Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special traffic and transport arrangements in Chai Wan during Ching Ming Festival (i) Temporary prohibited zone
The section of Cape Collinson Road to the east of Lin Shing Road (i.e. the left-turning movement from Lin Shing Road to Cape Collinson Road leading to the Chinese Permanent Cemetery) will be temporarily designated as a private car and light goods vehicle prohibited zone from 7am to 3pm daily from March 14 to April 26. All private cars and light goods vehicles, except those with permits, will be prohibited from entering the prohibited zone.
(ii) Road closures
In connection with the implementation of road closures at Cape Collinson Road and its vicinity by the Police, except for the exempted vehicles, Lin Shing Road and Cape Collinson Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 7am to 5pm on the specified dates.
Road closures arrangements(Ching Ming Festival)B. Public Transport Services
(i) The following special bus services will be operated on the specified dates, and the bus services will be strengthened depending on the passenger demand and traffic conditions.
Routes – between Chai Wan Station Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries(Ching Ming Festival) – between Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries(Ching Ming Festival)(ii) CTB route X9 will operate additional departures from Shek O to Central (Central Ferry Piers) from noon to 2pm on April 5 (Ching Ming Festival).
(iii) CTB routes 8X, 9 and 780 and cross harbour routes 106, 118 and 606, and GMB route 18M will be strengthened subject to passenger demand.
(iv) GMB route 18M service will be temporarily suspended during Phase 2 of road closures. Grave-sweepers are advised to plan their journey early and allow more travelling time. If they would like to go to the cemeteries along Cape Collinson Road in Chai Wan outside the above-mentioned road closure periods, they should use public transport services as far as possible. They can take GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X or 18M at Chai Wan MTR Station to Cape Collinson Road, or take CTB Route 9 at Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to Shek O Road near Cape Collinson Road. Grave-sweepers heading to the Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium may also make use of the escalators and pedestrian access route connecting San Ha Street at Chai Wan (near Chai Wan MTR Station Exit A) and the said columbarium.
The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Cape Collinson Road, Lin Shing Road and Wan Tsui Road in Chai Wan will be busy. Motorists are advised not to drive to the congested and affected areas and should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion and observe the instructions given by the Police.
Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television. They may also visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Approved Mai Po and Fairview Park Outline Zoning Plan amended Opportunity is also taken to amend the Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP to reflect the above amendments and to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning scheme area, where appropriate. * The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.Issued at HKT 16:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Family of brave deceased fireman given financial assistance The late Mr Ho sacrificed his life on November 26, 2025, while conducting a search and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
The Chairman of the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others which approved the grant, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, paid tribute to the late Mr Ho for his gallant act.
“Mr Ho demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry to save and protect the lives of others, which commands our greatest respect,” Mr Sun said.
“We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant. The grant represents the Government’s recognition of the late Mr Ho’s gallantry and selflessness of the highest order.”
The Scheme was set up in January 2002 to provide financial assistance to family members of those who lost their lives when attempting to save or protect others. Under the Scheme, the amount of financial assistance for each approved application is worked out according to a formula having regard to the age, normal retirement age of the deceased and the prevailing median monthly employment earnings, with the minimum and maximum levels currently set at $6.15 million and $12.3 million respectively. Issued at HKT 11:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Flower Show’s portrait photo shooting activity open for enrolment The portrait photo shooting activity is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB).
The Government announced today that $6.15 million will be granted to the family of Senior Fireman (Posthumous) Ho Wai-ho under the “Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others”.
The late fireman sacrificed his life on November 26 last year while participating in a search and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, who chairs the “Committee on Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others”, paid tribute to Mr Ho, whom he said commanded citizens’ greatest respect, having demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry in striving to save and protect the lives of others.
“We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant.”
The grant represents the Government’s recognition of the highest order of gallantry and selflessness shown by firefighter, Mr Sun added.
Set up in 2002, the scheme provides financial aid to family members of those who lose their lives in attempting to save or protect others. The sum approved in each application is worked out based on the age, normal retirement age of the deceased, and prevailing median monthly employment earnings. The minimum and maximum levels are currently set at $6.15 million and $12.3 million, respectively.
MOFA response to remarks made by Polish Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski regarding Taiwan
Date：2026-03-03
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
March 3, 2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, presented an annual report on foreign policy tasks at the Sejm on February 26. In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said that with a war raging on the other side of its border, it was natural for Poland to focus on its immediate neighborhood. However, he added that it would be wrong to ignore more distant partners. He mentioned strengthening strategic partnerships with the Republic of Korea and Japan and advancing security consultations with Australia and New Zealand. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski also stated that Poland remained consistently interested in technological cooperation with partners in Taiwan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung applauds Poland for its continued focus on the Indo-Pacific region and for highlighting its interest in technological collaboration with Taiwanese partners.
