MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at the Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 today (December 9):

Mr Hocquard (Director General of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), Mr Simon Hocquard), Mr Han (Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Chair of the Asia Pacific CANSO, Mr Han Kok-juan), Mr Arel (Chair of CANSO, Mr Tim Arel), Messrs Ma (Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Ma Bing, and Regional Director of Asia Pacific Office, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr Ma Tao), Mr Miao (Director-General of the Air Traffic Management Bureau of the CAAC, Mr Miao Xuan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning, and to our friends from abroad, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong. It is my great honour to address the CANSO Airspace Asia Pacific 2025. With our prime location right at the heart of Asia, half of the world’s population are within five hours by air. Not to mention as a premier southern gateway to the world’s second largest economy – the Chinese Mainland – Hong Kong is truly the perfect place to host this remarkable event.

     Backed by firm national support and strong global connectivity, Hong Kong is widely recognised as an international aviation hub. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is a world leader in air cargo and a top international passenger airport. Last year, it handled 53 million passengers, an increase of one-third year-on-year, ranked among the top 10 busiest international passenger airports in the world. Over the first 10 months this year, HKIA already handled over 50 million passengers, representing 15 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. Cargo volume rose by 2.3 per cent year-on-year to over 4.1 million tonnes. Currently, about 140 airlines are operating, connecting us to over 200 destinations around the world. I’m very happy to say today that HKIA is just named by the 2025 World Travel Awards as the world’s leading airport in terms of customer experience.

     As we have turned our dual-runway into a three-runway system, we are accelerating the expansion of the aviation network. Over the past two years, we have expanded bilateral air services agreements with more than 10 countries. I am happy to tell you that just the past two months, we have managed to strike deals and detailed agreements with a handful of South American countries, namely Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, as well as Poland in Europe and Togo in West Africa. These are all countries in our major aviation partner network, including under the Belt and Road Initiative. In a way, we hope that we will extend our air connectivity to support our business and tourism sectors when dealing with all these countries. 

     While managing the very busy high-altitude air traffic, we are also actively exploring the opportunities presented by emerging unmanned air mobility technologies flying at the low altitude. As one of the themes of this conference, “Seamless Airspace: Integrating Manned, Uncrewed, and Advanced Air Mobility” is a powerful reflection of both the dynamic skies around the world. Today, allow me to take you through our journey of turning this vision of seamless integration from concept into tangible reality.

     In Hong Kong, a city known for its ambition and innovation, we are building a new layer of intelligent, connected infrastructure in the airspace below 1 000 metres. We recognise that the low-altitude economy (LAE) is a very powerful convergence of aviation, digitalisation and green technology. But its success hinges on one critical factor: the safe, efficient and scalable integration of new air mobility technologies and solutions into our existing airspace system.

     Our strategy to achieve this is built on a disciplined, three-phase approach, and together we mapped out a roadmap that helps us to move from very controlled testing scenarios to real-life, full-scale applications.

     First, we began with conceptualisation and proof of concept. In March this year, we launched our LAE “Regulatory Sandbox”. This initiative marked our practical starting point for integration, inviting enterprises, technology and academic institutions to establish very tightly and well-managed controlled corridors to test real-world applications. The initial results are very promising just over the past nine months. To name a few:
 

• We have achieved a groundbreaking 18-minute cross-sea medical delivery by drone, cutting delivery time by over 60 per cent and proving the efficiency of unmanned logistics.
• Partners like the MTR Corporation (MTR Corporation Limited) are integrating and implementing AI-enabled drone systems for railway infrastructure maintenance, surveillance, and preventive maintenance. In a way, they are creating a smart eye in the sky that enhances both safety and efficiency. 
• Crucially, over a dozen government departments are already adopting low-altitude economy applications by using drones, embedding this new opportunity into the fabric of public services and urban management.

     These are not isolated trials. They are the fundamental and foundational steps in helping us to build trust, reliability and operational data for a shared airspace.

