MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In response to media enquiries on cremation service, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) gave the following response today (November 10):

The FEHD is committed to providing the public with efficient and dignified cremation service. It has been the FEHD’s performance pledge a cremation session within the next 15 days will be made available to the applicant from the day of application, and the FEHD has been fully meeting the above-mentioned performance pledge over the years. Currently, there is a total of some 350 cremation sessions available at different crematoria from tomorrow (November 11) to November 25. Applications can be submitted online anytime or in person during office hours. Basically, all applicants will be assigned a cremation session immediately, and there are no cases that the applicant cannot obtain a cremation session within 15 days.

Service demands vary with dates and the crematoria. The demand for cremation sessions on holidays and at urban crematoria is generally higher. The FEHD has been closely monitoring the overall supply of cremation sessions to ensure availability of sessions within the 15-day period concerned.

The FEHD has been actively enhancing the quality of various burial services in the recent years. For example, the FEHD has launched the Platform for Cemeteries and Crematoria Services (service platform) (app.fehd.gov.hk/ccsp) with the electronic application process streamlined and personalised services offered. Members of the public can submit applications for all cemeteries and crematoria services managed by the FEHD via the service platform, including cremation services, allocation of public niches, cemetery services, green burial, cremation or keeping services for abortus, free memorial sails and the establishment of the Internet Memorial Service Website (Advanced Planning Version).

Members of the public can also create an integrated service account on the service platform to manage after-death arrangements for multiple deceased individuals, reducing cumbersome procedures. Users can manage multiple applications for the same deceased in a single account and track the application progress of each service at a glance. The service platform supports multiple electronic payment methods, saving time for the public by eliminating the need to visit cemetery and crematorium offices in person for applications and fee payments.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 15th National Games (NG) in Hong Kong have completed their first two competition events: the beach volleyball and men’s handball competitions, today (November 10). A total of three gold medals were awarded in these two events.

The beach volleyball competition took place at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, featuring 104 athletes from 52 teams across the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao in men’s and women’s events. The women’s finals were completed on November 8, and the men’s finals concluded this evening. The winning teams are as follows:

Men’s group:

Gold	Jiangsu team
Silver	Liaoning team
Bronze	Shandong team

 
Women’s group：

Gold	Fujian team
Silver	Nanjing Sport Institute team
Bronze	Xinjiang team

 
The men’s handball competition was held at the Kai Tak Arena of the Kai Tak Sports Park, with nearly 180 athletes from 10 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao participating. All matches concluded this evening, and the gold, silver, and bronze medal winners have been determined. The winning teams are as follows:
 

Gold	Jiangsu team
Silver	Anhui team
Bronze	Beijing team

​Regarding other competition events in Hong Kong, the basketball (Men’s U22) event commenced today, with over 150 athletes from 13 teams from the Mainland and Hong Kong participating. Among them, Hong Kong sends 16 athletes to compete. Events in rugby sevens, golf, track cycling, triathlon, and fencing will also begin this week. Members of the public are welcome to purchase tickets to watch the competitions and cheer for the athletes in person. Tickets can be purchased through various channels, including the 15th NG official ticketing website (ticket.baygames.cn) or by searching for the “15th NG official ticketing” official mini programme on WeChat, after completing a real-name account registration. Additionally, the public can visit 11 designated sales outlets (ww2.ctshk.com/articleDetail?id=4&channelId=-1) of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited to buy paper tickets for events in the Hong Kong competition region. Physical tickets for events held at the relevant venues are also available at the competition area ticket office. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To enhance public and voters’ awareness and understanding of candidates across various constituencies for the Legislative Council General Election (LCGE), to raise the level of attention of the community and to encourage proactive voting, the Government will organise a series of “Patriots Collaborate for Good Governance” 2025 Legislative Council election forums starting from tomorrow (November 11). There will be a total of 39 forums, covering the Election Committee constituency, 10 geographical constituencies and 28 functional constituencies.
 
