Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs today (April 2) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 25 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $10 million.

A female passenger, aged 39, arrived in Hong Kong from Prague, the Czech Republic, via Seoul, Korea, late last night (April 1). During customs clearance in the early hours today, Customs officers found about 25kg of suspected ketamine, concealed in food packages, in her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

After investigation, the arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on April 4. 

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. 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 Information Services

On his last day of visit to Beijing, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, leading a delegation, called on CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong. The meeting was attended by Executive Deputy Director of CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Xu Qifang.

Mr Chan thanked Mr Xia for his guidance on the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT), and briefed him on the delegation’s visit to the Ningbo Higher Education Park, Xiasha Higher Education Park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang University International Campus (Haining), Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, and Xiong’an New Area in Hebei.

The visits and exchanges provided practical insights for the NMUT’s top-level design, thereby helping Hong Kong advance the integration of academic excellence with industry, and promote industrial development through education, Mr Chan stressed.

He added that the Working Group on Planning & Construction of the University Town will continue to push forward the NMUT’s development in proactive alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, helping Hong Kong better serve national development.

During the meeting, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin also reported on her work.

Mr Chan and other members of the delegation returned to Hong Kong this afternoon. Ms Choi continued her visit in the capital and will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po announced today that a third round of seven evidential hearings, at witnesses will give oral evidence, will be held on the following days:

1. April 20 (Monday)
2. April 21 (Tuesday)
3. April 22 (Wednesday)
4. April 23 (Thursday)
5. April 24 (Friday)
6. April 27 (Monday)
7. April 30 (Thursday)

The hearings will be conducted in Cantonese from 10am to 1pm and from 2.15pm to 4.30pm at the Multi-purpose Hall, 3/F, City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central. Simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English will be provided.

Those wishing to attend, including Wang Fuk Court residents, are required to pre-register online from 10am on April 8 to 10am on April 11.

Registrants may select one or more sessions. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis according to the system’s record of the time the pre-registration forms are received.

Successful registrants will receive a confirmation issued by the committee secretariat no later than April 16. They will get an SMS notification from the sender name “#IC-hearing”, or an email from hearing@ic-wangfukcourtfire.gov.hk.

The proceedings will be broadcast live in transmission areas set up on the ground floor of City Gallery as well as at the Hong Kong Central Library’s Lecture Theatre. Some registrants may be assigned to observe the hearings in these two areas. A total of about 360 seats will be available for public observation in the main venue and the two transmission areas. About half of the seats will be set aside for Wang Fuk Court residents on a priority basis.

Individuals can only pre-register for each hearing day once. Duplicate registrations will not be processed.

The committee plans to hold additional hearings in May, details of which will be announced later.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today filed an application with the Court of First Instance of the High Court for forfeiture of Lai Chee-ying’s offence-related properties, to achieve the important objectives of preventing and suppressing acts and activities endangering national security.

The Court of First Instance earlier convicted Lai Chee-ying of three charges of offences endangering national security. 

In a statement, the Government said the application was made in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKNSL) and the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Implementation Rules).

According to Article 32 of the HKNSL, proceeds obtained from the commission of an offence under the Law including financial aid, gains and rewards, and funds and tools used or intended to be used in the commission of the offence shall be seized and confiscated.

The application for and issuance of a forfeiture order must comply with the strict conditions set out in Schedule 3 to the Implementation Rules.

The Court of First Instance may order the forfeiture only if it is satisfied, after an application is made by the Secretary for Justice, that the property to be forfeited meets relevant conditions.

The Government said the Hong Kong SAR is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that “laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable”.

It noted that applying to the court for a forfeiture order is one of the effective means to combat serious crimes and protect the public interest, adding that laws and mechanisms for forfeiture of offence-related properties are commonly found around the world.

The statement also pointed out that a forfeiture order made for the purpose of safeguarding national security can prevent persons convicted of offences endangering national security, their accomplices or agents from continuing to use their offence-related properties to engage in acts and activities endangering national security, so as to cut off the funding chains for offences endangering national security and to weaken their capacity to commit offences endangering national security.

