MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), has invited four China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winners from the Hebei Bangzi Opera Theatre of Hebei Province – Wu Guiyun, Qiu Ruide, Hao Shichao and Sun Na – to visit Hong Kong this July. Joined by a cohort of talented young performers, they will present three consecutive days of classic repertoires, including “Zhong Kui the Ghosteater”, “The Magic Lotus Lantern”, and a selection of excerpts. The lineup offers a comprehensive showcase of the genre’s high-pitched vocals and civil-martial versatility with a northern spirit. This programme is also part of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival. 

     As one of the most representative regional opera genres of Hebei Province, Hebei bangzi opera – also known as Jing bangzi, Zhili bangzi and Wei bangzi – was inscribed onto the First National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006. Its music is led by the banhu (a bowed string instrument), with wooden clappers (bangzi) marking the rhythm with bright, resonant beats during vocal performance. The vocal style is high-pitched and passionate, with male and female roles sharing the same key to deliver a heroic, highly penetrating tone. The performance style is direct and vigorous, often incorporating virtuosic acrobatic techniques to heighten the dramatic tension of the plots. 

     Details of the three performances are as follows:

“Zhong Kui the Ghosteater”
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Date and time: July 24 (Friday), 7.30pm

     “Zhong Kui the Ghosteater” is the troupe’s signature masterpiece and a defining exemplar of Hebei bangzi’s seamless mastery of both civil and martial arts. The story follows the scholar Zhong Kui, who tragically takes his own life in grief and indignation over the corruption of the imperial examinations. Appointed in the underworld as the divine catcher of demons, he returns home under the cover of night to see his sister married before departing to fulfil his divine duties. The character is portrayed by a female actor in a wusheng (martial male) role during his mortal life, capturing the poignant image of a wandering scholar. Following his death and becoming a deity, the performance integrates the expressive features of young male, martial male and painted-face roles. This transformation of role types vividly mirrors Zhong Kui’s journey from man to spirit and deity. Striking stunts such as dashuaicha (grand splits) and chaotiandeng (leg-holding extension) further showcase the performers’ mastery of stylised movements. This performance features the four Plum Blossom Award winners, making it a rare opportunity that Chinese opera fans cannot afford to miss.

“The Magic Lotus Lantern”
——————————–
Date and time: July 25 (Saturday), 7.30pm

     “The Magic Lotus Lantern” is a celebrated classic of the Hebei bangzi opera repertoire, telling the mythical story of Chenxiang axing open the mountain to rescue his mother. Revered by opera lovers for its powerful singing and thrilling combat sequences, this production has remained a favourite with audiences since its premiere in 1960. Moving beyond traditional bangzi opera rhythmic patterns, the music introduces Kunqu tunes and folk songs to infuse the score with touching and joyous melodies. The stage choreography integrates ribbon dance and fan dance into the martial movements, showcasing a continuous display of masterly skills, including the uniquely created “leg-sweeping turns during the zoubian (scouting) sequence”, as well as consecutive backflips, spinning leaps, spear kicks and sword dancing. Led by Sun Na, Hao Shichao, and Qiu Ruide, the performance perfectly balances strength and grace, fully capturing the unique artistic charm of the Hebei bangzi opera.

Excerpts
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Date and time: July 26 (Sunday), 2.30pm

     This selection of four classic excerpts showcases the artistic essence of Hebei bangzi opera, highlighting its mastery of both civil and martial arts. On the civil side, “Crying at the City Wall” from “North and South Make Peace” features high-pitched, heartrending singing, where the actor utilises formulaic routines such as shuaifa (hair-flinging) and beard skills to vividly express the torment of being torn between loyalty and filial devotion. “On the Execution Ground” from “The Injustice Done to Dou E” relies solely on expressive, sorrowful lament and delicate facial expressions to denounce a profound injustice. The martial scenes are equally breathtaking: “The Hu Homestead”, featuring a daomadan (female warrior) role, integrates masterful acrobatic techniques like high spear kicks and spinning leaps into fierce close combat, fully displaying the heroine’s formidable spirit. “The Bloody Battle at Waqiao” from “Waqiao Pass” weaves high-difficulty techniques – including ensemble combat sequences and dazzling spear-twirling patterns – into a breathtaking display of martial choreography, recreating the heroic valour of Yang Yanzhao, the legendary Song commander, on the battlefield.

