Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (April 16) that it anticipates a large number of passengers and vehicles travelling to and from the Mainland or Macao via various land-based boundary control points (BCPs) during the long weekend of the Easter holidays, especially on the first day (April 18) and the last day (April 21). The TD particularly urges members of the public to plan their trips in advance and allow sufficient travelling time.
For public transport services, the TD has liaised with local and cross-boundary public transport operators to strengthen their services during the long weekend. The waiting time for public transport services, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus), may be longer. Passengers are encouraged to make their journeys during non-peak hours, maintain order, and heed advice from on-site Police and staff of the public transport operators concerned. Passengers of cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.
Motorists are advised that, subject to actual traffic conditions, special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Port from April 18 to 21 to allow smooth access for public transport vehicles to the above control points. Cross-boundary private cars may need to queue to cross the BCPs. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. They are also requested to be patient in case of traffic congestion and follow the instructions of on-site Police.
For the HZMB, to plan their journeys ahead, the public can make use of the TD’s HKeMobility mobile application to access snapshots of traffic conditions at the inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time situations at the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts “hzmbzhport” or “zhuhaifabu” (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only), and check the forecast of peak hours of inbound and outbound vehicles at the HZMB Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official account of the HZMB integrated information dissemination platform (mp.weixin.qq.com/s/mT9D9et-FybKKXDw9nJ9Dg) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with the traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles shall not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.
The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to operate 24 hours to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of different districts, including various BCPs and major stations. The TD will disseminate the latest traffic information through various channels. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio, television broadcasts, and HKeMobility.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Adrian Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
The Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address the establishment of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) to be responsible for managing $62 billion of investments. It has been reported that as at March this year, HKIC has invested in about 100 projects at different stages of development. There are views that while HKIC has been in operation for more than two years, there is a lack of transparency as it has yet to disclose detailed information on, among others, the progress of its investments and the remuneration levels of its various senior management staff. This has also aroused concern about whether HKIC can really do a good job in vetting its investments in cutting-edge industries, such as biotechnology, financial technology and big data. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it knows:
(1) the total amount of investments currently managed by HKIC; the respective total expenditure (other than staff remuneration) and total income of HKIC in the past year;
(2) the establishment (including staff at all levels) approved by the Board of Directors of HKIC since its establishment; the total expenditure on the remuneration of its staff and the expenditure on the remuneration of its various senior management staff in the past year;
(3) the composition of the Investment Committee under the Board of Directors of HKIC, the investment experience of its members (e.g. the direct or indirect investment and merger and acquisition projects in which they have taken part, and the corresponding amounts of investments made in such projects), and the respective investment decision-making process of the Investment Committee;
(4) the number of days HKIC has operated since its establishment, the total number of investment projects vetted and screened, and the average number of hours required for vetting and screening an investment project;
(5) among the 100 or so investments made by HKIC, of the names of the enterprises in each investment, industries to which they belong, their nature (that is, whether they are direct or indirect investments), the percentage of shareholding, the projected rate of return on the investments, the investment period, and whether there is any exit mechanism;
(6) given that HKIC will organise the Roundtable for International Sovereign Wealth Funds and the Summit on Start-up Investment and Development in Hong Kong, of the respective estimated expenditure and objectives of these two events; and
(7) whether HKIC has formulated various performance indicators or quantifiable standards (including but not limited to the number of enterprises facilitated to be listed in Hong Kong, the number of new job opportunities, the share of the industries in the Gross Domestic Product, and the definition of reasonable medium-to-long-term financial returns, etc.), so as to achieve the objective of enhancing Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness and economic vitality?
Reply:
President,
In consultation with the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), the reply to the seven parts of the question is as follows:
In the 2022 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the establishment of the HKIC to manage a total of HK$62 billion under the Hong Kong Growth Portfolio, Greater Bay Area Investment Fund, Strategic Tech Fund, and Co-Investment Fund. The positioning of the HKIC is to capitalise the power of “Patient Capital” to channel market capital and leverage market resources, with a view to attracting technology enterprises to set up and continue their operations in Hong Kong, thereby accelerating the development of a vibrant strategic industry ecosystem, while seeking a reasonable financial return over the medium to long term.
