MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the 9th World Finance Forum Annual Conference and Dialogue of Continents 2026 High Level Seminar today (May 21):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a real pleasure of mine to join you all this morning at this very esteemed Annual Conference and at the same time engage in a dialogue among continents. I thank the organisers for convening this discussion at a time when the global economy is being tested by geopolitical fragmentation, supply-chain restructuring, energy uncertainty and rapid technological change, all themes reflected in today’s programme.

In such an environment, discussions about stability and growth cannot remain abstract. Financial centres will be judged not only by their resilience, but by whether they can convert uncertainty into concrete market opportunities, practical financing channels and workable regulatory frameworks. That is precisely the direction Hong Kong is taking.

The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government’s current approach to financial market development is therefore highly practical. It is about lowering friction in markets, widening product breadth, improving post-trade efficiency, deepening mutual access with the Mainland, and building new businesses around digital assets, family offices, corporate treasury activity and gold trading. In other words, we are working on the plumbing, the products and the policy changes needed at the same time.

Let me begin with capital markets. Hong Kong is taking forward a series of measures to strengthen listing competitiveness and trading efficiency. The Government has been working with regulators and the market on revised requirements for weighted voting right structures, facilitating secondary listings by overseas issuers, and a T+1 settlement cycle. At the same time, Hong Kong is enhancing its structured product listing framework and the regulatory regime for listed companies. These are detailed but important reforms, because they affect the speed, certainty and attractiveness of raising capital in Hong Kong.

We are also deepening mutual market access with the Mainland in tangible ways. We will expedite the launch of Mainland government bond futures in Hong Kong, pursue the inclusion of REITs (real estate investment trusts) in mutual market access, and seek inclusion of the RMB (Renminbi) trading counter under Southbound Stock Connect. Each of these steps matters. Mainland government bond futures would expand risk-management tools for investors, the inclusion of REITs would open up another investable asset class through connectivity, and bringing the RMB counter into Southbound Stock Connect would strengthen RMB product use and broaden participation in Hong Kong’s dual-counter stock market.

Hong Kong is also working to strengthen the market infrastructure that supports these flows. We will study establishing a one-stop, multi-asset post-trade securities infrastructure covering Mainland and Hong Kong equity and debt securities. That may sound technical, but it goes directly to competitiveness. Better custody and post-trade arrangements reduce operational friction, improve efficiency for international investors and also support higher trading volumes across asset classes.

Another important area is offshore RMB business. We have set out measures to reduce transaction costs for RMB and other currency conversions, attract more RMB-denominated bond issuance in Hong Kong and explore the better formation of an offshore RMB yield curve. This is highly relevant at a time when more trade and investment flows are looking for diversification in settlement and financing currency. A deeper offshore RMB ecosystem in Hong Kong would strengthen issuance, trading, hedging and liquidity management, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s unique position in connecting international capital with Chinese Mainland-related opportunities. And on this front, in fact, the Ministry of Finance of the Central Government in Beijing is going to issue green bonds for the first time in Hong Kong next week.

In asset and wealth management, the focus is equally concrete. The Government will introduce legislation to enhance the tax regime for funds and single family offices, classifying digital assets, precious metals, specified commodities, etc, as qualifying investments eligible for tax concessions. We will also better enable the privatisation of REITs, and will amend the law to provide a stamp duty waiver for the transfer of non-residential properties into REITs seeking to list in Hong Kong. Those changes are designed to encourage more fund structures, more family office activity and more REIT development in Hong Kong. In practical terms, they reduce transaction costs, improve exit flexibility and create stronger incentives to use Hong Kong as the base for managing capital and listing real asset vehicles.

For multinational groups, including those who are sitting here around us today, Hong Kong is also sharpening our offer as a treasury hub. Further enhancement measures, including a pre-approval mechanism, will be announced in the middle of this year. This is a focused effort to attract more treasury, liquidity management, financing and risk-management functions to Hong Kong, which in turn supports banking activity, foreign exchange business and professional services demand.

Our digital-asset agenda is another area where policy is moving beyond broad vision into implementation. CMU OmniClear, which is our clearing house for bonds and an important market infrastructure in Hong Kong, will establish a digital asset platform to support the issuance and settlement of digital bonds. The Government will also introduce legislation this year to establish a licensing regime for digital-asset dealing service providers and custodian service providers. This is important because the next phase of financial innovation will depend not only on experimentation, but on institutional-grade infrastructure, custody and regulatory certainty. Hong Kong’s strategy is to support innovation through proper supervision, so that tokenisation, digital bond issuance and digital-asset services can develop on a credible and sustainable basis.