     The Hebei Bangzi Opera Theatre of Hebei Province was established in 1959, with the legendary Peking opera master Xun Huisheng – one of the “four great performers in dan roles” – as its first director. Over the years, the troupe has nurtured numerous well-known artists, as well as outstanding creative talents and performers. It has created and performed over 200 productions, and received numerous awards, with some of its representative works adapted for the big screen. The troupe has travelled to various places such as Greece, Japan, Spain, Cyprus, and Colombia for performances, receiving high acclaim from audiences.

     The three performances will be held at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre. Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $180, $280 $380 and $480 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced “Generations Together 1+1” discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/hebei-bangzi-opera-theatre-of-hebei-province/.

     A meet-the-artists session (in Putonghua) entitled “Hebei Bangzi Opera: A Fine Mix of the Lyrical and the Vigorous in Its Civil and Martial Repertoires” will be held at 7.30pm on July 23 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers include Wu Guiyun, Qiu Ruide, Hao Shichao and Sun Na, while Chinese opera researcher Hu Guangming will be the moderator. Since the spaces for online registrations of this activity are full, those interested may wait at the venue’s entrance for a standby space on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis.

     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 is held from June to September. It hosts various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 23) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for May 2026. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.0% in May 2026 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (1.7%) in April 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in May 2026 was 1.9%, also larger than that in April 2026 (1.6%). The larger increase in May 2026 was mainly due to the accelerated increases in inbound and outbound transport fares and the charges for package holidays, as well as the increases in the charges for health services.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of change in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending May 2026 was 0.1%, and that for the 3-month period ending April 2026 was 0.0%. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of change were 0.3% and 0.1%.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Deputy Secretary for Justice and the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will depart for Urumqi, Xinjiang, tomorrow (June 24) to attend the 9th China-Eurasia Expo on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
 
     Dr Cheung said that Hong Kong, with its unique advantages of having the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, is an international financial, trading, shipping, and innovation and technology centre. Xinjiang is a bridgehead for China’s westward opening-up and a core zone of the Silk Road Economic Belt, with a distinct geographical advantage of bridging East-West two-way trade flows. The Expo will help fully leverage the strengths of both places, and promote deeper exchanges and co-operation among Hong Kong and Macao, Xinjiang, and relevant countries across Asia and Europe.

     Dr Cheung will return to Hong Kong on June 25.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Transport Department (TD) today (June 23) announced that the auction of traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) will be held on July 12 (Sunday) in Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     “A total of 420 TVRMs will be put up for public auction. The list of marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.
 
For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.

People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:

(1) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
 
(4) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.

(5) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at Greenway 2026 – Driving Sustainability Through Innovation today (June 23):
 
Ambassador Rouse (Ambassador and Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Harvey Rouse), Mr Hack (Chair of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Mr Johannes Hack), Consulate Generals, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you today to open the Greenway 2026. I would like to begin by extending my warmest congratulations to the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on holding the fifth edition of this flagship event.
 
     The growth of this flagship forum into a full-day programme speaks volumes about the importance and imminence of this year’s theme, namely, “Driving Sustainability Through Innovation”.
 
     On the one hand, environmental challenges, particularly those caused by climate change, have become more acute. Last year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that there would be a 70 per cent chance for the five-year average global temperature for 2025 to 2029 to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius – a sharp rise from the 47 per cent forecast just a year earlier. Earlier this month, the WMO reported an 80 per cent likelihood of El Niño developing between June and August, with the probability of it continuing until at least November near or above 90 per cent. As the United Nations Secretary-General warned, El Niño conditions will “pour fuel on the fire of a warming world”. In fact, both Europe and Hong Kong as well as other parts of the world are experiencing more extreme weather conditions recently.
 
     To tackle the serious environmental challenges, both the European Union and Hong Kong have set vital goals towards achieving climate neutrality. Insofar as Hong Kong is concerned, we aim at halving our carbon emissions before 2035 from the 2005 level, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. I am pleased to say that substantial progress has been made: Hong Kong’s total greenhouse gas emissions have already fallen by 27 per cent from their 2014 peak.
 
     What is critical is that we shall attempt to achieve these vital goals by taking measures that would be conducive to sustainable economic and social development at the same time. In the Chinese language, crisis is 危機. It consists of two characters: the literal translation of the first one is danger whereas that of the second is opportunity. Ancient wisdom teaches us that danger is always followed by opportunity. The big question is how to seize the opportunity. In the present context, I believe the answer lies in the word “innovation”.
 
