MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Taiwan has once again gained international recognition for its achievements in the MICE industry. The Ministry of Economic Affairs'(MOEA) long-running Taiwan MICE Promotion Program, more commonly referred to as MEET TAIWAN, continues to enhance the international competitiveness of Taiwan’s MICE industry.

Recognizing Taiwan’s efforts, the 2026 M&C Asia Stella Awards named Taiwan as the “Best Exhibitions Destination-Asia” for the third consecutive year, while the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) won the “Best Sustainability Initiative-Convention Centre” award for the first time. Together, the two awards underscore Taiwan’s established capabilities in the MICE sector and its steady progress toward sustainable transformation. These two awards set Taiwan apart from other convention venues throughout Asia.

The Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), noted that the Stella Awards are organized by M&C Asia, a MICE industry publication under Singapore-based Northstar Meetings Group that selects winners through votes from readers and MICE professionals around the world.

Widely regarded as one of the leading awards in Asia’s MICE industry, the Stella Awards honor destinations, venues, hotels, and related service providers for outstanding performance. At this year’s awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Hung-Lin Yuan, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, accepted the awards. Taiwan’s three consecutive years of recognition underscore the international confidence that MICE professionals have placed in the quality of its business events environment and services.

TITA emphasized that Taiwan continually advances both the hardware and software of its MICE infrastructure. With the opening of the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center this year, key cities including Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung now provide more industry coverage.

This has helped shape a comprehensive Taiwan Business Events Corridor, giving domestic and international organizers a broader range of venues for large-scale exhibitions and international conferences. TITA will continue to integrate the industrial clusters and local strengths of cities throughout Taiwan and leverage the synergy between MICE events and industry development.

As the global transition toward net-zero emissions gathers pace, TITA said the MOEA has been steadily promoting green practices. These efforts span venue energy management, carbon emissions accounting, ISO international certification, and greenhouse gas reduction at exhibition and convention venues, helping industry operators embed sustainability into their day-to-day operations.

TICC’s first-time win of the Best Sustainability Initiative-Convention Centre award highlights not only the achievements of an individual venue, but also the broader evolution of Taiwan’s MICE industry, from a focus on infrastructure development toward greater sustainability and internationalization.

TITA said it will continue to promote Taiwan’s high-quality MICE brand through MEET TAIWAN, combining the island’s industrial strengths with its diverse culture, cuisine, and tourism resources to create experiences that deliver business value while embracing sustainability and local character.

With the goal of attracting more international conferences, exhibitions, and business professionals to Taiwan, TITA aims to position business events as more than standalone occasions and transform them into important platforms for industry collaboration and the creation of new business opportunities.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau received a seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) at Sai Wan Ho Family Medicine Clinic today, along with other health officials and frontline healthcare workers.

Prof Lo stressed that an SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal flu and its complications. It takes about two weeks following vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza.

“To be prepared for the current summer and possible winter influenza seasons in one go, I strongly appeal to all members of the public to receive SIV as early as possible,” he said.

Over 2.03 million vaccine doses were administered under various SIV programmes in 2025-26, maintaining overall target population coverage rates comparable to the previous year.

The SIV rate for those aged between six months and 17 reached 64.8%, a rise of 13.1 percentage points over the average of the past three seasons. The rate for adolescents aged from 12 to 17 reached 61.4%, an increase of 22.6 percentage points compared to the same three-season average.

Under the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP), more than 2,300 schools had completed SIV outreach activities by the end of 2025. This meant 99% of all schools were covered, compared to 91% the previous year.

The Government will launch the 2026-27 SIV Programmes on September 17, providing free or subsidised SIVs for children and adolescents aged between six months and 17, adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions, people aged 50 or above, pregnant women and healthcare workers.

For the 2026-27 SIV programmes, the Government has procured over 1.3 million doses of four types of influenza vaccines of high quality at competitive prices.

Prof Lo emphasised that the Government has consistently prioritised SIV programmes and has introduced enhancement measures every year to raise vaccination coverage rates. The Government will implement four optimising initiatives this year.