Investment Work Progress and Due Diligence
Since its establishment, the HKIC has invested in more than 100 projects, including enterprises with cutting-edge technologies or in key industries. These projects are medium-to-long-term investments. Key themes include Hard & Core Technology, Biotechnology and New Energy & Green Technology, with the proportions being 56 per cent, 16 per cent and 11 per cent respectively based on the invested amount.
With the further implementation of the HKIC’s investment, the relevant impact has become increasingly apparent, including (1) further activating the relevant innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem in Hong Kong, attracting more cutting-edge technology enterprises to set up their operations in Hong Kong or expand their scientific research teams in Hong Kong, enabling Hong Kong-based start-ups to explore and expand into Asian and international markets, and facilitating more cross-sector and cross-industry exchanges between the technology and industry segments; and (2) leveraging market capital to support the development of local technology enterprises.
The HKIC actively collaborates with different investment institutions, jointly making investment with them, and promoting the continuous development and application of cutting-edge technologies in Hong Kong. As of March 2025, every Hong Kong dollar invested by the HKIC has attracted over four Hong Kong dollars from long-term capital in the market for investment. Each of the above projects has on average investment participation from two to three investment institutions.
The HKIC has clear requirements for investee companies to contribute to Hong Kong’s development in a sustainable manner, such as requiring the companies to establish offices in Hong Kong, nurture and attract talents, establish research and development departments and/or corporate venture capital (corporate VC) departments in Hong Kong, and prioritise Hong Kong for their listing. Many investee companies have made good progress in attracting capital and talents as well as exploring new markets, which has accelerated their planning for business development with Hong Kong as the platform. Certain investee companies have submitted their listing applications to the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.
In order to maximise the contribution of each investment to Hong Kong and to fully leverage the channelling force of the HKIC’s capital, the HKIC currently focuses on making direct and co-investments. Notwithstanding, having regard to the specific circumstances of each project (including geographical locations, investment themes, financing rounds, legal and compliance considerations), the HKIC will flexibly adopt different strategies, including but not limited to modes of investment such as equity, debt, or a combination of both, as well as different holding arrangements (including structure, holding period, and design of exit clauses).
The HKIC has a robust due diligence and risk assessment mechanism. Drawing reference from the approach adopted by other long-term capital and institutional investors in the market, in addition to its internal team, the HKIC will hire external experts and institutions to support its relevant work when necessary. The time required for reviewing and screening varies for each project having regard to the differences in the specific circumstances of the project. Moreover, all investment projects are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors (Board) or the Investment Committee under the Board.
Organisational Structure and Governance and Operational Arrangements
The HKIC’s organisational structure and operational arrangements (including budget) are reviewed and approved by the Board. Currently, the HKIC has four major departments, namely the Investment Department, Risk and Compliance Department, Legal Department and Corporate Affairs Department, with a total headcount of 53. With the full commencement of the HKIC’s work, the organisational structure is expected to be further strengthened, particularly on post-investment monitoring and legal areas.
The HKIC reports to its Board on matters relating to its operations and investments. Apart from officials from the relevant government bureaux, the Board also comprises industry leaders from non-official backgrounds, including experts, academics and professionals with specialised technological backgrounds and extensive start-up experience. All investment projects are reviewed and approved by the Board or the Investment Committee under the Board. The Board will continue to review the governance and operational arrangements of the HKIC as and when appropriate, taking into account the direction of investment and the development needs of Hong Kong.
With a view to allowing the public to have a more comprehensive understanding of the HKIC’s operation and business outcomes, the HKIC plans to publish its inaugural annual report in the second half of this year to present the progress of its operation and investment.
Events to Promote Investment
The HKIC is pressing ahead with the organisation of the 2025 Hong Kong Start-up Investment and Development Summit and the International Forum for Patient Capital (Forum). These two events will bring together key stakeholders from I&T field spanning government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors, providing them with a platform to exchange multi-dimensional views regarding topics on I&T, entrepreneurship and venture investment of Hong Kong, with a view to joining hands in building a vibrant ecosystem. In addition, the Forum will invite international “Patient Capital” investment organisations, including sovereign wealth funds, to attend, and encourage them to actively engage in Hong Kong’s financial market and I&T ecosystem. The HKIC is taking forward the preparatory work and will announce the details of the events in due course.
In a first, ECI trains Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to strengthen grassroot participation by political parties Around 280 BLAs from Bihar of 10 recognised political parties take part in the 2-day training programme
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 1:17PM by PIB Delhi
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced the training of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from Bihar in view of the forthcoming elections in the State. Around 280 BLAs from the State associated with 10 recognised political parties are taking part in the 2-day training programme being organised at the India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management, IIIDEM, New Delhi.
Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi addressed the BLAs in a first of its kind training programme. The training was conceptualised during the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) conference held on the 4th of March, 2025. The Commission underscored the importance of BLAs in the election processes and asserted that the training programme would help them fulfil their responsibilities as delineated in the Representation of People act, 1950 and 1951, Registration of Elector Rules 1960, Conduct of Election Rules 1961 and the manuals, guidelines and instructions issued by ECI from time to time.
The BLAs were given an overview of their appointment, roles, and responsibilities as per the legal framework. The training programme familiarised them with various aspects of the election processes including the preparation, updation and revision of electoral rolls and the associated forms and formats associated. BLAs are appointed by recognised political parties and play an important role in ensuring error-free electoral rolls as per the provisions of the RP act, 1950. The BLAs were also trained in the use of the provision of first and second appeals under sections 24(a) and 24(b) of the RP Act 1950 in case they are aggrieved of the final electoral rolls as published.
‘Dalit Chetna’ Programme Organized by Sahitya Akademi Six Eminent Writers Read Out from their Literature
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 1:08PM by PIB Delhi
Six eminent writers read out from their works in the ‘Dalit Chetna’ programme organized by Sahitya Akademi on the occasion of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. Mahendra Singh Beniwal, Mamta Jayant, Namdev and Neelam recited poems and Puran Singh and Tekchand read out short stories. In their presentations, all highlighted the basic teachings of Dr Ambedkar and his vision with the help of which a discrimination-free society could be created. First of all, Mamta Jayant presented her five poems, titled “Sabhi Ne Chhua Tha”, “Jeevit Imaraten”, “Ishwar”, “Nahi Chahiye” and “Baheliyon Ke Naam”. Namdev read out his poems titled “Baba Bhim”, “Gaadiwaan”, “Kuan” and “Pehchaan”, which reflected the current status of Dr Ambedkar’s dreams. The titles of Neelam’s poems were “Sabse Buri Ladki”, “Nayi Duniya Ke Rachhayita”, “Tumhari Umeedon Pe Khare Utrenge Hum” and “Utho Sangharsh Karo”. The poem “Sabse Buri Ladki” inspired the struggle for women’s rights and equality. Mahendra Singh Beniwal read out poems titled “Tasveer”, “Aur Kab Tak Mare Jaoge”, “Bhediya” and “Aag”, which very accurately brought out the dual mentality of modern society. The story presented by Tekchand was titled “Gubaar”. In this, the deep roots of ignorance among some communities of the Dalits were shown in a very simple way. Puran Singh read out his story “Hawa Ka Rukh”, which focused on the irony of a writer having to compromise as a result of various pressures. The programme was conducted by Sri Anupam Tiwari, Editor (Hindi). A large number of writers, journalists and students were present at the programme.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ18: Supporting development and application of technologies by small and medium enterprises Regarding the support for the development and application of technologies by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will the Government inform this Council:
Funding scheme(2) apart from the 15 funding schemes mentioned in (1)(a) to (o), whether the Government has other funding schemes to support SMEs in developing innovative technologies or applying technologies to enhance productivity, and whether it has evaluated the effectiveness of such schemes?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, my consolidated reply to the questions raised by the Hon Andrew Lam is as follows:
Funding schemeHKSTPC did not maintain relevant information.
