MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA strongly condemns China for once again escalating tensions across Taiwan Strait and region through provocative, unilateral actions

Date：2025-12-29
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

December 29, 2025No. 545Issuing what it called a stern warning against “Taiwan independence separatist forces” and “external interference forces,” China’s People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command used this as a pretext to announce on December 29 the launch of the Justice Mission 2025 joint military exercise, which will be conducted around Taiwan from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 30.Such actions once again challenge the rules-based international order and will unilaterally inflict grave damage to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns the exercise and calls on China to immediately halt its groundless and provocative military activities.Recently, through a series of military exercises and confrontational actions by its aircraft and vessels, China has carried out a range of threatening activities and practiced gray-zone strategies in the waters and airspace of the Indo-Pacific region. This behavior fully demonstrates that China not only has no interest in maintaining global and regional peace and stability but also will continue to challenge the international order and disrupt the regional status quo time and again.Maintaining Taiwan Strait peace and stability is an international consensus and a key interest of many parties, yet China insists on using military exercises and other means to threaten Taiwan and neighboring countries—particularly those along the first island chain. This defies the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force set out in the UN Charter and violates international norms. In addition to severely harming peace, stability, and security throughout the Indo-Pacific, China’s continuing attempts to unilaterally undermine the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and the region will have a grave impact on global shipping and trade. MOFA calls on China to uphold its responsibilities as a great power and put an immediate halt to its bullying.As a responsible member of the international community and the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded nations to jointly safeguard global and regional peace, stability, and prosperous development. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides satellite broadcast information for the 2025–2026 Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve Fireworks worldwide

Date：2025-12-26
Data Source：Department of International Information Services

December 26, 2025  
No. 078  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is providing satellite broadcast information for the 2025–2026 Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve Fireworks event, enabling television networks and online media around the world to download and broadcast the event  starting at 11:55 p.m. on December 31 (Taipei time). The satellite information has been forwarded to local media through Taiwan’s overseas missions worldwide and has also been made available to international media correspondents based in Taiwan.
 
This year marks the first time that the Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve fireworks display has been designed in tandem with original music compositions. In collaboration with the Taipei Music Center, music has been integrated into the firework design, enhancing the overall narrative and visual experience of the show with synchronized sound and light. The entire display comprises five main segments and as the music progresses, fireworks unfold gradually, showcasing diverse color variations and rhythmic transitions in a performance that merges music with visual art.
 
Highlights from the display will be edited and uploaded to the publicly available Ministry of Foreign Affairs Trending Taiwan YouTube channel. (Trending Taiwan YouTube channel website: www.youtube.com/trendingtaiwan).
 
Over the years, the Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve fireworks show has made a strong international impression and has become one of the world’s most instantly recognizable New Year celebrations, receiving extensive coverage from global media. The event has continued to innovate by combining music and multimedia, showcasing Taiwan’s urban vitality and cultural creativity, and presenting a vivid and diverse image of Taiwan to the world. (E)
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation from Japanese House of Councillors

Date：2025-12-23
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

December 23, 2025No. 542Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on December 22 met with a delegation from the Japanese House of Councillors’ Taiwan friendship group (TY Group) led by Councillor Hirofumi Takinami. They exchanged views on such issues as promoting Taiwan-Japan cooperation in third countries, disaster prevention, and economic and trade cooperation.In his remarks, Minister Lin began by welcoming Mr. Takinami and thanking him for once again leading members of the friendship group to Taiwan. Noting that Taiwan and Japan were both situated at key positions along the first island chain and faced pressure from China, Minister Lin said that the two countries maintained not only close security ties but also a staunch economic and trade partnership. He remarked that Taiwan and Japan shared complementary industrial frameworks and said that he hoped they would collaborate to jointly support national development in third countries. In addition, he observed that Taiwan and Japan both faced challenges posed by natural disasters and said that the two countries could deepen collaboration in disaster prevention so as to improve societal resilience.Moving on to discuss Taiwan’s involvement in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Minister Lin pointed out that Taiwan had met the standards required for accession to the agreement. He said that he hoped Japan would continue to demonstrate leadership and assist in initiating Taiwan’s accession negotiations as soon as possible so as to jointly create regional prosperity.During his remarks, Mr. Takinami shared his experience of serving as the head of the household registration issues task force at the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, explaining that he had encouraged Japan’s Ministry of Justice to amend regulations to allow Taiwan to be listed as an option on Japanese household registration documents. He added that he was pleased to see growing support for Taiwan throughout the House of Councillors. Members of the delegation also exchanged views with Minister Lin on sports, cycling, and local exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.The TY Group is one of several Taiwan-friendly bodies in the House of Councillors. It sends regular annual delegations to Taiwan and works to advance its members’ understanding of the latest political and economic developments in Taiwan. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

