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MOFA to host the Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue; event will focus on regional security, whole-of-society defense resilience, and economic resilience

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA to host the Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue; event will focus on regional security, whole-of-society defense resilience, and economic resilience

Date：2025-08-01
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

August 1, 2025  
No. 269  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the ROC (Taiwan) and the Prospect Foundation will convene the Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue at the Grand Hyatt Taipei on August 5. This will be the ninth edition of the forum, and MOFA anticipates that the forum will once again serve as a platform for fostering dialogue and cooperation among relevant stakeholders, while drawing greater international attention to pressing security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
 
Keynote speeches will be delivered by  The Rt. Hon Boris Johnson, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Hon. François de Rugy, Former President of the French National Assembly. The forum will bring together 12 prominent political leaders, scholars, and experts from 10 countries, including the United States, Japan, and like-minded countries in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. They will engage their Taiwanese counterparts in discussions on Indo-Pacific security dynamics; gray-zone tactics and countermeasures; and the impact of economic, technological, and industrial diplomacy on global politics.
 
Updates on relevant information will be available on the Ketagalan Forum website (ketagalanforum.tw). Proceedings will be livestreamed on the Ketagalan Forum channel, which can be reached via a link on the website. (E)

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Foreign Minister Lin meets with Belizean delegation led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade CEO Mai

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Belizean delegation led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade CEO Mai

Date：2025-07-29
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

July 29, 2025No. 264 Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from Belize led by Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Amalia Mai on the morning of July 28. The group included Director General of the Directorate General for Foreign Trade Andy Sutherland, Executive Director of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service Ishmael Quiroz, and Director of the Belize Bureau of Standards Samantha Banner. The delegation was in Taiwan to attend the second meeting of the Administrative Commission of the Taiwan-Belize Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) and a trade and investment opportunities seminar. Minister Lin welcomed the group and exchanged views with them on the Taiwan-Belize ECA and other matters concerning bilateral trade and economic exchanges.Minister Lin began his remarks by congratulating Belize on successfully completing general elections in March, which he said demonstrated the country’s achievements in democratic development and showed that there was a high degree of public approval for Prime Minister John Briceño’s policies. Minister Lin added that the government of Taiwan was actively making efforts to facilitate imports of Belizean white shrimp into the Taiwanese market and expressed hope that economic and trade exchanges would further deepen the bilateral partnership. The two sides also exchanged opinions on collaboration to promote scholarship programs, the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, the development of talent in the Belizean tourism industry, and other issues. Minister Lin further invited Belize to send representatives to take part in the Taipei International Travel Fair in November.In her remarks, CEO Mai expressed appreciation for the generous hospitality extended by the government of Taiwan. She underlined that diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Belize were rooted in the shared values of democracy and human rights. Looking ahead, she said the two countries would continue to work together to develop opportunities for cooperation in economics and trade. CEO Mai thanked Taiwan for its long-standing provision of scholarships, adding that Taiwan had become a top choice for Belizean students pursuing overseas studies. She said this reflected that the program was deeply appreciated by the Belizean people and had helped advance Belize’s national development.After the meeting, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi hosted a luncheon for the delegation. Other Taiwanese attendees included representatives from the International Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance, and the Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei. They exchanged views with the delegation on further strengthening economic and trade exchanges and other aspects of the bilateral partnership.Taiwan and Belize have maintained robust diplomatic relations since the establishment of official ties in 1989. The governments of the two countries continue to work closely together on infrastructure, public health, medical care, education, culture, women’s empowerment, and other areas. The results of cooperation are widely welcomed and appreciated by the government and people of Belize. (E)

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Foreign Minister Lin meets with Eswatini delegation led by Public Service Minister Maseko and Education and Training Minister Nxumalo

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Foreign Minister Lin meets with Eswatini delegation led by Public Service Minister Maseko and Education and Training Minister Nxumalo

Date：2025-07-29
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

July 29, 2025  
No. 262  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini led by Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko and Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo on the morning of July 29. The two sides had an in-depth discussion on bilateral cooperation, civil service exchanges, vocational training, education, and other issues.
 
