MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

The fire danger situation today (October 7) is red and fire risk is extreme. The countryside is extremely vulnerable to fire. If you are planning to spend the day in the countryside, please take pre-cooked food for a picnic and take all measures to prevent hill fires. The penalty for lighting fires illegally in the countryside is $25,000 and a year’s imprisonment.

Source: Government of Singapore

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai receives credentials from new Eswatini Ambassador Vulindlela Simphiwe Kunene  
On the afternoon of October 5, President Lai Ching-te received the credentials of new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Vulindlela Simphiwe Kunene. In remarks, President Lai welcomed Ambassador Kunene to his new post and expressed hope that his expertise and experience will serve to further deepen the two nations’ diplomatic friendship and lead to more diversified development. President Lai noted that under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan will continue to work with Eswatini on major initiatives such as the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP), while deepening partnerships in agriculture, healthcare, education, the economy and trade, and technology to further enhance the well-being of the peoples of both nations.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
It is a great pleasure to receive the credentials of Ambassador Kunene here at the Presidential Office. On behalf of the Republic of China government and the people of Taiwan, I extend my heartfelt welcome as you assume your new post. This year marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini. Our friendship has stood the test of time, remaining strong despite changes across the international landscape. Though many miles apart, we enjoy close ties built upon an enduring sincerity. When faced with challenges, we have always stood firmly together.
This past May, I led a delegation to Eswatini for a state visit and was received warmly by His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, and the government of Eswatini. For this, I once again extend my sincerest gratitude. I very much look forward to His Majesty’s upcoming visit to Taiwan, which will further deepen our exchanges and create new momentum for bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Kunene, you have expressed the hope that, during your tenure, you will elevate Taiwan-Eswatini relations to new heights. Having served for many years in Eswatini’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and having been posted to the United Nations and acted as chargé d’affaires in South Africa, you have accumulated a wealth of expertise and experience. I am certain that this will serve to deepen our diplomatic friendship as our collaboration continues to diversify.
Under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan will continue to work with Eswatini to advance important projects such as the TIIP. This will help cultivate talent, advance industrial development capacity, and create even more opportunities for employment and investment. We will also continue to bolster our bilateral partnership in such areas as agriculture, healthcare, education, the economy and trade, and technology, enabling our peoples to deepen their friendship and share in the fruits of our cooperation.
As we face a rapidly evolving international landscape and a host of global challenges, Taiwan hopes to continue to work alongside Eswatini so that we may support one another and jointly contribute to peace and sustainable development across the world. In closing, I once again welcome Ambassador Kunene to Taiwan. May our joint efforts strengthen our nations’ enduring alliance and further advance our peoples’ well-being. I wish you a successful tenure and a pleasant time working in Taiwan.
Ambassador Kunene then delivered remarks, stating that he has the honor of conveying to President Lai the warmest greetings and best wishes of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, and the government and people of the Kingdom of Eswatini. He said that Their Majesties fondly recall their many engagements with the leadership and people of Taiwan, and attach the highest importance to the special friendship that exists between our two countries.
The ambassador went on to say that the friendship between Eswatini and Taiwan was established on September 6, 1968, on the very day that the Kingdom of Eswatini attained independence. For 58 years, he said, our two countries have maintained uninterrupted diplomatic relations founded upon mutual respect, sovereign equality, loyalty, and a genuine concern for the welfare of our peoples.
Ambassador Kunene noted that the longevity of this relationship is important, but that even more important is what our friendship continues to achieve. Taiwan’s partnership with Eswatini is visible in local hospitals, he said, where Taiwanese medical teams work alongside Emaswati health professionals. He added that it can also be seen in Eswatini’s farms, schools and universities, and technical and vocational training programs, as well as in the growing number of Emaswati who have acquired knowledge and skills through Taiwan Scholarships.
He further noted that perhaps nowhere is the human impact of our partnership more visible than in the rural electrification program, a powerful and enduring testament to what our friendship can achieve when it is translated into the lives of ordinary people. The ambassador said that the two nations’ relationship is also increasingly visible in major economic and infrastructure initiatives in Eswatini such as the International Convention Centre, the strategic oil reserve facility, and the TIIP, which demonstrate the transition of our partnership into a new phase centered on investment, industrialization, energy security, technology transfer, and employment creation. These initiatives, he said, give practical expression to His Majesty’s call for Nkwe, meaning accelerated national development, and to President Lai’s vision of shared prosperity with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies; they also demonstrate that diplomacy must ultimately improve people’s lives.
Ambassador Kunene stated that the Kingdom of Eswatini also remains firm in its conviction that the people of Taiwan have much to contribute to the international community. He emphasized that global challenges, including pandemics, climate change, cybercrime, food insecurity, and disruptions to international supply chains, cannot be effectively addressed while the knowledge, resources, and experience of more than 23 million people are excluded. He said that Eswatini will therefore continue to advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and mechanisms where its contribution can benefit humanity. To close, Ambassador Kunene wished for the friendship between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China to continue to flourish, and for our two peoples to continue to prosper together.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department today announced traffic and transport arrangements ahead of the redeveloped Huanggang Port coming into operation to provide 24-hour services, to ensure smooth travel for the public and visitors.