The Government reiterated that it will, as always, steadfastly and strictly adhere to the principle of the rule of law, stay committed to ensuring that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to justice.

The Government will also effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, while protecting the lawful rights and interests of Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong, the statement added.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets Global Taiwan Institute media delegation
On the morning of March 31, President Lai Ching-te met with a media delegation from the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members for helping advance understanding and support of democratic Taiwan in the international community. The president also expressed his gratitude for their media coverage, which has helped the international community pay greater attention to regional peace and stability and has helped garner even more international support for Taiwan. He stated that Taiwan is actively bolstering its defense capabilities, implementing military reform, enhancing overall combat capability, and developing its indigenous defense industry, demonstrating its determination to safeguard national security, protect freedom and democracy, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also stated that Taiwan will fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining regional security and that it is willing to collaborate with the United States and other democratic partners to safeguard regional stability, supply chain security, and global prosperity.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Our guests represent prominent US media outlets and possess significant influence in the global public sphere. I extend a sincere welcome to the delegation and anticipate that your professional reporting will help the world better understand Taiwan. I want to give a word of thanks to the GTI for its many years of diligent efforts and advocacy in Washington, DC, and for helping advance understanding and support of democratic Taiwan in the international community. It warms my heart to see two fellow Taiwanese, Dr. Lanhee J. Chen, GTI Advisory Board member and David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies at the Hoover Institution, and GTI Board of Directors Chair Jennifer Hu. I want to thank them for their tireless work in voicing support for Taiwan, which has helped US society have a better grasp of Taiwan’s spirit and culture.
Taiwan is a vibrant democratic society. We cherish freedom and safeguard democracy. And we know well that peace must be built upon a foundation of strength, resilience, and unity. Over 90 percent of the world’s most advanced semiconductors are manufactured in Taiwan, and over a fifth of maritime trade passes through the Taiwan Strait. As a crucial link in the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan firmly believes that a free and open, peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region is the only path to advancing global prosperity.
Over recent years, China has continued to attempt to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through such tactics as military intimidation, gray-zone operations, and economic coercion. I thank the international media outlets represented here for their coverage, which has helped the international community pay greater attention to regional peace and stability and has helped garner even more international support for Taiwan.
Peace is priceless, and war has no winners. As we aspire to peace, we must not harbor any delusions. We firmly believe that peace can only be achieved through strength and that help comes most to those who help themselves. Thus, Taiwan is actively bolstering its defense capabilities, implementing military reform, and strengthening whole-of-society defense resilience. Our national defense spending, as it is defined by NATO, has already surpassed 3 percent of GDP this year, and we aim for this figure to reach 5 percent by 2030. Our government has also proposed an eight-year, US$40 billion special defense budget to enhance equipment procurement, construct the T-Dome, enhance overall combat capability, and develop Taiwan’s indigenous defense industry. This demonstrates our determination to safeguard our national security, protect freedom and democracy, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
This year is the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. It also marks the 250th anniversary of US independence. And while the histories of our democracies may differ in length, our pursuit of freedom is the same. Taiwan will fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining regional security. And we are willing to collaborate with the US and other democratic partners to safeguard regional stability, supply chain security, and global prosperity.
In 2010, 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment went to China; last year, that figure had dropped to around 3.7 percent. The US is now Taiwan’s top outbound investment destination. It is also Taiwan’s largest export market. Trade and economic relations between Taiwan and the US continue to deepen, and cooperation and exchanges in technological innovation and industrial development have also expanded. This year, we signed the Taiwan-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and an agreement on bilateral investment. We also signed the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and Taiwan-US Economic Security Cooperation. I anticipate that through our joint efforts, we can create a mutually beneficial future of prosperity and contribute even more to the world.
GTI Advisory Board Member Chen then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for taking the time to meet with their delegation. He also thanked National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger (葛葆萱) for their hospitality. He mentioned that it is an honor for the group to be here in Taiwan. He said that he often reflects on the many changes that Taiwan has been through in the 40 years since he first came back as a young child, noting that it is remarkable to see that the one thing that has endured is the strength of the relationship between the US and Taiwan, which remains rock solid.
GTI Advisory Board Member Chen stated that he is chairing this delegation, a group composed of some of America’s most prominent voices in journalism and political commentary. He emphasized that it is important for his colleagues to see Taiwan firsthand, to experience life and culture, to meet individuals here, and to engage in exchanges because it better informs their understanding of the situation that Taiwan currently finds itself in. Noting that this is the first time in Taiwan for many of these people, he expressed hope they will have an opportunity to leave with good memories of the people that they meet and the food that they eat. 
GTI Advisory Board Member Chen said that this visit comes at a very important time in the Taiwan-US relationship, adding that it is his firm hope that after the delegation leaves Taiwan, they will continue to remember and be mindful of the tremendous challenges that Taiwan faces from what he believes is a hostile power just 80 miles away. He also expressed his belief that the impressions and the relationships developed will remain. He then said he looks forward to a wonderful dialogue with President Lai.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) announced today (April 2) that, in response to requests from interested tenderers, the tender period for the contract for Hong Kong East Drainage Tunnel (Contract No. DC/2026/04) has been extended to noon on May 8.
 