     This is indeed the overall strategy of Hong Kong as demonstrated by various policy directions and key proposals set out in the public consultation document regarding the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) (First Five-Year Plan) released last Monday on June 15. Paragraph 6 in Part 6 is titled “New energy, green technology, and innovative applications”. It consists of three main directions and related proposals, which are of particular relevance to today’s theme:
 
(a) first, to dovetail with the country’s development in new energy technology by supporting and piloting technologies and solutions related to energy management, green buildings, waste treatment, environmental monitoring, and climate risk management;
 
(b) second, to support the R&D (research and development), production and application of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen fuel, promote the low-carbon transition of the aviation industry and the traffic and transport sector, and develop Hong Kong into a demonstration platform for green and low-carbon hydrogen technologies; and
 
(c) third, to strengthen collaboration across industry, academic and research sectors to promote the local application of technological outcomes achieved by higher education and research institutions, and facilitate the expansion and strengthening of promising green technology enterprises through financial and market-driven mechanisms.
 
     In addition, in Part 2 of the consultation document which sets out directions and proposals on strengthening Hong Kong’s development in four major sectors, namely finance, trade, maritime and aviation, apart from referring to green finance, it is stated that Hong Kong needs to promote green transformation to enhance the added value and competitiveness of its maritime and aviation sectors such as the expansion of green fuel bunkering.
 
     I would like to take the opportunity to elaborate on three specific examples to demonstrate Hong Kong’s ability and determination in driving sustainability through innovation.
 
     First, green finance. As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong is Asia’s premier sustainable financial hub. The green transformation requires capital inputs on an unprecedented scale, and Hong Kong provides a most reliable and friendly platform for raising the capital needed. For eight consecutive years, Hong Kong has led Asia in arranging international green and sustainable bond issuances, which accounted for about 40 per cent of the regional total. On May 8 this year, the HKSAR Government announced the successful pricing of approximately HK$27.6 billion worth of green bonds and infrastructure bonds denominated under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme and the Infrastructure Bond Programme. They included a EUR750 million 8-year green tranche priced at 3.119 per cent. The HKSAR Government published its Green Bond Framework in March 2019, which was updated in February 2022. It sets out how green bond proceeds will be used to fund projects to improve the environment and facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy. As at August 31, 2025, the Government had successfully issued around HK$240 billion, or US$31 billion, worth of green bonds.
 
     Second, SAF. As an international aviation hub, Hong Kong is committed to supporting the decarbonisation of global flights. SAF can reduce lifecycle emissions by more than 80 per cent as compared with conventional aviation fuel. Recently, in early May, the Government supported a local enterprise, namely EcoCeres, in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dongguan Government to build SAF production plants in Dongguan, a city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Incubated and founded in Hong Kong, EcoCeres uses proprietary integrated technology to convert waste cooking oil into internationally certified SAF. The partnership will create an integrated end-to-end model: that is waste-based feedstock collection across the Greater Bay Area, refining and production in Dongguan, and blending, refuelling, and trading operations in Hong Kong – while also helping to drive the development of the regional circular economy.
 
     Third, clean energy and hydrogen. The Government announced the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in 2024. We are rolling out real-world hydrogen applications, underpinned by robust safety regulations and a certification system designed to recognise green hydrogen. As at the end of May 2026, the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel has given agreement-in-principle to 38 hydrogen energy trial projects, covering applications in the areas of transport, infrastructure, and hydrogen gensets at construction sites, etc. The Gas Safety (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was gazetted on July 25, 2025. The Government is currently drafting the relevant subsidiary legislation. The aim is to provide a clear legal framework and a stable regulatory environment for the hydrogen energy industry, so that local and international investors can develop hydrogen-related businesses in Hong Kong with greater confidence.
 
     There is no doubt that sustainable development by innovation will play a key role in the future development of Hong Kong, and feature prominently in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan. This is why I believe that the timing of this forum is perfect. It is most exciting to see so many eminent speakers from different areas who will share their wisdoms with us very soon.
 
     Whether a place can attain sustainable development by innovation would depend very much on its overall competitiveness. In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook  2026 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the rule of law was put at the centre of competitiveness. The Director of IMD World Competitiveness Center remarked that economic competitiveness in 2026 is no longer mainly a contest of cost or scale, or even of innovation; it is a contest of institutional credibility. The more fragmented the world becomes, the more valuable predictable rules, and enforceable commitments become. And hence, economies at the top of the table are those that uphold the rule of law most consistently.
 
