Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

PRESIDENT OF INDIA HOSTS PRESIDENT OF CHILE

CHILE IS AN IMPORTANT PARTNER OF INDIA IN THE LATIN AMERICA REGION: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU

Posted On: 01 APR 2025 9:39PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu received H.E. Mr Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (April 1, 2025). She also hosted a banquet in his honour.

Welcoming President Boric on his first visit to India, the President said that his political journey, from student politics to the post of President, is an inspiration for young leaders across the world.

The President said that this visit is an important milestone in India-Chile relations, as it is taking place at a time when we are completing 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.

The President said that Chile is an important partner of India in the Latin America region.  The political and economic priorities of India and Chile complement each other. She stated that there are many opportunities to increase cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment, technology and cultural exchange.

The President was happy to note that trade between India and Chile has increased in recent years, and many Indian companies have invested in Chile in various sectors. She said that there is potential for enhancing cooperation in these areas.

The President appreciated the important contribution of the Indian community in Chile, who are helping to popularize Indian cuisine, Yoga and Ayurveda in Chile, and strengthening our people to people linkages.

The two leaders agreed that there is a huge opportunity to further the strong relations between the two countries, and this visit will add a new chapter in the India-Chile relationship.   

Please click here to see the President’s Speech – 

 

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MJPS/SR

(Release ID: 2117556) Visitor Counter : 61

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The International Water Pioneers Summit was held today (April 1) in Hong Kong. The Summit convened internationally renowned leaders, experts, academicians, senior government officials, representatives and stakeholders from water supply sector to explore new opportunities and prospects for collaboration in the development of water supply sector. The Summit attracted an on-site or online participation of around 5 000 people.

The Summit, with the theme of “Smart Water‧High-Quality Development”, was jointly organised by the Water Supplies Department; the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering – Hong Kong Branch; the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers – Building Services Division; and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management – Hong Kong Branch. It is one of the celebration activities marking the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong. 

Participants proposed high quality development characteristics including innovation, green, sharing and co-ordination to spearhead digital transformation of the water supply sector and secure wholesomeness of water to the benefits of mankind health. Hong Kong should give full play to the distinctive role of a connector between the country and the rest of the world. The Summit serves the purpose of attracting overseas professional knowledge and experience and promoting cross-boundary and cross-sector collaboration. It also demonstrates to the world the country’s advanced technologies and experience in water supply aspects as well as the wisdom of profound Chinese water culture for making contributions in the joint promotion of the application of water resources, water technologies and water culture around the world.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Li Guoying; the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Weizhong; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zheng Yanxiong; Member of the Office Leadership of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr Xiang Bin; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Qi Bin; Vice Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Shaokang and the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Summit. 

Speaking at the summit, Mr Lee said that the summit convened high-profile professionals and senior government officials from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and around the world to celebrate together the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and joined forces to ensure provision of a sustainable water supply to mankind. He pointed out that innovation in infrastructure development will power our water-secure future and Hong Kong is developing into an international infrastructure centre that serves the country and the HKSAR.

Mr Li said that the Ministry of Water Resources will resolutely strengthen exchanges and co-operation with the relevant government departments of the HKSAR Government and ensure the safety of water supply to Hong Kong. Guangdong will also actively support Hong Kong to utilise its distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as a channel for sharing with the world the water management concept, experience and solutions to promote future water security, calling for a new chapter of water management to work toward a community with a shared future for mankind.

Mr Wang said that Guangdong will firmly proceed with planning of urban development, land use, population, and production based on water resources and further deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong in-depth collaboration in respect of water management to enhance the livability of the Greater Bay Area with quality for living, working and travelling. Guangdong will actively learn advanced experience and seize firmly the collaboration opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and promote international exchanges and co-operations in the aspects of water technologies, water ecology and water security with an aim to better facilitate the high quality development of water resources.