The Huanggang Port will be served by seven franchised bus routes, six green minibus routes, and five short-haul cross-boundary coach routes operating round the clock, carrying passengers directly to various districts across the city.

Among them, the franchised bus routes will pass through nine MTR stations and four bus-bus interchanges, providing convenient interchanges with railways or buses to different districts.

The department urged cross-boundary travellers to pay attention to the daytime and overnight service hours of various routes, and choose suitable ones for travelling to and from the new port.

It has also arranged dedicated public transport lanes leading directly to San Sham Road from Fanling Highway and San Tin Highway for use by franchised buses, green minibuses and cross-boundary coaches to the new port, bypassing San Tin Interchange and thereby enhancing the efficiency of travelling to and from the port.

In addition, the department and the public transport operators will closely monitor passenger demand and step up or adjust services as necessary. 

As for taxis, drivers of vacant urban and New Territories taxis as well as pre-booked fleet taxis must first obtain a queue ticket at the public transport buffer area, and then proceed to their respective taxi stands or the designated taxi fleet pick-up area at the port’s public transport interchange to pick up passengers in order.

Passengers who have pre-booked a fleet taxi should first register at the service station by showing the vehicle registration mark to the fleet taxi ambassadors. The ambassadors will dynamically deploy taxis waiting at the public transport buffer area to the dedicated pick-up area to ensure passengers can board quickly and smoothly.

As traffic near the Huanggang Port may be relatively busy during its initial stage of commissioning, the department urged members of the public to use other land and rail boundary control points based on their needs for travelling between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and not to rush to the new port.

Cross-boundary travellers who need to use the Huanggang Port should plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient time to adapt to the new arrangements, the department added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Communications Authority today announced the start of a two-month public consultation on the renewal of audio broadcasting licences.

The licences of Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited and Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited are due to expire on August 25, 2028 and the two organisations have submitted licence renewal applications to the authority.

In accordance with requirements under the Telecommunications Ordinance and established procedures, the authority will carry out an assessment of the licensees’ past performance and collect public views through various means. This includes launching a two-month public consultation, an opinion survey, an online public hearing and focus group discussions.

The authority said it will take into account the licensees’ past performance and renewal proposals, views in the sector and among public, and the latest industry developments, and will make recommendations on the renewal applications to the Chief Executive in Council by May next year.

Members of the public can submit their views by email, by fax to 2507 2219, or by mail to Office of the Communications Authority (Attn: Broadcasting Section 33), 20/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

They can also participate in an online public hearing due to be held on November 7.

The public consultation will end on December 6.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     In view of the National Day holidays, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted operations against suspected unlicensed hotels/guesthouses in Central and Western District, Wan Chai District, Eastern District and Yau Tsim Mong District from September 24 to 30 to ensure the safety of tourists as well as the general public.

     A spokesman for the OLA said, “During the operation, the OLA carried out surprise inspections on 71 premises based on intelligence received, of which five premises were suspected of operating unlicensed hotels/guesthouses. The OLA will initiate prosecution on cases with sufficient evidence after completion of the investigation.”