December 21, 2025Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung led a Taiwan-Palau coprosperity economic and trade delegation to the Republic of Palau from December 18 to 21. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited representatives from Taiwan’s tourism, electronics, healthcare, and green energy industries to join the delegation so that they could investigate opportunities for collaboration in Palau.During the visit, Minister Lin called on Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr.; Minister of State Gustav Aitaro; and other senior officials. Minister Lin also witnessed the signing of an MOU by the president of a Taiwanese enterprise and the governor of Melekeok State on investment cooperation to launch Palau’s premier golf course, forming a concrete example of bilateral collaboration on advancing coprosperity.In recent years, Palau has actively promoted the blue economy and green tourism, which aligns closely with Taiwan’s philosophy on sustainable development. The two countries founded the Taiwan-Palau Coprosperity Project based on the mutual trust and exchanges accumulated over the past year. In January of this year, Minister Lin, in his capacity as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy, led an industry delegation to attend President Whipps’s inauguration, demonstrating the importance Taiwan attached to its diplomatic alliance with Palau and its resolve to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation. This May, President Whipps led a delegation to Taiwan to tour eco-friendly golf courses, green energy parks, and medical institutions, as well as to attend the launching ceremony of a zero-emissions vessel. His visit highlighted the strong emphasis Palau places on tourism, sustainable development, and healthcare.The delegation led by Minister Lin was highly regarded by the Palauan government. In addition to a welcome banquet hosted by President Whipps and the First Lady, the members received a warm reception from Cabinet officials, traditional leaders, members of the Senate and House of Delegates, and other dignitaries during this fact-finding mission.As Palau will host the Pacific Islands Forum next year, Taiwan will leverage this significant multilateral event to promote cooperation with like-minded nations and showcase to the international community the concrete results of coprosperity and mutual benefit shared by Taiwan and its Pacific allies.Minister Lin’s delegation successfully facilitated tangible investments by Taiwanese enterprises in Palau, serving as an exemplary model of public-private partnership. Minister Lin stated that MOFA would continue to encourage Taiwan’s private sector investment in diplomatic allies through the Co-prosperity Project. He also asserted that Taiwan would continue assisting Palau in developing its smart healthcare, sports talent, clean energy, and sustainable tourism, taking them to the next level. He lauded these efforts for showcasing Taiwan’s active contributions to the Pacific region and ensuring that Taiwan’s experience would be realized in Palau and seen by the world. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The legal departments of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region today officially launched the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Arbitrator Panel and the Greater Bay Area Mediator Panel 2025.

According to the Department of Justice (DoJ), these panels, comprising 143 arbitrators and 233 mediators, will strengthen professional collaboration and dispute resolution expertise in the GBA.

The DoJ stated that these panels will maximise regional resource advantages and align the arbitration and mediation regulatory frameworks across the three jurisdictions while establishing unified GBA standards.

Ultimately, the DoJ intends for the panels to strengthen the region’s multifaceted dispute resolution mechanism.

The panels were jointly established by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s DoJ, the Guangdong Province’s Department of Justice, and the Macao SAR Government’s Office of the Secretary for Administration & Justice.

They were endorsed at the GBA Legal Departments Joint Conference.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong continues to rank within the top 20 in “Operational Efficiency” and in the second quintile in “Regulatory Framework” and “Public Services”, according to the World Bank Group’s Business Ready 2025 Report.

This year’s report expanded its scope from 50 to more than 100 economies, assessing each business environment across three primary pillars and ten specific topics.

In response to the report, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said that the assessment results for areas such as “International Trade”, “Financial Services” and “Dispute Resolution” differ from the highly positive evaluations and rankings awarded to Hong Kong by many other international organisations.

The Government also noted that the report’s assessment methodology may lead to comparisons that are both outdated and unfair.

Using the “Operational Efficiency” pillar as an example, Hong Kong’s assessment relied on data collected shortly after the pandemic in 2023, whereas data for other economies was gathered in 2024.

Given that this year’s report is still in its pilot phase, the Government noted potential issues with methodology and data comparability. The Government said it will remain in contact with the World Bank Group to clarify Hong Kong’s business environment and relevant policy measures.

The Government added that it will offer constructive feedback to refine future reports.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau announced today that an open tender will be launched tomorrow for a pilot area under large-scale land disposal in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK) of the Northern Metropolis.

 

This pilot area covers about 11 hectares, comprising three residential sites and three Enterprise & Technology Park (E&TP) sites. Together, they can supply about 3,120 flats, and about 280,000 sq m of industrial floor space.

 

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn told reporters this afternoon that a two-envelope approach will be taken, given the industrial orientation of the Northern Metropolis. This means that bidders will be asked to submit their technical and financial proposals separately.

 

She stated: “The weighting for land premium is only 30 per cent; the remaining 70 per cent is for non-premium proposal where the assessment criteria focus on the development of the E&TP sites, including whether strategic industries are developed, whether leading enterprises are introduced, development speed, investment scale, employment opportunities to be created, etc.”