     Second, we are now advancing to consolidation and complex integration through the LAE “Regulatory Sandbox X” scheme, which was just launched two weeks ago. “X” in the project’s name denotes extra complexity and extended scale, so it is really limitless opportunities. Directly aligned with CANSO’s theme, this phase deliberately introduces more sophisticated integration scenarios. We are heading to more challenging scenarios like cross-boundary logistics, using heavier drones and even passenger-carrying drones. Our focus will be on the key modules including an unmanned aircraft traffic management system, eVTOLs and an integrated platform. 

     The fundamental objective of this phase is to address a critical question before us: What creates outsized economic value while maintaining acceptable risk? It serves as our practical, real-world laboratory for pioneering the harmonisation of both air traffic and unmanned air traffic management system.

     And ultimately, our path leads to a codified action plan. By the end of next year, the data and experience from these two phases of “Regulatory Sandbox” schemes will help us to culminate data into a comprehensive action plan. Underpinning this roadmap are two essential enablers.

     First, an adaptive regulatory framework. We have actually, with the help of the past Legislative Council, already started our legislative amendment exercise. We will also embark on an exercise to map out a dedicated law to enable us to advance to a more complex and integrated low-altitude air traffic management and safety system. Compliance is our top priority. It is a guardrail from the start and absolutely will not be a checkpoint at the end. With the successful implementation of the Legislative Council General Election, we are here to work closely with our new elected Legislative Councillors in partnership so as to advance and expedite our law amendment exercise. 

     The second enabler is a collaborative ecosystem for regional leadership. Seamless airspace cannot be achieved in isolation. Hong Kong, with our strengths as an international financial centre and a hub for legal and insurance services, is mobilising our capital and risk-management expertise in order to provide solutions for the entire industry. Furthermore, our position in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of the Chinese Mainland gives us unrivalled access to world-class manufacturing and R&D (research and development) hubs. This synergy between Hong Kong’s international standards and the region’s innovation capacity creates a perfect launchpad for the low-altitude economy. We are actively engaging in global standard-setting technologies and dialogues, including those with ICAO, to ensure the frameworks we develop contribute to regional and global harmonisation.

     Ladies and gentlemen, our journey follows a simple, evidence-based cadence: plan, test, learn and decide. We are building more than a low-altitude economy; we are building a blueprint for the seamless, safe, innovative and efficient airspace of the future – not just locally, but globally.

     Hong Kong is fully committed to collaborating with all of you – our partners across the Asia-Pacific region and the world – to ensure that our skies remain a realm of limitless opportunities. Together, we will pioneer an airspace where manned and unmanned vehicles integrate seamlessly and safely, fuelling economic growth and connecting our communities in once unimaginable ways.

     Thank you again, and I wish you a very fruitful, positive and collaborative conference today. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the Global Supply Chain Summit and Conference 2025 today (December 9):
 
William (Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the HKUST Li & Fung Supply Chain Institute, Dr William Fung), Victor (Chairman of Fung Investments, Dr Victor Fung), distinguished guests, friends and partners, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Thank you for inviting me to this year’s annual conference under the theme “Reinvention of global supply chains”. I am joining you today as we explore the far-reaching transformations shaping global supply chains, the strategic responses from governments and businesses, and the exciting opportunities these changes present, especially for Hong Kong.
 
     Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the Fung Group and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for organising this high-level event and bringing together such an esteemed gathering of thought leaders, academics, and industry professionals.
 
Shifting global supply chain
 
     The global supply chain landscape is undergoing profound change, driven by several forces. Chief among them is the shifting geopolitical environment. While trade tensions between China and the United States have moderated somewhat in recent months, we must acknowledge that structural changes in their trade relationship are now deeply embedded in the global system.
 
     Despite a growing call for onshoring and nearshoring in developed markets, China’s enduring competitive strengths ensure its continued centrality in global supply chains. Our country has maintained its position as the world’s largest manufacturing economy for 15 consecutive years, commanding close to 30 per cent of global manufacturing output. China possesses a comprehensive manufacturing system that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere.
 