Minister Lin welcomed the visit of the delegation led by the ministers, which underscored the close exchanges and interactions between Taiwan and Eswatini, as well as their profound and staunch diplomatic ties. Minister Lin traveled to Eswatini as special presidential envoy at the end of April and attended the birthday celebration of King Mswati III. Moreover, through integrated diplomacy and under the framework of the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan is actively promoting a number of initiatives in Eswatini regarding the economy, trade, vocational training, and other domains. These development programs aim to enhance the well-being of the people of both countries and advance mutual benefit and coprosperity.
 
Minister Maseko and Minister Nxumalo thanked the Taiwan government for its warm hospitality. They stated that their visits during this trip to the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Civil Service, the Civil Service Development Institute, and other government agencies had facilitated their understanding of Taiwan’s talent cultivation policies and the operations of its government agencies. They emphasized that Taiwan was an important partner of Eswatini and that both nations shared the same values and ideals. They also said that they looked forward to expanding areas of bilateral cooperation in the future to further mutual benefit and coprosperity. 
 
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu hosted a luncheon for the delegation on July 29. Attendees included MOE Chief Secretary Lin Po-chiao, Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Chief Secretary Chou Wei-ting, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Department of West Asian and African Affairs Director General Yen Chia-liang. The guests exchanged views with the delegation.
 
Eswatini is an important diplomatic ally of Taiwan in Africa. MOFA will maintain close cooperation with the Eswatini government to promote a variety of initiatives under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project and steadily deepen and consolidate the already rock-solid diplomatic relations between the two countries. MOFA will also continue to showcase Taiwan’s concrete contributions to the international community and help Taiwan’s allies boost national development to achieve the goals of shared success and common prosperity. (E)

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Government continues to strengthen efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education in view of imported chikungunya fever case (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Government continues to strengthen efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education in view of imported chikungunya fever case  
     Meetings of the inter-departmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts were held in July to formulate strategies and operations with relevant government departments and stakeholders. During today’s visit, the EEB and the FEHD reminded all relevant departments to step up efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education amidst the recent rainy weather. In addition, the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene will discuss preventive and control measures against mosquitoes and CF on August 12. The Government will take into consideration views from stakeholders and residents in its future measures. The FEHD and the Property Management Services Authority will jointly hold a large-scale seminar for the property management sector on August 19. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the FEHD will provide participants with the latest information on CF and details of measures on mosquito control and elimination.
 
     Two of the imported cases announced yesterday travelled to Bangladesh and developed symptoms there. They returned to Hong Kong on August 3. Both patients live in Kwai Tsing District. The survey area in Tsing Yi North, where their residence is located, recorded a gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes of 15.5 per cent in July this year, which is at Level 2 alert level, indicating a fairly extensive distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. In response to the imported cases, the FEHD has immediately commenced vector investigations and targeted mosquito control within 250-metre radius of their residence. Measures include removing mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides to stagnant water that cannot be cleared, and conducting ultra-low volume fogging operations in adult mosquito habitats such as densely wooded areas, dark and secluded places, and abandoned structures to eliminate adult mosquitoes. In addition, the FEHD, jointly with other stakeholders including the Housing Department, District Council members, Community Care Teams and property management companies, held a health talk this morning to answer the residents’ enquiries.
 
     The FEHD staff, representatives of housing estates, persons in charge of nearby hillside construction sites, and related pest control service contractors also provided detailed information on the actions taken and the ongoing work for mosquito control and prevention in public places, housing estates and construction sites. Furthermore, the FEHD convened a meeting of the inter-departmental task force on anti-mosquito work in Kwai Tsing District on July 28. Members of the task force include relevant departments and stakeholders and they will continue to collaborate and carry out related work.
 
