MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to Etihad Airways in-flight announcement downgrading Taiwan’s sovereign status

August 21, 2026  
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly protests the Mandarin-language in-flight announcement by Etihad Airways that downgraded Taiwan’s status. 

MOFA solemnly reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign, independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. These are objective facts and the internationally recognized status quo. Any improper practice that diminishes Taiwan’s sovereign status is wholly unacceptable to its government and people.

MOFA has instructed the Commercial Office of Taipei, Dubai, UAE to lodge a solemn protest with Etihad Airways headquarters and has coordinated with the Civil Aviation Administration to contact Etihad Airways representatives in Taiwan. Taiwan has demanded that the airline rectify the improper terminology, issue an apology, and implement corrective measures. MOFA will continue to closely monitor developments to staunchly defend Taiwan’s dignity and sovereignty.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to remarks by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office on Uganda’s recent obstruction of entry by Taiwanese citizens, belittling Taiwan’s sovereignty

August 20, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately responded to Uganda’s recent obstruction of entry by Taiwanese citizens by instructing the Taiwanese Representative Office in Somaliland, which also oversees Uganda, to handle the situation. MOFA also had it coordinate with the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Uganda to actively engage in communication with the Ugandan government. Ugandan airport immigration authorities returned all four confiscated Taiwanese passports on August 19.

MOFA solemnly reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other; and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan. This objective fact is recognized by the international community. 

China’s false narratives are politically motivated and aim to belittle Taiwan’s sovereignty. They are entirely futile and cannot change the objective reality. Instead, they further highlight the authoritarian nature of China’s external pressure tactics.

MOFA calls on all governments to uphold the principles of professionalism and pragmatism, eliminate unnecessary political interference, and respect Taiwan’s legitimate passports and travel documents. This will help preserve the rights and interests of both countries while pursuing regular economic and trade relations and people-to-people exchanges.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On August 28, the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), unveiled 31 innovative technologies at the “2026 Meet Greater South” event, under the theme “Meet Your BEST Solution: Connecting Local Businesses with Tech Solutions.” The showcase was presented in collaboration with startups and research institutions including the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), the Institute for Information Industry (III), and the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI).

This year’s pavilion highlights two key areas. The first echoes the theme of “AI Across Industries,” extending AI beyond high-tech manufacturing into fields such as architecture and construction, water quality monitoring, and food production. The second area, “Industrial Upgrading,” focuses on advancing industries in central and southern Taiwan through cutting-edge manufacturing processes and innovative technologies that boost both production efficiency and product quality. A number of these innovations have already been licensed to industry partners, helping companies including Ability opto-Electronics Technology, Li Xiang Machinery, HIWIN Technologies, and TBI Motion Technology secure orders from major international clients. These results demonstrate the tangible benefits of linking technology R&D with industry needs and helping companies expand into global markets.

AI-Optimized Metalens Imaging Breaks Into Global Supply Chains
In line with the government’s “AI Across Industries” policy, DoIT’s pavilion features a range of AI applications, demonstrating how artificial intelligence is being put to work across different sectors. One example is AI-optimized laptop camera lens imaging technology that enables a thinner lens while maintaining sharp image quality. ITRI’s Ultra-thin Structure NanoOptics Chip Technology for Visual Sensing Applications uses a monolithic metalens to overcome the bulkiness of traditional multi-element lenses. Combining semiconductor manufacturing processes with AI to enhance image clarity, the technology reduces lens thickness from the conventional 2.3-3mm down to just 1.3mm. It has already been adopted by Ability opto-Electronics Technology, a leading laptop lens manufacturer, which has integrated the technology into facial-recognition login modules for ultra-thin laptops. The solution has also been adopted by a major U.S. laptop brand. Looking ahead, the technology is expected to expand into visible-light and thermal-infrared imaging applications.

AI Reads Clam Shell Movements to Safeguard Water Quality for Over 2 Million People
AI is also being applied to water quality monitoring, turning clams into biological sentinels for water systems serving more than 2 million people. The Digital Twin Technology for Bio-Water Quality Sensing, developed by III, addresses the high cost traditionally associated with deploying multiple types of water quality sensors. The technology uses freshwater clams as biological sensors, taking advantage of their relatively stable behavioral responses. Cameras non-invasively monitor the clams’ shell movements, while AI analyzes subtle behavioral cues, opening-and-closing patterns, and abnormal group behavior to detect water quality changes in real time. The technology is already deployed at the Bansin Water Treatment Plant, the Sanxia River Pumping Station, and the Shoufeng Water Treatment Plant, which together serve more than 2 million people. It has also been licensed to KETECH Scientific Instrument, extending its use to water quality monitoring for critical processes in high-tech industries such as semiconductors, printed circuit boards, and precision machining.

Through the exhibition, DoIT aims to accelerate the adoption of more innovative technologies and bring new momentum into industrial upgrading across central and southern Taiwan.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Health (DH) is following up on false claims made by medical centres claiming to offer a vaccine that prevents multiple cancers in Hong Kong, urging members of the public not to use unregistered pharmaceutical products.