Addressing the ceremony, Ms Linn pointed out that sustainable water resources management is crucial in facing of the challenges brought by global climate change and scarcity of resources. The summit, with the theme of “Smart Water‧High-Quality Development” timely convened different parties to explore innovative and feasible solutions together with proactive and forward-thinking strategies to combat challenges.

The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, thanked all guest speakers for sharing their insights and all the supporting organisations for their strong support. He pointed out that the summit has showed the win-win power of collaboration and innovation. 

Topics of the summit covered high-quality development of water supply and technologies, development in water safety and relative issues on Dongjiang water. Participants also discussed building water security under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Source: Government of India

Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Muralidhar Mohol today replied to the discussion on the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha

After the discussion, the House passed the Bill. The Lok Sabha had passed this Bill on 26 March, 2025

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, where rural economy will have an important contribution in making India the third largest economy in the world by the year 2027

Shri Amit Shah ji became the first Minister of Cooperation of this country, with vast experience in PACS and market committee, President of the District Cooperative Bank and Director of the State Cooperative Bank

Cooperative sector will need about 17 lakh trained youth in the next five years and in view of this, the initiative to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University has been taken

An institutionalised system is necessary to bring dynamism in the cooperative sector and its expansion and Tribhuvan Sahkari University has been established for the same purpose

Under the leadership of Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation took 60 new initiatives to give a new direction to the cooperative sector

In 2013-14, a budget of Rs 122 crore was allocated for the Department of Cooperation, which has increased 10 times to Rs 1190 crore today

Bye-laws of PACS were amended to make them and multipurpose and these bye-laws have been adopted by 32 states and UTs

Today, 43 thousand PACSs are running Common Service Centers, 36 thousand PACSs running PM Kisan Samridhi Kendra and 4 thousand PACSs running Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra

Only when PACSs will be economically strong, the farmer will be empowered and the villages will also become prosperous

National Cooperative Policy is being formulated under leadership of PM Modi and guidance of Union Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah and it is our resolve to announce this policy

This year NCDC has given financial assistance of about Rs 10 thousand crore to the sugar mills of the country

Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:16PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Muralidhar Mohol today replied to the discussion on the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha. After the discussion, the House passed the Bill. The Lok Sabha had passed this Bill on 26 March, 2025.

Replying to the discussion, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has resolved to make India the third largest economy in the world by the year 2027, where rural economy will have an important contribution. He said that today more than 50 percent of the country’s population is associated with the agriculture sector. There are about 8 lakh cooperatives in the country with over 30 crore members. Shri Mohol said that one person from every farmer family is associated with the cooperative sector.

Minister of State for Cooperation said that in 2013-14, a budget of Rs 122 crore was allocated for the Department of Cooperation, which has increased 10 times to Rs 1190 crore today. Earlier, the work related to cooperatives of the whole country was being handled by a joint secretary-level officer, but Prime Minister Modi ji established an independent Ministry of Cooperation for the welfare of farmers. He said that taking a visionary decision, PM Modi ji formed the Ministry of Cooperation for the development and expansion of cooperative societies like Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Dairy, Sugar Mills, Cooperative Bank, Textile Mills across the country and strengthen the cooperative movement.

Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that Shri Amit Shah ji became the first Minister of Cooperation of this country, who worked in the PACS and market committee of the village, as the President of the District Cooperative Bank, also as the Director of the State Cooperative Bank and who has made a great contribution and has vast experience in the cooperative sector.

Minister of State for Cooperation said that under the leadership of Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation took 60 new initiatives to give a new direction to the cooperative sector. These include the first step of strengthening the PACS. He said that PACS is the most important link in the cooperative sector, so the bye-laws of PACS were amended and PACS were made multipurpose and these bye-laws have been adopted by 32 states and union territories.

Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that today in the country, 43 thousand PACSs are running Common Service Centers, 36 thousand PACSs are running Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendra and 4 thousand PACSs are running Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Many PACSs are also running petrol pumps. He said that only when PACSs will be economically strong, the farmer will be empowered and the villages will also become prosperous.