     In view of the recent emergence of new forms of short-term accommodation services in the community, the OLA has also stepped up its inspection efforts since March 2026. In particular, surprise inspections were carried out on 13 Internet computer services centres (commonly known as cyber cafes). Some of the cyber cafes were found to be suspected of providing overnight accommodation services. Evidence of suspected unlicensed guesthouse operations was collected, and the OLA will initiate prosecution against the relevant cases.

     The spokesman stressed, “Operating unlicensed hotels/guesthouses is a criminal offence, and such an offence leads to a criminal record upon conviction. According to the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, an offender is liable to three years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000. A fine of $20,000 for each day can also be imposed during which the offence continues. A six-month closure order may also be issued for a hotel/guesthouse involved in a repeated offence. Moreover, a licensed hotel/guesthouse which contravenes any licensing conditions (e.g. carrying out alteration and addition works without seeking prior approval) is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. A fine of $10,000 for each day can also be imposed during which the offence continues.”

     To enhance deterrence against unlicensed hotels and guesthouses, the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance was amended in 2020 to empower the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Authority to apply to the court, upon the second conviction within 16 months of operating an unlicensed hotel/guesthouse or the new strict liability offence in respect of the same premises, to issue a closure order to close the premises for six months. As at October 1, the OLA has applied for five closure orders under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance from the court, of which three closure orders have been issued by the court.

     Apart from conducting special operations during festive seasons, the OLA also steps up efforts to combat unlicensed guesthouses via online platforms. The OLA has strengthened its intelligence collection by forming a dedicated team to browse webpages, mobile applications, social media, discussion forums, etc, to search for information and intelligence on suspected unlicensed guesthouses. The OLA’s law enforcement officers will initiate follow-up investigations when information on unlicensed guesthouses advertised via online platforms is found. The OLA also conducts publicity work on Internet search engines outside Hong Kong to enable tourists’ access to the information provided by the OLA in the course of planning their trips to Hong Kong.

     Tourists and members of the public can make use of the search functions on the OLA’s website (www.hadla.gov.hk) to check whether the hotel/guesthouse concerned is licensed or not. Any suspected unlicensed hotel/guesthouse should be reported to the OLA by the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805), or through the mobile application “Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses”.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

With regard to a media report concerning the quality of steel reinforcement in a house at One Stanley in Stanley, the Buildings Department (BD) is highly concerned about the incident and has been following it up seriously and conducting investigation upon receiving the report. If any building professionals and contractors are found to have violated the Buildings Ordinance (BO) after investigation, the BD will pursue the matter seriously, including instigating prosecutions and/or disciplinary actions.

The occupation permit of the house was issued in July 2023. The owner is carrying out decoration works after purchasing the house. The BD received a report in January this year from the owner’s representative regarding the structural safety of the floor slabs in the house. After making an appointment with the owner, staff of the BD was arranged to carry out an on-site inspection in March and considered that the overall structure of the house posed no obvious danger. The BD then launched an investigation into the case and also wrote to the registered structural engineer of the development, requesting a report and relevant information, including test reports and certificates for the materials concerned.

The BD deployed its staff to the house several times between June and September to carry out inspections, tests and examinations. These included rebound hammer test on concrete strength, cover-meter survey, surface penetrating radar survey for checking alignment of reinforcement, concrete core compressive strength test, as well as on-site open-up inspections. The BD is currently analysing the data obtained from these tests and examinations. It is found that the concrete cover of one of the beams at the ground floor is not installed with wire mesh as required by the approved plan, and the steel reinforcement of some slabs deviated from the approved plan. Although such situations will not pose obvious danger, the BD considers that the quality of works warrants concerns and follow-up actions. The BD will conduct further investigation and has written to the relevant parties, including the authorized person, the registered structural engineer, the registered contractor and the developer of the development, requesting interviews to assist in the investigation and to provide information.

The BD reminded the industry that under the BO, building professionals (including structural engineers) and contractors must supervise and carry out building works in accordance with the approved plans. Building professionals or contractors are subject to prosecutions and/or disciplinary actions if they are found to have failed to properly supervise or carry out building works during the BD’s audits and/or upon receiving complaints. The Development Bureau will submit a bill to the Legislative Council by the end of this year to amend the BO, which will also include increasing penalties of the relevant provisions.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO), with funding provided by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported the Hong Kong harmonica virtuoso and two-time solo harmonica world champion CY Leo (Ho Cheuk-yin) in presenting a series of music and cultural exchange activities in Singapore from October 2 to 4 as part of his Asia Tour 2026. 

