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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     â€‹Hung Kee Water Electrical & Air-conditioner Engineering Limited and Safety First Engineering Limited were each fined $305,000 at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (August 7) for violations of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.

     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on July 20, 2024, in a unit of an industrial building in Tsuen Wan. A scaffolder, while he was erecting a truss-out bamboo scaffold at the external wall on the 15th floor to facilitate the subsequent air-conditioning unit installation work, fell to the ground and died.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 7) that a fresh beef sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS, under its routine Food Surveillance Programme, took the fresh beef sample from a fresh provision shop (FPS) on Reclamation Street, Yau Ma Tei, for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 557 parts per million. The CFS is following up with the FPS concerned about the irregularity.”

According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment.

Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.

The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or FPSs. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red, and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) stated today (August 7) that it noted further arrests made by the Police in recent days in connection with the fraud cases referred by the SWD involving Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA). The SWD will continue to fully assist the Police’s investigation to combat the crimes concerned and ensure the proper use of public resources.

The SWD has made multiple referrals to the Police since March 2024 on TAVA applications suspected of false medical certificate submissions. According to the records of the Police, up to June 25, 2025, a total of 353 persons were arrested. Upon thorough investigation, the Police have further arrested eight more persons suspected of committing fraud in recent days.

The SWD has enhanced the TAVA Scheme and implemented new measures since June 28, 2025, including (1) merging the Injury Grant and Interim Maintenance Grant of the TAVA Scheme into the Compassionate Grant (CG) which is up to a maximum of 60 days of sick leave; (2) requiring an applicant to obtain certification from a registered medical practitioner (including a registered Chinese medicine practitioner) to prove that his/her injury requires hospitalisation for no less than seven days or sick leave for at least seven days; and (3) setting a ceiling on the number of CG applications submitted by the same applicant to once within two years.

In parallel with closely monitoring the implementation of the new measures, the SWD will continue to verify every TAVA application in a stringent manner. If fraudulence or other criminal elements are suspected, the SWD will refer the case to the Police for investigation to combat illegal behaviour.

It is a criminal offence to provide false information to obtain TAVA payments. Offenders may be prosecuted under the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210) and be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a maximum of 14 years.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Dongguan Songshan Lake High-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and held a meeting today (August 7) to strengthen collaboration and establish a regular co-operation mechanism to support enterprises in Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone in expanding globally via Hong Kong.

     Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone is a core innovation engine within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Led by Huawei, the zone has developed a smart terminal industrial cluster valued at over RMB100 billion. It focuses on the development of next-generation information technology and intelligent connected vehicle industries, as well as strategic emerging industries such as robotics and intelligent equipment manufacturing, semiconductors and integrated circuits, biomedicine and health, and new materials and new energy, with high-tech manufacturing accounting for 89 per cent of the total companies, making it a national-level green industry demonstration zone and a base for foreign trade transformation and upgrading. In terms of innovation resources, Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone is home to Mainland China’s only and the world’s fourth spallation neutron source. It has also attracted numerous research institutions, including the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) and the Greater Bay Area University (Songshan Lake Campus), positioning itself at the forefront of national scientific research.

     To implement the co-operation between Hong Kong and Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, InvestHK signed an MOU today by the Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, and Vice Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People’s Government and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, Mr Chen Qingsong, at InvestHK’s head office. Representatives from both sides also had in-depth exchanges to further promote the deep integration of scientific research and industry between Dongguan and Hong Kong. Leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages in international research network and intellectual property protection, combined with Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and comprehensive industrial infrastructure, both parties aim to jointly build a thriving innovation and technology ecosystem. As an international financial and trade centre, Hong Kong serves as both a gateway for bringing in global innovation, technology and capital to Dongguan and a springboard for supporting Dongguan enterprises in expanding into overseas markets.

     Prior to the signing ceremony, Ms Lau attended the listing ceremony of a renowned pharmaceutical company, Sunshine Lake Pharma, from Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This event highlighted the pathway for Mainland enterprises to access international markets through Hong Kong’s capital markets. Since its establishment in 2000, InvestHK has assisted over 7 700 enterprises from the Mainland and around the world in setting up or expanding in Hong Kong, with more than 145 successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

     Ms Lau said, “As one of the national-level high-tech industrial development zones, Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone has not only developed numerous cutting-edge technologies and nurtured countless innovative talent but also serves as a crucial platform for promoting the transformation of scientific achievements and industrial upgrading. We believe that this co-operation can create a synergy effect from Hong Kong’s international advantages and the innovative edge of Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, helping enterprises and talent from the zone to shine on the global stage.”