Minister of State for Cooperation said that to strengthen cooperative sector in the states, computerization of about 66 thousand PACS is being done by the Union Ministry of Cooperation, on which the Government of India is spending Rs 2516 crore. He said that the government is trying to make every village of the country prosperous through cooperation. For this, the Ministry has set a target of creating 2 lakh PACSs, out of which 14 thousand PACSs have already been created. Shri Mohol said that in the next five years, the number of PACSs in the country will increase to 3 lakh.

Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that while forming PACSs, we have kept in mind the social structure of the country and decided to give representation to all sections of the society including women in cooperatives. He said that under the new bye-laws, the government has made it mandatory to have members of SC, ST category and a woman member in the Board of Directors of PACS. Through this, we are working to provide social justice in the cooperative sector. Shri Mohol said that a National Cooperative Database has been created by taking all the states together. Now, information about all cooperatives can be obtained with one click.

Union Minister of State for Cooperation said that the National Cooperative Policy of the country is also being formulated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah. It is our resolve to announce this policy in the next few days. He said that for the first time in 2023, under the leadership of Shri Amit Shah ji, three new cooperative societies – Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) – were established at the national level to provide facilities to the farmers of the country from seed to market. 34 thousand cooperative institutions have been made members by these three societies. This will increase the income of farmers.

Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that the Ministry of Cooperation has created the world’s largest food storage scheme for farmers. The work of food storage scheme has started through PACSs. This will reduce transportation costs, protect the crop and farmers will get storage facilities at a place near them and they will also get financial benefits. He said that in 2013-14, only Rs 5300 crore was given to the cooperative institutions of the country through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), which the Modi government increased to Rs 1 lakh 28 thousand crores. This year NCDC has given financial assistance of about Rs 10 thousand crore to the sugar mills of the country.

Union Minister of State for Cooperation said that an institutional system is necessary to bring dynamism in the cooperative sector and its expansion. The university has been established for this purpose. He said that many cooperatives have challenges like lack of efficiency, irregularities in management and limited use of technical resources, which affect their performance. Through this university, the scope and effectiveness of the cooperative sector will definitely increase, which will also create new opportunities for self-employment and innovation.

Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that today there is a need for proper training for efficiency and discipline at all levels, from the secretary of PACS to the MD of Apex Bank. According to an estimate, the cooperative sector will need about 17 lakh trained youth in the next five years. In view of this need, the initiative to establish a university has been taken. He said that at present the system of teaching and training in the cooperative sector is not adequate and it is also scattered. Keeping this in mind, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Home and Cooperative Minister Shri Amit Shah, it was decided to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University. This university will fulfill the need of trained human resources in the cooperative sector and develop cooperative spirit in the youth of the country and inspire them to make a career in this field.

 

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RK/VV/RR/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2117567) Visitor Counter : 186

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee

I am pleased to join you today for the opening of the International Water Pioneers Summit. Gathered here are nearly 400 high-profile professionals and senior government officials from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and around the world. Present here to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang’s water supply to Hong Kong and to work together to ensure a sustainable water supply for us all.

Hong Kong’s water story is one of transformation, illustrating how a city with a limited water resource, can turn geographic and resource limitations into engineering triumphs.

Hong Kong’s water story is also one of deep and abiding ties. Because without the strong bonds and blood relations between Hong Kong and the Mainland, the engineering, and the water it made possible, would not have taken place. Certainly not in the 1960s.

As for the engineering, the main challenge was geography. Dongjiang is more than 50km away from Hong Kong. That meant building an 83km water channel, crossing half a dozen mountains. The water had to be lifted, via multi-stage pumping stations, from 2m above sea level to 46m at the highest point.

And the project was completed in less than one year. At 4pm on March 1, 60 years ago, the supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong began.

For the past six decades, Dongjiang has provided 70% to 80% of the water needed by Hong Kong.