     The DSD invited tenders for the contract on February 6. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on April 17.
 
     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available on the DSD website (www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Tender_Notices/Current_Tenders/index.html).

     The DSD has commissioned Binnies Hong Kong Limited to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please call the company at 2601 1000 during office hours.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The weather for March 2026 was much warmer than usual in Hong Kong. The monthly total sunshine duration amounted to 165.0 hours, 65 per cent above the normal of 100.0 hours. With more sunshine, the monthly mean temperature of 21.5 degrees, monthly mean maximum temperature of 24.5 degrees and monthly mean minimum temperature of 19.6 degrees were 2.0 degrees, 2.6 degrees and 2.0 degrees above their corresponding normals and respectively one of the second, the third and the fifth highest on record for March. Mainly attributable to the rainfall brought by upper-air disturbances from March 3 to 4, the month was much wetter than usual with a total rainfall of 154.4 millimeters, more than double the normal of 75.3 millimetres. The accumulated rainfall in the first three months of the year was 199.2 millimetres, about 35 per cent above the normal of 147.4 millimetres for the same period.

Under the influence of a southerly airstream and a band of clouds, Hong Kong’s weather was mainly cloudy with one or two rain patches and coastal fog on the first two days of the month. Moreover, a cold front moved across the coast of Guangdong on the night of March 2, bringing showers and isolated squally thunderstorms to Hong Kong, with about 30 millimetres of rainfall recorded over parts of the territory. The associated northeast monsoon brought cooler mornings on the following three days. Temperature at the Observatory fell to a minimum of 15.4 degrees on the morning of March 4, the lowest of the month. Meanwhile, upper-air disturbances also brought showers to the territory from March 3 to 4. Showers were heavier at times with more than 100 millimetres of rainfall recorded over Kowloon, Tseung Kwan O and parts of Lantau Island on these two days. There were also isolated thunderstorms on March 3. With the band of clouds thinning out, apart from one or two rain patches in the morning, there were sunny periods on March 5. 

A relatively dry easterly airstream brought generally fine weather to Hong Kong from March 6 to 9. It was also dry during the day from March 6 to 8. Under the influence of the northeast monsoon and a band of clouds, it was mainly cloudy from March 10 to 11. It was also cool with one or two rain patches on the morning of March 10. With the thinning out of the cloud band on the afternoon of March 11 and a replenishment of the dry northeast monsoon on the night of March 12, the local weather turned fine from March 12 to 16. As the northeast monsoon moderated gradually and a band of clouds covered the coast of Guangdong, the local weather became mainly cloudy with one or two light rain patches on March 17. As the cloud band thinned out, it was generally fine on the following two days. It was also hot on the afternoon of March 19.

