Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Family of brave deceased fireman given financial assistance
The late Mr Ho sacrificed his life on November 26, 2025, while conducting a search and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
The Chairman of the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others which approved the grant, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, paid tribute to the late Mr Ho for his gallant act.
“Mr Ho demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry to save and protect the lives of others, which commands our greatest respect,” Mr Sun said.
“We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant. The grant represents the Government’s recognition of the late Mr Ho’s gallantry and selflessness of the highest order.”
The Scheme was set up in January 2002 to provide financial assistance to family members of those who lost their lives when attempting to save or protect others. Under the Scheme, the amount of financial assistance for each approved application is worked out according to a formula having regard to the age, normal retirement age of the deceased and the prevailing median monthly employment earnings, with the minimum and maximum levels currently set at $6.15 million and $12.3 million respectively.
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Hong Kong Flower Show’s portrait photo shooting activity open for enrolment
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Flower Show’s portrait photo shooting activity open for enrolment
The portrait photo shooting activity is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB).
Interested persons may enrol through the My SmartPLAY App, the SmartPLAY webpage (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home
Additionally, there will also be a flower show photo competition entitled “A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong”. It aims to promote community greening with impressive photographs of flowers and plants on display, interesting or touching scenes captured at the showground, and portraits of TVB artistes and Miss Hong Kong titleholders with beautiful garden displays as a backdrop.
The photo competition is divided into three categories. Category A, Portrait of TVB Artistes and Miss Hong Kong, comprises Open and Student Sections, in which all entrants must enrol in the portrait photo shooting activity to be held at 3.30pm on March 19 at Victoria Park.
It is not necessary to sign up in advance for Category B, Flowers, and Category C, Snapshots. However, entrants are required to pay admission fees for taking photographs at the showground during the show period. Photographs must be related to this year’s flower show.
For details, please refer to the flower show webpage at www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2026/photo_rs.html
This year’s flower show will be held at Victoria Park for 10 days from March 20 to 29, running from 9am to 9pm daily, featuring the stock as its theme flower, under the theme “A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong”.
The flower show is organised by the LCSD. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the 14th consecutive year and has been its major sponsor since 2014.
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Aid to Ho Wai-ho’s family granted
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government announced today that $6.15 million will be granted to the family of Senior Fireman (Posthumous) Ho Wai-ho under the “Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others”.
The late fireman sacrificed his life on November 26 last year while participating in a search and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, who chairs the “Committee on Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others”, paid tribute to Mr Ho, whom he said commanded citizens’ greatest respect, having demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry in striving to save and protect the lives of others.
“We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant.”
The grant represents the Government’s recognition of the highest order of gallantry and selflessness shown by firefighter, Mr Sun added.
Set up in 2002, the scheme provides financial aid to family members of those who lose their lives in attempting to save or protect others. The sum approved in each application is worked out based on the age, normal retirement age of the deceased, and prevailing median monthly employment earnings. The minimum and maximum levels are currently set at $6.15 million and $12.3 million, respectively.
MOFA response to remarks made by Polish Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski regarding Taiwan
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to remarks made by Polish Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski regarding Taiwan
Date：2026-03-03
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
March 3, 2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, presented an annual report on foreign policy tasks at the Sejm on February 26. In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said that with a war raging on the other side of its border, it was natural for Poland to focus on its immediate neighborhood. However, he added that it would be wrong to ignore more distant partners. He mentioned strengthening strategic partnerships with the Republic of Korea and Japan and advancing security consultations with Australia and New Zealand. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski also stated that Poland remained consistently interested in technological cooperation with partners in Taiwan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung applauds Poland for its continued focus on the Indo-Pacific region and for highlighting its interest in technological collaboration with Taiwanese partners.
Taiwan and Poland share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Bilateral relations have continually advanced in recent years with strong support from all sectors. The two countries have cooperated closely in such spheres as economics, trade, legal affairs, education, culture, and biomedicine and have further promoted exchanges in fields including semiconductors, cybersecurity, and pandemic prevention. MOFA looks forward to continued technological collaboration between Taiwan and Poland. When fellow democracies work together on technology and democratic supply chains, it will generate added value for both sides and create shared benefits and prosperity.
MOFA to hold Taiwan Gender Equality Week in New York
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
March 3, 2026
No. 001
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in collaboration with Taiwanese nongovernmental organizations, will hold Taiwan Gender Equality Week (TGEW) in New York to coincide with the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) from March 9 to 19. Through TGEW events, Taiwan will showcase to the world its achievements and progress in advancing gender equality, demonstrating Taiwan’s robust institutional capabilities and deep cultural resilience.