     The FEHD has also been closely monitoring mosquito infestation situations in various districts. The gravidtrap index in the survey area of Ma Wan in Tsuen Wan District was 24.4 per cent in July this year, reaching a Level 3 alert level, indicating an extensive distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. A meeting of the inter-departmental task force on anti-mosquito work in Tsuen Wan District was held by the FEHD on July 24. Members of the task force include relevant departments and stakeholders. Targeted and sustained mosquito prevention and control operations at high-risk locations have been carried out based on the gravidtrap index in Ma Wan at the time.
 
     The EEB, the FEHD, the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Billy Au, representatives of related departments, housing estates, theme park, Rural Committees and community members have been conducting joint inspections in areas under their purview to strengthen mosquito prevention and control work. This includes eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and ensuring that mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations are operating properly. Various parties and residents are willing to co-operate and provide support. With the concerted efforts of all parties, the situation of mosquito infestation in the survey area improved in the second half of July compared to the first half.
 
     In recent months, the district offices of FEHD continue to work closely with relevant departments and stakeholders to strengthen inspections, particularly targeting construction sites and locations with higher mosquito infestation risks. Actions include strengthening the clearance of stagnant water and the application of larvicides such as temephos sand granules to stagnant water cannot be cleared immediately, as well as conducting ultra-low volume fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes. Through publicity and educational work, the FEHD, relevant departments and stakeholders continue to appeal to members of the public to inspect and remove stagnant water at home to prevent and control mosquito infestation.
 
     In addition to the inspections mentioned above, the FEHD staff, along with related departments and stakeholders, will conduct inspections at different places (including Southern District on Hong Kong Island and Kai Tak North in Kowloon City) today and tomorrow to follow up on related works.
 
     The effectiveness of mosquito control relies on the concerted efforts and active participation of stakeholders from various sectors, including pest control operators in both public and private sectors, venue management and the general public, to prevent CF.
Issued at HKT 22:45

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HKMA and IFC to host Climate Business Forum: Asia Pacific 2025 to support region’s ambitions for low-carbon, resilient and inclusive future

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Emerging markets across the Asia-Pacific region are seeking capital and innovative insights to design and implement strategic solutions that will drive low-carbon, resilient and inclusive economic growth that creates jobs. The convening of the second edition of the Climate Business Forum: Asia Pacific 2025 (the Forum), to be held in Hong Kong on September 9, provides an ideal platform for action-oriented discussions that support their ambitions.

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Hong Kong gears up for Green Week

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong gears up for Green Week 
The second Hong Kong Green Week will kick off on September 8.

Themed “Forging a Sustainable Future Together”, the city’s flagship sustainability event offers stakeholders across the globe a platform for dialogue and collaboration. The event has received overwhelming response, with over 50 local and international institutions from both public and private sectors hosting more than 35 events ranging from global conferences and business expo, to executive roundtables and practical workshops.Issued at HKT 19:05

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Tender results of re-opening of 10-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Tender results of re-opening of 10-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds 
A total of RMB1.5 billion 10-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB6.863 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 4.58. The average price accepted is 103.93, implying an annualised yield of 1.857 per cent. 
Tender results of 10-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

Tender DateIssued at HKT 18:00

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8 more arrested for welfare fraud

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Social Welfare Department noted today that Police have arrested eight more people in connection with fraud cases referred by the department involving Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA).

 

The department explained that it has made multiple referrals to Police since March 2024 on TAVA applications suspected of false medical certificate submissions.

 

According to Police records, up to June 25, 2025, a total of 353 people were arrested. Upon thorough investigation, Police have further arrested eight more people suspected of committing fraud in recent days.

 

The department highlighted that it has enhanced the TAVA Scheme and implemented new measures since June 28, 2025.

 

The new measures include 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; requiring an applicant to obtain certification from a registered medical practitioner, including a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, to prove that his or her injury requires hospitalisation for no less than seven days or sick leave for at least seven days; and setting a ceiling on the number of CG applications submitted by the same applicant to once within two years.

 

Those providing false information to obtain TAVA payments will be subject to a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

 

The department stated that it will continue to fully assist with Police’s investigation to combat such crimes and ensure the proper use of public resources.