     Candidates and voters of the respective constituencies of all geographical constituencies, functional constituencies and the Election Committee constituency, as well as members of the public will be invited to attend the forums. The format of the forums, which may comprise self-introduction by candidates, mobilisation of campaign teams, a question-and-answer session and a debate on a specified topic, will be tailored according primarily to the respective constituencies. Candidates will be able to fully present their election platforms, viewpoints on different topics, visions and aspirations. Details of the forums are at the annex.
 
     The forums will be broadcast live on Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) TV 31 and RTHK Radio 1. At the same time, live streaming of the forums will be available online via the website of RTHK (rthk.hk) and the Facebook page of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (www.facebook.com/cmab.gov.hk). Other media organisations will also be invited to cover the forums.
 
     A government spokesman said, “as the Chief Executive has stated, the eighth LCGE is a significant event as Hong Kong is advancing from stability to prosperity. It is a major undertaking for accelerating Hong Kong’s economic development and improving people’s livelihoods; and a matter of great importance to each and every Hong Kong citizen. By organising these election forums, the Government aims to provide open and equal opportunities for each candidate to present to the public and voters their election platforms and policy visions, so that voters will be able to make their best choices to vote. We encourage voters to pay more attention to candidates’ performance in the forums to deepen their understanding of the candidates in order to elect outstanding individuals with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, proven capabilities, a sense of responsibility and a passion to serve the public to be Legislative Council members of the new term.”
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government further calls upon all candidates to uphold a quality electoral culture, and to foster a quality democracy that is practical, fair, orderly and politically inclusive. Candidates should aim to seek voters’ support by competing on expertise, election platforms, visions, commitment and contributions, and work in collaboration with the Government to encourage all eligible voters to cast their votes and to create a brighter future for Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive announced in the 2025 Policy Address the establishment of the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong. The Task Force held its first meeting today (November 10). At the meeting, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, introduced the “Study in Hong Kong” and “Study Tour in Hong Kong” brands, the cultivation and attraction of innovation and technology talent, and comprehensive support for talent, among other policy initiatives and work plans. 

Dr Choi said, “With a distinctive competitive edge in post-secondary education, Hong Kong is the only city worldwide that hosts five universities ranked among the world’s top 100. The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent. To further promote related work, we will strengthen co-ordination through this Task Force to roll out the large-scale publicity campaign, ‘Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus’. By developing targeted promotional strategies, we will ‘go global together’ and promote Hong Kong’s higher education and quality resources in areas such as academic studies, scientific research, and international co-operation to attract more outstanding students and scholars to study or conduct research in Hong Kong.”

“Hong Kong’s quality post-secondary education has been highly popular among non-local students. The Government wishes to further expand the internationalisation of basic education and promote the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ and ‘Study Tour in Hong Kong’ brands to primary and secondary schools. We will continue to deepen Hong Kong’s role as an international hub for post-secondary education and a converging point of global talent, seize opportunities, and leverage strengths for contribution to the development of Hong Kong and the country,” Dr Choi added.

The Task Force will encourage post-secondary institutions to take part in and organise overseas activities (especially in countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries) and enhance publicity, as well as teacher and student recruitment, overseas and on the Mainland. It will also actively promote the signing of student exchange agreements between post-secondary institutions and institutions around the world, including providing more exchange and learning opportunities outside Hong Kong so that students can benefit from an internationalised learning environment to broaden their horizons while studying in a local campus during their studies.

At the meeting, the Task Force also invited the overseas Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) to proactively encourage post-secondary institutions or stakeholders in various regions to participate in the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference and Exhibition to be held in Hong Kong, and tell good stories about Hong Kong education and promote the “Study in Hong Kong” and “Study Tour in Hong Kong” brands as well as the B&R Scholarship. 
​
The Task Force is chaired by the Secretary for Education, with members including the University Grants Committee, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau/the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Labour and Welfare Bureau/Hong Kong Talent Engage, the ETOs and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau/the Mainland Offices. The Task Force will also invite other stakeholders such as representatives from post-secondary institutions to participate as needed.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Regional Regulatory Forum Dinner Reception today (November 10):
 
David (Chairman of the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC), Dr David Sun), Janey (Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the AFRC, Ms Janey Lai), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good evening. It is my honour to join you all tonight at this dinner reception. First of all, I extend a warm welcome to all guests who have gathered here from near and far. Your presence and active participation in this forum send a strong message of confidence and firm support for Hong Kong’s capital markets, reflecting the deep trust placed in our city as a leading international financial centre.
 