     Meanwhile, regional trade co-operation is accelerating. A prime example is China’s deepening economic ties with Southeast Asia. In 2024, intermediate goods made up around 67 per cent of the trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Total trade reached a record US$860 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, an increase of more than eight per cent year-on-year. Supply chain reconfiguration is taking place, but it is creating complementary, not competition across the Asia-Pacific region.
 
     Hong Kong, as a key re-export hub, has witnessed substantial growth in this business. Our merchandise exports have recorded growth for 20 consecutive months, rising by over 13 per cent year-on-year in value during the first 10 months of 2025. More significantly, exports to the Chinese Mainland increased by over 15 per cent, and to ASEAN by over 30 per cent.
 
     This trend will continue in the foreseeable future. China will continue to advance its agenda of high-quality development. The recent Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has laid out comprehensive recommendations for the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, reaffirming China’s commitment to high-level two-way opening up. A significant part of it is to strengthen economic co-operation and supply and industry chain collaboration with Belt and Road countries and the Global South at large.
 
     Another major force driving supply chain transformation is the growing importance of sustainability and technology. Global regulatory requirements and consumer expectations around carbon neutrality are reshaping production and logistics. Manufacturers are being called upon to meet stringent environmental standards, requiring significant investment and innovation.
 
     Simultaneously, technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and materials science are revolutionising production processes. These innovations support more customised, localised manufacturing models that reduce reliance on long and complex supply chains.
 
     In this evolving environment, the question naturally arises: What is Hong Kong’s strategic role? The answer lies in our unique position and competitive advantages. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the best of both worlds: convenient and sometimes priority access to the Mainland’s vast market, and seamless connectivity with the rest of the world.
 
     Despite geopolitical uncertainties, Hong Kong continues to be a free port, maintaining the free movement of goods, capital, information and people. Our common law system, sound regulatory environment, low and simple tax regime, and freely convertible currency create a robust and stable foundation for international business.
 
     Hong Kong is well-positioned to become a hub in the reconfiguration of global supply chains, especially as Chinese enterprises expand into Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Global South. We provide comprehensive financial, legal, advisory, logistics, and strategic support services.
 
     Hong Kong is increasingly recognised by Chinese enterprises as the essential platform for establishing regional and global headquarters, fund-raising, trade financing, corporate treasury management, ESG (environmental, social and governance) compliance, offshore trading, R&D (research and development), and much more.
 
     A vivid example is CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited), the world’s largest IPO (initial public offering) this year, which raised capital in Hong Kong to support its expansion in Hungary. It has also established a global R&D centre here in this city. Increasingly, Mainland enterprises are following this path. In fact, over 300 Mainland companies are currently in the IPO pipeline, many of which plan to use Hong Kong as a strategic base for their overseas expansion.
 
     Building on this momentum, both the Policy Address and the Budget over the past two years have set out a clear strategic vision for Hong Kong to develop into a high value-added, multinational supply chain management centre.
 
     And this year, we are going further. We have established a GoGlobal Task Force (Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global), bringing together government departments and agencies like the Hong Kong Monetary Authority as well as relevant non-governmental organisations such as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, to be more coordinated in attracting and assisting Mainland enterprises to expand internationally through Hong Kong.
 
     Measures include, for instance, encouraging Mainland banks to establish regional headquarters in Hong Kong to support Mainland firms entering Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets; offering tax concessions to attract more Mainland companies to set up corporate treasury centres here; and promoting carbon auditing services, to help companies meet growing sustainability requirements.
 
     Looking ahead, I believe there is more Hong Kong can do in supporting or even driving supply chain reconfiguration.
 
     Our world-class financial institutions are uniquely positioned to develop innovative financing tools tailored for modern supply chains. These include advanced trade finance solutions, such as blockchain-based trade finance platforms that are already reducing transaction times, lowering counterparty risk, and improving transparency.
 