 

Tenderers must bid to develop and operate one E&TP site and can opt to develop and operate one or both of the E&TP sites at the same time. A tenderer willing to tender for and operate more industrial sites will get higher marks.

 

The successful tenderer can elect to pay 25% of the land premium within 28 days of the tender being awarded and settle the remaining 75% within three years, with no interest charged during this period.

 

Moreover, tenderers that elect to pay the land premium in stages will be allowed to offset up to 75% when surrendering land within the Northern Metropolis that the Government intends to resume.

 

Ms Linn said these arrangements can reduce cash flow pressures on enterprises.

 

The tender invitation will last for a period of about six months, closing on July 3, 2026.

 

Land sale documents will be made available tomorrow on the Lands Department’s website.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau announced today the establishment of Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (the Park Company), which will be responsible for the development and operations of the approximately 23-hectare industry park in the Northern Metropolis.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said development of the Northern Metropolis is industry driven. To attract industries, the government uses traditional land sales, in-situ land exchanges, and large-scale land disposal.

The new, wholly government-owned Park Company will provide another tool, allowing the government to participate directly in development and operation, leverage market forces, and adopt public-private partnerships to accelerate industrial growth in the Northern Metropolis.

The Park Company has four major objectives: capitalise on the locational advantage of Hung Shui Kiu to drive the development of competitive industries with the support of the Government; masterplan the overall development of the industry park; build the park infrastructure; and provide value-added services to support the growth of enterprises and develop a vibrant industry ecosystem.

The Park Company will also adopt diversified public-private partnership models and use the Government’s preferential policy packages to attract investment and enterprises to establish footholds in the industry park.

Brownfield operators affected by government development will also receive support from the Park Company to move up the value chain.

The Board of Directors (BoD) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Park Company will be appointed on the approval of the Chief Executive.

The BoD comprises five official directors and around 10 non-official directors, including a chairperson to be appointed from the non-official directors. The five official directors include the directors of policy bureaus relevant to the development of the Park Company, including: the Secretary for Development; the Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury; the Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry; and the Secretary for Transport & Logistics.

The Government will participate directly in the major decisions of the Park Company through the official directors. The non-official directors will come from diverse backgrounds and sectors, allowing the Park Company to draw on expertise from outside the Government.

The bureau will seek the approval of the Chief Executive in Council later for granting the approximately 23 hectares of industry sites in Hung Shui Kiu at nil premium to the Park Company.

It will also shortly seek the approval of the Town Planning Board for rezoning these sites to designate a park-specific zoning tailored for the industry park, as well as increase land-use flexibility by widening the permitted uses to cover various suitable industries and supporting facilities.

Upon approval by the Legislative Council, the Government will inject initial capital into the Park Company to support its initial operational and development needs. The specific amount of capital injection will be announced in the 2026-27 Budget.

The Park Company is required to operate and manage the industry park in a financially sustainable manner and expand its business revenue, with a view to achieving financial sustainability in the long term.

The Park Company will develop the land in phases through different development models. Apart from developing part of the land for building and leasing industry facilities, the Park Company may dispose of some land by tender for enterprises to construct topside industry facilities on their own, and employ other approaches to co-develop and co-invest in individual projects with enterprises.

The bureau intends to begin an open recruitment for a CEO next month, as well as complete preparatory work in the first half of next year, including rezoning and granting of the land, seeking funding approval for the capital injection to the Park Company, appointing the BoD and the CEO, and recruiting other key staff. The Park Company is targeting mid-2026 to commence operations.

Source: Government of Singapore

Timbre + Hawkers Private Limited (THPL) will hand over the operations and minimise disruptions to existing stallholders.
Patrons can continue to have access to food offerings at OPHC.

Singapore, 29 December 2025 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be calling an open tender in January 2026 to appoint a new operator for One Punggol Hawker Centre (OPHC).

2           The current operator, Timbre + Hawkers Private Limited (THPL), will conclude its tenancy on 14 August 2026. By that time, THPL would have fulfilled its initial two-year tenancy and completed two of the three years of its second term. THPL had indicated that the tenancy posed challenges for its ongoing operations at OPHC. Following discussions between NEA and THPL, both parties agreed to the 14 August 2026 end date.

3             THPL has committed to uphold the vibrancy of OPHC until the conclusion of the tenancy. In line with the agreement to bring in a new operator, THPL will not be participating in this open tender. NEA will work closely with THPL and the incoming operator to ensure minimal disruption to stallholders and patrons during this transition. 

4              The well-being of existing individual stallholders is a priority for NEA. To provide stability and assurance, the new operator will be required to retain all existing individual stallholders who wish to continue their operations for at least two years. During this period, current rental rates will be maintained for the first year, with any subsequent adjustments capped at market-valued rental averages.

5               NEA remains committed to supporting hawkers and patrons while continuously improving Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres (SEHC) to better serve the community. 

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