MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 10) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index (MGI) for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November was 0.9 per cent, lower than the 2.2 per cent recorded in October. This reflects the continued efforts by relevant government departments to intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations, resulting in the improvement of the overall mosquito infestation situation this month. In addition, the FEHD has strengthened the dissemination of information on the gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes so that more citizens can quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation. The department will continue its mosquito control work to further reduce the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF) and dengue fever (DF).

     In November, all 64 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index (AGI) lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. The decreases in the MGI and the AGI are attributable to the continuous and intensified mosquito prevention and elimination operations by various government departments and stakeholders, and may also have been affected by factors such as weather. The monthly rainfall was 7.0 millimetres in November, showing a substantial decrease from the 31.2mm in October and 528.7mm in September. Overall, the MGI for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November was 0.9 per cent, at Level 1 (indicating the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the survey areas was not extensive). Relevant departments and stakeholders will persistently intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
Result of the tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on December 10, 2025: 
 

Tender Result
*********
Tender Date	:	December 10, 2025
Bonds available for Tender	:	2-year RMB Bonds
Issuer	:	The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China
Issue Number	:	BCMKFB25004 (Further Issuance)
Issue and Settlement Date	:	December 12, 2025
Maturity Date	:	February 21, 2027 (or the closest coupon payment date)
Coupon Rate	:	1.75 per cent
Application Amount	:	RMB 11,571 million
Issue Amount	:	RMB 2,000 million
Average Accepted Price	:	100.39
Lowest Accepted Price	:	100.38
Highest Accepted Price	:	100.47
Allocation Ratio (At Lowest Accepted Price)	:	Approximately 82.50 per cent

 

*********
Tender Date	:	December 10, 2025
Bonds available for Tender	:	3-year RMB Bonds
Issuer	:	The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China
Issue Number	:	BCMKFB25005 (Further Issuance)
Issue and Settlement Date	:	December 12, 2025
Maturity Date	:	February 21, 2028 (or the closest coupon payment date)
Coupon Rate	:	1.80 per cent
Application Amount	:	RMB 11,640 million
Issue Amount	:	RMB 3,000 million
Average Accepted Price	:	100.79
Lowest Accepted Price	:	100.75
Highest Accepted Price	:	100.96
Allocation Ratio (At Lowest Accepted Price)	:	Approximately 42.78 per cent

 

*********
Tender Date	:	December 10, 2025
Bonds available for Tender	:	5-year RMB Bonds
Issuer	:	The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China
Issue Number	:	BCMKFB25006 (Further Issuance)
Issue and Settlement Date	:	December 12, 2025
Maturity Date	:	February 21, 2030 (or the closest coupon payment date)
Coupon Rate	:	1.88 per cent
Application Amount	:	RMB 13,306 million
Issue Amount	:	RMB 2,000 million
Average Accepted Price	:	101.03
Lowest Accepted Price	:	100.92
Highest Accepted Price	:	101.53
Allocation Ratio (At Lowest Accepted Price)	:	Approximately 33.33 per cent

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (December 10) that, starting from January 1, 2026, all submitted applications for a Closed Road Permit (CRP) for cross-boundary vehicles will be issued with a longer validity period to better align with the validity period of respective cross-boundary quotas or up to 60 months at most, whichever is shorter, providing additional convenience and efficiency for cross-boundary travel as quota holders need not apply for annual renewals.

     In addition, from the same day, the CRP fees will also be adjusted based on the cost-recovery principle:
 

Vehicle type	Fee per month for CRP valid for less than 12 months ($) (Note)	Flat rate fees for CRP valid for 12 to 60 months ($)
Private car	62	744
Goods vehicle or bus	49	588

Note: Any part of a month counting as one month

     For applications received on or before December 31, 2025, the validity period of the CRP issued will remain no more than 12 months, and the CRP fees will be kept at the existing levels.

     To streamline processes, from January 1, 2026, cross-boundary private cars permitted to use more than one land-based boundary control point (BCP) will be issued with a single CRP covering all BCPs concerned.

     A spokesman for the TD said that the Government is committed to enhancing the CRP arrangements to bring greater convenience to cross-boundary travellers. Under the new arrangements, most CRP holders will benefit from less frequent renewals and a lower aggregated amount of CRP fee payable. Of note, vehicles approved to participate in the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles, the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles or other designated cross-boundary driving schemes have been exempted from applying for CRPs and will not be affected by the fee adjustment.