These include optimising vaccine procurement arrangements through a diversified, non-single-supplier procurement approach, thereby ensuring the reliability and sustainability of vaccine sources.

Simultaneously, the Government will introduce a new Electronic Consent Form feature through eHealth, allowing the public to submit e-consent forms for the SIVSOP and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme via the eHealth mobile application.

To stabilise the vaccine supply in the private market, influenza vaccine doses will increase to 300,000 and eligible doctor groups will be expanded.

Finally, authorities will strengthen the mobilisation of community resources and collaborate with more units to promote and arrange vaccination activities.

Source: Government of Singapore

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the HKSTP (Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks) Co-Development and Investment Conference 2026 today (September 7):

Cordelia (Chairman of the HKSTP, Ms Cordelia Chung), Terry (Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Terry Wong), Lillian (Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong), investors, start-ups, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a pleasure to join you at the inaugural Co-Development and Investment Conference. I must say the name of this conference goes straight to the heart of the matter: co-development and co-investment. When capital markets and the technology industry are properly connected – when they work as one – innovation accelerates.

Over the next two days, this conference brings together some 300 investors and more than 500 start-ups, along with leading figures from finance and academia, for a full and inspiring programme of discussions, pitching and business matching. And the journey doesn’t end in Hong Kong. The Conference continues for another four days in Dongguan and Hangzhou, linking three cities and three innovation centres in a single, six-day programme.

Innovation and technology are, without question, the global economy’s most powerful engines today. Artificial intelligence is advancing at extraordinary speed, setting off a wave of capital spending – on computing power, equipment and infrastructure – and opening up practical applications in almost every field. We see this across Asia, where AI is lifting trade and reshaping regional supply chains. And we see it vividly here in Hong Kong, in the strong growth of our electronics and semiconductor exports and in our capital market’s appetite for AI-related listings.

More important still, AI is transforming industry after industry. In biomedicine, for instance, it is dramatically compressing the time it takes to discover a new drug. And as AI moves into the physical world – into factories, shops and homes – it will generate a difference in kind rather than one merely of degree, with the range of applications expanding exponentially.

Opportunities of this magnitude call for real-world settings, where new technologies can be tested and proven. They call for innovation that is able to translate scientific discovery into commercial application. And they call for a capital chain deep enough to take innovation to the global market.

That is why both sides of this room are essential. For global investors, in a world overshadowed by geopolitics, the requirement is twofold: stability and security on the one hand, attractive returns on the other. For innovators and entrepreneurs, capital alone is not enough. They need an industrial ecosystem, a steady supply of talent and access to the full range of innovation resources.

Nowhere is the combination of finance and innovation stronger than in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong is an international financial centre, a magnet for talent from around the world and home to fast-rising innovation. That makes Hong Kong a natural complement to our sister cities in the Greater Bay Area, with their formidable strengths in advanced manufacturing, commercialisation and scaling.

Indeed, Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou is the world’s leading innovation cluster, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization. This year’s ranking will be released tomorrow, and we await it with unshakeable confidence.

I understand my colleague, Lillian, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, will have more to say about Hong Kong and innovation in her keynote shortly. Let me just say this: our innovation flagships, including Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, play an indispensable role: nurturing start-ups, building networks, developing talent and deepening collaboration with regional and international partners.

For the next few minutes, allow me to talk about capital.

We are building a capital ecosystem that works for start-ups and serves innovation. According to the HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited), the technology sector’s share of turnover in our market has increased over the past decade from 15 per cent to 47 per cent, and the turnover itself has grown more than eightfold.

That’s the result of sustained reform, carried out hand in hand with the market, to make it easier for technology companies to list here. In 2018, Hong Kong opened to companies with weighted voting rights structures. In 2023, we introduced Chapter 18C to the Main Board Listing Rules for specialist technology companies yet to turn a profit. And we are now, once again, reviewing the listing regime, so that it fits the needs of innovative companies even better.

At the front end of the funding spectrum, we are also committed to developing patient capital – capital willing to take risk, invest early and invest for the long term – in support of emerging and future industries.

The Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) is central to that effort, investing with the market and drawing private capital into these fields. The Corporation has now invested in more than 200 projects, and for every dollar it commits, more than eight dollars of long term capital follow. Its initial HK$62 billion capital has been substantially deployed and, as I mentioned in the Budget, we will inject further capital into the HKIC at the appropriate time, giving greater momentum to our innovation development.

Behind all these efforts is a simple vision: that a company at any stage of its development can find the right capital partner in Hong Kong. And our proposition is straightforward. We want global investors and innovators to meet each other – right here.

Ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to innovation, Hong Kong remains wide open to every investor and every innovator.  We welcome you all – from Asia, from the Middle East, from the Americas, from Europe and beyond. It’s right here in Hong Kong, where ideas take shape, where capital moves freely, where talent chooses to stay.

And where your next business and investment opportunity awaits.

I wish you all a rewarding Conference, and for those coming from afar, an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport concluded its duty visit in Beijing today (September 5), and will depart for Hong Kong in the evening. 

     In the morning, the delegation visited the headquarters of Amap to receive a briefing from representatives on how traffic big data analysis is utilised to assist the Government in real-time monitoring of highway traffic flow and road congestion, enabling precise traffic diversion and enhancing traffic management effectiveness.

     Members noted that Amap integrates map, navigation and real-time traffic information to enable users to plan efficient travel routes. Members also explored with representatives on how to use artificial intelligence to deepen traffic data analysis, in order to effectively alleviate road traffic load and promote smart transport development.

     Concluding the four-day duty visit, the delegation leader, Dr Chan Han-pan, stated that the duty visit was fruitful and of great significance. He said, “The visit has deepened Members’ understanding of Beijing’s ride-hailing platforms, smart transport applications, autonomous driving and urban road planning, and we were deeply impressed that local developments are very mature and advanced. The experience gained from this duty visit will help Members provide precise recommendations to the Administration in the future regarding the development of the Northern Metropolis and overall transport policy, thereby facilitating the implementation of relevant various transport measures in a more efficient and grounded manner.”

     The delegation, led by the Chairman of Panel on Transport, Dr Chan Han-pan, visited Beijing from September 2 to 5. A total of 13 members and non-members of the Panel participated in the duty visit. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, has also led a government delegation to join the duty visit.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 5) recorded three cases of severe paediatric influenza infection, all of whom have good past health. The CHP urged the public to receive vaccinations as early as possible after the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes commence on September 17 to safeguard their own health and that of their families. In addition, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

     The first case involves a six-year-old girl. She developed a fever, runny nose and cough since September 3, and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital. She later developed generalised convulsion and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus. Her clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. The patient is in critical condition.

The second case involves a three-year-old girl. She developed a fever on September 2 and was taken to a private hospital without the need for hospitalisation. On the following day, she developed generalised convulsion and was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and admitted to the hospital’s PICU. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. Her clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with septic shock. The patient is in serious condition.

The third case involves a 15-year-old boy. He developed a fever, runny nose and malaise on September 3. He was taken to a private clinic that same day. Due to persistent symptoms, he was brought to a private hospital the following day and was admitted for treatment. He was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment due to low blood pressure. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza B virus upon laboratory testing. His clinical diagnosis was influenza B complicated by septic shock. The boy was transferred today to the PICU at Queen Mary Hospital for further treatment. He is currently in serious condition.

Preliminary investigation by the CHP revealed that none of the three children had travel history during their incubation periods, and their household contacts have remained asymptomatic recently. Two classmates of the six-year-old girl have developed mild influenza symptoms recently without the need for hospitalisation. The CHP has advised the school to take appropriate infection control measures.