     A good example is Project CargoX, launched earlier this year by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority together with public and private sector partners. It is an initiative that leverages cargo data to streamline trade finance processes. It is now exploring partnerships with international data providers to support cross-border trade financing use cases.
 
     Other areas include ESG-linked lending, green bonds and other financial instruments that help support regional supply chain initiatives.
 
     At the same time, many start-ups from Hong Kong and the Mainland are leading in areas such as AI-driven logistics optimisation and IoT (Internet of things)-enabled supply chain visibility. Hong Kong’s international business and regulatory environment provides a fertile testing ground for these cutting-edge technologies, and a global showcase for their capabilities.
 
     With these strengths, Hong Kong has great potential to become a global leader in next-generation supply chain solutions.
 
Concluding remarks
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, this conference brings together some of the most insightful minds and influential leaders from Hong Kong, the Mainland and around the world.
 
     I am confident that today’s discussions will inspire not only fresh perspectives but also tangible outcomes: new research collaborations, joint ventures, cross-border partnerships, and innovative approaches to managing supply chains in this era of geopolitical complexity, sustainability imperatives, and technological disruption.
 
     Hong Kong stands ready to play a pivotal role in this transformation.
 
     I wish this conference every success, and I look forward to the exciting partnerships and innovations that will emerge from your dialogue. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that the Indemnity Fund for Adverse Events Following Immunization with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Vaccines will cease accepting applications at midnight on December 23, 2025, as scheduled.

The Government established the fund in 2021 to provide instant financial support to eligible individuals suffering from unexpected serious adverse events (SAEs) associated with the administration of vaccines approved for emergency use under the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

On December 18, 2023, the Government announced that the fund only covered vaccines administered under the vaccination programme on or before December 23, 2023.

Individuals who received vaccinations under the programme on or before December 23, 2023, with proof of suffering from the SAEs certified by a registered medical practitioner, are still eligible to apply for the fund within two years after receiving the last vaccine dose. The two-year period will expire at midnight on December 23, 2025.

The fund is an administrative arrangement. The cessation of its operation will not affect the right of relevant individuals in seeking legal recourse for damages or losses against the vaccine manufacturer. Affected individuals can still undertake civil action for claims against any person responsible for their bodily injury.

Call 2894 4699 for enquiries.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

ROC (Taiwan) government congratulates Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on successful completion of parliamentary elections

Date：2025-11-28
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

November 28, 2025  
No. 508  
 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a diplomatic ally of the Republic of China (Taiwan), held parliamentary elections on November 27. The New Democratic Party (NDP) emerged victorious and Godwin Friday, its leader, will serve as prime minister and form a new government. Following the election, ROC (Taiwan) Ambassador to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Fiona Huei-chun Fan promptly conveyed sincere congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan to Prime Minister Friday and the newly elected members of parliament.
 
The electoral process was peaceful and smooth. The people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines completed voting through an open, transparent, and peaceful democratic mechanism, demonstrating their staunch belief in safeguarding democracy as well as their mature and stable political culture.
 
Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines share the common values  of democracy, freedom, and human rights. Since establishing diplomatic relations 44 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed a steadfast friendship. They have achieved remarkable results in a variety of bilateral cooperation projects—covering such domains as agriculture, food security, infrastructure, health care, ICT, and women’s empowerment—which have been highly recognized by all sectors of society. 
 
The Taiwan government will continue to work hand in hand with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the basis of the existing solid foundation and in line with the policy of integrated diplomacy to deepen collaboration under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project as well as to advance coprosperity, mutually beneficial ties, public well-being, and sustainable development. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today launched a public consultation on locally implementing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development’s (OECD) new Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and amendments to the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS).

Since 2018, Hong Kong has exchanged financial account information with partner jurisdictions automatically on annual basis, in accordance with the CRS, enabling tax authorities to use the information for tax assessments, and to detect and combat cross-border tax evasion.

