated that efforts will be stepped up to attract long-term capital investment into the Northern Metropolis and deepen the alignment of ‘Finance + Northern Metropolis Development’. The Northern Metropolis Financial Advisory Taskforce, established by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks, which currently comprises 23 participating banks, will tailor financing solutions for enterprises setting up in the Northern Metropolis and provide targeted support for the Northern Metropolis development.

     Mr Hui added, “The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, together with the HKMA, are exploring ways, under the current regulatory capital framework for banks, to facilitate financing for government-related entities such as park companies and funded universities developing in the Northern Metropolis, thereby unlocking greater financing flexibility to advance related projects in the area. Furthermore, following the enhancement to the risk-based capital regime for the insurance industry, preferential capital treatment will be provided for infrastructure investments, including those in the Northern Metropolis, starting from December 31 this year. We expect that with this new measure, more insurance capital will be injected to infrastructure projects under the Northern Metropolis development.”

     Delegation members considered that the visit was enlightening in deepening the industry’s understanding of the positioning and commercial growth potential of the Northern Metropolis, laying a strategic foundation for the financial sector’s subsequent participation in investment projects across various domains in the area.

SCS visits Government Career Fair at Lingnan University

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, together with the President of Lingnan University (LU), Professor Joe Qin, visited the Government Career Fair at the university today (September 29). Mrs Yeung encouraged university students to learn more about the work of various government departments, as well as the diverse employment opportunities, job requirements and promotion prospects offered by the Government to young people, and to plan ahead for their future.

The application period for this year’s joint recruitment exercise for six graduate grades will close this Friday (October 2). Mrs Yeung reminded students of bachelor’s degree programmes who are graduating in the academic year of 2026-27 or 2027-28 to seize the opportunity to submit online applications before the deadline.

The Government, in collaboration with LU, organised the career fair to provide university students with one-stop and practical recruitment information. Many students visited the booths in their spare time and took the opportunity to raise questions and exchange views with serving civil servants from various grades.

Mrs Yeung said, “As set out in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) we strive to build an efficient government. Through active recruitment and publicity, we will encourage talent with aspirations and commitment to join the Government. The roving career fairs held by the Government at 10 universities are one such example, which deepen the younger generation’s understanding of government work on the one hand, and attract new blood who are keen to serve the public to join the Government on the other. Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen civil service management and training, enhance the attractiveness of civil service jobs, and build a civil service team that is highly committed, dares to innovate, and moves with the times.

“The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) co-ordinates the provision of diversified internship opportunities for young people and university students by bureaux and departments annually. In 2026-27, the Government and public organisations will offer around 3 600 short-term internship placements. Students who aspire to pursue a career in public service may take the opportunity to broaden their horizons and better plan for their career development.”

Those who aspire to serve the community and contribute to the country and Hong Kong may now apply for the posts of Administrative Officer, Executive Officer II, Assistant Information Officer (General), Assistant Trade Officer II, Management Services Officer II and Transport Officer II. Applicants must submit their applications through the online application system on the CSB website (www.csb.gov.hk). The application deadline is 11.59pm on October 2.

                 

FS attends AIIB Annual Meeting in Qatar

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to Doha, Qatar, yesterday (September 28, Doha time), attending activities related to the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). He also met with representatives from various countries and organisations to explore issues including infrastructure financing, digital public infrastructure, investment and economic co-operation.

     Mr Chan attended the opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting yesterday and participated in the official session of the AIIB Board of Governors and the Governors’ Business Roundtable. At the roundtable, he spoke on how the AIIB could deepen and broaden its support for member economies. He said that strengthening climate resilience and developing digital infrastructure were becoming increasingly urgent priorities for economies. Translating these development needs into concrete projects requires not only financial support but also the capacity to plan and implement projects throughout their life cycle. Alongside providing financing, the AIIB could further promote knowledge and experience sharing among members, strengthen support for project planning and preparation, and help members enhance their project management and implementation capabilities to bring infrastructure projects to fruition.