The highlight of this year’s TGEW will be Taiwan Women’s Power and Cultural Night, to be held at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York at 18:00 on March 13. In line with this year’s CSW priority theme, “ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls,” a number of distinguished speakers will be invited to share Taiwan’s judicial reforms, policies, and institutional achievements under the framework of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The evening will include a jazz performance by Taiwanese marimbist Su Yu-han and Taiwanese-American drummer Wu Wen-ting. It will be live streamed on MOFA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
In addition, an exhibition will be held at the event. Featuring orchids as the main visual motif, the exhibition conveys flexibility, diversity, and cultural connectedness, highlighting Taiwan’s significant progress in gender equality, judicial reform, and international cooperation.
To further deepen engagement with the United Nations community, MOFA and the Foundation for Women’s Rights Promotion and Development have partnered with the STUF United Fund—an organization holding special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council—to convene the Taiwan Forum at 13:00 on March 12 at the STUF New York headquarters. The forum will focus on women leaders’ practical experiences in driving institutional innovation, strengthening governance resilience, and advancing inclusive participation.
This year, over 60 representatives from about 40 Taiwanese NGOs and local governments will hold more than 30 parallel events during the NGO CSW Forum. They will share Taiwan’s experiences and achievements in implementing gender equality initiatives with the international community.
A major highlight of this year’s initiative is MOFA’s first-ever film clip promotional campaign in New York during the CSW session. Beginning March 6, advertisements featuring the orchid motif, Taiwan imagery, and the slogan “Her Rights, Our Pride” will appear on top of New York City taxis, at bus stops, on linkNYC kiosks, and on subway station billboards. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness of Taiwan’s commitment to advancing gender equality, contribute to the celebration of women’s empowerment in New York, and put the spotlight on Taiwan.
MOFA will continue to encourage civil society to make Taiwan’s voice heard on the world stage by leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in gender equality. During the TGEW, everyone is welcome to use the hashtags #HerRightsOurPride and #TaiwanEmpoweringWomen and engage with MOFA’s Facebook page and X account so as to jointly raise awareness about Taiwan’s gender equality achievements and call for global sustainable development in areas including gender equality. (E)
MOFA response to French Minister Delegate for Europe Haddad reiterating France’s commitment to upholding freedom of navigation in Taiwan Strait
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to French Minister Delegate for Europe Haddad reiterating France’s commitment to upholding freedom of navigation in Taiwan Strait
Date：2026-02-27
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
February 27, 2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that on February 25 Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, stated that France was an active and engaged power in the Indo-Pacific and had conducted joint patrols in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea with the navies of the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries to uphold freedom of navigation. He added that France would continue to coordinate with its European partners to make safeguarding collective security and peace in the region a top priority. Minister Delegate Haddad made the remarks in response to questions about cross-strait security raised by Brigitte Devésa, Deputy Chair of the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group.
In her remarks, Deputy Chair Devésa pointed out that Taiwan had long been subjected to a wide range of threats from China. She added that a major crisis in the Taiwan Strait would have a severe impact on the European economy. Deputy Chair Devésa stressed that with democratic Taiwan under constant pressure from China, Europe should carefully consider a prudent response. She urged the French government and the European Union to assist Taiwan in countering China’s imperialism.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely thanks France for its continued attention to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan and France are like-minded partners that share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. They play key roles in maintaining a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan will continue to work closely with France and other democratic countries in taking concrete actions to uphold cross-strait peace and stability, defend the rules-based international order, and jointly promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world.
Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases by air of suspected precious metals worth about $233 million
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases by air of suspected precious metals worth about $233 million.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:30
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Company fined $66,500 for contravening Employment Ordinance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Company fined $66,500 for contravening Employment Ordinance
The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay an employee’s wages and payment in lieu of notice within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of the employment contract, as well as the end-of-year payment and annual leave pay within the statutory time limit, totalling about $1,122,000. The company also failed to pay the awarded sum of about $1,198,000 in total to the employee within 14 days after the date set by the Labour Tribunal (LT).
“The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay wages and termination payments to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO, as well as the sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board,” a spokesman for the LD said.
“The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.
Issued at HKT 17:03
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Tender results of re-opening of 1-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender results of re-opening of 1-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds
A total of RMB1.0 billion 1-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB11.400 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 11.40. The average price accepted is 100.18, implying an annualised yield of 1.358 per cent.
Tender results of 1-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
| Tender Date* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued. Note: The yields stated above are annualised yields. For reference, the semi-annualised yields corresponding to the average price accepted, lowest price accepted, and average tender price are 1.353 per cent, 1.424 per cent, and 1.499 per cent respectively. Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN Regulators launch GenA.I. Sandbox++ to foster AI innovation across financial servicesSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Regulators launch GenA.I. Sandbox++ to foster AI innovation across financial services NNNN |