There is also a targeted initiative in commodities. The Government will explore tax concessions for eligible institutions conducting gold trading and settlement in Hong Kong. This fits well with the broader objective of diversifying market activity and building new ecosystem depth in areas where Hong Kong already has strengths in logistics, finance and international connectivity.

I am also very pleased to share that the Government and the International Organization for Mediation, which is based in Hong Kong, are exploring the feasibility of establishing a special panel of mediators for commodities market disputes. This will provide a neutral, expert-led mediation mechanism for disputes arising across the commodities value chain, covering upstream mining and production, midstream trading and clearing, as well as downstream warehousing and delivery. This initiative complements our strategy to develop Hong Kong into a leading gold and commodities trading hub, and helps facilitate cross-border transactions, mitigate risks and strengthen market confidence among global market participants.

The market response to our development strategy so far has been encouraging. Our total market capitalisation at the end of April reached HK$48 trillion, which is roughly US$6.2 trillion. Average daily turnover for the first four months was HK$270 billion, equivalent to about US$35 billion, up 8 per cent year on year. These are substantial liquidity numbers by any international standard.

The primary market is also showing strong momentum. The HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited) reported 49 new listings in the first four months of this year, raising more than HK$150 billion, or about US$20 billion, an increase of six-fold when compared with the same period last year. This matters because a healthy IPO (initial public offering) market is often the clearest sign that issuers, investors and intermediaries all see confidence in a market’s future.

Secondary-market breadth is also expanding. Our ETF (exchange-traded fund) average daily turnover in the first four months rose to about HK$40 billion, around US$5.0 billion, while Stock Connect flows remained robust. In April, Northbound Stock Connect average daily turnover reached about RMB300 billion, and Southbound average daily turnover reached over HK$100 billion, or around US$14 billion. These numbers show that Hong Kong is not only a local market. It is a gateway market, and its connectivity function is becoming more important.

These policy measures are also relevant to the broader national context. The 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial centre and in better integrating into the overall national development. For the very first time, Hong Kong will formulate its own five-year plan aligned with the national plan. We will contribute actively by strengthening offshore RMB business, broadening international capital intermediation, supporting enterprises going global, and connecting the country’s development priorities with international markets, standards and investors.

That is especially relevant to the themes of this forum today. As the world economy becomes more fragmented, efficient connectors become more valuable. As supply chains and capital flows are restructured, markets that can provide trusted rules, deep liquidity and cross-border access become more important. As technology reshapes payments, investment and financial intermediation, jurisdictions that can combine innovation with clear regulation will have an advantage. And that’s exactly what Hong Kong has offered, is offering, and will continue to offer.

On the international front, I am pleased to join the Chief Executive on his upcoming trip to Central Asia in early June. The delegation will visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, two major Central Asian economies with GDP of over 80 per cent of the region, rich natural resources, robust economic growth and substantial market potential. This visit underscores our commitment to international engagement, fostering government-to-government dialogue, business linkages and new co-operation opportunities in finance, trade and innovation. It reinforces Hong Kong’s role in connecting with emerging markets and advancing our position as a global financial centre under “one country, two systems”.

So when we speak about Hong Kong as an international financial centre, we should not think only in slogans. We should think in terms of the actual measures now being advanced: new connectivity products, listing reforms, settlement-cycle upgrades, better post-trade infrastructure, stronger offshore RMB tools, tax changes for funds and family offices, a more flexible REIT regime, incentives for corporate treasury centres, regulated digital-asset infrastructure and targeted market diversification initiatives such as gold trading. These are the building blocks of competitiveness.

In a divided and unsettled world like this, stability and growth will not come from wishful thinking. They will come from institutions that work, markets that evolve and policy that is specific enough to unlock real business opportunities. That is the work Hong Kong is doing now, and that is the contribution we intend to make as a global financial centre under “one country, two systems”.

Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital made the following announcement today (May 21):

A 40-year-old male patient in the surgical ward was confirmed on May 19 to be carrying Candida auris. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced a contact tracing investigation, which identified two additional male patients (aged 76 and 83) in the same ward as carriers of Candida auris.
 
The three patients are now being treated in isolation. One patient has infection symptoms and is currently receiving treatment. His condition is serious due to underlying illnesses. The other two patients show no signs of infection and are in stable condition.
 
The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards, including the environment and medical equipment;
2. enhanced medical surveillance of the patients and screening procedures for patients and environment in the wards; and
3. applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, departed from Geneva for Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday (May 20, Zurich time) and held a roundtable meeting with local multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. The meeting introduced participants to the measures put forward by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, enhance the drug evaluation and registration mechanism, and foster clinical trial development.