The department today issued a statement in response to media reports that some medical centres were offering a vaccine called “Wilms’ tumor 1” (WT1), which allegedly prevents multiple types of cancer.

The DH stressed that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong and that it is taking the matter seriously.

The department has launched enforcement actions and notified both Mainland authorities and relevant law enforcement departments in Hong Kong.

In July, the DH received reports alleging that “HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre” and its affiliated organisations were advertising the WT1 vaccine on social media, which was suspected of violating the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance.

The DH has carried out multiple unannounced inspections of the premises in question. Today, the department conducted further joint operations across seven premises in Hong Kong and Kowloon, including “HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre”.

The department has reminded operators of relevant premises that providing any unregistered pharmaceutical product illegally constitutes an offence under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance, punishable by imprisonment.

The DH will continue to closely monitor the premises in question and gather relevant intelligence, taking decisive enforcement action against any illegal activities.

The department also reiterated to the public that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Currently, no relevant registration records have been found with drug regulatory authorities in the Chinese Mainland or overseas.

It highlighted that advertisements claiming to offer this vaccine for cancer prevention are misleading and suspected of fraud.

Furthermore, any healthcare professional who misleads patients into believing that the unregistered WT1 vaccine prevents or treats cancer is in serious breach of professional conduct.

The DH has notified the Customs & Excise Department to follow up on cases where unregistered pharmaceutical products may have been illegally imported into Hong Kong.

As the case may involve the professional conduct of registered medical practitioners, the DH has also referred it to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for further action.

Separately, the DH found that the content of advertisements placed by the companies in question was suspected of breaching the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance.

The DH has already issued warning letters to the relevant companies, requesting them to remove the offending material.

The DH has also notified relevant Mainland law enforcement authorities to take follow-up action, given the serious health risks associated with publishing these advertisements on Mainland social media platforms.

The department advised members of the public to consult a registered doctor regarding any queries about disease prevention and treatment, and not to blindly trust unproven medical claims.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In response to media reports today (August 31) that some medical centres were offering customers a vaccine called “Wilms’ tumor 1” (WT1) which is claimed to prevent multiple types of cancer, the Department of Health (DH) is following up the matter seriously. This includes launching enforcement actions and notifying the Mainland authorities and relevant law enforcement department in Hong Kong.
 
The DH emphasised that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Any advertisement claiming to provide this vaccine for cancer prevention constitutes a misleading claim. No person may illegally sell or possess unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH takes this matter very seriously and will not tolerate such behaviour.
 
The DH received reports in July alleging that “HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre” and its affiliated organisations were claiming on social media to provide the WT1 vaccine. This was suspected of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) (the Ordinance). The DH has carried out multiple unannounced inspections of the premises in question and today conducted further unannounced inspections of a total of seven premises across Hong Kong and Kowloon, including the “HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre”. The DH has solemnly reminded the persons in charge of the premises concerned that providing any unregistered pharmaceutical products illegally constitutes an offence under the Ordinance, which is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. The DH will continue to closely monitor the premises in question and gather relevant intelligence, taking decisive enforcement action against any illegal or activities.
 
The DH reminded the public that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Currently, no relevant registration records have been found with drug regulatory authorities in the Chinese Mainland or overseas. Advertisements claiming to provide this vaccine for cancer prevention are misleading and suspected of fraud. Furthermore, any healthcare professional who misleads patients into believing that the unregistered WT1 vaccine has cancer-preventing or anti-cancer effects is in serious breach of professional conduct, as this may cause patients to delay seeking medical treatment. Members of the public should not trust advertisements or rumours lightly. They should also refrain from receiving injections of unknown substances to avoid endangering their health or delaying medical treatment, which could worsen their condition. The DH has also notified the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department to follow up on cases where unregistered pharmaceutical products may have been illegally imported into Hong Kong.
 
Furthermore, as the case may involve the professional conduct of registered medical practitioners, the DH has referred it to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up.
 
On the other hand, the DH has reviewed the content of the advertisement placed by the companies in question and found that it was suspected of breaching the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (UMAO) (Cap. 231). Hence, the DH has already issued warning letters to the relevant companies in accordance with established procedures and mechanisms, and has requested that the content of the relevant advertisements be removed or deleted. The DH has also notified the relevant law enforcement authorities in the Chinese Mainland to follow up on the matter, given the serious health risks to the public that may arise from the publication of these advertisements on social media platforms in the Chinese Mainland.
 
Under the Ordinance, any product that meets the definition of a “pharmaceutical product” must meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality and be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. Advanced therapy product, which include gene therapy products, somatic cell therapy products and tissue engineered products, are regulated as pharmaceutical products under the Ordinance. Any person who illegally sells or possesses unregistered pharmaceutical products commits an offence and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and two-years’ imprisonment.
 
Furthermore, import and export of pharmaceutical products are controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60). Any person who imports or exports pharmaceutical product without relevant licence commits an offence, and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a maximum penalty of a fine of $500,000 and two-years’ imprisonment.
 
From 2021 to June 2026, the DH’s Drug Office handled 138 cases involving convictions for the sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products. The maximum penalty was 10 months’ imprisonment (total for all counts of offences) or a fine of up to HK$242,000 (the total fine for all counts of offences).
 
Under the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (UMAO), no person may publish, or cause to be published, advertisements likely to lead to the use of any medicine, surgical appliance or treatment for treating or preventing the diseases or conditions specified in Schedules 1 and 2. Schedule 4 of the UMAO also prohibition/restriction on six groups of claims for orally consumed products, in order to prevent members of the public from seeking inappropriate methods to treat certain serious conditions or diseases, which could result in delayed treatment.
 
The DH reminded members of the public that, regarding any queries about the prevention and treatment of diseases (including cancers), they should first consult a registered doctor, who will provide professional advice based on individual health condition and the latest medical evidence. The public should not blindly trust unproven medical claims because protecting one’s own health is of the utmost importance.
 
The DH has stepped up public education and awareness campaigns, issuing warning alerts to the public via social media platforms that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong and should not be used indiscriminately. The DH will continue to closely monitor pharmaceutical products on the market, via both online and offline channels, in accordance with established mechanisms. The DH will also take appropriate follow-up action upon receiving intelligence or complaints. Members of the public are encouraged to provide relevant information to the DH by phone at 2961 8989 or by email (enquiries@dh.gov.hk). The DH will conduct joint operations with other law enforcement department as necessary, or refer the cases to the relevant department for follow-up.
 
Hong Kong’s healthcare standards are internationally renowned. The DH will continue to follow up on this incident seriously. Anyone endangering public health under the pretext of cancer prevention will not be tolerated.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesman for the Housing Bureau said today (August 31) that the deadline for owners of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to accept the Government’s acquisition offer expired at 5pm today. A total of 1 967 owners from the eight buildings (Blocks A to H) of Wang Fuk Court have signed and returned the “Letter of Acceptance” to confirm their intention to sell their titles to the Government, accounting for 99.1 per cent of the total number of units in the eight blocks.

Some “Letters of Acceptance” may be delivered later by post. Provided that the envelopes are postmarked on or before August 31, the Housing Bureau will regard the owners concerned as having accepted the Government’s acquisition offer.

The spokesman said that, after receiving and verifying the returned “Letters of Acceptance” from owners, the Government will arrange to sign the Agreement for Sale and Purchase with the owners concerned. As of this afternoon, the Government has signed the Agreement for Sale and Purchase with 1 559 households, representing about 78.6 per cent of the total number of units in the eight buildings from Blocks A to H. Assignments are also progressing in an orderly manner.

The Government will continue to follow up on the procedures for acquiring the remaining titles at full speed to take forward the title acquisition exercise.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A total of 1,967 owners of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po have returned signed Letters of Acceptance to confirm their intention to sell their titles to the Government, accounting for 99.1% of the total number of units in the eight buildings from Blocks A to H.

The Housing Bureau announced the figure after the deadline for owners to accept the Government’s acquisition offer expired at 5pm today.

As of this afternoon, the Government has signed the Agreement for Sale and Purchase with 1,559 households, representing about 78.6% of the estate’s units.

The bureau noted that some Letters of Acceptance may arrive later by mail, adding that envelopes  postmarked on or before today will be treated as valid acceptances.

The Government will continue working at full speed to complete the remaining acquisition procedures, the bureau added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Under Secretary for Health Dr Cecilia Fan today officiated at the opening ceremony of the Central & Western District Health Centre (C&W DHC).

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Fan said the Government has long positioned District Health Centres (DHCs) as the hub of primary healthcare services to co-ordinate community healthcare resources, thereby promoting the mindset of “prevention-oriented, early intervention”.

The DHCs provide citizens with a series of standardised and personalised healthcare services. They also co-ordinate family doctor-centred multidisciplinary teams to provide relevant health management and recommendations, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and referrals based on individual needs.

Among these, around 260,000 citizens have already participated in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme, while about 50,000 have been arranged to undergo free hepatitis B rapid tests under the Hepatitis B Co-Care Scheme since its launch in February.

Going forward, Dr Fan added, the DHCs will continue to introduce more services covering areas such as elderly health and women’s health.

At present, there are 10 DHCs and eight DHC Expresses (DHCEs) across Hong Kong, comprising a total of over 100 service points, including core centres and satellite centres.

As of the end of June, about 600,000 people have become members of the DHCs and DHCEs across the city’s 18 districts.

Dr Fan pointed out that, according to the Domestic Health Accounts 2024-25, primary healthcare expenditure accounts for over 30% of the overall Current Health Expenditure.

“In the long run, we aspire to raise this proportion to over 35%, or even 40%, with a view to building a sustainable healthcare system capable of addressing the challenges posed by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.”

Located in Sheung Wan, the core centre of the C&W DHC is equipped with consultation rooms, an interactive fitness training room, rehabilitation facilities, smart equipment and fitness systems.

It started providing services for members in September last year, followed by the commissioning of the satellite centre in Kennedy Town in December last year.

Call 2637 3773 for more information.