MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Government of Western Samoa

[PRESS RELEASE November 24th, 2025]- The National University of Samoa was represented at the recent “Blue Pacific Future: Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Cooperation Forum,” hosted by Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) from 21–22

November 2025 in Guangzhou, China. Deputy Vice Chancellor Su’a Peseta Dr Desmond Lee Hang attended this forum on behalf of the National University of Samoa (NUS) and presented on the topic: “Navigating a Blue Future: Pacific Resilience through Knowledge, Partnership, and Innovation” at this forum.

The forum was convened as part of two major institutional milestones: (1) the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of GDUFS in 1965; and (2) the 10th Anniversary of the Centre for Pacific Island Countries Studies (CPICS) at Guangdong which was established in 2015. The CPICS operates within the school of Global and Area Studies (Institute of International Relations) and is dedicated to advancing research and cooperation between China and Pacific Island nations, with a particular focus on fostering engagement in Guangdong Province.

Over the past decade, CPICS has played a pivotal role in facilitating academic exchange, mutual cultural understanding, and talent development between China and Pacific Island countries. Its work has contributed significantly to strengthening China–Pacific partnerships, promoting humanistic exchanges, enhancing appreciation of diverse civilizations, and supporting sustainable development initiatives across the region. During this forum, the Guangdong-Pacific Island Countries Academic Alliance was also launched. The following Pacific universities are now part of this alliance:

National University of Samoa (NUS), Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Tonga National University (TNU), and National University of Vanuatu (NUV).

This new Alliance aims to encourage closer collaborations and mutual research and exchanges between GDUFS and Pacific Island universities.

The Guangdong Province is part of the old Canton area in Southern China where many indentured Chinese labourers that came to the Pacific including Samoa are from. Hence Guangdong is significant to our Samoan Chinese community. NUS looks forward to continued collaboration with GDUFS and CPICS as they enter a new decade of academic innovation and Pacific-focused people to people engagement.

– END –

The National University of Samoa

November 25, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police conducted an enforcement operation yesterday (November 24) in Kwai Chung and arrested a 32-year-old local man and a 27-year-old local woman. They were suspected of committing the offences of doing an act with seditious intention under section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, assisting offenders and possession of dangerous drugs.

Investigation revealed that the man was suspected of repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intention on the social media platform of a shop owned by him and funding activities endangering national security from October 2020 to October 2025.  After the investigation, Police also seized a small quantity of suspected cannabis at the residence of the arrested man and woman in Kwai Chung. The two arrested persons are now being detained for further enquiries.

In addition, acting on a court warrant, Police searched the man shop in Kwai Chung and seized cash and related invoices.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A woman who went missing in Tin Sum has been located.

Wong Sui-man, aged 57, went missing after she was last seen in a shopping mall in Sha Kok Estate on November 22 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on the next day (November 23).

The woman was located at a carpark in Sha Kok Estate in the small hours today (November 25). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Fire Services Department (FSD) holds the International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange (IARTX) in Hong Kong and Chaozhou between today (November 25) and November 28. The four-day IARTX aims to bring together personnel of rescue teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and neighbouring Asia-Pacific regions for experience sharing in aquatic rescue operations. The IARTX is co-organised by the Institution of Fire Engineers (Hong Kong Branch) and the China Hong Kong Fire Protection Association.

The opening ceremony, officiated by Deputy Director General of the National Fire and Rescue Administration Mr Xu Zhongshun; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr Derek Armstrong Chan; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Public Safety and Corporate Strategy), Mr Wong Ka-wing; and Steward of Hong Kong Jockey Club Mrs Ann Kung, was held today at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy.

In his speech delivered at the ceremony, Mr Tang mentioned that the more apparent climate change has become, the more it has been causing extreme weather to be more frequent and intense. Noting that aquatic rescue has been among the most challenging and high-risk emergency operations, Mr Tang said he believes that the valuable interactions at the IARTX are essential for experts and frontline practitioners from across the region to deepen mutual understanding, share best practices and foster robust operational co-ordination. He also expressed his hope in the FSD’s capability to make a concrete contribution to the country’s strategies on disaster management, deepening international partnership to better protect lives across the region.

Mr Yeung welcomed the frontline aquatic rescuers and experts from the Asia-Pacific region who are converging for the first time in Hong Kong for an in-depth exchange of rescue techniques, sharing a common hope of better serving the communities. He noted that the more intense typhoons and severe flooding brought by climate change have made the mission of emergency rescue more critical than ever, and that the greatest impact can be achieved through cross-regional collaboration. He expected the exchange to foster a culture of continuous improvement among rescue teams, with their shared dedication to further excel in aquatic rescue standards being showcased.

The IARTX takes place in Hong Kong for the first two days, offering participants activities including individual and group on-site training, rescue equipment demonstrations, and experience-sharing sessions. They can share experiences on aquatic rescue operations and explore the feasibility of applying certain techniques in their own regions. On November 27, the participants will travel to Chaozhou and visit the National Southeast Emergency Rescue Center to learn about the country’s efforts in enhancing rescue techniques and personnel training with advanced technologies. They will also inspect spots with higher flood risk to understand the country’s rescue strategies for flooding.

The IARTX is one of the key initiatives under the Fire Services Department’s Disaster Management Programme funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Participants include rescue personnel from the National Fire and Rescue Administration, the Macao Fire Services Bureau, the Macao Customs, and representatives from eight Asia-Pacific countries, namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. They join hands to strengthen cross-regional professional co-operation and contribute to the continuous development of aquatic rescue operations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A New York audience embarked on a captivating musical journey at the “Four Seasons: A Journey of 1725 – 2025” concert presented by Hong Kong music talent and supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) at the prestigious Carnegie Hall on November 22 (New York time).
 