In light of the rapid development of digital asset markets, the OECD published CARF in 2023. It provides for the automatic exchange of tax information on crypto-asset transactions with partner jurisdictions on an annual basis, and incorporated into the CRS new digital financial products and enhanced requirements regarding reporting and due diligence.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said: “To demonstrate our commitment to promoting international tax co-operation and combating cross-border tax evasion, as well as to fulfil our international obligations, Hong Kong will make amendments to the Inland Revenue Ordinance for implementing CARF and the newly amended CRS.

“This is also of paramount importance in maintaining Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial and commercial centre.”

The Government plans to complete the necessary legislative amendments in 2026, so as to commence the automatic exchange of tax information on crypto-asset transactions with partner jurisdictions from 2028, and to implement the newly amended CRS from 2029.

Additionally, since last year, the OECD has been conducting the second round of a peer review on the effectiveness of Hong Kong’s administrative framework for implementing the CRS.

Having taken into consideration the OECD’s views, the Government proposes to introduce mandatory registration for financial institutions to enhance identification. It will also raise penalty levels and enhance enforcement by amending the relevant legislation.

This is being done to maintain a favourable rating in the OECD’s peer reviews and maintain Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial and commercial centre, the Government said.

Views on the proposals can be posted to 24/F, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, or emailed, by February 6, 2026.

Source: Government of Singapore

CAAS and NEA set up joint national programme and regional partnership

JOINT NEWS RELEASE BETWEEN NEA AND CAAS

Singapore, 9 December 2025 – Singapore will strengthen aviation meteorological capabilities and regional collaboration to better tackle the effects of weather on aviation, as changes in weather patterns result in more flight delays and diversions, disruptions to airport operations and turbulence and other aviation safety concerns around the world.

National Aviation Meteorological Programme

2               The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore have jointly set up a new multidisciplinary Aviation Meteorological Programme. The programme brings together aviation and meteorology experts as well as aviation companies and unions to build research and development (R&D) and operations capabilities to better predict, mitigate and manage the effects of weather on air traffic control, airlines and airport operations.

3               The programme focuses on five priority areas, each addressing a critical weather phenomenon that affects aviation operations in Singapore and the region:

a) Lightning. Singapore, located near the Equator, is amongst the world’s most lightning-prone countries. The Changi Climate Station observes lightning on nearly one in two days each year. Lightning poses safety risks to airside workers, disrupts airport operations and delays flights and baggage handling. Lightning risk notifications are currently issued based on a six-kilometre safety radius around Changi Airport. This poses operational challenges especially with the completion of Terminal 5, which will double Changi Airport’s footprint to 1,080 hectares. CAAS and NEA will aim to minimise the impact of cloud-to-ground lightning by improving lightning forecast precision, through initiatives including a more precise density map of lightning strikes at Changi Airport based on historical data, electromagnetic modelling of lightning interaction with aircraft, airport infrastructure and human beings and algorithms to enhance nowcasting of lightning events and zone-based lightning risk assessment. These will enhance worker safety, reduce downtime and enable more targeted zone-based approach to managing lightning risk.

b) Turbulence. Severe turbulence incidents have risen globally, posing safety risks to passengers and crew. In September 2025, Singapore became the first State in the world to classify severe turbulence as a major in-flight risk, through CAAS’ National Aviation Safety Plan (2025-2027). Both agencies will seek to strengthen in-flight turbulence prediction and provide airlines with more timely, reliable and actionable weather information.

c) Convective Weather. Weather-related flight delays and diversions have increased. Between January and November 2025, 55 flights were diverted from Changi due to bad weather, a sharp increase from the nine flight diversions in the same period a year ago. Convective weather in our region means that thunderstorms causing wind shear can occur and dissipate abruptly, making them hard to predict. CAAS and NEA will work towards improving convective weather forecasting to support real-time decision-making and optimise airport operations.

d) Surface Winds. For safety reasons, CAAS air traffic controllers need to determine runway direction for aircraft to fly into the wind for take-off and landing. Rapidly shifting winds can result in multiple runway changes, reducing runway capacity and pose challenges to air traffic controllers and pilots. CAAS and NEA will improve the accuracy and timeliness of surface wind forecasts to better plan for runway changes and optimise runway use.

 e) Contrails. There is growing global attention on condensation trails (contrails) and their effects on global warming. CAAS and NEA will work on strengthening scientific knowledge on contrails particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the atmospheric conditions differ from that in Europe and North America and data is limited. This will help inform future mitigation strategies and contribute to global policy development.