Hong Kong’s accounting profession underpins its position as a global financial hub, with a robust and highly regulated community of practitioners. There were over 48 000 certified public accountants, of whom around 5 000 held practicing certificates authorising them to sign auditors’ reports, at end of October this year. Supporting this talent pool are approximately 1 200 registered audit firms and 700 corporate practices overseen by the AFRC. This strong professional infrastructure not only ensures rigorous financial oversight but also enhances Hong Kong’s competitive edge in cross-boundary wealth management and international capital markets.
 
This evening is not only a celebration of dedication and expertise but an opportunity to reflect on the pressing issues that shape the future of our financial markets and profession. Over the course of today’s fruitful discussions, we have explored critical aspects of governance that help to build trust and strengthen the resilience of our capital markets. These conversations remind us of the vital role that robust frameworks and ethical leadership play in sustaining market integrity and investor confidence.
 
Sustainability reporting in Hong Kong
 
Equally prominent were the dialogues on sustainability disclosure, emphasising how stakeholder engagement is essential to cultivating transparent and reliable reporting. As Hong Kong intensifies its commitment to sustainable finance, clear and meaningful communication remains fundamental to driving real progress and fostering trust from our investors. On this front, we introduced the “Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong” last December. This initiative aims to guide key public interest entities toward full adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board Standards by 2028, establishing a consistent global framework for sustainability reporting. 
 
     The AFRC has played a significant role in promoting sustainability assurance. The AFRC’s forthcoming public consultation on a proposed local regulatory framework for sustainability assurance represents an important step forward, underscoring our dedication to aligning Hong Kong’s regulations with global standards and advancing the profession’s development.
 
The forum has also highlighted quality challenges that the accounting and auditing sectors face in pursuit of long-term sustainability. Maintaining high professional standards is the backbone of our industry’s credibility, and addressing these challenges requires continuous vigilance, innovation, and collaboration. Another interesting topic covered at the forum was the profound impact of technological breakthroughs, especially artificial intelligence (AI), on accounting and auditing practices. The AI revolution presents both extraordinary opportunities and complex risks. Navigating this new landscape demands that we adapt our skills, frameworks, and regulatory approaches to ensure that technology enhances confidence in financial reporting.
 
Hong Kong’s strategic response
 
Hong Kong stands ready to meet these challenges head-on. We recognise that strengthening governance, improving disclosure as well as embracing innovation are not standalone goals but interconnected efforts vital for our sustained success as an international financial centre. Hong Kong has consistently benefited from strong national backing and extensive global connections. Through sustained efforts to enhance our financial infrastructure, Hong Kong has secured the top position in the Infrastructure pillar of the Global Financial Centres Index 38. These achievements demonstrate the confidence investors have in our financial markets and further solidify Hong Kong’s position as a key “super connector” linking Chinese Mainland with international markets.
 
Building on our strong regulatory foundations, we continue to refine policies to improve transparency and accountability, while embracing the major trends, such as fintech and green finance, to keep pace with the development of the market. For instance, we are proactively seizing the vast potential of fintech by building on the momentum of Project Ensemble, which facilitates live trading of tokenised assets and standardising the issuance of tokenised bonds.
 
The AFRC has a crucial part to play, which expertise, diligence, and integrity underpin the trust that global investors place in our markets. As new technologies reshape workflows and new sustainability expectations redefine disclosure norms, the role of the AFRC will grow even more indispensable in safeguarding the reliability of our financial ecosystem.
 
Hong Kong’s future as a premier financial hub depends on our ability to merge tradition with innovation, uphold rigorous quality standards, and promote open engagement between all market participants. The insights shared today will guide us in thinking deeper about professional development agendas, ensuring that Hong Kong continues to offer a world-class platform for capital formation.
 
In closing, let me express my excitement to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council for convening this important forum. My sincere thanks to all speakers, panelists, and attendees for your commitment to advancing excellence in governance, sustainability, quality, and technology within accounting and finance. Let tonight be an occasion to strengthen our connections, inspire new ideas, and renew our shared dedication to building a trusted and forward-looking financial market. 
 
