Category: MIL-OSI

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Health Bureau welcomes Ombudsman’s direct investigation operation report

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Health Bureau (HHB) welcomed the recommendations made to the Government and the Department of Health (DH) in the Office of The Ombudsman (Ombudsman)’s direct investigation operation report entitled “Effectiveness of Administrative Support Provided for Complaint Handling by Secretariat of Medical Council of Hong Kong under Department of Health, and Department of Health’s Regulatory Role” (Report) released today (February 5). The HHB expressed gratitude to the Ombudsman for putting forward a series of pertinent and useful observations and views on strengthening the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) as the statutory regulatory body for the medical profession. With reference to the Ombudsman’s views and the Report, the HHB will formulate detailed proposals to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance (MRO), with a view to enabling the MCHK and its Secretariat to discharge their duties of upholding doctors’ professional conduct and continuously enhancing medical professional standards more effectively under the principle of professional autonomy.

Since the Ombudsman announced the launch of a full investigation on November 5 last year, the HHB and the DH have been fully co-operating with the Ombudsman’s investigation. Although the MCHK as a statutory professional regulatory body fell outside the scope of the Ombudsman’s investigation, the HHB and the DH have, in respect of matters covered by the investigation, liaised and communicated with the MCHK, and provided relevant information to the Ombudsman to facilitate the investigation and formulation of improvement measures. Many of the measures recommended in the Report on the support provided by the DH and the Secretariat of the MCHK for the complaint handling mechanism of the MCHK, as well as the Ombudsman’s series of observations and views on the current regulatory framework for the medical profession, align with the HHB’s overarching directions in reviewing the MRO, namely to ensure that the legislation for healthcare professions keeps pace with the times, meets societal needs and the public interest, and to enable the MCHK to discharge its various statutory functions more effectively, including its function in handling complaints.

Meanwhile, in response to the request made by the Secretary for Health in October last year, the MCHK has completed its review on improving the complaint handling mechanism and submitted a report and supplementary information to the HHB. In January this year, the HHB commenced a series of consultations on amending the MRO, meeting with patient groups, the two local medical schools, the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, the Hong Kong Medical Association and other medical professional bodies. The HHB also visited the MCHK yesterday (February 4) to exchange views with members on the amendment to the MRO. The HHB will further take into account the Ombudsman’s Report and the views of various stakeholders, and will formulate proposals to amend the MRO having regard to the operational needs of the MCHK. The HHB will also propose measures to strengthen the functions of the Secretariat of the MCHK under the DH. The HHB will brief the Panel on Health Services of the Legislative Council (LegCo) shortly on the proposed directions and enhancement proposals for the MRO, with a target of introducing an amendment bill into the LegCo in the first half of this year.

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Ombudsman announces results of direct investigation operation into effectiveness of administrative support provided for complaint handling by Secretariat of Medical Council of Hong Kong under Department of Health and Department of Health’s regulatory role (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

     The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (February 5) announced the completion of a direct investigation operation into the effectiveness of administrative support provided for complaint handling by the Secretariat of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) under the Department of Health (DH), and the DH’s regulatory role. The Office of The Ombudsman (the Office) made 21 improvement recommendations to the authorities.      All 21 recommendations made are accepted by the authorities.

     The full investigation report is available on the website of the Office of The Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.hk

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Expansion of PAPT to cover sale and purchase of residential properties in secondary market

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Expansion of PAPT to cover sale and purchase of residential properties in secondary market 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), together with the Law Society of Hong Kong (LSHK) and the Estate Agents Authority (EAA), jointly announced today (February 5) the expansion of the Payment Arrangements for Property Transactions (PAPT) (Note 1) to cover the sale and purchase (S&P) of residential properties in the secondary market of Hong Kong, effective from February 28, 2026 (Note 2). This initiative is also supported by the Consumer Council (CC).

     Under PAPT, the buyer’s mortgage loan proceeds will be transferred to the seller’s bank through the interbank electronic payment system, enabling the seller to receive the sale proceeds on the completion day at the earliest. Compared to the conventional payment method, in which mortgage loan proceeds need to be settled via the solicitors’ accounts (Note 3) using physical cheques, PAPT is a faster and safer option. Buyers and sellers who wish to use PAPT may request their estate agents to incorporate relevant clauses into the provisional S&P agreement.Note 2: Mortgage banks will provide PAPT for S&P transactions of residential properties in the secondary market in Hong Kong with provisional S&P agreements signed on or after February 28, 2026. 
Note 3: The sale proceeds are generally received two working days after completion of a property transaction, following the settlement of physical cheques.
Issued at HKT 16:30

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Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in January remains at low level

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 5) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in January was 0.1 per cent, lower than the 0.2 per cent recorded in December 2025, which remained at the lowest Level 1, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the areas surveyed was not extensive.

     In January, all 62 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index (AGI) lower than the alert level of 20 per cent, and most of the areas recorded 0 per cent. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in January was 1, which represented that an average of one Aedes albopictus adult was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk

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Sixth-term Commission on Poverty convenes fifth meeting

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Sixth-term Commission on Poverty convenes fifth meeting           
     At the meeting, members were briefed by a university research team on the review results of Targeted Poverty Alleviation Schemes. Members were pleased to note that the Strive and Rise Programme, the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room, and the School-based After School Care Service Scheme have achieved their key performance indicators, with certain indicators exceeding expectations. This reflects the schemes’ positive impact on service beneficiaries’ living standards and personal development, and further affirms the direction of the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation and its effectiveness. The review findings will be incorporated into the proposed Report on Impact of Targeted Poverty Alleviation Strategy in Hong Kong.
           
     Members also noted that the Report will quantify at a macro level the social value transferred to households that benefit from regular housing, health, education, and welfare measures. Such an analysis would reflect in a more comprehensive manner the Government’s efforts and effectiveness in alleviating poverty.
           
     The Government will prepare the Report according to the timetable and consult the CoP with a view to releasing it in mid-2026.
Issued at HKT 17:30

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DH responds to Ombudsman’s direct investigation operation report

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DH responds to Ombudsman’s direct investigation operation report      
     The Government appreciates the Ombudsman’s attention to the work of the MCHK and its valuable suggestions. The Government accepts and will actively follow up on the recommendations in the report, striving to assist the MCHK in optimising its complaint-handling mechanism, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving service quality.
      
     The MCHK is a statutory body established under the Medical Registration Ordinance (MRO) (Cap. 161) to handle matters relating to the professional development of medical practitioners, maintain healthcare standards and protect patients in accordance with the powers conferred by legislation. The DH has consistently provided the MCHK with Secretariat staff or other resources to support the MCHK in fulfilling its duties under the MRO and relevant subsidiary legislation.
      
     In its report, the Ombudsman expressed concerns about the MCHK’s current mechanism and the progress in complaint handling, and put forward a number of recommendations for improvement, some of which will involve legislative amendments. In this regard, the Health Bureau had previously indicated that it would propose amendments to the MRO in response to the report submitted by the MCHK and its operational needs in order to ensure that the mechanism keeps pace with the times and meets the needs of society.
      
     Regarding other recommendations made by the Ombudsman concerning the administrative arrangements of the MCHK and its Secretariat, the DH will invite the MCHK to review and refine the existing arrangements based on the Ombudsman’s recommendations. Furthermore, the DH will strengthen communication with the MCHK regarding the Secretariat’s overall performance of administrative support, staffing and resource requirements, as well as performance management of Secretariat staff to enhance the Secretariat’s operational efficiency.
      
     The DH stressed that the medical profession in Hong Kong have all along upheld the principle of professional autonomy. The Government will assist the MCHK in discharging its statutory duties through legislative amendments, and other administrative and resource support, thereby further enhancing the professional standards and conduct of doctors to safeguard the interests of public and patients.
Issued at HKT 17:35

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Tender results of re-opening of 2-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Tender results of re-opening of 2-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds      
     A total of RMB1.0 billion 2-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB13.980 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 13.98. The average price accepted is 100.20, implying an annualised yield of 1.601 per cent. 
     Tender results of 2-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

Tender Date* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

Note: The yields stated above are annualised yields. For reference, the semi-annualised yields corresponding to the average price accepted, lowest price accepted, and average tender price are 1.595 per cent, 1.600 per cent, and 1.684 per cent respectively.
Issued at HKT 17:50

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Taiwan-Japan Fishery Committee holds successful 12th meeting

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Taiwan-Japan Fishery Committee holds successful 12th meeting

Date：2026-01-30
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

January 30, 2026No. 038The Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association convened the 12th meeting of the Taiwan-Japan Fishery Committee in Yilan from January 27 to 29. The alternating responsibility for organizing and hosting the meeting on this occasion fell to Taiwan. Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Deputy Secretary-General Lin Yu-hui led Taiwan’s delegation, with Director-General Wang Mao-chen of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Agency serving as lead negotiator. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Ocean Affairs Council’s Coast Guard Administration and relevant local fishers’ associations.During the meeting, the two parties affirmed the success of regulations implemented in 2025 for fishing vessels operating in a triangular area of water north of Japan’s Yaeyama Islands and reached consensus on operational rules for 2026. The sides also agreed to further revise self-regulatory covenants, to provide educational guidance to fishers prior to the start of the fishing season, and to avoid allowing fishing gear to drift into areas east of longitude 124°02′ E. Taiwan also requested that Japan commence consultations with Taiwan as soon as possible on other issues related to fishing operations in overlapping economic zones.Taiwan and Japan signed the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement on April 10, 2013, resolving long-standing fisheries disputes in a peaceful and rational manner. The Taiwan-Japan Fishery Committee was established in accordance with the agreement, with Taiwan and Japan taking turns to hold committee meetings once a year. The gatherings serve as an important dialogue platform, allowing the two sides to define a framework for fisheries operations and manage fisheries-related issues. (E)

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MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Uruguay

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Uruguay

February 4, 2026  
 
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi on February 3. Following the meeting, China and Uruguay issued a joint statement which blatantly ignored objective reality and contained statements that gravely distorted the facts, including claiming that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly protests and condemns the Chinese government’s repeated dissemination of malicious rhetoric in the international community and its efforts to denigrate Taiwan’s sovereignty. MOFA also expresses deep regret over the Uruguayan government’s subservience to China and alignment with its political position.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other; and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan. Any attempt to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status or claim sovereignty over Taiwan based on false narratives is erroneous and unacceptable. China continues to use threats, enticements, and rhetorical manipulation to spread disinformation at international events. This not only seriously challenges the world order and peace, it also clearly underscores the malignant nature of China’s authoritarian interference in the affairs of other nations. Countries everywhere should pay close heed.
 
MOFA calls on the government of Uruguay to recognize the true intentions behind China’s global expansion of influence, to stop being complicit in China’s disregard for the facts, and to refrain from endorsing its intentionally aggressive statements that seek to undermine regional peace and stability. MOFA urges Uruguay to adopt a pragmatic and open attitude and work with Taiwan and other democratic nations in jointly safeguarding peace, stability, and prosperity worldwide.
 
Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan, and only they can decide Taiwan’s future. As a force for good, Taiwan will continue to defend freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries so as to staunchly protect national sovereignty, counter authoritarian expansionism, uphold shared values, and contribute even more to the international community.

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Ombudsman’s advice welcomed

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Health Bureau today welcomed the Office of The Ombudsman’s direct investigation operation report on the effectiveness of administrative support provided for complaint handling by the Secretariat of Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) under the Department of Health (DH), and the department’s regulatory role.

The DH said the Government accepts and will actively follow up on the recommendations in the report, striving to assist the MCHK to optimise its complaint-handling mechanism, enhance operational efficiency, and improve service quality.

In its report published today, the Ombudsman expressed concerns about the MCHK’s current mechanism and the progress in complaint handling, and put forward a number of recommendations for improvement, some of which will involve legislative amendments.

The Health Bureau had previously indicated that it would propose amendments to the Medical Registration Ordinance in response to the report submitted by the MCHK and its operational needs in order to ensure that the mechanism keeps pace with the times and meets the needs of society.

The bureau today added that it will formulate detailed proposals to amend the ordinance with reference to the Ombudsman’s views and its report.

The bureau outlined that the amendment aims to enable the MCHK and its secretariat to discharge their duties of upholding doctors’ professional conduct and continuously enhance medical professional standards more effectively under the principle of professional autonomy.

The Legislative Council’s Panel on Health Services will be briefed by the bureau shortly on the proposed directions and enhancement proposals for the ordinance, with a target of introducing an amendment bill into LegCo in the first half of this year.

As to other recommendations made by the Ombudsman concerning the administrative arrangements of the MCHK and its secretariat, the DH said it will invite the MCHK to review and refine the existing arrangements based on the recommendations.

The department added that it will strengthen communication with the MCHK regarding the secretariat’s overall performance of administrative support, staffing and resource requirements, as well as secretariat staff’s performance management to enhance its operational efficiency.

The DH stressed that the medical profession in Hong Kong has all along upheld the principle of professional autonomy.

It noted that the Government will assist the MCHK in discharging its statutory duties through legislative amendments, and other administrative and resource support, thereby further enhancing the professional standards and conduct of doctors to safeguard the interest of the public and patients.