     This year, Hong Kong’s ranking has risen for three consecutive years to the second globally. This is a very strong testament to Hong Kong’s institutional credibility under the principle of “one country, two systems” based on the rule of law, and characterised by predictability, reliability, integrity and efficiency.
 
     I would say that another crucial reason for Hong Kong’s competitiveness is its openness. Hong Kong is committed to remaining an open and diversified society. For the present purpose, friends from the European Union are most welcome to join hands with us to explore and seize the opportunities offered by using innovation to support a sustainable development whilst overcoming environmental challenges at the same time. Indeed, we have to work together because what is at stake is not merely the interests of the people of the European Union or Hong Kong, but mankind as a whole; and failure is not an option.
 
     May I conclude by wishing you all a productive and inspiring Greenway 2026. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Overall consumer prices rose 2% year on year in May, a larger increase than the 1.7% year-to-year rise recorded in April, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.9% in May, also larger than that seen in the previous month.

Compared to May 2025, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in the following categories: electricity; gas and water; transport; miscellaneous services; miscellaneous goods; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; housing; clothing and footwear; meals out and takeaway food; and basic foods.

Meanwhile, a year-on-year decrease was logged for durable goods.

The Government said that despite prices of fuel-related components continuing to pick up, the price pressures on other components remained largely contained.

Looking ahead, it said that while the recent de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has contributed to a decline in international oil prices, the earlier surge in oil prices will continue feeding through to fuel-related components of consumer prices in the coming months.

Concurrently, price in other areas remain largely stable, which should help keep overall inflation moderate. The Government stressed that it will continue to monitor the picture closely.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai attends opening ceremony of GCTF Workshop on Building Resilient Democracies: Responding to Transnational Repression
On the morning of June 23, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) Workshop on Building Resilient Democracies: Responding to Transnational Repression. In remarks, President Lai stated that transnational repression has become a challenge shared by all democratic countries. He pointed out that the government, in addressing the challenges posed by transnational repression, is comprehensively reviewing the legal framework and strengthening its approach across prevention, protection, and response. The president also noted that Taiwan will continue working alongside the European Union and other like-minded partners to build a secure, trustworthy information environment and establish more rapid early-warning systems, more effective accountability mechanisms, and a more comprehensive protective network to safeguard the nation and people. The president expressed hope of continuing to share experiences with other nations through the GCTF to jointly enhance democratic resilience, better safeguard human rights, and contribute more to global peace, prosperity, and development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
It is a great pleasure to be here today to attend this GCTF international workshop. First, on behalf of the government and all the people of Taiwan, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and a warm welcome to our international participants.
I want to thank our GCTF partners, Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom, for co-organizing this international workshop with Taiwan. Today we have with us scholars and experts from 29 countries. Thank you again to our distinguished guests for traveling so far to be here to exchange ideas and pool your experiences, as we work together to defend the values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
We live in an era full of change and challenges. The threats democracies face already go beyond traditional military dimensions and geographical boundaries.
Authoritarian actors are using emerging technologies and illicit financial flows to engage in systematic transnational repression, cross-border surveillance, cyberattacks, and information manipulation. They seek to divide societies, silence dissent, erode the sovereignty of democratic countries, and undermine social trust. 
No country can afford to stand on the sidelines amid such hybrid challenges, and no country should have to face these challenges alone. When authoritarian actors seek to spread fear, democratic societies must build resilience. And when authoritarian forces try to create disunity, democratic partners must join hands and cooperate.
This is precisely the core value of the GCTF as an international multilateral cooperation framework. Since Taiwan and the US established the GCTF in 2015, we have continued to expand the scale of cooperation, welcoming Japan, Australia, Canada, and the UK to join as formal partners.
To date, the GCTF has held more than 100 international workshops with over 10,000 experts and government officials from 134 countries participating, the aim being to promote global partnerships and cooperation. Past themes include public health, cybersecurity, and semiconductor supply chains, and this workshop’s focus, transnational repression, is a challenge shared by all countries. 
aiwan once endured a dark era of authoritarian rule, so we deeply understand how precious freedom and human rights are. This is why we actively promote digital democracy and open government, while strengthening coordination between the government, civil society, and local communities to build whole-of-society defense resilience and enhance democratic resilience.
Facing the challenges posed by transnational repression, we have also established a mechanism across government agencies to comprehensively review our legal framework and strengthen our approach across prevention, protection, and response.
Currently, misinformation, disinformation, and cognitive warfare are tools frequently used to suppress dissent and sow division within society. By working together across different areas of government, applying technology, and establishing real-time fact-clarification pages on government websites, we aim to enhance the public’s media literacy and vigilance, preventing them from falling into the traps of transnational repression and threats.
Protecting our people is a fundamental responsibility of the government. For citizens facing transnational harassment, intimidation, or repression while abroad, we mobilize our network of overseas missions to provide emergency assistance and necessary support. For citizens at home, we are committed to providing protection and are currently refining our legal framework to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
At the same time, we will strengthen international exchanges and cooperation to counter authoritarian coercion. Just this month, the European Parliament passed a resolution on countering transnational repression. Taiwan supports the European Union’s efforts to strengthen its response mechanisms, and we will continue working alongside the EU and other like-minded partners to build a secure, trustworthy information environment. Together, we will establish more rapid early-warning systems, more effective accountability mechanisms, and a more comprehensive protective network to safeguard our nation and people.
Democracy, peace, and prosperity are the bonds that connect Taiwan with the world. We will continue to share our experiences with other nations through the GCTF, working together to make democracy more resilient, better safeguard human rights, and contribute more to global peace, prosperity, and development.
In closing, I wish this workshop resounding success, and hope it proves to be a rewarding experience for all of you. Thank you.
Also in attendance at the event were Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Marie-Louise Hannan, American Institute in Taiwan Public Diplomacy Section Chief Arend Zwartjes, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Deputy Representative Takaba Yo, Australian Office in Taipei Deputy Representative Daniel Stuart, and British Office Taipei Acting Representative Wayne Ives.
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Education Bureau today announced that specific language proficiency results in Urdu and Hindi under the Category C Other Languages (OL) subjects of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination will be accepted as meeting entry requirements for relevant civil service grades.  