And the engineering feats continued. Because of our increasing demand for water, the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Scheme, as it is presently known, was expanded three times from the 1970s to the 1990s. It was improved again in the early 2000s. These raised Hong Kong’s annual water supply ceiling from the original 68.2 million cu m, to today’s 820 million cu m, a rise of 12 times.

We are eternally grateful for the enormous commitment and technical ingenuity, by the country and all our compatriots involved.

We like Dongjiang water. For good reason. It meets the highest national standard for surface water used for human consumption. No less essential, it continues to flow, fuelling Hong Kong’s economic miracle, supporting our economy and community, while helping to ensure our city’s sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

The theme of this summit is “Smart Water, High-Quality Development”. That tells me that if we want to ensure a sustainable water supply, we need to invest in its future, and do it innovatively.

Hong Kong has long been recognised for its infrastructure prowess. Indeed, Hong Kong’s infrastructure was ranked among the top 10, globally, in the World Competitiveness Yearbook last year.

Our major water supply projects include High Island Reservoir, Hong Kong’s largest reservoir, and the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant, the first waterworks in Hong Kong to adopt advanced reverse osmosis desalination technology.

As an international centre of innovation and technology (I&T), we are keen on applying I&T to water management. Last year, we set up a Digital Water Office to drive the digitalisation of our water supply services.

The office promotes the use of smart devices, digital twin technology and artificial intelligence, to gradually gain full automation of operations in our waterworks installations.

Innovation in infrastructure development will power our water-secure future. Our goal is to establish Hong Kong as an international infrastructure centre, that serves our city and China, our country.

Speaking of our country, let me add that it has built numerous water conservancy projects. And I am sure you will hear more about them in today’s summit.

I am grateful to the organisers of today’s International Water Pioneers Summit. Grateful too, to our distinguished speakers and moderators, here in Hong Kong from all over the world.

While you are here, I invite you to take full advantage of all that Hong Kong has to offer, in arts and culture. You can start right here, in West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong’s largest arts development.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a rewarding summit and an enjoyable and memorable stay in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the International Water Pioneers Summit on April 1.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan today chaired the first meeting of the new term of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Task Force.

The task force had an in-depth discussion on the policy measures set out in the Department of Justice’s Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the GBA, and future key initiatives including the establishment of a panel of arbitrators to facilitate arbitrators from the three places in providing legal and dispute resolution services in the bay area as well as the setup of a platform to provide practical legal information on cross-boundary businesses and living.

Mr Cheung emphasised that innovation is important in promoting the interfaces of mechanisms, regulatory frameworks and talent training among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, noting that it will further facilitate Hong Kong’s integration into the overall development of the country and enhance the innovation capabilities and radiating effect of the GBA.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today met Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying at Government House to witness the signing of an arrangement on the management and co-operation of water-related affairs.

The arrangement was signed by Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn and the minstry’s General Office Director-General Tang Liang, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Ministry of Water Resources respectively.

It will strengthen the governance and protection of the Pearl River Estuary and the rivers along the Guangdong-Hong Kong boundary.

It will also promote co-operation in disaster prevention and mitigation, water supply safety, planning and management of major projects, information sharing, talent cultivation, hydraulic technology and more.

Mr Lee thanked the ministry for its continuous and full support of Hong Kong’s efforts in water supply and flood prevention.

Noting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong, Mr Lee said it is of great significance that the arrangement was signed at this milestone to strengthen co-operation on water-related affairs in the Greater Bay Area.

He said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to adhere to the principles of water conservation and enhancement of utilisation efficiency, and work together with the ministry to ensure the safety of the water supply to Hong Kong.

It will also join efforts with the ministry to ensure flood control safety of the Pearl River Estuary as well as the rivers along the Guangdong-Hong Kong boundary, in order to provide water resources support and guarantee for the bay area’s high quality development, Mr Lee added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly disapproved of and rejected the untruthful remarks, slanders and smears against various aspects of Hong Kong in the US’ so-called 2025 Hong Kong Policy Act Report, saying it was apparent the report was compiled to serve the political purpose of maintaining US hegemony.