Relevant government bureaux and departments will continue to closely monitor the actual situation, promote and support SMEs to develop innovation and technology or adopt technologies to enhance productivity. Issued at HKT 15:20
Samuel Hnepeune, membre du gouvernement chargé du transport maritime, a présenté mercredi 16 avril, les axes de développement constituant la stratégie de modernisation de port autonome de Nouvelle-Calédonie (PANC). Véritable pilier économique, cette structure entend renforcer son rôle central dans le commerce, la croisière, l’innovation maritime et l’aménagement urbain.
Le port dispose d’un potentiel de développement inégalé dans le Pacifique, notamment en lien avec sa situation géographique, ses infrastructures, ses deux rades et son domaine terrestre de plus de 80 hectares. Pourtant, plusieurs segments restent sous-exploités : la grande croisière, l’accueil de porte-conteneurs plus imposants ou les chantiers navals.
Dans le but d’accélérer sa transformation, cinq axes de développement stratégiques ont été actés :
1. Moderniser le terminal de commerce pour sécuriser et fluidifier les échanges ;
2. Développer la croisière pour renforcer l’attractivité touristique ;
3. Créer un pôle scientifique et technique à vocation régionale ;
4. Renforcer la filière de maintenance et de déconstruction des navires ;
5. Penser le port avec la ville : vers une vision urbaine intégrée et durable.
« Nous voulons travailler sur un concept de hub régional, a affirmé le membre du gouvernement Samuel Hnepeune. Aujourd’hui, Singapour est considérée comme la porte d’entrée de l’Asie. Pourquoi Nouméa ne pourrait-elle pas devenir la porte d’entrée du Pacifique ? Le président de la République insiste depuis plusieurs années sur le développement de l’axe indopacifique. La Nouvelle-Calédonie pourrait en profiter et se positionner comme une plateforme dotée d’infrastructures et de services adaptés, et ainsi bénéficier d’un rayonnement au niveau régional ».
Moderniser le terminal de commerce pour sécuriser et fluidifier les échanges
Premier point d’entrée des marchandises en Nouvelle-Calédonie, le terminal de commerce accueille 95 % des produits importés, dont 75 % de denrées alimentaires. Face aux enjeux d’approvisionnement et de compétitivité, le port lance une vaste modernisation :
Construction du poste 8, un quai de 250 mètres, pour augmenter la capacité d’accueil de navires de commerce. Coût : 1,5 milliard de francs injectés entre 2025 et 2026 pour achever l’ouvrage ;
Étude d’un nouvel espace logistique de 20 000 m² destiné à accueillir deux quais supplémentaires et une plateforme dédiée. Un appel à manifestation d’intérêt (AMI) sera étudié dès cette année 2025 ;
Réorganisation des flux : automatisation du comptage des conteneurs, séparation des flux d’entrée/sortie, contrôle automatisé. Coût : 150 millions de francs seront nécessaires pour cette modernisation et automatisation ;
Renforcement de la sécurité, conformément au statut d’opérateur d’importance vitale (OIV) déclaré par les services de l’État, avec une enveloppe de 300 millions de francs dédiée à cette mise à niveau.
Développer la croisière pour renforcer l’attractivité touristique
Le marché de la croisière génère plus de 2,6 milliards de francs de retombées économiques annuelles avec 130 navires qui font escale, malgré des infrastructures encore limitées. « Cette partie nécessite que l’on révolutionne presque totalement l’organisation du port, puisque 80 % du trafic se fait en grande rade et 20 % en petite rade. Nous voulons inverser la tendance pour permettre un accueil des croisiéristes dans de meilleures conditions », a détaillé Samuel Hnepeune.