Last but not least, I encourage all financial market participants to actively participate in the coming Legislative Council General Election on December 7 by casting your votes. It is of utmost importance for accelerating the development of Hong Kong’s economy and our markets. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said today it has fulfilled its performance pledge over the years by offering cremation sessions to applicants within 15 days of their applications.

The department was commenting in response to media enquiries about cremation services, and iterated that it is committed to providing the public with efficient and dignified cremation services.

It also highlighted that some 350 cremation sessions are available at different crematoria from tomorrow to November 25.

Applications can be submitted online at any time, or in person during office hours. The department stressed that all applicants are assigned a cremation session immediately, and that there are no instances in which applicants cannot obtain a cremation session within 15 days.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The first two competition events of the 15th National Games to be staged in Hong Kong – namely beach volleyball and men’s handball – concluded today.

The beach volleyball competition took place at Victoria Park and featured 104 athletes, representing 52 teams from across the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, in men’s and women’s events.

The men’s finals concluded this evening, with the Jiangsu team, the Liaoning team and the Shandong team claiming gold, silver and bronze respectively. The women’s finals took place on Saturday.

The men’s handball competition was held at the Kai Tak Sports Park’s Kai Tak Arena, and featured nearly 180 athletes from 10 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau. The Jiangsu team, the Anhui team and the Beijing team took the gold, silver and bronze medals.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, met the media on the determination results of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee on the 2025 Legislative Council General Election this afternoon (November 10). Following are the remarks by Mr Tsang at the media session:
 
Reporter: We would like to ask about the arrangement for election forums. In the previous elections, the government has not spelled out the structures and arrangements of each forum. But why would the government have such an arrangement this time, and why do you ditch the arrangement for the candidates to questioning each other? Thank you.
 
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: We have stressed once and again that the government attaches great importance to the successful conduct of the LegCo election. For this time, we would like to organise and conduct the election forum so as to let our citizens and our voters to have a better understanding of the election platforms and also the beliefs of candidates, so that they can consider how to make that choice in voting.

     So this time, in terms of the scale, in terms of the organisation, that we trusted the government to organise such an election forum would be better. We decided to make the arrangement to organise the election forum this time. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source:

Lau Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to Lagi Keresoma JAWS President to Seiuli Francis Vaegalepa Vice President thank you for inviting us this morning. To distinguished colleagues from the media and diplomatic corp very warm good morning to you all. Ou te faatalofa atu ile taitai ole sauniga, vasega tusitala, faapea le mamalu ole auvalaaulia ua potopoto lenei taeao. Lagona lava le fiafia e auai ile faamoemoe ma faia le lauga autu, o lea faapena ona faaperetania atu.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today, I am deeply honoured for the invitation to be part of this ceremony. Before I begin, let me extend my deepest condolences for the recent passing of Rudy Bartley a former President of JAWS.

Although I did not know Mr. Bartley personally but, I have learnt of his significant contribution to the media in Samoa, and his close collaboration with Australia in the form of PACMAS in previous years on media-related work.

His legacy will no doubt continue to inspire many, and I think he would be proud of the milestone that we are celebrating here today. I want to congratulate the journalists of Samoa through the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) for the official opening of its headquarters.

This office space will serve as a vital hub for dialogue, collaboration and innovation in the media sector in Samoa. It will create new opportunities for growth and will help strengthen the principles of a free and independent press.

I’m proud that Australia was able to support this initiative through the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme, known as PACMAS. The world’s media environment faces great challenges whether those are misinformation or disinformation or fragmentation of the media landscape, and social media.

For Australia’s part and I know this sentiment is shared by all democratic nations, our partnership with Pacific media is deep and longstanding. PACMAS supports enhanced skills, training and professional development, ensuring the diverse, independent, and resilient Pacific media sector.

In Samoa, we are proud to have tailored our support to deliver training in advance of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and before the election this year.

Being a watchdog in any society is not an easy task sometimes thankless, it requires courage, requires integrity, and persistence. Yet you know it, as we know it, it is one of the most vital pillars of any democratic nation.