By piling up false stories and narratives, they were clearly crafted to serve the political interest of the US in order to suppress the development rights and security interests of others, the Hong Kong SAR Government added.

In a statement, it strongly condemned the wanton slander and political attacks in the report on Hong Kong where the “one country, two systems” principle is successfully implemented.

“The Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, and as a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the principle of “one country, two systems”, comes directly under the jurisdiction of the Central People’s Government.

“The US once again told fallacies about Hong Kong by replacing the rule of law with political manipulation and confounding right and wrong, and blatantly interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are entirely China’s internal affairs. The US’ attempt to undermine the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong will only expose its slyness and will never succeed.”

The statement said that the so-called “sanctions” arbitrarily imposed against the officials of the Hong Kong and the central authorities who perform their duties in accordance with the law by the US at the same time as publishing the report smacks of despicable political manipulation to intimidate the relevant officials safeguarding national security.

“These grossly interfere in China’s internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs, and seriously violate the international law and the basic norms governing international relations. It once again, clearly exposed the US’ barbarity under its hegemony, which is exactly the same as its recent tactics in bullying and coercing various countries and regions.

“Despising the ‘sanctions’ by the US and not intimidated by such despicable behavior, Hong Kong will resolutely discharge the duty of safeguarding national security, and its government will make every effort to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all personnel.”

The statement also broke down in detail its solemn rejection of the report’s slandering remarks.

As repeatedly stressed by the Hong Kong SAR Government, the laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong are for safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; and ensuring the full and faithful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems” under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.

“The US Government has vilified the Hong Kong SAR’s legislative work, as well as law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial and judicial authorities, in claiming that fulfilment of their duties constituted an ‘erosion of rights and freedoms’.

“The fact is that the US has been ignoring the non-interference principle under international law, interfering with other countries’ internal affairs, grooming agents, instigating ‘colour revolutions’, and even creating social unrest and multiple humanitarian disasters through economic and military coercion, causing suffering to people in many countries.”

Referring to the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), the statement noted that they have an extraterritorial effect.

As the law enforcement department of Hong Kong safeguarding national security, Police are duty bound to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly endangered national security overseas, and those absconders hiding in the US and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security.

Police are duty bound to put the persons concerned on the wanted list in accordance with the law, and it is necessary to take all lawful measures, including the measures specified under section 89 of the SNSO, to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, and such action is fully justified, necessary and legitimate.

“The extraterritorial effect for the laws safeguarding national security fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. Quite a number of countries would also impose similar measures on wanted criminals, including cancellation of passports.”

As regards the electoral system, the statement pointed out that the improved electoral system puts in place legal safeguards to ensure the full implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

Noting that keeping political power in the hands of patriots is a political rule commonly adopted around the world, it said that regardless of one’s background in Hong Kong, whoever meets the requirements and criteria of patriots can participate in elections in accordance with the law and serve the public by entering into the governance structure after getting elected.

Additionally, reforming District Councils (DCs) is an important part of improving district governance, and the DCs have returned to their rightful positioning under Article 97 of the Basic Law as advisory and service bodies that are not organs of political power, and the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” has been fully implemented, which is of great significance.

The statement highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR Government safeguards independent judicial power and fully supports the Judiciary in exercising its judicial power independently, safeguarding the due administration of justice and the rule of law.

The Court of Appeal in an important judgment decided in May 2024 that there are at least three areas where the court would make judgment while giving the executive deference on assessment on national security: first, where a fundamental right of the person affected by the measure is engaged; second, where the requirement of a fair trial is in issue; and third, where the question of open justice is raised.

The vilification of the US against Hong Kong that the executive influences how the court should interpret laws’ goes completely against the fact, the statement said.

Saying that all cases concerning offences endangering national security will be handled by the prosecution and judicial authorities of Hong Kong in a fair and timely manner in strict compliance with Article 42(1) of the HKNSL, the statement added that so-called ‘indefinite detention’ does not exist at all.