The highlight of the Singapore programme was the “Two Worlds in One” concert at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay this evening (October 3), which drew an audience of over 200 and was warmly received. The Singapore ETO invited guests from across the Singapore community, including representatives of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Singapore, business associations, cultural organisations and the local Hong Kong community.

Led by Leo on harmonica, the performance featured Hong Kong guest singer Ashley Lin, Hong Kong musician Daniel Chu on piano and keyboards, Korean musicians Jongkuk Kim on drums and Jaeshin Park on electric bass. The programme featured a range of works including “Forgiveness”, “Bewildered Heart”, “A Mantra Samba”, “Two Worlds” and “New Beginnings”.

Upon completion of the performance, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, met Leo and the other performers to show her support and encouragement ahead of the concert. Ms Hung encouraged them to make full use of the opportunity to connect with local audiences and fellow musicians, and to showcase Hong Kong’s creativity and cultural vibrancy through their exchanges in Singapore.

The Singapore ETO’s support for the tour forms part of its ongoing efforts to bring Hong Kong’s arts and cultural talent to wider audiences in Southeast Asia, create opportunities for Hong Kong artists to connect with overseas audiences and industry counterparts, and foster closer cultural and people-to-people exchanges. These efforts also contribute to Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges.

The Singapore stop was organised in collaboration with Harmonica Aficionados Society (Singapore) (HAS), with side activities arranged to deepen exchanges with the local harmonica community. On October 2, Leo conducted a workshop entitled “The Bottleneck in the Study of Chromatic Harmonica” for around 40 local harmonica enthusiasts. On October 4, he will give a guest performance at the HAS’s “Qin Yuan 51: A Tapestry of Harmonics” at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

“Two Worlds in One” concert is a musical project initiated by Leo that explores the possibilities of the harmonica through jazz, pop and world music. The Asia tour includes stops in Taipei, Penang and Seoul. The Singapore concert also featured local harmonica groups and ensemble performances alongside Leo and his touring musicians, showcasing Hong Kong’s musical talent overseas while fostering exchanges and collaboration between musicians from Hong Kong and Singapore.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (October 3) held the Inauguration Ceremony for the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Correctional Services Pioneer Leaders (CSPL) and Trainees Promotion Ceremony to appoint new committee members and commend outstanding trainees.

The Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Wong Kwok-hing, officiated at the ceremony. Other guests included members of the CSPL Honorary Advisory Committee and representatives from schools participating in the school-based CSPL programme. More than 100 trainees and their family members attended.

To support the long-term development of the CSPL, the CSD appointed eight distinguished individuals from different sectors of society as new members of the CSPL Honorary Advisory Committee this year. They will inject new momentum into the youth uniformed group, driving the group toward continuous development.

Moreover, the CSD also hosted a promotion ceremony for CSPL trainees today. With their outstanding performances, 79 trainees were promoted this year following the completion of stringent assessments. Among them, three were promoted to Senior Leaders, 11 were promoted to Intermediate Leaders, and 65 were promoted to Advanced Leaders. Mr Wong extended his congratulations to the promoted trainees and encouraged them to pass on their knowledge and experiences to new trainees, guiding them in their collective development, fostering team spirit, and contributing to society.

In his speech, Mr Wong noted that since the launch of the Captain Gor Union in December 2024, with Captain Gor being the mascot of the CSPL, the Department has been recruiting primary and secondary school students as non-uniformed group members. The Captain Gor Union aims to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong and a positive mindset, in a systematic manner through a wide range of activities. It will also enable the CSD to recruit young people with potential to join the CSPL to inject new blood into the team. The new website of the Captain Gor Union was officially launched last month, providing a one-stop platform for youth and education-related organisations to access the latest information and enrol in various community education activities at any time.

At the ceremony, CSPL trainees shared their experiences from participating in the programme. They mentioned that the training broadened their horizons and helped them discover their potential. They aspired to actively give back to society, promote the values of inclusiveness and being law-abiding, and work together to build a better Hong Kong.

The CSD will continue to disseminate to young people the messages of safeguarding the country and home, leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation through diverse activities.