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Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu Attend the Handover Ceremony of the Distinguished Citizens Society International of New South Wales, Australia

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu were honoured to attend the Second and Third Handover Ceremony of the Distinguished Citizens Society International of New South Wales, Australia. On behalf of OCAC Minister Hsu Chia-Ching, DG Wu presented a congratulatory letter to Charles Lin, newly elected President of DCS NSW, and a certificate of appreciation to outgoing President Aven Lin for her dedication and leadership.
In his remarks, DG Wu recalled that the very first Taiwanese community event he attended upon assuming his post in 2023 was the joint handover ceremony of DCS NSW and Australia. At that time, Mr. Trenton Brown was a city councillor and the first elected official he met after arriving in Australia. He is pleased that Mr. Brown now serves as the Mayor of the City of Ryde.
He acknowledged that the work of DCS NSW has earned recognition from officials at all levels of the Australian government. TECO Sydney will continue to support and work with DCS to give back to the local community, showcasing the power of Taiwan’s goodwill and love. He also expressed the hope that DCS NSW can further enhance the connections between Taiwan and Australia, and play a meaningful role in advancing Taiwan’s international participation such as CPTPP.
Nearly 60 distinguished guests gathered to celebrate DCS NSW’s achievements and future, including DCS World Headquarters Chairperson Wen-Chen Lai, DCS Australia President Gary Shih, OCAC Council Member Johnson Hsiung, along with leaders from the Taiwanese community, NSW state parliament, and city councils. Among those present to witness the memorable moment were Shadow Assistant Minister for Multiculturalism Jordan Lane MP, Ryde City Mayor Trenton Brown, Willoughby Clr. Michelle Chuang, and Ku-ring-gai Clr. Barbara Ward.

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Deputy CS acting as housing chief

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government decided that Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, instead of Under Secretary for Housing Victor Tai, will take up the post of Secretary for Housing until tomorrow due to a sudden change of events.

Mr Tai was initially appointed as Acting Secretary during Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho’s leave from July 26 to August 11, but he had to take three days’ leave starting yesterday due to illness.

Given the sudden change of events and the absence of the Deputy Financial Secretary from Hong Kong, the Government decided that the post of Secretary for Housing should be taken up by Mr Cheuk for the three days.

To enhance governance, three Deputy Secretaries of Departments were created to strengthen co-ordination of work across bureaus, the Government noted.

The acting arrangement fully demonstrates the positive role of the Deputy Secretaries in facilitating the Government’s effective operation, reflecting the philosophy of improving governance through systematic enhancements as well as the flexibility and team spirit of Principal Officials in making a concerted effort, it added.

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New pathway set for doctors

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Health Bureau, in collaboration with the Hospital Authority (HA) and the two medical schools of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), introduced a dedicated dual-track development pathway for medical, teaching and research talent who integrate clinical practices, teaching and research in their work.

 

Under this pathway, doctors aspiring to engage in medical, teaching and research work would hold positions at both the HA and the designated university, and could flexibly allocate their time between clinical services, teaching and research work as needed.

 

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said today that the dual-track development pathway is a new initiative that goes beyond the existing employment arrangements in Hong Kong’s public healthcare institutions and medical schools.

 

He pointed out that it provides a more fitting professional development pathway with tailor-made appointment and clinical work arrangements and a promotion ladder commensurate with the nature of their work as well as stronger support for their teaching and research duties, including conferring the title of university professor.

 

Prof Lo added that he hopes the dual-track development pathway will enable more doctors who aspire to engage in medical, teaching and research work to realise their ambitions and attract more non-locally trained doctors who are interested in clinical research and innovation to come to Hong Kong, to further strengthen the medical talent pool for the benefit of the public.

 

The HA and the two medical schools have started the relevant recruitment work progressively. To date, five doctors have been officially selected to participate in the dual-track development pathway.

 

Among them, four doctors from the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital were appointed by the medical school of HKU while another doctor from the Department of Intensive Care of the New Territories East Cluster was appointed by the medical school of CUHK.

 

Furthermore, various doctors from the New Territories East Cluster are expected to join the medical school of CUHK through the dual-track development pathway within this year.

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CE mourns Hu Hung-lick

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today expressed sorrow over the passing of Hu Hung-lick and extended his deepest condolences to Mr Hu’s family.

 

He said that Mr Hu and his late wife, Chung Chi-yung, established Shue Yan College to broaden the tertiary education opportunities of Hong Kong’s younger generation.

 

They remained steadfast to the educational philosophy of “cultivating virtues of benevolence; broadening horizons and knowledge”, and spared no effort in promoting Shue Yan to become a post-secondary college and the city’s first private university, Shue Yan University, Mr Lee added.

 

“Dr Hu dedicated himself to the university and served as its president until his passing, commanding the respect and love of the university’s staff, students and alumni.

 

“Dr Hu devoted substantial financial resources and personal effort to the development of Hong Kong’s post-secondary education, nurturing generations of virtuous talent for Hong Kong.

 

“He also actively participated in public service and made outstanding contributions to Hong Kong.”

 

Mr Hu was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2008.

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External merchandise trade statistics for June 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

External merchandise trade statistics for June 2025 
     In June 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 11.9% over a year earlier to $417.8 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 15.5% in May 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.1% over a year earlier to $476.7 billion in June 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 18.9% in May 2025. A visible trade deficit of $58.9 billion, equivalent to 12.4% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in June 2025.
 
     For the first half of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.5% over the same period in 2024.  Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 12.6%. A visible trade deficit of $183.6 billion, equivalent to 7.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first half of 2025.
 
     Comparing the second quarter of 2025 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 2.8%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 3.9%.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing June 2025 with June 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 17.2%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+52.6%), the Philippines (+48.3%), Vietnam (+37.6%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+18.3%) and India (+12.5%).  On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to Korea (-10.9%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the Netherlands (-35.5%) and the USA (-12.1%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+50.6%), the United Kingdom (+44.7%), the Mainland (+17.3%) and Thailand (+15.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-27.1%).
 
     For the first half of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+54.4%), Malaysia (+34.6%), Taiwan (+33.0%), the Mainland (+18.0%) and Japan (+17.5%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-23.6%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+70.7%), the United Kingdom (+53.8%), Taiwan (+39.8%), Malaysia (+28.3%) and the Mainland (+10.8%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-21.0%).
 
Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing June 2025 with June 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $35.8 billion or +20.2%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $4.7 billion or +10.4%). 
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $28.4 billion or +14.6%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $8.3 billion or +17.7%).
 
     For the first half of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $139.2 billion or +13.4%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $129.7 billion or +55.4%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $151.2 billion or +14.6%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $120.0 billion or +65.2%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that merchandise exports performance remained resilient in June. The value of merchandise exports grew noticeably further by 11.9% over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and most other Asian markets continued to expand visibly, while those to the United States and the European Union fell.
 
     Looking ahead, the sustained steady growth in various Asian economies in particular the Mainland economy, as well as Hong Kong’s enhanced economic and trade ties with different markets, should continue to support merchandise trade performance.  Nonetheless, the outlook of global trade policy is still uncertain. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and stay vigilant.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for June 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to June 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for June 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
 
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for June 2025.
 
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for June 2025 will be released in mid-August 2025.
 
     The June 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in June 2025 and will be available in early August 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).
Issued at HKT 16:30

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Restitution appel à projet 1000 premiers jours

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

Alcide Ponga, président du gouvernement et Isabelle Champmoreau, membre du gouvernement chargée des sujets liés à la famille, présenteront la restitution de l’appel à projets des 1000 premiers jours  ce mercredi 30 juillet à 18 heures à la Station N.

 

Dans le cadre de sa politique consacrée à la famille, à la santé et à la lutte contre les violences intrafamiliales, Isabelle Champmoreau a mis en place depuis 2022 un programme d’actions « 1000 premiers jours de vie », en partenariat avec l’agence sanitaire et sociale de Nouvelle-Calédonie (ASSNC).

Doté d’une enveloppe de dix millions de francs, cet appel à projets vise à soutenir les initiatives répondant au double enjeu de promouvoir des environnements favorables au développement harmonieux de l’enfant et de lutter contre les inégalités. Il a pour objectif de favoriser la mise en œuvre d’actions de soutien à la parentalité dans le cadre des 1000 premiers jours.

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4 taxi fleets start service

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department announced that official Taxi Fleet Licences have been issued to four taxi fleets in accordance with the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations for a period of five years and they commenced services today.

The fleets provide online hailing services and passengers can book their journeys through the fleets’ mobile applications or other online hailing channels. They also run customer service hotlines to handle enquiries and complaints.

The taxis also accept multiple electronic payments, and safety devices including dash cameras, in-vehicle cameras and global navigation satellite systems as well as the driver monitoring system have been installed to ensure driving safety.

The fleets may customise fares for pre-arranged journeys, charging a booking fee on top of the metered fare or charging a lump sum fare before the journey starts and must be agreed upon with the hirer in advance.

The fares may vary for pre-arranged journeys, depending on the circumstances at the time of booking and the types of taxis requested by the passenger. Higher fares may be charged during peak hours or when the passenger requests a premium taxi.

For street-hailing trips, the fleets should charge according to the same fare schedule as general taxis.

The Transport Department has approved the taxi livery design and markings of the four fleets.They must display taxi fleet plates at the front and rear of the taxi and a fleet taxi certificate on the windscreens for easy identification.

The department has set up a thematic website, and introduces information on the taxi fleet service via various channels including the HKeMobility mobile application.

There are about 80 designated fleet taxi stopping places in locations such as the airport, designated boundary control points and Airport Express stations, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Hong Kong Disneyland. Information plates have been installed at these locations.