Taiwan and Poland share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Bilateral relations have continually advanced in recent years with strong support from all sectors. The two countries have cooperated closely in such spheres as economics, trade, legal affairs, education, culture, and biomedicine and have further promoted exchanges in fields including semiconductors, cybersecurity, and pandemic prevention. MOFA looks forward to continued technological collaboration between Taiwan and Poland. When fellow democracies work together on technology and democratic supply chains, it will generate added value for both sides and create shared benefits and prosperity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in collaboration with Taiwanese nongovernmental organizations, will hold Taiwan Gender Equality Week (TGEW) in New York to coincide with the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) from March 9 to 19. Through TGEW events, Taiwan will showcase to the world its achievements and progress in advancing gender equality, demonstrating Taiwan’s robust institutional capabilities and deep cultural resilience.
The highlight of this year’s TGEW will be Taiwan Women’s Power and Cultural Night, to be held at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York at 18:00 on March 13. In line with this year’s CSW priority theme, “ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls,” a number of distinguished speakers will be invited to share Taiwan’s judicial reforms, policies, and institutional achievements under the framework of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The evening will include a jazz performance by Taiwanese marimbist Su Yu-han and Taiwanese-American drummer Wu Wen-ting. It will be live streamed on MOFA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
In addition, an exhibition will be held at the event. Featuring orchids as the main visual motif, the exhibition conveys flexibility, diversity, and cultural connectedness, highlighting Taiwan’s significant progress in gender equality, judicial reform, and international cooperation.
To further deepen engagement with the United Nations community, MOFA and the Foundation for Women’s Rights Promotion and Development have partnered with the STUF United Fund—an organization holding special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council—to convene the Taiwan Forum at 13:00 on March 12 at the STUF New York headquarters. The forum will focus on women leaders’ practical experiences in driving institutional innovation, strengthening governance resilience, and advancing inclusive participation.
This year, over 60 representatives from about 40 Taiwanese NGOs and local governments will hold more than 30 parallel events during the NGO CSW Forum. They will share Taiwan’s experiences and achievements in implementing gender equality initiatives with the international community.
A major highlight of this year’s initiative is MOFA’s first-ever film clip promotional campaign in New York during the CSW session. Beginning March 6, advertisements featuring the orchid motif, Taiwan imagery, and the slogan “Her Rights, Our Pride” will appear on top of New York City taxis, at bus stops, on linkNYC kiosks, and on subway station billboards. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness of Taiwan’s commitment to advancing gender equality, contribute to the celebration of women’s empowerment in New York, and put the spotlight on Taiwan.
MOFA will continue to encourage civil society to make Taiwan’s voice heard on the world stage by leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in gender equality. During the TGEW, everyone is welcome to use the hashtags #HerRightsOurPride and #TaiwanEmpoweringWomen and engage with MOFA’s Facebook page and X account so as to jointly raise awareness about Taiwan’s gender equality achievements and call for global sustainable development in areas including gender equality. (E)
MOFA response to French Minister Delegate for Europe Haddad reiterating France’s commitment to upholding freedom of navigation in Taiwan Strait
Date：2026-02-27
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
February 27, 2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that on February 25 Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, stated that France was an active and engaged power in the Indo-Pacific and had conducted joint patrols in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea with the navies of the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries to uphold freedom of navigation. He added that France would continue to coordinate with its European partners to make safeguarding collective security and peace in the region a top priority. Minister Delegate Haddad made the remarks in response to questions about cross-strait security raised by Brigitte Devésa, Deputy Chair of the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group.
In her remarks, Deputy Chair Devésa pointed out that Taiwan had long been subjected to a wide range of threats from China. She added that a major crisis in the Taiwan Strait would have a severe impact on the European economy. Deputy Chair Devésa stressed that with democratic Taiwan under constant pressure from China, Europe should carefully consider a prudent response. She urged the French government and the European Union to assist Taiwan in countering China’s imperialism.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely thanks France for its continued attention to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan and France are like-minded partners that share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. They play key roles in maintaining a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan will continue to work closely with France and other democratic countries in taking concrete actions to uphold cross-strait peace and stability, defend the rules-based international order, and jointly promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases by air of suspected precious metals worth about $233 million.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:30