MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Buildings Department approved nine building plans in September, with four on Hong Kong Island and five in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, three were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial development, one was for a community services development, and one was for a factory and industrial development.

     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on eight building projects which, when completed, will provide 11 985 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 216 units, and 14 785 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for three building projects.

     The department also issued 16 occupation permits, with four on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon, and eight in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 51 721 sq m involving 1 004 units, and 100 005 sq m was for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in September totalled about $4.1 billion.

     In addition, three demolition consents were issued.

     The department received 2 485 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in September and issued 898 removal orders on UBWs.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for September can be viewed on the Buildings Department homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025 cum World Maritime Merchants Forum 2025 today (November 17):

Honourable Vice Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Director Zhou Ji (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (CPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Vice Minister Fu Xuyin (Vice Minister of Transport), Deputy Head Chen Feng (Deputy Head, Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR), Acting Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR), Chairman Miao Jianmin (Chairman of China Merchants Group), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. A very warm welcome to Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, and to the opening of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025 and the fifth World Maritime Merchants Forum, which bring together our maritime cluster, and underline Hong Kong’s status as one of the world’s leading maritime centres.

     The theme for the Hong Kong Maritime Week, “Navigating to a Greener Future”, signals our shared destination. Complementing this, the theme of the World Maritime Merchants Forum, “Steering Sustainability Through Changes”, is our navigational chart for the journey ahead.

     In a world being reshaped by geopolitical discord, technological disruption and climate change, these themes are more than aspirational. They sound an alarm, a wake-up call to collective action.

     In this era of profound and complex transformation, Hong Kong’s role as a stable, reliable and dynamic maritime hub has never been more vital. The principle of “one country, two systems” is the cornerstone of our success, providing us with an unshakeable foundation.

     As our country’s only bilingual common law jurisdiction, Hong Kong offers a simple and low tax regime, free port status and the unfettered flow of capital, information and talent.

     Our standing is consistently acknowledged, and endorsed, by the international community. For the sixth consecutive year, Hong Kong ranked fourth, globally, in the International Shipping Centre Development Index. This pays tribute to our strengths in port infrastructure, maritime services and overall operating environment.

     Hong Kong is home to more than 1 200 port and maritime-related companies, a thriving cluster of global leaders in ship management, finance, insurance and law. The Hong Kong Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association’s launch ceremony, in just a few minutes, will mark a milestone development, further enriching our maritime services and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”.

     Our tax concession regime for high value-added maritime services continues to attract global businesses. And we are planning to extend half-rate tax concessions to physical commodity traders, further integrating the critical pillars of trade, commodities and shipping here in Hong Kong.

     Beyond our business-friendly foundations, our focus is firmly on the future. And the imperative for green growth is the defining challenge, and opportunity, of our generation. 

     With the International Maritime Organization’s Net-Zero Framework targeting to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in international shipping by around the year 2050, Hong Kong is determined to be at the forefront, as a premier green maritime fuel-bunkering centre.  

     Since publishing our Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering a year ago, we have materialised regular commercial liquefied natural gas and biodiesel bunkering. 

     Our vision is to become the epicentre of the global green maritime fuel trade. And our proximity to the Chinese Mainland, the world’s largest producer of green maritime fuel, is a critical advantage. We will continue to collaborate with maritime associations and business partners globally to drive the transition towards sustainability.

     Indeed, collaboration on an unprecedented scale is essential as we face challenges from geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism, technological disruption, and the climate crisis – issues too vast for any single economy to solve alone. 

     Let’s work together to build green shipping corridors and digital trade lanes that will define the future of safe, efficient and sustainable global shipping.

     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is ready to be your partner. Our policy support, expertise, strategic vision and unwavering commitment can play a pivotal role in navigating the next era of shipping. Together, we can steer a course towards a more sustainable, prosperous and collaborative future.

     I wish you all a rewarding Hong Kong Maritime Week, a productive World Maritime Merchants Forum, and fair winds and following seas, in business as in life. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Buildings Department approved nine building plans in September – four on Hong Kong Island and five in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, three were for apartment and apartment-commercial developments, four were for commercial development, one was for a community services development, and one was for a factory and industrial development.

Consent was given for works to start on eight building projects which, when completed, will provide 11,985 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 216 units, and 14,785 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

Additionally, the department has received notification of the commencement of superstructure works for three building projects.

It also issued 16 occupation permits – four on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 51,721 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,004 units, and 100,005 sq m for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 2,485 reports about unauthorised building works in September and issued 898 removal orders.

Source: Government of Singapore

Singapore, 17 November 2025 – Inter-monsoon conditions have been prevailing over Singapore since October 2025, with the low-level winds mostly light and variable in direction.  The Northeast Monsoon is expected to set in around end of November 2025 as the winds strengthen and blow increasingly from the northeast or northwest. The Northeast Monsoon season typically extends to March.

2          In the second fortnight of November 2025, thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. The showers may extend into the evening on a few of these days. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds on a few mornings. The total rainfall for the second fortnight of November 2025 is forecast to be above average over most parts of the island.

3          The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 32 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius on most days and may reach slightly above 34 degrees Celsius on a few days.

4          For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 16 NOVEMBER 2025)

5          Inter-monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of November 2025, with the winds generally light and variable in direction.

6          Thundery showers occurred over parts of Singapore mainly in the afternoon on most days in the first half of the month. Sumatra squalls also brought widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over Singapore on a few days. On 16 November 2025, widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers fell over many parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 101.8mm recorded around Pulau Semakau that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of November 2025.

7          The first half of November 2025 was generally warm with daily maximum temperatures above 33 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily temperature of 36.0 degrees Celsius was recorded at Newton on 1 November 2025. This was the highest temperature ever recorded in November, exceeding the previous record of 35.8 degrees Celsius (recorded at Newton on 3 November 2023 and Admiralty on 18 November 2019) since temperature records started in 1929.

 8         Most parts of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in the first half of November 2025. The area around Jurong registered rainfall of 64 per cent below average, and the area around Changi registered rainfall of 49 per cent above average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for November   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.2	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	24.6	°C
Average monthly temperature:	27.2	°C
Average rainfall:	252.3	mm
Average number of rain days:	19
Historical Extremes for November   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.3	°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	22.4	°C (1933)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	521.5	mm (1874)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	53.5	mm (1981)

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METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

17 Nov 2025

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Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, 1,833 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total amount of US$9,186,660,000 were approved from January to October 2025. This indicates a decrease of 1.50% in the number of cases, but an increase of 41.28% in FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

With regard to inward investment from Mainland China, 16 cases were approved with an amount of US$102,270,000 from January to October 2025. This indicates a decrease of 48% in the number of cases, but an increase of 461.09% in the FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 688 projects were registered from January to October 2025 with a total amount of US$34,083,004,000, indicating an increase of 11.87%in the number of cases, but an decrease of 18.77% in the amount, as compared to the same period of 2024.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 190 applications have been approved from January to October 2025, indicating a decrease of 33.57% compared to the same period of 2024. The approved investment amount is US$984,217,000, 71.24% less than the same period in 2024.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Major Sports Events Committee today said it has awarded “M” Mark status to three sports events: bowling’s HKGX 2025 IBF World Championship; the Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2025; and the WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025, a table tennis event.

The HKGX 2025 IBF World Championships will be held from November 24 to December 5, the squash tournament will take place from December 1 to 7, while the table tennis event will be staged from December 10 to 14.

Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng highlighted that all three events promote local sports development and demonstrate Hong Kong’s strong capability in hosting international sporting events, further solidifying its status as an international sports events capital.