“The US’ detention against an individual whom it sees as a ‘terrorist’ for up to 20 years without charge is the real ‘indefinite detention’.” 

The statement emphasised that the Hong Kong SAR Government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people as protected under the law, noting that since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law.

The HKNSL and the SNSO also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, and that the rights and freedoms its residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law.

Just as the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR also expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc.

Regarding national education, the statement stressed that it is an important part of the curricula for primary and secondary schools as well as kindergartens with a view to deepening Hong Kong students’ understanding of the country’s national affairs, history and culture, the Constitution and the Basic Law as well as national security.

“Implementation of national education, including national security education, is the legitimate duty of education authorities all over the world.

“Different places attach great importance to implementing national security education and developing their students’ sense of national identity, including knowledge of their respective constitution, their own history, culture, geography, etc.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department today estimated that around 4.58 million passengers will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Ching Ming festive period from April 3 to 6.

In consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, the department estimates that around 3.91 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points.

The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on April 4 and 6, with around 561,000 and 608,000 passengers respectively.

It is estimated that passenger traffic at the Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay control points will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 231,000, 211,000 and 149,000 passengers respectively.

To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the department has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and the operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks.

Additionally, the department, together with Police, the Customs & Excise Department and the MTR Corporation, will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements.

It will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.

All land boundary passengers should plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at boundary control points are available on the department’s website.

Passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land boundary control point at any time or place via the Immigration Mobile Application.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today that income and asset limits under the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme have been adjusted starting from this month.

The new limits are applicable to all claim months from April 2025 to March 2026.

The income limits for households with six people or more will remain at the 2024-25 level, while the limits for five-person households will be aligned with those for four-person households.

The income limits for other household sizes will be increased according to the established mechanism.

The Government explained that under the mechanism, and based on the 2024 figures, the income limits for households with six or more persons would have been tightened, while the limits for five-person households would have been lower than those for four-person households.

However, in light of ongoing economic challenges in Hong Kong and their effects on income levels of lower-income households, the Government decided to make the adjustments as announced.

Meanwhile, it will increase the asset limits for all household sizes according to the established mechanism.

Additionally, if the Appropriation Bill 2025 is passed by the Legislative Council, the Government will, as proposed in the 2025-26 Budget, disburse a one-off extra allowance to WFA households.

It expects to give out the one-off grant a month after the bill’s passage at the earliest.

The scheme aims to support lower-income working families that are not on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance.

Call 2558 3000 for details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau met National Medical Products Administration Deputy Commissioner Xu Jinghe today to have an in-depth exchange on the regulatory regime and reform of drugs and medical devices.

Prof Lo said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been ushering in immense opportunities for medical and biotechnological developments in recent years.

The National 14th Five-Year Plan, he stressed, has expressed clear support to develop Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub while biomedicine and medical innovation represent immense new quality productive forces.

The Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee also pointed out the need to deepen medical and healthcare reform and to support the development mechanisms for innovative drugs and medical devices.

Prof Lo highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strenuously works in line with the national objective of deepening medical and healthcare reform by pursuing innovation in the medical field.

“While integrating into the national development, the Hong Kong SAR will capitalise on its unique advantages of international influence and professions to the fullest to develop the city into an international health and medical innovation hub, thereby enabling the innovative medical technologies to go global and attract foreign investment and developing new quality productive forces in biomedicine.”

He added that Hong Kong will strive to give full play to its strengths to serve the country’s needs amid the comprehensive deepening of reform.

While introducing the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices, Prof Lo emphasised that the Hong Kong SAR Government will expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices to meet the institutional requirement necessary for the health and medical innovation development.

The purpose for doing so, he explained, is to strengthen the drug approval capability of the Hong Kong SAR; and take forward preparatory work for legislating for the statutory regulation of medical devices to dovetail with the timetable for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation.