MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the Ministry of Finance’s announcement that is has successfully issued renminbi (RMB) sovereign green bonds totalling RMB6 billion, marking the central government’s first such issuance in the city.

Total subscriptions amounted to RMB62.4 billion – 10.4 times the issue size.

The three-year bonds were oversubscribed by 9.8 times, while the five-year bonds were oversubscribed by 11 times, highlighting strong market demand.

To be listed on Hong Kong’s stock exchange, all proceeds raised from the bond issuance will be applied to eligible green expenditures under the central fiscal budget in accordance with the People’s Republic of China Sovereign Green Bond Framework.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan noted that the issuance strengthens the role of Hong Kong’s “Finance+” development strategy in supporting national high-quality development.

“This issuance will further enhance the yield curve for Hong Kong’s offshore RMB bond market, provide a new investment benchmark for international capital, and attract more cross-boundary RMB financing and trading activities to Hong Kong,” he said.

“It will also support the efficient matching of global capital with the country’s high-quality green projects. By giving strong impetus to the green transition while delivering reasonable returns for investors, the issuance will help attract more long-term capital into the green sector and promote sustainable development,” Mr Chan added.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of May 28, President Lai Ching-te met with a group of participants from the Forum for Democratic Cooperation. In remarks, President Lai thanked the guests from around the world for taking action to support Taiwan and for demonstrating the determination of democratic partners to jointly respond to global changes. He stated that Taiwan will continue to share its experience in countering disinformation and cyberthreats, as well as engaging in high-tech governance with like-minded partners, and said that through exchanges across the semiconductor and critical technology industries, we will jointly build resilient democratic supply chains. The president emphasized that Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, remain committed to maintaining the status quo of peace and stability in the region, and serve as a staunch bastion of democracy in the Indo-Pacific. He expressed hope that through joint efforts, we can make greater contributions to democracy, peace, and prosperity in our respective countries and throughout the world.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I would like to begin by welcoming our guests to Taiwan. Yesterday , the Forum for Democratic Cooperation, the first event of its kind held in Taiwan  by the Forum 2000 Foundation , took place. I thank our guests for traveling from afar to participate in this deeply meaningful event. I also want to thank the Forum 2000 Foundation for staunchly defending democracy, human rights, and civil liberties ever since its founding by former President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel 30 years ago, becoming an important force for the global democratic community.
The Forum 2000 Foundation and Taiwan have maintained close ties in recent years. The foundation invited former President Tsai Ing-wen to attend its annual conference in 2024, and this year, it chose Taiwan as the location for its first-ever regional forum in Asia. This shows the great importance the foundation attaches to Taiwan, as well as the deep friendship between our two sides. In addition, our guests today are all old and good friends of Taiwan, and include key political figures, legislators, experts, and scholars from North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region who not only support Taiwan through action, but also demonstrate the determination of democratic partners to jointly respond to global changes.
This forum focused on cooperation within the democratic community, economic security, and democratic resilience. I am confident that through the outcomes of our exchanges, we will certainly spur more cooperation among us. Moving ahead, Taiwan will continue to share its experience in countering disinformation and cyberthreats, as well as engaging in high-tech governance with like-minded partners. Moreover, through exchanges across the semiconductor and critical technology industries, we will jointly build resilient democratic supply chains. I would also like to emphasize that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, remain committed to maintaining the status quo of peace and stability in the region, and serve as a staunch bastion of democracy in the Indo-Pacific, standing side by side with all of you.
History has taught us time and time again that while authoritarianism may be able to manufacture  fear through coercion, the solidarity and trust among democratic nations will ultimately coalesce into a steadfast force for protecting freedom. This is also the vital significance of the Forum for Democratic Cooperation. Besides sharing common values, democratic partners must also jointly shoulder responsibilities; they must not only voice support for one another, but also establish a cooperative system for mutual support and joint response to challenges. I firmly believe that through our collective efforts, we can certainly make greater contributions to democracy, peace, and prosperity in our respective countries and throughout the world. Finally, I would like to congratulate the forum on its success, and wish all of you a smooth and pleasant visit.
Forum 2000 Foundation Executive Director Jakub Klepal  then delivered remarks, noting that this forum marked the first time the foundation had ever hosted such an event not just in Taiwan, but anywhere in the Indo-Pacific or Asian regions since its founding by former President Havel  30 years ago. He further pointed out that President Havel  played a role  in the beginning of warm Czech-Taiwanese relations in the 1990s. Over the past three days, said Executive Director Klepal, the forum participants engaged in profound discussions about a number of important issues concerning cooperation not only in the region, but also among global actors, encompassing economic cooperation and cooperation among different levels of society, including civil society, parliaments, and media. He mentioned that discussions also touched upon security, technological progress, and issues connected to the development of AI.
Among the outcomes of the gathering, he said, there was an understanding that democratic actors need to be actively engaged in cooperation to stem the threats from authoritarian regimes and authoritarian countries such as China, Russia, and others. He added that we need to be mindful of the risks presented by these regimes, and aware of the way in which they interfere in our democratic societies and undermine our democratic institutions. He said there was a shared understanding among participants, who represented a total of 28 countries, that such gatherings, dialogue, and cooperation should continue, especially in the Indo-Pacific region where there is a need for similar engagements.
Executive Director Klepal emphasized that the group is determined to continue discussions with their partners in Taiwan, as well as in the region, to look for ways to keep this cooperation going and maintain and develop this platform. He said that Taiwan is one of the key centers of this effort, as its history, democratic tradition, and strong institutions make it one of the hubs for such encounters. Executive Director Klepal thanked Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and other partners for their support, and said he looked forward to continuing this cooperation.
The delegation also included Tuvalu Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade Paulson Panapa and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee will lead a business delegation to visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on Sunday, with a view to strengthening exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia in areas including finance, trade, infrastructure, innovation and technology (I&T), and green development. The delegation also aims to create trade corridors and explore market opportunities.

Mr Lee will start his visit in Kazakhstan before proceeding to Uzbekistan on June 3. He will meet senior government officials of the two countries, lead delegates in connecting with local business representatives, promote Hong Kong’s advantages, expand business networks, and tour various enterprises and facilities.

Highlighting that Central Asia offers vast scope for collaboration, the Chief Executive said the delegation will further harness Hong Kong’s advantages under “one country, two systems” in connecting the Mainland and the world, support Mainland enterprises in going global, and capitalise on complementary strengths.

He added that the delegation will promote Hong Kong’s advantages, as well as investment opportunities in the city, thereby encouraging Central Asian enterprises to utilise Hong Kong as a platform for business expansion and leverage its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.

The largest of its kind under the current-term Government, the delegation will comprise over 40 Hong Kong business and professional representatives, as well as about 30 representatives of Mainland enterprises. They span sectors such as industry, finance, legal services, construction and engineering, logistics, I&T, advanced manufacturing and the automotive industry.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials joining the delegation include Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan; Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui; Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau; Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip; and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong.

Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on June 6. In his absence, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will be Acting Chief Executive.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Supported by the Executive Yuan, the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) successfully secured a special budge of NT$588 million to construct the “Innovation Industry Building” in the Nanzih Technology Industrial Pard (NTIP). A completion ceremony and tenant signing event were held on May 28, 2026. Due to strong demand for industrial space, the building achieved full occupancy immediately upon completion. The project is expected to attract approximately NT$375 million in new investment, generate annual output valued at NT$266 million, and create around 600 job opportunities. The building comprises two basement levels and ten above-ground floors, providing approximately 10,000 square meters of industrial space for corporate R&D and operational offices, while also enhancing the park’s living and service functions.
During the ceremony, Chief Secretary of MOEA Chuang Ming-Chih stated that construction of the Nanzih Innovation Industry Building began in February 2023 and was successfully completed under the support of the Executive Yuan’s Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. The project demonstrates the achievements of central and local government collaboration in promoting industrial infrastructure development. Its rapid completion and immediate full occupancy reflect the strong growth momentum of industries in southern Taiwan. With leading enterprises such as ASE Semiconductor, ASE Test, Inc., and Applied Materials Taiwan moving into the building, the project is expected to further stimulate technology exchange and investment spillover effects, thereby strengthening the overall industrial development capacity. The MOEA will continue promoting industrial park upgrades and space optimization in response to industry development needs, while supporting Taiwan’s critical role in the global technology supply chain.
Yang Chih-Ching, Director-General of the BIP, noted that the site was formerly occupied by the park police squad facilities. After demolishing low-efficiency buildings, the site was redeveloped with a high-density, multifunctional, vertically integrated design, significantly improving land-use efficiency. This development model not only alleviates the shortage of industrial land but also transforms limited space into a high-value industrial environment, symbolizing the park’s transition from a traditional manufacturing base toward R&D and high-value-added development.
The ceremony also included tenant signing activities attended by representatives from ASE Semiconductor, ASE Test, Inc., and Applied Materials Taiwan, symbolizing strong industry confidence in the future development of the NTIP. The three major companies span key sectors including semiconductor packaging and testing, electronic materials, and semiconductor equipment. Their presence is expected to further strengthen upstream and downstream integration across the industrial supply chain, while enhancing the park’s technological capabilities and international competitiveness.
The project also aligns with the government’s policy direction of upgrading local industrial parks. By revitalizing existing public land, increasing building floor area ratios, and introducing mixed-use functions, the project creates higher industrial output value and a more comprehensive industrial service environment. The fact that the building achieved full occupancy immediately upon completion demonstrates the strong demand for high-quality R&D office space and reflects the continued expansion of the semiconductor industry in southern Taiwan.
The BIP emphasized that it will continue promoting the renewal of administrative facilities and gradually release additional industrial space, while introducing smart management systems and low-carbon building designs to enhance the overall competitiveness of industrial parks. With the official opening of the Innovation Industry Building, the government’s “Greater Southern New Silicon Valley Corridor” initiative has become more comprehensive, further advancing the regional development goal of achieving “Balanced Taiwan.”
The completion ceremony and tenant signing event for the Innovation Industry Building was hosted by MOEA Secretary-General Chuang Ming-Chih. Distinguished guests included Wang Chi-Chuan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Kaohsiung City Government; Wang Mei-Hua, Independent Director of Taishin Shin Kong Financial Holding Co., Ltd.; Yang Chih-Ching, Director-General of the BIP; Legislator Hsu Chih-Chieh; and representatives from industry sectors.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

Contact Person: Chen, Chih-Hong (Land Development and Engineering Section, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3611212 #223
Email:as9853@bip.gov.tw

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held a press conference on April 20, 2026 to present the phased achievements and future plans of of BIP’s childcare policy initiatives within industrial parks. BIP stated that a total of seven educational and childcare facilities, comprising 21 classes nationwide, have been established to provide educational services for 416 children, continuously optimizing family-friendly childcare support within industrial parks. In addition, plans are underway to establish a public infant care center in the Nanzih Technology Industrial Parks, which is expected to provide capacity for 60 infants and toddlers aged 0 to 2. This initiative aims to gradually build a comprehensive childcare service system spanning from infancy to preschool age, helping enterprises center more attractive working environments while demonstrating the government’s commitment to the “National Childcare Policy for Ages 0-6.”
The BIP noted that the industrial parks under its jurisdiction represent a major hub for Taiwan’s manufacturing sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), hosting more than 13,000 companies with an annual production value reaching NT$10 trillion and generating over 730,000 employment opportunities. In response to ongoing labor shortages and increasing operational pressures faced by businesses, the BIP has partnered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education to promote childcare facilities and supportive measures. Currently, two non-profit preschools and five workplace mutual-support childcare service centers receive operational subsidies from the Ministry of Education to ensure service quality and stable supply. In terms of fees, monthly tuition is capped at NT$2,000 for the first child, NT$1,000 for the second child, and free of charge for the third child and beyond. Extend daycare services and year-round operation without winter and summer effectively address the demand of double-income families. Furthermore, in2025, the BIP successfully secured NT$22.82 million funding to establish an approximately 736.6 square meter childcare facility in the Nanzih Park, which is expected to be completed and officially operational by 2027.
On the policy front, the government is also introducing several flexible childcare measures. Beginning in 2026, employees will be allowed to apply for unpaid parental leave on a daily basis, while family care leave will be calculated by the hour, thereby increasing flexibility for workers caring for their families. At the same time, through the “Enterprise Childcare 333” initiative, incentives for companies to establish childcare facilities and provide childcare subsidies will be extended. Employers may receive subsidies for up to NT$10,000 per employee annually, with the overall subsidy ceiling for each enterprise increased to NT$1 million, encouraging more businesses to invest in family-friendly workplace environments.
In addition, the BIP is incorporating childcare facility assessments into future industrial park development projects, including the planned industrial parks in Zhongpu, Shuishang, Xinshi, and Northern Kaohsiung, thereby strengthening childcare infrastructure from the planning stage onward. In addition, the BIP is incorporating childcare facility assessments into future through cross-ministerial collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the BIP seeks to progressively integrate infant care and preschool education resources, align with corporate participation and ESG development trends, and enhance the overall In addition, the Administration is incorporating childcare facility assessments into futureThrough cross-ministerial collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Administration seeks to progressively integrate infant care and preschool education resources, align with corporate participation and ESG development trends, and enhance the overall quality and talent attractiveness of Taiwan’s industrial environment.
The BIP emphasized that, as childcare capacity continues to expand and supporting systems are gradually put in place, industrial parks will continue advancing toward a development model that balances employment and family needs. Moving forward, the BIP will continue assessing the needs of individual industrial parks, dynamically adjusting childcare resource allocation, and working together with enterprises to create a more comprehensive childcare support environment, thereby strengthening workforce stability and the long-term foundation of industrial development.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

Contact Person: Hsu, Chung-Li (Director of Environment and Labor Affairs Section, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3611212 #401
Email: iamidno @bip.gov.tw

Source: Government of Singapore

Higher risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore

29 May 2026 – The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) has forecast El Niño¹ conditions to develop in June to July 2026. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)² is also predicted to develop in the second half of the year. Both climate phenomena are expected to bring warmer and drier conditions to Singapore and the surrounding region from June to October 2026, and this will increase the risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore and the region.

High likelihood of El Niño 

2. According to MSS, there is high chance of an El Niño event occurring this year (more than 80 per cent chance). This assessment is supported by the presence of key precursors, including warmer sub-surface ocean temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific. El Niño’s influence on Singapore’s climate is expected to be felt once the event becomes established.

3. El Niño events tend to have the greatest influence on Singapore’s rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season from June to September, increasing the chance of dry conditions. During the last strong El Niño event in 2015/2016, Singapore’s total rainfall from June to September 2015 was about 35 per cent below the long-term average. 

4. El Niño events also bring warmer temperatures to Singapore. Impact to temperatures is the highest during the period the El Niño event weakens, which is typically in March to May the year following the start of the event. During the decay of the last strong El Niño event in 2016, average temperatures in March – May were 29.2 degrees Celsius or 1.0 degree Celsius above the long-term average for that period (Singapore’s second warmest March – May on record). 2016 remains one of Singapore hottest years on record, tied with 2019 and 2024.

5. At this juncture, there is considerable uncertainty in the predicted strength of the El Niño. The strength of the El Niño event is more likely to be moderate when it starts, with the potential to become strong during the latter part of the Southwest Monsoon season (August to September). 

Potential Positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)

6. Besides El Niño, the IOD is another climate phenomenon that can influence the weather around the tropical Indian Ocean. Most numerical models from global climate centres predict that a positive IOD may develop in July to August 2026. Singapore and our surrounding regions tend to experience drier conditions as sea surface temperatures in the eastern Indian Ocean are cooler, resulting in less cloud formation. Singapore’s driest year on record occurred in 1997 when both El Niño and positive IOD events occurred. 

Risk of Transboundary Haze

7. The Southwest Monsoon period between June and September is the usual dry season for the surrounding region. As drier and warmer conditions are conducive to the development of peatland and vegetation fires, the hotspot and smoke haze situation in the surrounding region could escalate from June 2026, particularly in fire-prone areas. If fires develop in close proximity and prevailing south-easterly to south-westerly winds blow smoke haze from the fires towards Singapore, there is a risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore. With an expected El Niño and potential positive IOD, the dry season this year could be more intense and prolonged compared to recent years , and extend into October.

8. MSS will continue to closely monitor the development of El Niño and IOD as well as the regional weather and haze situation and provide updates when necessary. Updates on haze and the El Niño are available on the MSS website at https://www.weather.gov.sg/warning-haze-information/ and https://www.weather.gov.sg/climate-el-la/. 

Haze Preparedness

9. The 28 government agencies under the Haze Task Force (HTF), chaired by the National Environment Agency (NEA), are ready to roll out their respective action plans should the air quality be impacted by transboundary haze. Members of the public should refer to the 1-hour PM2.5 concentration as an indicator of current air quality, and the 1-hour PM2.5 associated personal guide when planning outdoor or strenuous activities over the next few hours. The 1-hour PM2.5 concentration level can be volatile and fluctuate throughout the day based on weather conditions, particularly during periods of transboundary haze. For planning of next day activities, members of the public are advised to refer to the 24-hour PSI and accompanying health advisories. In addition, it is also advised that air purifiers at home be checked to ensure that they are in proper working condition. More details can be found in NEA’s advisories which are available on the NEA website, myENV app, and the haze microsite. When a haze episode is imminent, NEA will provide haze forecasts through the aforementioned sites. Follow NEA’s Facebook and X (@NEAsg) for the latest updates.

10. With warmer temperatures typically associated with El Niño conditions in Singapore, members of the public may also refer to the MSS heat stress webpage at https://www.weather.gov.sg/heat-stress and the myENV app for the latest information on heat stress conditions.

¹_{El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with changes in both the ocean and atmosphere in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, including an abnormal warming of the surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific. Typically lasting nine to 12 months and occurring every three to five years, it produces widespread and at times severe changes in the global climate.}

²_{The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is similar to the El Niño but occurs in the equatorial Indian Ocean and of shorter duration, typically ending by December-January. The IOD varies between three phases – positive, negative and neutral.}

– End –

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

President of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong Wingco Lo will accompany Chief Executive John Lee on an upcoming delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The visit will evaluate local business conditions, investment policies and industrial support to facilitate the entry of Hong Kong enterprises into the Central Asian market.

Highlighting the importance of the region, Mr Lo noted that Central Asian countries are key members of the Belt & Road Initiative and represent fast-growing economies.

“We want to have a strong connection with Central Asia in the future,” he said. “We want to identify business opportunities by visiting local enterprises and infrastructure projects. We can better understand the latest developments in areas such as innovation, technology, manufacturing, green development and trade. This will help our Hong Kong businesses access and explore more opportunities there.”

While Mr Lo acknowledged that Hong Kong’s current trade volume with Central Asia remains lower than that of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Middle East, both regarded as leading emerging markets, he emphasised that the region’s accelerating opening-up process gives it significant market potential and strategic importance.

“The gross domestic product growth each year is over 6% or 7%,” he observed. “It is a very important logistics hub in Central Asia, especially with the direct railway from China to Europe, which must pass through the region. Furthermore, the local markets are on the rise. They have huge populations, which provides an advantage for our retail sectors. They also have low-cost labour and a sufficient, young workforce, which will help our manufacturers to settle there.”

Regarding the composition of the delegation, Mr Lo noted that the inclusion of Mainland enterprises enables a collaborative strategy for overseas expansion. By leveraging the existing local networks of Mainland firms to accelerate market entry, and utilising Hong Kong’s high-value supply chain management and professional services to support their international growth, both sides can achieve a win-win outcome.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Federation of Hong Kong Industries Chairman Antony Lam, who will be part of a Chief Executive-led delegation visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan early next month, believes the trip will offer a good start to exploring the Central Asian market. 

Mr Lam said it provides an opportunity to learn more about the region’s economic development, as Hong Kong companies are relatively unfamiliar with Central Asian countries.

He also highlighted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are executing massive industrial upgrades and both boast enormous market potential. “This is a great opportunity for Hong Kong companies to participate in the development and the growth of Central Asian countries,” he said.

Mr Lam added that the Central Asian market is crucial for Hong Kong’s plan to become a commodities trading hub as both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have substantial natural resources, such as minerals. The Federation of Hong Kong Industries has also established a Commodities Council dedicated to developing related trading activities.

Mr Lam hopes the federation can serve as a bridge to open up trade channels between Hong Kong and Central Asia. It has been seeking to establish partnerships with local companies, and many of its members have already invested in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in areas such as 3D printing technology for medical applications.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 28) that two samples of bottled mineral water were found to contain trace amount of Enterococci. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “Under its routine Food Surveillance Programme, the CFS collected bottled mineral water samples at retail level for microbiological testing, including tests for Escherichia coli, Coliform bacteria, Enterococci, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The test results showed that two samples of the individual batches of bottled mineral water below contained Enterococci at a level of one Colony Forming Unit in 250 millilitres, while all other tested parameters (Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were satisfactory (i.e. not detected).

According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, Enterococci shall not be tested presence in bottled natural mineral water. As a precautionary measure, the CFS has informed the retailers/distributors concerned to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batches of the products below. The distributors concerned have also initiated voluntary recalls of the affected batches of the products concerned. Members of the public may call the respective hotlines below during office hours for enquiries about the recalls.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Still Scottish Mountain Water
Brand: Marks & Spencer
Volume: 750ml
Best-before date: December 2026
Distributor: ALF Retail Hong Kong Limited
Hotline: 3656 2253

Product name: LOTTE ICIS Natural Mineral Water 8.0
Brand: Lotte
Volume: 2 litres
Best-before date: September 22, 2027
Distributor: Goldtop Century Ltd
Hotline: 2632 7373

Since January 2026, the CFS has collected 50 samples of bottled drinking water for testing. Apart from the two unsatisfactory samples mentioned above, all other samples passed the tests.

“Enterococci are a group of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals, generally posing a low risk to healthy individuals. However, certain strains may cause infections in immunocompromised individuals. Members of the public should stop consuming the affected batches of the natural mineral water. Anyone who feels unwell after consuming the products, such as experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or fever etc, should seek medical treatment,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

The CFS had alert the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region