4               An Aviation Meteorological Programme Steering Committee has been set up to direct the work of the programme. The Committee is co-chaired by Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS and Mr Wong Kang Jet, Chief Executive Officer of NEA. Other members of the Committee include senior representatives from Changi Airport Group, Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA), SIA Engineering Company, SATS, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI). The Committee will initiate projects to develop new concepts of operation and tools, and review policies to support their adoption if needed.

Regional Collaboration

5               As weather patterns and the effects of weather on aviation operations cross geographical boundaries, regional collaboration is needed for effective mitigation strategies. CAAS and NEA have initiated and signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate with six other air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and meteorological service providers (MET), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and ICAI in R&D, capability development and data sharing.

6               Under the Letter of Intent, the parties agree to:

a) Strengthen regional integration between MET and Air Traffic Management (ATM) communities, including MET-MET and MET-ATM cooperation, to support more coordinated and resilient operations.

b) Identify and pursue joint research and development priorities including:

(i)    Weather phenomena that significantly affect ATM such as turbulence, low visibility, lightning, convection and wind shear

(ii)   Sustainability, including emissions reduction and contrail assessment; and

(iii) Worker protection, including safety measures against adverse weather phenomena such as snow, extreme heat and lightning

c) Enhance sharing and integration of weather data for better situational awareness and decision making.

d) Build capability within MET and ATM communities to more effectively tackle the challenges posed by adverse weather and manage its operational impacts.

7               The Letter of Intent was signed on 8 December 2025 in Hong Kong China at the CANSO Asia-Pacific Conference on “Seamless APAC Airspace – Aviation and Meteorology Integration”. This is the world’s first such conference, gathering aviation and meteorology professionals to foster collaboration and jointly address weather effects on aviation.

8               Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General, CAAS and Chair of the Asia-Pacific CANSO CEO Committee, said: “Changes in weather patterns are affecting aviation operations all over the world, including in Singapore. We take this seriously and are taking concrete steps to address it through better leveraging technology, including AI, integrating national aviation and meteorology expertise and regional partnership.”  

9               Ms Koh Li-Na, Director-General of the Meteorological Service Singapore, NEA said: “We welcome this initiative, which provides opportunities for MET service providers to improve the predictability of weather systems in the region and tailor solutions to support our aviation stakeholders.”

~~ End ~~

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Annex A

Quotes from Letter of Intent Signatories

Mr Raul Media, Director-General, EUROCONTROL said: “Changing weather patterns impact aviation, creating more volatility, more uncertainty and greater operational challenges for all of us. At EUROCONTROL, we are implementing significant operational and technical improvements to help the network better anticipate and manage these impacts – but no organisation, and no region, can tackle this alone. This Letter of Intent is an important step in strengthening global collaboration between ANSPs and meteorological partners. By working together, sharing data and expertise and aligning our efforts, we can build a more resilient, safer and more sustainable aviation network capable of meeting the climate challenges ahead.”

Mr Miao Xuan, Director-General, Air Traffic Management Bureau of Civil Aviation Administration of China said: “The APAC region is characterised by its territorial vastness, airspace complexity and weather volatility, and we are witnessing more extreme weather events which pose greater challenges to flight safety and operational efficiency. Therefore, we call for enhanced collaboration between meteorological and air traffic management departments which aims to deliver problem-oriented information-sharing, comprehensive situational awareness and efficient collaboration at the regional level.”

