Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In order to further strengthen ties with Taiwanese students in New South Wales and in light of the recent leadership transitions within various Taiwanese student associations across universities, we held the second “Taiwanese Student Associations in New South Wales Exchange Forum” on September 12. Newly elected presidents and committee members from four Taiwanese student associations in the Sydney area, along with students from Western Sydney University, were invited to participate.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu explained the purpose of holding this forum and encouraged students to study hard, broaden their international perspectives, and wished all Taiwanese students a pleasant and safe experience in Australia. DG Wu also reminded them to make good use of the TECO BELL communication platform established by the office to receive timely and important information, remain vigilant about personal safety, and, if necessary, use the platform to report the status of Taiwanese students at their respective universities so that the office can provide appropriate assistance.
TECO also arranged for colleagues from various divisions—including the OCAC Center, Consular, Immigration, and Education sections—to brief students on services relevant to their needs. In addition, at the office’s invitation, the Sydney City Police Area Command dispatched a senior officer and a multicultural liaison officer to deliver a safety briefing for Taiwanese students. Their presentation covered emergency contact channels, the New South Wales Police Emergency Plus app, Crime Stoppers, Scam Alert, ID Support, and other crime prevention mechanisms. They also provided detailed explanations on the growing number of scams and engaged in interactive discussions with students about real-life cases.
Given the recent increase in community protests across Australia and the ever-changing tactics of telecommunications scams, TECO hopes that through information sharing and strengthened communication, Taiwanese students can enjoy peace of mind while pursuing their studies in Australia.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (September 17) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Chief Executive will deliver the Policy Address.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 15) that a sample of chicken rice was found to contain Salmonella, a pathogen. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     “The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a restaurant in Tuen Mun for testing. The test result showed the presence of Salmonella in 25 grams of the sample, exceeding the criterion of the Microbiological Guidelines for Food which states that Salmonella should not be detected in 25g of a ready-to-eat food sample,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

     The CFS has instantly sent staff to the restaurant concerned for investigation. The restaurant concerned has been informed of the irregularity. The CFS has provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the restaurant. The restaurant has also stopped selling the affected product, and has temporarily suspended the business for carrying out thorough cleaning and disinfection according to the CFS’s advice.

     According to section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     “Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and people with a weak immune system could be more severe and may even lead to death,” the spokesman said.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. An investigation is ongoing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at a media session after receiving vaccinations against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 today (September 15):
 
Reporter: Regarding the reasons behind procuring Sinovac vaccines for the first time, could you explain what is the rationale behind? Out of the 300 000 doses of Sinovac vaccines procured by the Government, how many of them will be supplied to schools? Are there any concerns expressed by the schools? Will they be given options to pick other brands? Also, regarding the lack of specific clinical trial data on pregnant women, why hasn’t the administration ban them from taking the Sinovac vaccines? Do you think that the lack of data would affect public choice?
 
Secretary for Health: I have to emphasise that the procurement process for vaccines is based on special requirements submitted by our experts in the Department of Health. All vaccines that are registered and approved in Hong Kong – only these vaccines would be eligible in the tendering and procurement process. Regarding the reasons we choose vaccines from different sources, this is a very important strategy when we are deciding on mass procurement for the benefit of the situation, like the seasonal influenza. There is a specific time limit for vaccination, and we have to ensure that we have a diversified source to make sure we have adequate supply of vaccines within that specific time. That’s one of the reasons we would not just put all eggs in one basket. We would diversify the sources, especially the Sinovac. The procurement and tendering processes of Sinovac vaccines are all in accordance with rules and regulations. We are glad that there is a source of vaccines from our Motherland. It will give us more confidence in the supply.
 
During the COVID-19 epidemic, we used Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines. In fact, we have used over nine million doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines – the same inactivated virus, the same platform with very high safety and advocacy profile. It gives us more confidence, and will provides us better strategy in the future to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines, and maybe for other healthcare products as well. We have a good source of supply and more diversified supplies. For emerging communicable diseases, it is even more important that we have a stable source. Remember during the COVID-19 time, there was a difficulty in getting supply of these new COVID-19 vaccines, and this was a global problem. That’s why we have to address this issue.

For the children, they will be given either the choices of inactivated virus vaccine injection, or the nasal form of vaccines. They have the choice, but as I have already emphasised, the choice is based on medical reasons. There are different platforms of vaccines, different sources and ways of administration. We do not need to choose the brand. Choosing brand is not what we are looking forward to. We have to emphasise that all inactivated form of vaccines in Hong Kong are safe and effective, and they are suitable for our children.