Professor Lo and his delegation held a roundtable meeting in Zurich with multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to highlight the measures put forward by the HKSAR Government to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. These measures include the implementation of “primary evaluation” for new drugs, the establishment of the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute and its Real-World Study and Application Centre, and the upcoming establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation within this year.

Professor Lo encouraged pharmaceutical companies in Switzerland to leverage the “1+” drug approval mechanism to introduce newly developed drugs into the HKSAR to meet local healthcare needs, and take advantage of the measure of using Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to benefit patients in GBA Mainland cities. He also called on Swiss pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong to leverage the unparalleled advantages of the HKSAR to promote the translation and clinical application of advanced biomedical technologies.

The delegation paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich and for the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ms Chen Yun, this morning (May 21, Zurich time). Professor Lo introduced to her the latest healthcare developments of Hong Kong.

Professor Lo said, “Under the current complex international political environment, it is all the more important for Hong Kong to ensure the stability and sustainability of its healthcare system. The Health Bureau (HHB) will proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan by leveraging the unique advantages and important role of the HKSAR, as well as deepening reform of the healthcare system and continuously promoting the co-ordinated reform of healthcare services, drugs and healthcare protection. This will thereby resonate in tandem with the nation’s medical reform, with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the healthcare system and safeguarding the health of our citizens.

“At the same time, the HKSAR Government will continue to strive to enhance the quality, efficiency and sustainability of Hong Kong’s healthcare system, as well as develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, enhance clinical trial capabilities and facilitate the translation of innovative biomedical research results into clinical applications, thereby fostering new quality productive forces in biomedical technology. The HHB will definitely seize the opportunities to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub and move at full speed to align with the policies of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The goal is to build a ‘Healthy Hong Kong’ while better integrating into and serving national development through leveraging our distinctive advantages and important role of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world.”

Members of the delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui; and Deputy Secretary for Health Ms Elaine Mak. They will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (May 22, Hong Kong time).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     In support of the National Event on the Environment Day 2026 – initiated by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and jointly organised by Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), and the Macao SAR – and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the EPD will launch the Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest in June. Centred on four main themes, namely “Beautiful Hong Kong”, “Public Participation”, “Waste Reduction and Recycling”, and “Green Technology”, the campaign features a series of diverse experiential and hands-on activities to deepen public understanding of environmental protection and to jointly build a beautiful Hong Kong.

“Beautiful Hong Kong”

     In collaboration with the EPD, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will offer free admission to Hong Kong Wetland Park on June 5, along with free public guided tours. In addition, green facility guided tours will be held from June 2 to 7, guiding members of the public to tour the waste-to-energy facility T·PARK to understand its operation, the kNOw Carbon House to deepen their knowledge of carbon neutrality, and the Long Valley Nature Park for on-site visit to closely explore Hong Kong’s precious natural ecology.

     Meanwhile, the EPD will organise ecological guided tours in June to showcase Hong Kong’s efforts in marine ecological protection. The tours will visit Mirs Bay, which was previously selected as an “Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays”, allowing participants to appreciate the scenery of the beautiful bay, characterised by “clear water and clean beaches, thriving marine life, and harmonious coexistence between humans and the sea”.

     To enhance students’ understanding of environmental protection, the EPD will partner with Ocean Park to launch on-site and school outreach activities. Through interactive games and close-range observation of the characteristics of giant pandas and marine life, these activities will provide students with opportunities for self-directed learning and exploration of nature.

“Public Participation”

     The EPD and the AFCD will mobilise the community for city-wide participation by organising coastal and wilderness clean-up activities on June 6 and 7. On June 6, the EPD will participate in China’s joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities), where Hong Kong will carry out coastal clean-up actions in synchronisation with various provinces and cities on the Mainland. On the following day (June 7), the AFCD will hold clean-up activities in country parks and Hong Kong Geopark. By participating in these coastal and wilderness clean-ups, the public can experience the connection between environmental pollution and daily life, thereby promoting waste reduction at source and marine conservation. At the same time, the EPD will collaborate with primary and secondary schools, organisations, tertiary institutions, uniform groups, and non-governmental organisations to organise environmental-related activities to raise awareness of environmental protection across all sectors of society.