Mr Nguyen Cong Long, Director-General, Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) said: “For VATM, the safety and efficiency of Vietnamese airspace is our absolute priority. Climate change presents increasingly unpredictable weather challenges that directly impact air traffic operations and management. We recognise that high-quality meteorological services are not just a support function, but an essential pillar enabling Air Traffic Controllers to make accurate and timely decisions. By strengthening collaboration with meteorological partners, applying advanced forecasting technology, we are committed to building a robust, efficient and reliable aviation safety network, better prepared for all weather challenges, ensuring our vigilance is the foundation of air transport resilience.”

Mr Patrick Ky, Chief Executive Officer, ICAI said: “Weather phenomena continue to cause significant disruptions across the aviation system, affecting Air Traffic Management, airport and airline operations. ICAI and the Meteorological Service Singapore have started joint research to explore innovative solutions to enhance operational resilience against adverse weather. We are very pleased to extend this collaboration to other regional stakeholders.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Department of Health (DH) today (December 8) said that, with the concerted efforts of the government, the healthcare sector and non-governmental organisations, the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among the adult population in Hong Kong remains at 0.1 per cent, well below the global average, and the number of new HIV cases recorded also continues to decline for nine consecutive years since 2015, demonstrating the effectiveness of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention and control in Hong Kong. Like last year, the DH launches “HIV Testing Month 2025” in December to raise public awareness and knowledge on prevention of HIV infection, and to promote normalisation of HIV testing.

The Government has attached great importance to HIV infection control and prevention. Since the first case of HIV infection reported in Hong Kong in 1984, the Government has adopted a multipronged approach to prevent and control AIDS, including the provision of free, anonymous and confidential HIV testing services to the public, and comprehensive risk assessment, counselling and support services to individuals undergoing testing. Although the prevalence of HIV infection in Hong Kong remains at a low level, the proportion of late presenters has been as high as 40 to 60 per cent in recent years. There was an even higher proportion of late presenters, up to 60 to 70 per cent, among those who do not belong to the high-risk populations. Those who do not belong to the high-risk populations may have overlooked that they still have the risk of HIV infection even though they do not have frequent high-risk sexual practices, leading to delayed testing and treatment.

The DH launched the inaugural “HIV Testing Month” last year in December. Around 40 per cent of the participants who received testing through various activities during the “HIV Testing Month” last year did not belong to the high-risk populations, and about 40 per cent were tested for the first time. Eight persons were confirmed to have HIV infection, including two late presenters. The campaign not only successfully links people who are unaware of their infection status to receive timely diagnosis and treatment, but also promotes normalisation of HIV testing that helps remove the stigma associated with HIV infection and testing. The DH encourages people who have had sex to undergo HIV testing at least once, especially individuals who do not belong to the high-risk populations. The DH emphasised that early testing allows individuals with HIV to promptly receive specialist care, and through antiretroviral therapy to achieve viral suppression and immune recovery, thereby preventing health deterioration.

“The DH, in collaboration with 26 collaborating and supporting organisations, continue to organise ‘HIV Testing Month’ in December this year, with a view to promoting the message ‘For your health, Get tested for HIV’ to more stakeholders and bodies in the community, as well as providing an enabling environment for members of the public to undergo HIV testing easily and conveniently through a variety of channels and testing modalities. Members of the public could order HIV self-test kits on the HIV Testing Service website with free shipping during the ‘HIV Testing Month’,” said the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Public Health Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Bonnie Wong.

She added that the AIDS hotline (2780 2211) under the DH was operated by professionally trained nurses, offering behavioural risk assessment, counselling and arrangement of HIV antibody test. Members of the public who received HIV testing from non-government channels could also call the hotline for enquiries about follow-up or counselling services. Operating for 40 years, the AIDS hotline has received over 1 500 000 calls, provided over 500 000 counselling services, and conducted nearly 70 000 HIV antibody tests. It also features pre-recorded information in multiple languages on HIV/AIDS and sexual health for diverse ethnic groups.

Members of the public can browse the HIV Testing Service website (www.hivtest.gov.hk) to access the HIV testing calendar to learn more about and select testing resources in the community.