For pregnant ladies, all pharmaceutical companies, including vaccine manufacturers, when they are conducting the clinical trials, they may not include specific groups in the trials. That’s why for the Sinovac vaccines, they did not include pregnant women in their indication, but it doesn’t mean that this vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy, it is not a contraindication. Pregnancy is not a contraindication for this vaccine. But because it is not included in the indication, we would advise pregnant ladies to consult doctors. After they receive advices from the doctors, they would be able to choose the vaccines – not because of the brand, but the medical reasons. I have emphasised again that, we have to make a choice for vaccines for medical reasons, but not for choosing the brand. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

An incoming male passenger was convicted by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (September 15) for possession of a dangerous drug and possession of apparatus fit and intended for the smoking of a dangerous drug, in contravention of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO). He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for each of the charges that will run concurrently. 
 
Customs officers intercepted the 42-year-old incoming male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Control Point on June 26 and seized two etomidate capsules and an e-cigarette device inside the pocket of his trousers. He was subsequently arrested.
 
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DDO, any person who traffics any dangerous drug commits an offence, and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A man who went missing in Chai Wan has been located.

Li Lee, aged 56, went missing after he left his caring home on Kam Wa Street on August 9 afternoon. Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.

The man was located at a park on Hing Fat Street this afternoon (September 15). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki met Head of Office of the European Union (EU) to Hong Kong Harvey Rouse this afternoon at the Central Government Offices, solemnly reiterating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly disapproves of and rejects the annual report of the European Commission.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance so as to safeguard national security according to the law, protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people, and ensure the steady and long-term implementation of “one country, two systems”.

The Hong Kong SAR Government asked for this meeting. Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung also attended the meeting.

Mr Chan stressed that it is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice.

The EU exposed its double standards as it pointed fingers at Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while totally disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the city to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the national security legislation on economic development and the protection of human rights.

Mr Chan reiterated that establishing the mechanism for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR will not undermine the independent judicial power. Hong Kong SAR’s judicial system continues to be protected by the Basic Law. When adjudicating cases concerning offence endangering national security, as in any other cases, judges remain independent and impartial in performing their judicial duties, free from any interference.

At the same time, the Hong Kong SAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

Mr Chan strongly urged the EU to respect facts, abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop its long-arm jurisdiction and interference in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau received vaccinations against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 at Sai Wan Ho General Out-patient Clinic today. Other health officials also joined the effort and received vaccinations.

Prof Lo said that seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal flu and its complications, adding that to get vaccinated once a year and to act sooner rather than later is preferable, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.

He noted that the summer influenza season has already arrived, saying: “To be prepared for the possible winter influenza season in one go, I strongly appeal to all members of the public to receive SIV early for effective protection in the coming year against the influenza strains predicted by the World Health Organization.”

With the concerted efforts of the Government and various sectors of the community, more than 2.09 million doses of vaccines were administered under various SIV programmes in the year of 2024-25, representing an increase of 11.7% compared with the previous year, reaching a record high.

The Government will launch the 2025-26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes on September 25 to provide free or subsidised SIV for people aged 50 or above, adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions, children and adolescents aged six months to under 18 years, pregnant women and healthcare workers.

For the 2025-26 SIV programmes, the Government has procured over 1.28 million doses of four types of influenza vaccines of high quality at competitive prices.

Prof Lo added that the Government will allow all schools, ie secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens/child care centres, under the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme to freely choose both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and live attenuated influenza vaccines for the same or different outreach vaccination activities, aiming to raise the vaccination rate further with a more flexible arrangement.

The earliest school SIV outreach activity will take place on September 29.

Furthermore, to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after COVID-19 infection, those at high risk, particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities, should receive a free COVID-19 vaccine booster dose as soon as possible if they have received their last dose or had COVID-19 infection more than six months ago.

People who have not received the initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine should also get free COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible for dual protection. COVID-19 vaccine and SIV can be administered at the same time or separately.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

A Government spokesman today (September 15) cautioned members of the public not to believe in videos and related articles circulating online, which purported to be interviews with officials of the Financial Secretary’s Private Office and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau introducing the use of “e-HKD” for dividend distribution to shareholders.

​The spokesman clarified that the videos and articles are totally fictitious and are intended to deceive. Members of the public are advised not to fall for the scam. The case has been reported to the Police for further investigation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, met with the Head of Office of the European Union (EU) to Hong Kong, Mr Harvey Rouse, this afternoon (September 15) at the Central Government Offices, solemnly reiterating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government strongly disapproves of and rejects the annual report of the European Commission. The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance so as to safeguard national security according to the law, protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people, and ensure the steady and long-term implementation of “one country, two systems”. The HKSAR Government asked for this meeting.

Mr Chan stressed that it is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. The EU exposed their double standards as they pointed fingers at Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while totally disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the city to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the national security legislation on economic development and the protection of human rights.

Mr Chan reiterated that establishing the mechanism for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR will not undermine the independent judicial power. Our judicial system continues to be protected by the Basic Law. When adjudicating cases concerning offence endangering national security, as in any other cases, judges remain independent and impartial in performing their judicial duties, free from any interference.

At the same time, the HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

Mr Chan strongly urged the EU to respect facts, abide by the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop its long-arm jurisdiction and interference in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, also attended the aforesaid meeting.