Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In response to media enquiries about efforts to combat illegal smoking, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health today (August 28) gave the following response:
 
“Between August 25 and 30, TACO conducts an enforcement operation codenamed “Laserflame” to crack down on illegal smoking in statutory no smoking areas (NSAs) of public transport facilities throughout the territory. The operation aims to raise public awareness of relevant smoking ban regulations, including the 10 newly designated NSAs at public transport facilities (PTFs) effective from August 31, while intensifying efforts to combat illegal smoking. All enforcement actions strictly adhered to legal provisions and procedures.
 
TACO conducts enforcement actions according to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance and coordinates manpower deployment. Stringent operational guidelines have been established and professional training has been provided to TACO officers. The reference benchmarks set by TACO for planning of enforcement actions aims to provide the teams a reference for manpower deployment and enforcement work priorities. They are not rigid targets of enforcement figures set for frontline officers. TACO emphasises that frontline officers take enforcement action only when they actually observe violations, but not rigidly pursuing a specified target.
 
TACO calls on the public to observe the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance and work together to maintain a smoke-free environment in PTFs. NSAs are marked with designated signs and layout plans, with clearly delineated demarcation lines according to the actual environment to remind citizens to comply with smoking bans. Any person who does a smoking act in NSAs or in public transport carriers will be liable for a fixed penalty of $1,500. Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will prosecute smoking offenders without prior warning.
 
As of 5pm today, officers from TACO conducted 203 inspections at PTFs and issued 39 FPNs for smoking offences during the “Laserflame” operation.
 
In addition to its law enforcement work, TACO actively promotes smoke-free environments through preventive smoking education and cessation services, including community outreach to raise public awareness of smoking’s hazards.
 
For the sake of the health of individuals, their families and others, the Government appeals to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible. Members of the public may call the DH’s Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, which is operated by registered nurses to provide professional counselling services on smoking cessation.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (August 28) that, in response to the nuisance caused by dripping air conditioners in summer, it has adopted a new enforcement approach this year to proactively tackle multiple dripping air conditioner locations across Hong Kong.

The FEHD pointed out that tackling the issue of dripping air conditioners currently faces multiple challenges. These include public unawareness of dripping air conditioners on their premises, the vast number of air conditioners across Hong Kong, a surge in complaints due to frequent usage in summer, which mostly occurs in the early morning or evening, the lack of communal drainage pipes in some buildings and improper connection of air conditioner pipes, which increases the likelihood of dripping, and the technical difficulties in tracing the source of dripping, which often originates from upper floors or is obscured from view. 

To enhance efficiency, the FEHD adopted a new operational strategy this year. In addition to sustaining the effort in handling dripping air conditioner complaints as usual, FEHD officers proactively conducted “door-to-door” inspections and took enforcement action at about 300 key follow-up locations across districts. Furthermore, 30 dripping blackspots causing significant nuisance to the public, including bus stops and minibus stops, were targeted for intensified patrols.

By leveraging innovative technology, the FEHD and the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM) under the Innovation and Technology Commission have jointly developed the Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System, which has achieved remarkable results while being used in all districts. Equipped with infrared night-vision recording, the system helps identify the source of dripping in low-light conditions. It resolved previous difficulties in investigations, significantly shortened the time required for investigation and evidence collection, and enabled preliminary assessments to be made without entering the premises. Furthermore, it enabled effective deployment of manpower for special operations in the early morning or evening, changing the previous allocation of 70 per cent of manpower for daytime investigations and 30 per cent for nighttime investigations to 30 per cent for daytime investigations and 70 per cent for nighttime investigations.

In collaboration with various sectors to carry out publicity and education, the FEHD distributed leaflets and souvenirs and held publicity events in various districts of Hong Kong with members of the local community, including District Councillors. The FEHD also promoted knowledge of proper air conditioner maintenance through radio and social media. In parallel, the FEHD’s Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners, which invites property management agents of private housing estates to assist in investigating dripping air conditioner complaints, has also made progress, with over 280 private housing estates participating and handling an average of over 4 000 cases annually. The FEHD is collaborating with the Property Management Services Authority to encourage more property management companies to join the scheme.

As of August 24, the FEHD has handled approximately 5 200 dripping air conditioners, marking a 25 per cent increase over the same period last year and a threefold surge compared to the same period in 2023. Among the 30 dripping blackspots (involving 14 districts, over 160 buildings, and approximately 7 000 air conditioners) that seriously impacted public queuing for transport, the FEHD has handled cases involving approximately 1 000 air conditioners and significantly improved environmental hygiene.

The FEHD will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to address the dripping problem of air conditioners and calls on all sectors to work together. Among them, property management companies should repair and maintain building drainage systems regularly, remind residents to check and repair their air conditioners, and citizens should also check their air conditioners regularly and take immediate action if water drips to prevent causing nuisance. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     In connection with a murder case happened in Tin Shui Wai on August 25, Police further arrested a 29-year-old man for murder and a 27-year-old man for assisting offenders in Tsuen Wan yesterday (August 27).

     Investigation revealed that the arrestees were in suspected connection with a murder case happened in Tin Shui Wai on August 25, in which a 51-year-old local man died.

     The 27-year-old man has been laid a holding charge with one count of assisting offenders. The case will be mentioned at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (August 29) morning. The 29-year-old man is being detained for further enquiries.

     Concerning the aforementioned case, Police arrested another ten men and three women, aged 25 to 65. Police laid holding charges against a 62-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman jointly with one count of assisting offenders. The case was mentioned at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (August 28). In addition, three men, aged between 33 and 48, have been laid jointly a holding charge with one count of conspiracy to murder. A 25-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man have been laid a holding charge each with one count of assisting offenders. The case will be mentioned at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (August 29) morning. The remaining six arrestees have been released on bail and are required to report back to Police in mid-September.

     Active investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3362.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD) is collaborating with the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History to launch the “Standing Together for Peacebuilding: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance in Guangdong and Hong Kong” exhibition from tomorrow (August 29) to July 8, 2026. Admission is free. The exhibition shows the history of the people of Guangdong and Hong Kong, led by the Chinese Communist Party, and how they were closely united in resisting the enemy.

Addressing the opening ceremony today (August 28), the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said that Guangdong and Hong Kong have shared the same roots and blood connections since ancient times. During the War of Resistance, the people of the two places fought side by side, crafting a moving chapter of patriotism. Hong Kong did not only function as a vital transit hub for wartime supplies from abroad, but also hosted the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, which conducted operations behind enemy lines, making significant contributions to the country. He also said that remembering history, honoring martyrs, cherishing peace, creating a great future, understanding the spirit of the War of Resistance, and better nurturing and inspiring the patriotic sentiment of the public are among the essential aims of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in promoting patriotic education.

Other officiating guests today included the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Songmiao; the Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics cum Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, Mr Liu Xiaoming; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Curator of the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, Mr Yi Xibing; Legislative Council Member and the Chief Editor of the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute, Professor Lau Chi-pang; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; member of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Ms Melissa Kaye Pang; the Chairman of the History Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Joshua Mok; the President of the Society of Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, Ms Lam Chun; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.

The exhibition comprises three parts, namely “The Fall of Guangdong and Hong Kong”, “The Fierce Resistance”, and “The Victory in the War of Resistance”, featuring some 40 items/sets of wartime relics. Important exhibits include a silver ring awarded to meritorious personnel of the Zhongshan People’s Anti-Japanese Volunteer Battalion in November 1944; the book “Understanding the Total War of Resistance” by writer Guo Moruo, one of Guangzhou’s representative anti-war cultural works; a cloth chest badge and binoculars used by the Dongjiang Column; a telegraph announcing Tsang Sang as Commander and Wang Zuoyao as Deputy Commander of the Dongjiang Column; and a commemorative badge for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column. The exhibition also displays around 150 historical photos on the huge suffering of the people in Guangdong and Hong Kong under the aggression of Japanese militarism, their united resistance and eventual great victory in the War of Resistance. The exhibition presents the historical mission of unity of the people of Guangdong and Hong Kong in resisting the enemy, and commemorates martyrs and compatriots who sacrificed their lives in defending the country.

The MWRCD has set up a dedicated War of Resistance book corner with a book selection for visitors to acquire an in-depth understanding of the War of Resistance. There are also creative interactive games integrating education with entertainment for members of the public, especially youngsters, to actively learn from history, thereby fostering patriotism, promoting and passing on the values of patriotic education.

The MWRCD will launch a series of free activities. On September 3, the Victory Day of Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the museum will invite the Deputy President of the Society of Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, Mr Lam Ming, to host a sharing session with local secondary students at 3pm to 4pm. There will also be a collaborative art creation activity, inviting members of the public to write greeting cards to express their feelings about the War of Resistance as well as respect for the martyrs and veterans. The anti-war movie “Life Goes On” will be screened.

     The exhibition is guided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau (Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Heritage Administration), jointly presented by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, jointly organised by the MWRCD and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, and supported by the Hong Kong Chronicle Institute. It is also one of the activities of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. 

     For details of the exhibition and related activities, please visit the MWRCD website at hk.waranddefence.museum/en/web/mcd/standingtogetherforpeacebuilding.html.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney (TECO) partnered for the first time with the Local Community Services Association (LCSA) to host an opening ceremony for 20 delegates from Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF）
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu welcomed the TFCF delegation to their “home in Sydney” and commended the organization’s long-standing dedication to supporting disadvantaged children and families. He highlighted TECO’s role not only in official representation, trade, and consular services, but also in promoting cultural exchange and encouraging the Taiwanese community to give back locally. Over the past year, Taiwanese community has actively raised funds for various Australian charities, demonstrating compassion that transcends borders
LCSA CEO Can Yasmut thanked TECO for co-hosting the event and praised the Taiwanese community’s charitable contributions, expressing confidence that the TFCF team would gain valuable insights into NSW’s child protection and family support systems. TFCF Director of Social Work, Linda Tsai, expressed gratitude for the hospitality and looked forward to applying the lessons learned during the 10-day program to enhance social service models in Taiwan
Last year alone, Sydney’s Taiwanese community organized five major charity events benefiting local NGOs such as Mary’s House Services, The Smith Family, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Women’s Community Shelters—showcasing Taiwan’s warmth, generosity, and love beyond its technological strengths.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department says it has adopted a new enforcement approach to tackling the problem of dripping air conditioners at multiple locations across Hong Kong this year.

 

At a media briefing today, Assistant Director (Operations) of the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Wan Chi-shun said the department has proactively conducted “door-to-door” inspections and taken enforcement action at about 300 locations.

 

Furthermore, 30 “dripping blackspots”, including bus stops, have been targeted for intensified patrols.

 

The department explained that it has adopted the “Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System”. Equipped with infrared night-vision recording, the system helps identify the source of dripping in low-light conditions.

 

As dripping mostly occurs in the evening or early morning, the system has resolved previous difficulties in investigations, significantly shortened the time required for investigations and evidence collection, and enabled preliminary assessments to be made without entering premises.

 

The system has also enabled effective deployment of manpower for special operations in the evening or early morning. The previous allocation of 70% of manpower for daytime investigations and 30% for night-time investigations has been changed to 30% for daytime investigations and 70% for night-time investigations.

 

As of August 24, the department had handled approximately 5,200 cases of dripping air conditioners, marking a 25% increase over the same period last year and a threefold surge compared to the same period in 2023.

 

Among the 30 dripping blackspots – involving 14 districts, over 160 buildings, and approximately 7,000 air conditioners – the department has handled cases involving approximately 1,000 air conditioners.

 

The department urged property management companies to repair and maintain building drainage systems regularly, and to remind residents to check and repair their air conditioners. It said members of the public should check their air conditioners regularly and take immediate action if water drips.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The annual adjustment to consultation co-payment fees for screening and treatment under the Chronic Disease Co-care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) will take effect from September 1, the Health Bureau announced today.

Family doctors can determine consultation co-payment fees for screening, subject to a cap of $120.

As regards treatment, 874 of the 971 participating service points will keep their existing co-payment fees unchanged. Eight service points will lower their co-payment fees, and 89 service points will increase their fees, with increments ranging from $20 to $300.

Following the adjustment, 617 service points will charge the Government-recommended consultation co-payment fees at $150 or below. The median co-payment remains at $150. Overall, the rate of increase is 3.1% in the coming year.

Separately, the Health Bureau announced that the CDCC Pilot Scheme will be expanded in phases to cover suitable patients currently attending Hospital Authority General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs), as well as participants in the General Outpatient Clinic Public-Private Partnership (GOPC PPP) Programme which is scheduled to conclude in 2028.

The bureau will send invitations to join the CDCC Pilot Scheme, by post, to suitable GOPC patients and existing GOPC PPP Programme participants, starting from next month and early next year respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism (CT) exercise at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal today.

 

The exercise simulated a scenario in which terrorists attempted to launch an attack upon arriving in Hong Kong via a cruise ship, staging a knife attack and shooting in the terminal lobby. Their accomplices subsequently took a passenger ship hostage, leading to a gunfight with Police onboard.

 

The Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre was activated during the exercise, overseen by Chief Executive John Lee, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung.

 

Mr Lee said that the global terrorism situation remains complex.

 

“As an international city, Hong Kong continues to enjoy overall safety and stability, but the threats posed by international and homegrown terrorism must not be neglected.

 

“Different policy bureaus and departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government must strengthen their co-ordination and response capabilities to address various forms of terrorist attacks.

 

“During this large-scale CT exercise, each department performed its respective duties, fully demonstrating its professional competence in responding to terrorist incidents. The relevant departments will consolidate the experience gained to further strengthen the overall CT work of the Hong Kong SAR Government.” 

 

About 500 personnel took part in the exercise. In addition to the Security Bureau and the six ICTU member departments, namely the Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department and the Government Flying Service, staff from the Marine Department, the Government Laboratory, the Hospital Authority and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal also actively participated and assisted in co-ordinating the exercise.

 

The ICTU attaches great importance to public engagement. For the first time, the exercise was broadcast live on television and online, enabling the public to observe in real time and further enhance their counter-terrorism awareness.

 

Nearly 200 volunteers from various community and youth organisations across different sectors and age groups were invited to participate in the exercise.

 

To strengthen CT preparedness, the CE’s 2024 Policy Address announced the establishment of the Three-tier Prevention Framework.

 

Mr Lee directed at the first Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group meeting that relevant bureaus and departments should conduct a large-scale interdepartmental CT exercise.

 

Under the co-ordination of the Three-tier Prevention Framework, relevant bureaus and departments will continue to strengthen their CT preparedness in various areas, including enhancing intelligence exchange, expanding community intelligence networks, preventing radicalisation, enhancing public education and organising diverse CT exercises.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary today (August 28) called on the public to stay vigilant against a phishing email sent from the email account “jeremypoonshiuchor107@gmail.com”. The email falsely claims that it was issued by the Chief Judge of the High Court. The Judiciary has reported the case to the Police.

Members of the public are reminded to stay alert to suspicious emails and refrain from opening them. Anyone who has provided personal information to the email sender is advised to contact the Police immediately.