We seek, as I know Samoa seeks and our democratic partners seek as well, a media environment that is rooted in our shared democratic values as well Truth, trust, transparency and respect, to the journalists here today you have a vital in keeping the government of the day to account, giving voice to the voiceless and ensuring transparency.

Australia strongly reaffirms its support for Samoa’s journalists and their right to report without fear or favour.

Manuia ma ia soifua.

November 10, 2025

Source:

KEYNOTE ADDRESS by Minister of Finance Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale – Molio’o

Talofa lava,

Reverend,

Honourable Ministers,

Your Excellency Will Robinson, members of the diplomatic corp,

President Lagi Keresoma,

Vice President Seiuli Francis Vaigalepa, members of JAWS,

friends of the media,

ladies and gentlemen

The Heart of a Nation Lies in Its Ethics

“O tala ma fa’aupuga, e fausia ai se aiga, se nu’u ma se atunu’u words and truth build a nation.”

And it is truth held with integrity that sustains it.

Every society is measured not only by its power, but by its principles. And nowhere is that principle more tested than in the space between truth and influence between the story that serves, and the story that sells.

We are here today not just to open an office, but to reaffirm a standard that good journalism is not defined by the number of readers, but by the weight of its integrity.

Ethics is not the shadow of journalism; it is its spine.

It is what gives this profession dignity and what gives the public its trust.

The media is both a mirror and a protector.

It reflects our nation back to itself its struggles, its hopes, its character.

But it must also protect not by shielding power, but by shielding truth from distortion.

In the stories you tell about women and children, you shape how Samoa sees its soul.

When we report on pain, we must do so with purpose.

When we uncover harm, we must do so with humanity.

A victim’s story is not a headline to exploit it is a call to compassion. Yet we must also acknowledge a growing challenge when truth is bent for attention, or stories are shaped to stir rather than to serve.

When facts are twisted to fit a narrative, trust is the first to break. Our people deserve reporting that enlightens, not entangles; that builds understanding, not confusion.

Because when truth is lost, every voice including the media’s loses its power.

When we reduce pain to spectacle, we wound twice first the person, then the public.

But when we report with dignity, we turn suffering into strength, and the nation rises.

In my time as Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, one truth has shaped every decision: leadership like journalism must be grounded in empathy.

We must learn to see through the eyes of the heart.

Because the heart brings clarity.

It sees the issue, not just the person.

It understands that the goal is not to condemn, but to correct; not to shame, but to shape; not to expose for attention, but to reveal for change.

That is what it means to name to change, not to shame.

That is what it means to practice ethical journalism with humanity.

Today, more than half of Samoa’s population are social-media users most of them women, around 53 percent.

But in our rural communities, four in ten households still lack internet access.

So the stories shared online are often the ones that shape how the nation thinks, feels, and acts.

Our data remind us of the weight of that responsibility:

One in eight Samoan women has faced intimate-partner violence in the past year.

Nine in ten children have experienced violent discipline at home in the past month.

These are not numbers for shock value they are human lives calling for responsible storytelling.

We do not report these truths to sensationalise we report them to humanise.

To remind Samoa that every woman and child deserves protection, not pity; visibility, not violation.

Good Media and True Partnership

Good media uplifts and enlightens.

It questions with courage but reports with care. It holds leaders accountable, but never forgets the dignity of those it writes about.

As Samoa advances under the Pathway for the Development of Samoa (PDS 2021–2026) and our national vision Aiga Manuia, Nu‘u Manuia, Healthy Families, Resilient Communities, the media must continue to stand as a partner in protection not as a commentator on crisis alone, but as a catalyst for conscience.

When government and media walk together in truth and respect, our people rise with us.

“Let our stories be sails, not swords. Let them catch the winds of wisdom, not cut through the hearts of the people. For when truth walks with grace, a nation finds its light again.”

As we open this office today, may it remind us that journalism at its best is not merely about what is seen, but about what it helps our people to see more clearly. Behind every story is a person, a family, a truth and how we tell that story determines whether we build or break.

On behalf of the Government of Samoa,

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Journalist Association of Samoa.

May this new home be a sanctuary of courage, conscience, and compassion.

Fa‘afetai tele lava, ma ia manuia!

November 10, 2025