“Waste Reduction and Recycling”

     The EPD will roll out a series of publicity and educational activities for Recycling Day, including community engagement activities, co-operative partner promotions, and a creative short film competition, with a view to encouraging public participation in waste reduction at source and waste separation and recycling, and to embedding a green living culture into the community. Members of the public who recycle at the community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY during the period from June 5 to 7 will earn double GREEN$ points to encourage them to continue practising green living.

“Green Technology”

     The EPD will set up a limited-offer roadshow showcasing various environmental monitoring technology products at GREEN@COMMUNITY Recycling Stations, enabling the public to understand how the Government utilises innovative technology to enhance the effectiveness of environmental management, and to experience the practical application of technology firsthand.

     An EPD spokesperson said, “The SAR Government calls on members of the public to actively participate in the various activities of the Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest. We hope that these activities will raise public and community awareness of environmental protection, contributing to the building of a Beautiful China and a Beautiful Hong Kong. We express our gratitude to public and private organisations, tertiary institutions, and non-governmental organisations for their active support and promotion of environmental protection work.”

     Apart from the aforementioned activities, the EPD will arrange to broadcast promotional videos of the documentary series “Beautiful Hong Kong” through various platforms and host green seminars during the festival. For event details and booking arrangements, please visit the webpage www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/news_events/events/hk_green_fest_2026.html.

     The United Nations designated June 5 as World Environment Day in 1972, aiming to raise public awareness of environmental protection and calling on governments worldwide to address environmental problems. In recent years, authorities including the MEE and the Central Office of Spiritual Civilization Construction have joined local governments regularly to organise the National Event on the Environment Day, which has become an important platform to showcase achievements in promoting the development of a Beautiful China across the country and to mobilise people from all walks of life to participate in the promotion of ecological civilisation. Under the guidance of the MEE, the National Event on the Environment Day 2026 will be jointly organised by Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong SAR, and the Macao SAR under the theme “Comprehensive Green Transition and Jointly Build a Beautiful China” to actively integrate into the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for April 2026. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.7% in April 2026 over the same month a year earlier, the same as that in March 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in April 2026 was 1.6%, also the same as that in March 2026.
  
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of change in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending April 2026 was 0.0%, and that for the 3-month period ending March 2026 was 0.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of change were both 0.1%.

Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.6%, 1.8% and 1.7% respectively in April 2026, as compared to 1.6%, 1.8% and 1.8% respectively in March 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.4%, 1.7% and 1.6% respectively in April 2026, as compared to 1.4%, 1.6% and 1.7% respectively in March 2026.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending April 2026, the average monthly rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were -0.1%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending March 2026 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending April 2026 were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively, and the corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending March 2026 were all 0.1%.

Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in April 2026 for electricity, gas and water (5.5%), miscellaneous services (4.5%), transport (4.3%), miscellaneous goods (2.6%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (2.3%), housing (1.0%), meals out and takeaway food (0.8%), and basic food (0.5%).

On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in April 2026 for durable goods (-1.9%), and clothing and footwear (-0.3%).

Taking the first 4 months of 2026 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.6% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 1.6% and 1.6% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.4%, 1.2%, 1.5% and 1.5% respectively.

For the 3 months ending April 2026, the Composite CPI rose by 1.8% over the same period a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 1.6%, 1.8% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.6%, 1.3%, 1.7% and 1.7% respectively.

For the 12 months ending April 2026, the Composite CPI on average rose by 1.4% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.6%, 1.3% and 1.2% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.2%, 1.2%, 1.1% and 1.1% respectively.

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that the underlying Composite CPI rose by 1.6% in April over a year earlier, same as the preceding month. Prices of fuel-related components accelerated further, yet price pressures on other components were in check, thus keeping overall inflation moderate.

Looking ahead, as international oil prices remain elevated, the corresponding feed-through process to fuel-related components in consumer prices should continue in the coming months. The final impacts would hinge on the evolving situation in the Middle East. Yet, price pressures from other fronts are generally contained, which should help rein in the potential upward pressure on overall inflation. The Government will continue to monitor the development closely and will respond further as appropriate to safeguard price stability.

Further information

The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for April 2026 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

More detailed statistics are given in the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).

Following established practice, C&SD reviews and updates the expenditure weights of the CPIs annually. In this round of annual review, C&SD has incorporated the results of the 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey to comprehensively update the expenditure weights. Starting from the reference month of April 2026, the updated 2025 expenditure weights have been adopted in the compilation of the CPIs. This update aims to better capture recent changes in household consumption patterns, ensuring that the CPIs can more accurately reflect the inflation experienced by consumers, and fully aligns with international recommendations.