     Mr Chen said, “Dongguan and Hong Kong have a long history of co-operation. Today, under the guidance of the national development strategy for the GBA, the two cities are accelerating their collaborative development. This MOU signing will further stimulate the synergy effects of resource sharing and complementary advantages, deepen market connectivity, help more high-quality enterprises expand overseas, and jointly explore new opportunities for innovative co-operation.”

     According to the MOU, InvestHK will provide one-stop support for enterprises from Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone to leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to global markets. This includes facilitating access to international capital markets, matching them with world-class professional service partners, and offering support in areas such as office site selection, R&D implementation and talent acquisition. By integrating resources from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, InvestHK aims to provide comprehensive assistance to help enterprises expand financing channels and enhance the global influence of their brands and technologies. At the same time, both parties will establish a collaboration mechanism to pool policies, funding, and professional resources, promoting the industrialisation and commercialisation of innovative achievements and jointly creating an internationally competitive ecosystem for innovative enterprises.

     Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone also opened a Songshan Lake Science City Hong Kong Operations Centre yesterday (August 6) at the InnoCentre in Hong Kong. This initiative aims to foster collaboration and exchange between Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone and Hong Kong in the technology industry, actively supporting the major strategic deployment of the GBA. InvestHK’s leadership team also attended the unveiling ceremony to explore new opportunities for deepening collaboration and exchange.

     Looking ahead, InvestHK will continue to work with Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone to deepen co-operation in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, talent exchange, and overseas expansion. Through collaborative efforts, the two parties aim to strengthen connection within the GBA, jointly creating a platform for enterprises to go global.

     To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720328219423.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting two separate tenders for the government properties at (i) Shop No. 503 and (ii) Shop Nos. 519 and 527D, on the First Floor, Passenger Clearance Building, 33 Shun Fai Road, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, Lantau, Hong Kong, each for a three-year tenancy subject to the provisions for renewal for a further term of two years.

     Both premises should only be used for general retail and/or services purposes excluding storage, sale or display of:

(1) dutiable goods as defined under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), unless the premises have been issued with a warehouse licence under the ordinance;

(2) duty-paid goods as defined under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109); and

(3) goods, merchandise or commodities that are from time to time prohibited from import into Hong Kong under the laws of Hong Kong.

     The decision of the landlord as to what constitutes goods, merchandise or commodities under (3) above shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Tenant. All references in the Forms of Tenancy Agreement to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) shall include any regulations made thereunder and any amending legislation. Details are available in the respective tender notices and Forms of Tenancy Agreement.

     The tender notices were uploaded today (August 7) to the GPA Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk/en/index.html. Tender documents are available for collection at the GPA, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the GPA Property Portal.

     Interested tenderers who wish to conduct a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the GPA by calling 3842 6916 or 3842 6915 by August 13.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box placed on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on August 28. Late tenders will not be accepted.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Regarding a report released by the Office of the Ombudsman today (August 7) on its direct investigation into “Housing Department’s Management of Public Housing Estates: Air-conditioner Dripping”, the Housing Department (HD) expressed appreciation to the Ombudsman for recognising the pro-active attitude and initiative of the Housing Authority/HD in implementing enhancement measures in managing water dripping from air-conditioners in public housing estates to continuously improve the effectiveness of estate management.
 
     The HD has implemented multiple measures to address the issue of water dripping from air-conditioners in public housing estates. These include the launching of the Installation Programme of Condensation Drain-pipe for Air-conditioners in 2006 to put in place condensation drain pipes in public rental housing (PRH) flats to facilitate the discharge of condensation water from air-conditioners. Since 2008, water dripping from air-conditioners has been included in the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates (Marking Scheme), with follow-up actions handled through daily patrols and inspections by special operation teams. In addition, the HD adopts information technology, including the trial use of the “Mobile Application System for Daily Patrol” which enables frontline security personnel and building supervisors to report cases of water dripping from air-conditioners in real time for swift follow-up actions. The HD is also actively exploring the use of professional technological equipment to assist in identifying the source of water dripping. 
 