With the setting in of a fresh to strong easterly airstream and a band of clouds, Hong Kong’s weather turned cloudy with a few light rain patches from March 20 to 21. With the moderation of the easterly airstream and the thinning out of the cloud band, local weather became generally fine and warm during the day from March 22 to 23. Winds were weak on the next two days, with coastal mist in the morning and at night. It remained warm during the day with sunny periods on March 24. Under light wind conditions, it was hot on the afternoon of March 25 with temperatures at the Observatory rising to a maximum of 30.0 degrees, the highest of the month. With the setting in of a relatively humid easterly airstream, the local weather turned mainly cloudy with a hot afternoon and coastal mist the next day. While there were mist patches on the morning of March 27, a trough of low pressure brought showers and thunderstorms to the territory that afternoon. With the return of a relatively humid easterly airstream, Hong Kong’s weather was mainly cloudy with a few showers and relatively low visibility the next day. Under the influence of a southerly airstream, it remained mainly cloudy with one or two rain patches on March 29. An area of intense thundery showers associated with upper-air disturbances affected the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary, bringing showers and severe squally thunderstorms to the territory during the day on March 30. Violent gusts over 120 kilometres per hour were recorded at Lau Fau Shan. Under the influence of a trough of low pressure, local weather on the last day of the month remained mainly cloudy with one or two showers and isolated thunderstorms at night.

One tropical cyclone occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in March 2026.

Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for March are tabulated in Table 2.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government announced today (April 2) that the Chief Executive has appointed six official and 25 non-official members to the Town Planning Board (TPB) for a new two-year term from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028.
      
     The Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) and non-official member Mr Stephen Liu Ling-hong have been reappointed as Chairperson and Vice-chairperson of the TPB respectively.
      
     Non-official members of the TPB are of diverse backgrounds. Their multidisciplinary expertise and wealth of experience will contribute to the work of the TPB in discharging its statutory functions under the Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131) (TPO). TPB members are also appointed to serve on the TPB’s two planning committees, namely the Metro Planning Committee (MPC) and the Rural and New Town Planning Committee (RNTPC). The Director of Planning has been reappointed as the Chairperson of both the MPC and the RNTPC. Non-official members Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee and Mr Daniel Lau King-shing have been reappointed as the Vice-chairperson of the MPC and the RNTPC respectively.
      
     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said, “We are deeply grateful to the six retiring members for their past contributions to our town planning efforts. We also look forward to working closely with TPB members of the new term to continue advancing spatial planning and promoting development projects that are beneficial to society, including the development of the Northern Metropolis, and to support the development of Hong Kong.”
      
     The TPB is a statutory body established under section 2 of the TPO for the systematic preparation and approval of plans for the land use planning and layout of areas of Hong Kong, and the handling of applications for change of land use and development parameters in accordance with statutory procedures.
      
     The full membership of the TPB for the new term, as set out below, is published in the Gazette on April 2.
 
Chairperson
————
Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands)
 
Official members
———————
Director of Planning
Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics 1, or alternate representative
Director of Home Affairs, or alternate representative
Director of Environmental Protection, or alternate representative
Director of Lands, or alternate representative
 
Non-official members
———————
Mr Stephen Liu Ling-hong (Vice-chairperson)
Mr Chan Cho-biu*
Professor Janet Chan Kit-yan*
Ms Kelly Chan Yuen-sau
Dr Cheng Cho-ming
Mr Vincent Cheung Kiu-cho*
Mr Herbert Chia Pun-kok*
Mr Daniel Chung Kum-wah
Mr Ho Kui-yip
Dr Ip Chung-man
Mr Ryan Ip Man-ki
Dr Chris Lam Ka-tat*
Mr Daniel Lau King-shing
Dr Kelvin Leung Kai-yuen*
Mr Ben Lui Sau-shun
Mr Ma Kam-wah
Mr Rocky Poon Lock-kee
Mr Shum Ho-kit*
Professor Tang Bo-sin
Professor Bernadette Tsui
Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee
Professor Simon Wong Kit-lung
Mr Simon Wong Yuk-sun
Mr Derrick Yip Siu-ming
Mr Gary Zhang Xinyu*
 
*New members

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight” and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” from March 27 to yesterday (April 1). During the anti-illegal worker operations, investigators raided multiple target locations including restaurants, industrial buildings and flats under renovation, etc. Twenty suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 15 men and five women, aged 25 to 57. Among them, one man and one woman were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment. Two men, aged 36 and 60, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region