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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Fire Services Department yesterday introduced new measures, with immediate effect, to enhance the management of fire service installations and the transparency of relevant information.

The department issued two circular letters to regulate registered fire service installation contractors (RFSICs). The letters direct RFSICs to enhance the management of fire service installations and equipment (FSI) and to increase the transparency of information relating to the operational status of FSIs.

When there is any defect in FSIs such as hose reels and manual call points, RFSICs must affix a Damage Notice complying with standard requirements in a prominent position on the FSI to facilitate easy identification. This is to guide the public to avoid using non-operable FSIs during emergencies.

In addition, RFSICs are required to apply seals to the main power switches of FSI systems to prevent power from being turned off by mistake. They must also facilitate inspections by property management staff to assess power supply status and ensure timely follow-up actions.

The department also reminds RFSICs that before turning off FSIs for works, pre-assessment should be conducted on whether functions of other FSIs will be affected, and all areas being affected should be reported concurrently to the FSD.

RFSICs must put up large-sized notices at prominent locations such as main building entrances and lift lobbies, clearly outlining information including dates of any FSI operation suspension and areas that will be affected, to keep occupants, property management staff, and other relevant parties informed.

This is to raise occupants’ awareness of fire safety when FSIs are not in working order or being shut down.

The department emphasises that RFSICs must strictly adhere to the new requirements. Any misconduct or negligence may result in disciplinary actions by the department, including being removed from the register of RFSICs.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to China listing Taiwan officials as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates”

January 7, 2026  

On January 7, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office listed Taiwan Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang and Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates” and Prosecutor Chen Shu-yi from the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office as an “accomplice” in related activities.

China’s government has repeatedly engaged in heavy-handed transnational repression and long-arm jurisdiction, targeting individuals from Taiwan and other countries through intimidation, harassment, and interference. These actions have infringed upon these individuals’ human rights, shown complete disregard for the rule of law and civilized norms, and gravely contravened the spirit of international law and international human rights standards. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns these actions and calls on the international community to jointly stop China’s malicious behavior and illegal transnational repression. 

MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other and that China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan nationals. All Taiwan nationals targeted by transnational repression will be protected by the government. Furthermore, anyone in Taiwan cooperating with China’s transnational repression will be subject to legal sanctions. 

MOFA will continue to coordinate with other government agencies, strengthen cooperation with the international community, and bolster the emergency response and assistance mechanisms of overseas missions so as to safeguard Taiwan nationals’ safety. 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Pakistan foreign ministers

January 6, 2026  

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar cochaired the seventh round of the China-Pakistan foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue in Beijing on January 4. The joint communiqué issued after the meeting contained statements that blatantly contradicted the facts, including the claim that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.” 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns the Chinese government for continuing to spread absurd and distorted information in the international community that denigrates Taiwan’s sovereignty, and expresses deep regret at the government of Pakistan’s repeated submission and compliance with China’s authoritarian behavior.

MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, and that the Chinese Communist Party regime has never governed Taiwan. No country has the right or the power to deny the objective existence of Taiwan through a so-called joint press communiqué. MOFA calls on Pakistan to stop complying with China’s disregard for the truth and cease its endorsement of declarations that have aggressive intentions and undermine regional peace and stability.

Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan. Only they can decide Taiwan’s future. Global peace, stability, and prosperity must be upheld by all nations. As a force for good in the international community, Taiwan will continue to defend the values of freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with its partners in the democratic camp to jointly curb authoritarian expansionism, safeguard cross-strait peace and security, and maintain freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department announced today that it will put a piece of land on Shau Kei Wan Main Street East up for sale by public tender from January 16 until February 13.

The site, located at Shau Kei Wan Inland Lot No. 860, has an area of 1,349.2 sq m and is designated for “non-industrial (excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station)” use.

If the site is used for private residential purposes, its gross floor area will be between 7,286 sq m and 12,142 sq m.

Alternatively, if it is used for “non-industrial (excluding private residential, godown, hotel and petrol filling station)” purposes, the maximum gross floor area will be computed according to the “special condition” in the Conditions of Sale.

In any event, the gross floor area will exclude space used for the sub-base of a district elderly community centre, which will be constructed by the purchaser as Government Accommodation under the Conditions of Sale.

Land sale documents will be available for download from the Lands Department’s website from next Friday.

The sale plan will be available for inspection by the public from the same day until the close of the tender. Within the tender period, hard copies of the sale plan can also be purchased at the Lands Department’s Survey & Mapping Office at 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point.

The particulars of the tender will be published in the Government Gazette next Friday.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Justice announced today the establishment of an “Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global“, which will advise it on leveraging Hong Kong’s legal and other professional services sectors in support of Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to “go global”.

Chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the 13-strong committee  comprises, for a term of two years, experts from the legal, financial and accounting sectors from both the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as outstanding business and corporate representatives.

It will provide advice and assistance to better meet the needs of Chinese Mainland enterprises looking to expand overseas, and will co-ordinate with Hong Kong’s professional services sectors, including its legal, accounting and financial sectors, to support these efforts.

Mr Cheung highlighted that the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, officially launched by the department on December 13 with the support of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, marks a new phase of collaborative support for Mainland enterprises going global.