     The number of complaints regarding water dripping from air-conditioners received by the HD has significantly decreased by 93 per cent, from approximately 18 900 cases in 2005 to an average of about 1 300 cases per year from 2022 to 2024, accounting for 0.16 per cent of about 800 000 PRH households and clearly reflecting that the effectiveness of the multiple measures implemented by the HD in the handling of cases for water dripping from air-conditioners.
 
     The HD has further implemented enhanced measures in December 2024 by giving five days for concerned households to rectify any water dripping problem from their air-conditioners, failing which, action would be taken immediately under the Marking Scheme. Meanwhile, enforcement efficiency has been improved by allowing security supervisors in all public housing estates to issue “Notification Slips” to offending households on the spot. The HD will continue to strengthen staff training and supervision of outsourced property management companies.
 
     Furthermore, the HD will continue to strengthen publicity and education for PRH households through various channels, reminding residents to regularly maintain and repair air-conditioners. Since households sometimes may not be aware of water dripping from their air-conditioners, the HD encourages affected individuals to provide information and work together to identify the source of water dripping.
 
     “We would like to thank the Ombudsman for the affirmation and recognition of our efforts, and appreciate its valuable views on the current mechanisms and measures. We accept the relevant recommendations and will continue to streamline our workflow, thereby ensuring such cases can be detected and addressed promptly,” an HD spokesman said.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for former UK Prime Minister Johnson

Date：2025-08-05
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

August 5, 2025No. 276Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome luncheon for former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on August 5 and thanked him for staunchly supporting peace across the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait. During the luncheon, they held an in-depth exchange of views on issues including geopolitical developments and Taiwan-UK economic and trade cooperation.Minister Lin expressed appreciation to former Prime Minister Johnson for having mentioned for the first time the importance of cross-strait peace and stability in a Group of Seven leaders’ communiqué in 2021. At the time, the United Kingdom was under his leadership and held the rotating presidency of the G7. Minister Lin noted that in the same year, the UK’s Integrated Review outlined the Indo-Pacific tilt policy, which underscored the interconnectedness of the Indo-Pacific and the transatlantic regions. He added that the United Kingdom had continued to take concrete action to protect peace and stability by transiting naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait, upholding freedom of navigation. Minister Lin said that he looked forward to Taiwan and the United Kingdom advancing cooperation in all domains and deepening their democratic partnership.  Former Prime Minister Johnson remarked that Taiwan stood on the front line of democracy and freedom against totalitarianism. He stated that at this critical moment, as the world was facing daunting challenges, Taiwan’s peace and stability were of utmost importance. He added that the world needed Taiwan to successfully preserve democracy and that the United Kingdom—also an island country—would support Taiwan and jointly safeguard shared values.During his tenure from 2019 to 2022, former Prime Minister Johnson closely followed developments in the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, he led the United Kingdom in emphasizing fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law at international events and in policymaking. This visit demonstrated his steadfast support for Taiwan as well as the friendly ties between Taiwan and the United Kingdom. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA sincerely thanks Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba for publicly expressing concern over heavy rainfall in Taiwan

Date：2025-08-05
Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

August 5, 2025 
No. 273 

On August 5, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba posted a message on social media platform X expressing concern over losses caused by torrential rainfall in central and southern Taiwan. He stated that whenever natural disaster occurred, Taiwan and Japan always showed concern and offered support to each other. He also expressed hope that all those affected would be able to resume their normal lives as soon as possible. 
 
Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan immediately extended appreciation to the Japanese government for the message of concern. 
 
The message followed one posted on July 12 on X by Prime Minister Ishiba, in which he expressed sympathy over losses caused by Typhoon Danas. This highlighted the profound and sincere friendship between Taiwan and Japan. The government and all sectors of society in Taiwan will continue to put their all into rescue and reconstruction work and help those affected rebuild and return to normal life.
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung again thanks the Japanese government for its warm sentiments and assistance. He expresses his hope that in the future Taiwan and Japan will continue to engage in extensive cooperation in related areas so as to develop an even closer, friendlier, and more robust bilateral partnership and jointly respond to challenges. (E)