     “Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June. The latest surveillance data showed that influenza activity increased further last week and remains at a high level. Since the end of June, a cumulative total of 16 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded. Among these cases, eight patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, two patients are in stable condition, three are in serious condition, two are in critical condition and one has passed away. The overall number of severe influenza cases among children is comparable to that of previous flu seasons. However, owing to widespread influenza transmission in the community in recent months and the substantial rise in infections, the number of severe cases has increased accordingly. We anticipate that influenza activity will remain at a high level during the initial period of the new school year, with possible influenza outbreaks in schools. Therefore, schools and parents must remain vigilant and take preventive measures,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

     “The 2026/27 SIV Programmes, including the SIV School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP), will commence on September 17. The SIVSOP this year will introduce a new Electronic Consent Form (e-consent form) feature via eHealth. We have distributed school-specific QR codes to participating schools for distribution to parents. The QR codes have become effective. Parents are encouraged to fill out the e-consent forms for their children as soon as possible. This new measure not only facilitates the public to join the SIV Programmes but also streamlines the administrative procedures for healthcare service providers and schools, so that SIV outreach activities can start as early as possible. Around 80 schools have scheduled to organise SIV outreach activities in September so far, which is 16 times that of the same period last year. I appeal to all schools and parents in Hong Kong to work closely with the CHP and complete the consent process as soon as possible, so that students can be arranged to receive SIV earlier,” he added.

     Dr Tsui reminded parents that the health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their condition, and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child’s condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions. Members of the public should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop respiratory symptoms. If they live with members of high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses or compromised immune systems, they should wear a surgical mask at home to reduce the risk of infecting them. Other effective ways to reduce the spread of the disease include maintaining household hygiene, frequently cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, practising good hand hygiene, and ensuring proper indoor air circulation.

     Members of the public may refer to the CHP’s COVID-19 & Flu Express, Seasonal Influenza Webpage and Vaccination Schemes for the latest information.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following the announcement of two food poisoning clusters involving The Astor at Eaton Hong Kong in Yau Ma Tei on September 3, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has recorded three additional food poisoning clusters involving the same food premises from yesterday (September 4) until noon today (September 5). The CHP’s preliminary investigations revealed that all five clusters are epidemiologically linked. A total of 14 persons have been affected. Officers from the CHP and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had jointly conducted an on-site investigation earlier and required the management to implement control measures. All affected persons had patronised the buffet there before the operation.

The latest three clusters involve six persons, one male and five females, who consumed buffet meals at the food premises between August 29 and 31. Between 16 and 40 hours later, they developed symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and fever. As for the two clusters announced on September 3, the number of affected individuals has increased from seven to eight. None of the affected required hospitalisation and they are currently in stable condition.

The CHP urged anyone who dined at the food premises concerned between August 29 and September 2, and subsequently developed gastrointestinal discomfort or a fever to seek medical attention immediately. Staff of the FEHD, including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch, and the CHP conducted a joint investigation, and examined the food handling processes and hygiene at the concerned premises. Food samples were also collected for testing. The CFS immediately instructed the food premises to suspend serving the incriminated food items, and to carry out cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The officers have also provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises. In accordance with the FEHD’s instructions, the food premises has also ceased selling the relevant food items and temporarily suspended operations to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Investigations by the CHP and the CFS are ongoing.

To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:
 

• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;
• Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;
• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
• Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;
• Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police noticed that on the evening of August 31, some people were standing outside MTR Prince Edward Station holding bouquets and shouting seditious slogans. The persons concerned were suspected of spreading false information and attacking the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government with lies, as well as smearing the Police Force, with the intention of inciting hatred against the HKSAR Government and law enforcement agencies.

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force took enforcement actions in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on September 3 and arrested three persons for the offence of “doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention” under Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, including two local men and one local woman, aged between 33 and 79.  Prior to the operation, Police obtained court search warrants to search the residences of the arrested persons and seize relevant exhibits. All arrested persons are being detained for further enquiries, while the Police arrest operation is still ongoing.

Police stressed that the so-called “831 incident” has been proven without factual basis. It is a lie manipulated by persons with ulterior motives to spread lies, attack the HKSAR Government and smear the Police Force, attempting to achieve their political objectives by endangering public peace. The acts concerned are suspected of breaching “doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention”, which is a serious crime. Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction.

Police will continue to ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security.