     For enquiries, members of the public may call the TD’s hotline at 2804 2600 for details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Economic and Trade Office (ETO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in Kuala Lumpur was established today (December 10) and has gradually come into operation.
 
     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, “As announced in the 2025 Policy Address, the HKSAR Government would establish the Kuala Lumpur ETO this year. The Kuala Lumpur ETO is the fourth ETO established by the HKSAR Government in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, following the ETOs in Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok. This will help strengthen Hong Kong’s economic and trade ties with ASEAN.”
 
     He added, “With the establishment of the new ETO, we will enhance the economic, trade and investment promotion work in the countries currently covered by the four ETOs and gradually expand coverage to neighbouring Asian countries with a view to further deepening Hong Kong’s economic and trade connections with ASEAN and relevant countries, thereby consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre.”
 
     Hong Kong-based officers are being posted in batches to the temporary office of the Kuala Lumpur ETO, focusing primarily on preparatory work such as establishing local connections and setting up a long-term office.
 
     The address and contact information of the temporary office of the Kuala Lumpur ETO are as follows:
 

Address:	Room 771, Level 7, Tribeca Bukit Bintang, No. 215, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website:	www.hketokl.gov.hk
Email:	enquiry@hketokl.gov.hk
Telephone:	+60 3 2724 7836

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 10) announced that the department collected seven liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis during November 2025 for laboratory tests. The results show that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.
 
     The detailed test results are available on the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/gas_safety/lpg_vehicle_scheme/publications/general/results_of_lpg_sample_analysis/index.html). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD’s hotline on 2333 3762.
 
     In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the PolyU Academy of Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) Inauguration today (December 10):
 
Professor Teng (President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Professor Teng Jin-guang), Professor Yang (Director of PAAI of PolyU, Professor Yang Qiang), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     On this day of the opening of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Academy for Artificial Intelligence, I am pleased to witness another accomplishment of the PolyU, one of the city’s leading tertiary institutions, in promoting global collaboration and innovation in artificial intelligence (AI). 
 
     The country’s Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan reaffirm Hong Kong’s strategic position as the international innovation and technology centre. Our vision to become a global hub for AI development was underscored in the 2025 Policy Address delivered by our Chief Executive, with promotion of AI being top of our agenda, taken forward through multi-pronged measures on key enablers, including talent, data, industry applications, and more.
 
     Talents are vital in driving the growth of AI. Supported by landmark programmes such as the AIR@InnoHK research cluster, Hong Kong has gathered over a thousand AI and robotic experts worldwide. New initiatives like the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme fortify our talent pool by attracting world-class scholars and scientists to Hong Kong and provide a nurturing and thought-provoking environment to foster technological breakthroughs in frontier fields, including AI and quantum information.
 
     Data is indispensable to AI training and innovation. Secure and trusted flow of data is key. With Hong Kong’s unique position under “One Country, Two Systems”, we are privileged to leverage our distinct advantages in being a meeting point of voluminous amount of data from different places and use cases. 
 
     On this front, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding two years ago in June 2023 with the Cyberspace Administration of China on cross-boundary data flow within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Specific measures were launched to promote the secure and orderly transfer of personal data within the GBA, facilitating more transparent cross-border flow and use of data.
 
     Besides, the Government is exploring with relevant Mainland authorities to establish a mechanism to allow cross-boundary flow of research data from the Mainland to the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, thereby supporting, among others, the development of AI and application of big data.
 
     In parallel, we endeavour to broaden the impact of AI across industries by realising potentials through practical AI applications. Closely following the national strategy of “AI+” unveiled last year, the Government’s pursuit of the dual objectives of “industries for AI” and “AI for industries” seeks to embed AI application in both public and private sectors.  
 
     Taking on the leading role to implement AI in public services, the Digital Policy Office of the Government is introducing AI solutions in areas such as data analytics, customer service and document processing, ensuring that applications are both extensive and secure. Where strong business cases exist, government departments are also encouraged to develop their own tailored AI solutions.  
 
     On infrastructure, we are also forging ahead to set up the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute (AIRDI) next year. With the mission to link up the academia, industry and government on AI innovation and skill development, the AIRDI will encourage research and breakthroughs in the field of AI, take forward the transformation of research and development outcomes, and enrich application scenarios. I am also happy to share with all of you that a site at Sandy Ridge of Northern Metropolis has also been put to tender in the market for the development of a data facility cluster. We hope this will further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a regional digital infrastructure hub, and advance the development of a digital economy and smart city initiatives. 
 