New arrangements for Category C OL subjects, including French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish, have been implemented by the Examinations & Assessment Authority starting from the 2025 HKDSE. Candidates are required to take the stipulated language examinations administered by the respective official organisations in Hong Kong.

Results obtained at the stipulated examination grades/language proficiency levels or above will be included in HKDSE Examination Category C results and recorded on HKDSE certificates. 

Starting from the 2026 HKDSE, Urdu will be included in Category C OL subjects, and Hindi will be included starting from the 2028 HKDSE. The arrangements are the same as those for the existing OL subjects.

In light of the latest arrangements, the Civil Service Bureau accepts the specific language proficiency levels attained in Urdu and Hindi in the HKDSE Category C OL examination as meeting the requirements of “Level 2/Level 3 in one of the five subjects in the HKDSE Examination” for the purposes of civil service non-degree grade appointments.

Existing acceptance arrangements remain unchanged for OL results obtained in the 2024 HKDSE Examination or earlier.

Offering the OL subjects as elective subjects at the senior secondary level is intended to foster multilingualism and broaden career options for students.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On May 6, 2026, Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin and National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-Hsien, along with Representative to the United States Alexander Yui jointly held a press conference in Washington, D.C. to outline the results of Taiwan’s participation in the SelectUSA Investment Summit and discuss prospects for Taiwan-U.S. cooperation on supply chains.

During the event, Minister Kung signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vice Chairman Jerry Hsu of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (TEEMA) to promote overseas industrial cluster development and support the expansion of Taiwanese businesses abroad.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), a preliminary survey found that around 20 Taiwanese companies expressed interest in investing in the United States, with an estimated investment totaling approximately US$35 billion. The investments primarily involve semiconductor and AI server supply chains, which include such companies as UMC, GlobalWafers, WIN Semiconductors, Foxconn, Quanta, Wistron, and Compal.

Minister Kung said Taiwan’s manufacturing strengths have made the country an important partner of the United States in the AI era. Regarding the US$35 billion in planned investments, he emphasized that they are based on the business strategies of the companies rather than on government directives. He also noted that Taiwan’s investment in the United States has evolved from individual corporate expansion into a broader industrial strategy aimed at strengthening global competitiveness and supporting more resilient high-tech supply chains.

Minister Kung also remarked that Taiwan continued to be one of the largest delegations at this year’s SelectUSA Summit, 113 Taiwanese companies and 207 delegates participating. He said the strong turnout reflected that the United States has become a crucial hub for the global deployment of Taiwanese enterprises amidst global supply chain restructuring and advanced technological development.

Looking ahead, the MOEA announced that Taiwan Expo USA will be held again in Dallas, Texas from September 24 to 26 this year, focusing on AI and smart technology applications to further expand bilateral business cooperation.