The expert committee will support and promote the work of the platform by gathering strategic advice from its members.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Law Reform Commission today published Cyber-Dependent Crimes & Jurisdictional Issues, a report that recommends the introduction of new legislation to address five types of “cyber-dependent” crimes.

The Government said it welcomed the report and will conduct a thorough study of its recommendations.

The five types of “cyber-dependent” crimes identified are ones that can be committed only by using information and communications technology, namely illegally accessing programs or data, illegal interception of data, illegal interference with data, illegal interference with computer systems, and making available a device, program or data for use in committing a cyber-related crime.

The commission’s Cybercrime Sub-committee has studied current laws in Hong Kong, as well as corresponding legislation in Australia, Canada, the Chinese Mainland, New Zealand, Singapore, the US, and England and Wales.

It highlighted that, at present, different computer-related offences are covered in Hong Kong’s Crimes Ordinance and the Telecommunications Ordinance, but that some of these are outdated.

Moreover, all of the other jurisdictions studied have legislated against the five types of cyber-dependent crime identified either through bespoke cyber-crime legislation or amending parts of existing codified laws.

One of the report’s recommendations is that accessing programs or data without lawful authority should be a summary offence. It stresses that an aggravated form of the offence arises if the unauthorised access is accompanied by intent to carry out further criminal activity.

The commission also recommends that unauthorised interception of computer data carried out for dishonest or criminal purposes should be an offence. It says this would protect both private and non-private communications, and would apply to data generally.

In addition, the report proposes that both illegal interference with computer data and computer systems, and knowingly making available a device, program or data for use in committing a cyber-related crime, should be offences.

In line with international norms, it recommends that Hong Kong law should provide for the extra-territorial application of the five cyber-dependent offences proposed. It adds that Hong Kong courts should have jurisdiction in cases where connections with Hong Kong exist.

The report also advises that, as the severity of the harms caused by cyber-crime are wide-reaching, each of the proposed offences should carry a maximum sentence for summary convictions of two years’ imprisonment, and one of 14 years’ imprisonment for convictions on indictment.

For aggravated forms of Interference Offences involving danger to life – for example, interference with a railway signal system – the proposed maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

The commission said the report represents its first set of findings following the issuance of a consultation paper by its Cybercrime Sub-committee in 2022, and that responses to the paper were taken into account in formulating the recommendations contained in the report.

It added that the report adopted the guiding principle of balancing the rights of users of information and communications technology and the interests of persons in the information technology industry against the need to protect the public against being disturbed or attacked when using or operating computer systems.

In a statement, the Security Bureau said the Government will carefully consider how to follow up on the report and implement its recommendations.

The commission’s Cybercrime Sub‑committee is also conducting further research into other aspects relating to cybercrime. The Government said it will study all of the commission’s findings carefully and thoroughly with a view to formulating comprehensive legislation that addresses the challenges to public order arising from advancements in information technology.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Social workers from the Social Welfare Department (SWD) began contacting Wang Fuk Court flat owners today to gather their initial preferences for long-term rehousing arrangements.

The SWD aims to collect owner responses through its “one social worker per household” service by mid-to-late January. The data will inform the formulation and implementation of specific rehousing plans.

The Government said it has noticed diverse opinions among flat owners and within the community regarding long-term accommodation for Wang Fuk Court residents who were affected by the fire.

Some owners have indicated they prefer Government acquisition of the properties or priority access to purchase Home Ownership Scheme flats. While some residents seek local rehousing, others are open to different districts. Concerns about lengthy waiting times temper proposals for in-situ redevelopment.

“We hope to systematically and comprehensively collect Wang Fuk Court flat owners’ opinions, further listening to and summarising their preferences,” a Government spokesman said today.

“This includes identifying key principles that the Government should consider when addressing long-term accommodation arrangements and noting the flat owners’ initial preferences for different long-term rehousing options. This information will serve as a reference for the Government’s follow-up actions,” the spokesman added.

The Government said the Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements will carefully compile and study the flat owners’ preferences, as well as conduct a comprehensive assessments based on the structural safety, technical feasibility and community planning at Wang Fuk Court.

“We aim to provide affected flat owners with suggestions regarding long-term proposals as soon as possible for their consideration and decision-making,” the spokesman said.

“The Government and affected flat owners share the same objective: to implement solutions promptly and reassure them as soon as possible.”

As of today, more than 4,400 residents are staying in hotels, youth hostels/camps, transitional housing, Housing Society units or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today published in the Gazette regulations to implement the fee and charge concessions announced in the 2025 Policy Address to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Water and sewage charges for non-domestic accounts will be reduced by 50%, subject to a monthly ceiling of $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Trade effluent surcharges will also be reduced by 50%.

The concessions include fee waivers for the first issue or renewal of specified licences for the agriculture and fisheries industries as well as liquor licences.

The measures, which take effect on January 15, will be valid for one year. The regulations will be tabled at the Legislative Council a day before for vetting.

The Government has waived fees for the first issue or renewal of hawker and food business licences and permits for one year through administrative means.

Click here for details of all concession measures, including the estimated number of beneficiaries and the revenue ceded.