For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk). 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs on April 27 seized about 5 000 suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $2.6 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Based on risk assessment, Customs examined an inbound air cargo consignment from the Middle East region, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit goods therein, including pens, jerseys, handbags, glasses and watches.

An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods would have been transshipped to overseas regions.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets Canadian Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Chong  
On the afternoon of May 20, President Lai Ching-te met with Michael Chong (莊文浩), conservative shadow minister for foreign affairs and vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the House of Commons of Canada. In remarks, President Lai thanked Canada for backing Taiwan’s international participation and expressed his utmost respect for Vice-Chair Chong’s staunch defense of democracy and human rights. The president said that Taiwan and Canada have in recent years deepened cooperation in such areas as trade and the economy, technology, health, and security, and expressed hope of continuing to institutionalize bilateral cooperation. He also expressed hope that Taiwan can work with democratic partners to resist authoritarian expansion, so as to create a more democratic and prosperous future.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Vice-Chair Chong, who is visiting us once again. I remember vividly meeting with the vice chair three years ago, when he brought us a precious gift – the House of Commons report entitled Canada and Taiwan: A Strong Relationship in Turbulent Times. The report emphasizes that “the PRC has a ‘one China principle’ that is markedly different from Canada’s ‘one China policy’” and maintains that “the future of Taiwan must only be the decision of the people of Taiwan.”
Furthermore, Vice-Chair Chong introduced a motion in the House of Commons declaring China’s actions against the Uyghurs to be genocide. For this, he was sanctioned by the Chinese government, thus becoming a victim of transnational repression and foreign interference. Over the years, he has been a staunch defender of democracy and human rights and remains undaunted by authoritarian coercion. For this, I would like to express my utmost respect. At the same time, thanks to Vice-Chair Chong’s firm support, Taiwan-Canada relations have grown closer over the past three years. I would like to thank Canada’s House of Commons for unanimously passing a motion two years ago backing Taiwan’s international participation and rejecting China’s distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758.
Last year, Canadian lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties spoke in the House and stood by our delegation at an international press conference to emphasize that Taiwan’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would bring important contributions to global aviation safety.
Moreover, over the past three years, Taiwan and Canada have signed numerous agreements and MOUs to advance bilateral investment, technological innovation, and health cooperation, and to combat illegal maritime activities. These efforts have laid an even stronger foundation for bilateral exchanges and collaboration.
In particular, Taiwan and Canada have complementary economic and industrial structures. I hope that by combining Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing and Canada’s innovative AI technologies, we can continue to institutionalize bilateral economic, trade, and technological cooperation and create business opportunities that benefit the people of both countries. I also look forward to Canada’s support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), so that we can jointly contribute to regional prosperity and development.
In closing, I once again thank Vice-Chair Chong for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit Taiwan and for not bowing to external pressure. This demonstrates his staunch support and that Taiwan and Canada are showing the world that the democratic alliance is determined to work together to resist authoritarian expansion. Global democracy is stronger when we stand together. Let us work hand in hand to create a more democratic and prosperous future.
Vice-Chair Chong then delivered remarks, saying it is good to see President Lai after three years. He then congratulated President Lai on the second anniversary of his inauguration. He pointed out that there is a bipartisan consensus in Canada on support for Taiwan. He said that the purpose of his trip is twofold: First, to show solidarity with Taiwan, which, like Ukraine, is a democracy on the front lines of threats from authoritarian states; and second, to assert Canadian sovereignty. He elaborated on the second purpose, saying that China’s ambassador to Canada recently said that Canadian MPs should no longer travel to Taiwan, which is a long-standing practice of MPs regardless of party. He emphasized that he is in Taipei to say that Canadian MPs do not take direction from a foreign government as to where they travel internationally.
Vice-Chair Chong stated that solidarity with Taiwan is also the long-standing position of Canada, and that any cross-strait discussions must be done by both parties in a voluntary, non-coercive way, through dialogue and discussion and not through threats and violence. He also stated that they support Taiwan’s aspirations to participate in international fora and in international events taking place around the globe, which is why they have long called for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and why they also support Taiwan’s participation in other international fora, such as those being hosted by ICAO.
Vice-Chair Chong stated that they are opposed to the weaponization of those organizations by Beijing. He noted that they in Canada have been subjected to misuse of organizations such as INTERPOL, which is why they always have to be on guard to ensure that these international fora and these international organizations are not used against free societies and democracies. He expressed their belief that in order to maintain peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, Canada and Taiwan must continue the dialogue, the visits, and the deepening and broadening of ties, which is what the two sides have done in recent decades.
The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Marie-Louise Hannan.