The performance featured Hong Kong-based Korean-American violinist Ruda Lee and the city’s innovative ANIMA Ensemble, led by dynamic young Hong Kong conductor Vivian Ip, who is Associate Conductor of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the third-prize winner of the 2025 International Ferenc Fricsay Conducting Competition.
 
Welcoming the New York debut of the ANIMA Ensemble with Lee, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, said initiatives like this are at the heart of Hong Kong’s mission to be a dynamic world-class hub where Eastern and Western cultures meet, create, and inspire.
 
“We are proud to provide a global platform for our extraordinary artists to share their vision with the world. This concert is a testament to the transcendent creativity emanating from Hong Kong,” said Ms Ho. The New York ETO is the government partner of the tour.
 
The concert reimagined Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” across centuries and cultures through today’s climate lens, exploring nature’s influence on sound and emotion, and culminating in a vibrant tribute to Hong Kong’s defining season – summer.
 
Extending the spirit of creativity and underscoring Hong Kong’s commitment to global cultural exchanges, the programme also featured the premieres of the winning composition from a Rutgers University competition, “Fool’s Spring”, by Brandon DiNatale, and “The Memory of Snow” by Dr Scott Ordway, Associate Professor of Music and Head of Composition at Rutgers.
 
In addition to the Carnegie Hall performance, Lee and Ip conducted two workshop sessions at Rutgers on November 18 and 19, focusing on music sharing and artistic exchanges, with an emphasis on educational and creative dialogue between composers and performers.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has received notification from the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria that HKSAR passport holders may visit Algeria visa-free for a stay of up to 14 days. 
 
     An Immigration Department spokesman said, “Algeria is along the Belt and Road. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, this visa-free arrangement will bring travel convenience to holders of HKSAR passports and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places.”
 
     As of today, 174 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. Please visit the following website for details:
www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/visa_free_access.html or scan the QR code in the attachment.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at the Opening Ceremony of the International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange 2025 today (November 25):

     Deputy Director Xu Zhongshun (Deputy Director General of the National Fire and Rescue Administration), distinguished guests, respected colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Police’s National Security Department, during an enforcement operation in Kwai Chung yesterday, arrested a 32-year-old local man and a 27-year-old local woman.

The pair are suspected of committing the offences of “doing an act with seditious intention” under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, “assisting offenders” and “possession of dangerous drugs”. They are now being detained for further enquiries.

An investigation revealed that from October 2020 to October 2025, the man was allegedly involved in repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intention on his shop’s social media platform as well as funding activities endangering national security.

Acting on a court warrant, Police also searched the man’s shop in Kwai Chung. Cash and related invoices were seized.

Officers also seized a small quantity of suspected cannabis at the suspects’ residence in Kwai Chung. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of the “Play, Pose & Pixel” Digital Fashion Exhibition today (November 25):

Madame Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Ms Christile Drulhe), Mr Serge Carreira (representative of the Paris Fashion Week), Joseph (Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre, Mr Joseph Lo), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Bonjour. Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you at the opening ceremony of the “Play, Pose & Pixel” Digital Fashion Exhibition, curated by the Hong Kong Design Centre and our dear friends from the Paris Fashion Week.

     Digital fashion has surged in popularity over the past decade and is now integrated across the entire fashion chain – from design to manufacturing and retail. It saves time and materials in sample production, enables business without physical products, and transcends geographic limits with virtual try-ons. Without a doubt, it is a key trend shaping the future of fashion.

     I am delighted that the Hong Kong Design Centre is presenting this “Play, Pose & Pixel” Digital Fashion Exhibition in partnership with the prestigious Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, in short FHCM, the organiser of the Paris Fashion Week. This exhibition explores pioneering fashion technology and showcases the boundless possibilities of digital fashion. In fact, it stands as one of the most anticipated highlights of this year’s Hong Kong Fashion Fest.

     The curatorial team behind the exhibition, FabriX, continues to surprise and inspire by merging augmented reality (AR) with the latest fashion. Today, they return with their iconic AR Try-on Kiosk, allowing users to try on digital outfits. Even if you are as short as me, you can look really good in their kiosks trying on the latest fashion. It captures selfies and collects photos of their favourite virtual fashion pieces.

     Among the seven designers featured in the virtual experience, three are emerging local Hong Kong talents, showcasing the vibrant creativity of Hong Kong’s new generation of designers. This also reflects our commitment to nurturing local creators and elevating them onto the global stage.

     Before arriving in Hong Kong, the exhibition had already made a presence at the Paris Fashion Week this past September. Some of the works you see here today were first shown in Paris, including collaborations between international designers and multidisciplinary artists. Through photography, dance, 3D animation and AI, these pieces blur the lines between fashion, performance and digital arts.  

     Now, for the first time, the exhibition is staged in Hong Kong. I encourage you all to explore it fully and immerse yourselves in the dynamic world of digital fashion.

     The next two weeks will be filled with fashion events across the city. Curated by various partner organisations and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong Fashion Fest will run until December 7, offering a rich series of design experiences in multiple locations. I warmly invite you to be part of this exciting journey.

     My congratulations to the Hong Kong Design Centre for bringing this visionary fashion event to life – infusing fresh energy and innovation into our fashion scene and showcasing the achievements of Hong Kong designers. My thanks also go to the FHCM for their partnership and dedication to advancing digital fashion, inspiring the future of the fashion industry.

     Last but not least, I wish this exhibition every success. And to everyone in the audience, stay joyful and glamorous. Thank you very much.