     With AI influencing every segment of our society, the inauguration of the PolyU Academy for AI marks not just a milestone, but a new chapter in our city’s united efforts to expedite the AI development. I am confident that this Academy could inspire ideas, foster collaboration and fuel Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today began the ninth phase of recruitment under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth, with applications due to close on January 8, 2026.

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau said there are 28 participating committees in this phase, covering a wider spectrum of policy areas.

Participating committees include the Sir David Trench Fund Committee, Standing Committee on Language Education & Research, Electrical Safety Advisory Committee, etc.

In general, each participating committee will offer two seats for appointment.

The bureau encouraged young people aged 18 to 35 who want to serve the community to nominate themselves for appointment.

Applicants must write no more than 600 words or provide a video or audio clip no longer than three minutes, to explain – in either Chinese or English – their suitability for the committee of their choosing.

Assessment panels will consider applicants’ level of commitment to serving the community, their understanding of the policy area concerned, and their analytical and communication skills.

Subject to the actual number of applications received and assessment progress, the assessment is expected to be completed around the third quarter of 2026.

The bureau said the scheme has received an enthusiastic response since its launch.

From the pilot scheme to the last phase of the scheme, a total of about 14,000 applications have been received so far.

The bureau also noted that the scheme has been expanded with a view to increasing the number of participating advisory committees from around 60 in 2022 to no fewer than 180 within the current term of the Government.

About 650 posts are currently held by young people who have been appointed to the Government’s various advisory and statutory bodies through the scheme.

The overall ratio of youth members in these bodies has risen from 7.8% in 2017 to 15.5% in 2024, the bureau added.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan, December 9, 2025 – The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) today introduced a landmark achievement in Taiwan’s next-generation communications development, presenting the nation’s first 6G base-station antenna system at IEEE GLOBECOM 2025. This unveiling marks Taiwan’s first public demonstration of its self-developed base-station technologies for the new 6G frequency bands on the world stage.

The event brought together leading international partners, including the EU’s 6G-SANDBOX project, the United Kingdom’s JOINER and TITAN initiatives, and the Netherlands’ FNS program, alongside Taiwan’s major industrial and research stakeholders such as Chunghwa Telecom, MediaTek, Compal, Pegatron, Lite-On, Alpha Networks, TMYTEK, Auden, Groundhog, YTTEK, Ataya, G REIGNS, ITRI, and III. Their participation reflects Taiwan’s expanding capacity for global 6G R&D collaboration and technology integration.

Director-General Chao-Chung Kuo of the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), MOEA, noted that according to the latest Omdia forecast, global investment in 6G wireless networks is expected to reach USD 2.5 billion by 2035. In line with global momentum, Taiwan has actively advanced 6G technology deployment since 2023. This year’s showcase features Taiwan’s first 6G antenna system and key RF chipset, alongside demonstrations of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), AI-native network operation, and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), highlighting Taiwan’s strong foundation in critical 6G technologies.

Under the Executive Yuan’s Next-Generation Communications Technology Innovation Program, MOEA will expand investments in 6G testbed deployment and international standards participation beginning in 2026. These efforts aim to further strengthen Taiwan’s role in the global 6G innovation and verification ecosystem, supporting domestic industries as they prepare early-stage products and participate more deeply in international standard-setting.

ITRI introduced Taiwan’s first self-developed GaAs RF front-end chipset for the 7.125-8.4 GHz 6G upper-mid-band spectrum, together with an innovative high-density quad-polarized antenna array. By integrating the RF chipset into a large-scale 6G Massive MIMO antenna module, the system delivers nearly five times the throughput of conventional 5G 3.5 GHz antenna systems under the same physical footprint. This achievement demonstrates Taiwan’s strengthened capabilities in advanced RF, antenna co-design for next-generation base stations. ITRI and III also presented several 6G technology demonstrations, including ISAC Electronic Geo-Fence, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), AI-Native Intelligent Networks.

Moving forward, MOEA’s DoIT will deepen Taiwan’s participation in global 6G testbed collaboration. Taiwan will initiate technical cooperation with the UK’s JOINER and TITAN national 6G programs, focusing on ISAC, large-scale antenna systems, and wireless-optical integration.

ITRI has opened its ISAC Testbed and High-Efficiency Energy-Saving Testbed to international partners and will expand its facilities in 2026 to include Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Testbed, Network Digital Twin Testbed, Intelligent Network Testbed, and Multi-Orbit Satellite Testbed. These testbeds will provide internationally aligned environments for joint experiments and verification, enabling domestic companies to achieve globally recognized 6G testing results and contribute more effectively to 3GPP standardization.