Le port souhaite donc consolider cette filière stratégique en deux temps :
D’ici 2026, amélioration de l’existant : réaménagement de la Gare maritime Ferry (GMF) et extension des quais, pour mieux accueillir les croisiéristes dans des conditions optimales. Coût : 400 millions de francs ;
À l’horizon 2028, mise en service d’un terminal de croisière moderne en petite rade, pour fidéliser les grandes compagnies, renforcer la compétitivité et augmenter la fréquentation du port.
Créer un pôle scientifique et technique à vocation régionale
Le PANC entend se positionner comme un hub de la recherche maritime dans le Pacifique, en accueillant régulièrement des navires scientifiques (recherche océanographique, surveillance environnementale) et techniques (câbliers sous-marins).
« Nous avons une forte demande de faire de Nouméa le port de base ou simplement de passage de certains navires scientifiques et nous avons les infrastructures et les services portuaires qui s’y prêtent », a assuré le membre du gouvernement.
Ce pôle favorisera :
la collaboration entre acteurs publics et privés ;
le développement de la Bluetech (technologies maritimes innovantes) ;
l’implantation durable d’activités à forte valeur ajoutée pour les jeunes calédoniens.
Renforcer la filière de maintenance et de déconstruction des navires
Grâce à ses cales de halage de 200 et 1 000 tonnes, le port dispose d’un fort potentiel de développement dans la maintenance et le démantèlement de navires, avec un impact positif sur l’emploi et l’économie locale. « C’est un sujet sur lequel la Nouvelle-Calédonie travaille depuis longtemps. Il y a un volume de bateaux à traiter conséquent et des discutions sont bien engagées avec la Marine nationale pour la déconstruction, par exemple, de deux de ses P400, qui pourrait très bien se faire ici, avec des infrastructures adaptées », a indiqué Samuel Hnepeune.
En 2024, début de la mise aux normes ICPE (installations classées pour l’environnement) de la cale 1 000 tonnes, pour accueillir les démantèlements réglementaires (comme ceux des patrouilleurs P400 de la Marine nationale) ;
En septembre 2025, ouverture d’une plateforme de traitement de 1 000 m², financée en partie par l’État. Coût : 200 millions de francs ;
Lancement en 2025 d’un service de nettoyage de coques, indispensable pour répondre aux exigences de pays voisins (Australie, Nouvelle-Zélande), et source de nouvelles escales commerciales.
Penser le port avec la ville : vers une vision urbaine intégrée et durable
Les projets du PANC sont menés en partenariat avec la Ville de Nouméa pour bâtir une interface ville-port cohérente, fonctionnelle et accueillante :
Réaménagement des flux passagers autour de la Gare maritime Ferry (GMF) et optimisation de la gestion des espaces. Coût : 35 millions de francs dès 2025 ;
Mutualisation des infrastructures pour éviter les surcoûts (croisière, grande plaisance, navires scientifiques) ;
Lancement du RENAQ (raccordement électrique des navires à quai) : projet d’envergure visant à réduire l’usage des moteurs en escale et donc les émissions polluantes. Coût : 1,5 milliard de francs.
Avec ces projets structurants, le port autonome s’inscrit dans une dynamique de croissance durable, au service de l’économie calédonienne, de l’emploi local et de la transition écologique. Il affirme son ambition : devenir un port de référence dans le Pacifique Sud, innovant, performant et intégré à son territoire.
Le PANC en quelques chiffres
5 installations portuaires
2 cales de halage
3 gares maritimes
70 bâtiments (docks et bureaux)
1700 mètres linéaires de quai
45 hectares de terre‐pleins
1 500 hectares de plan d’eau (petite rade et grande rade)
1 039 emplois directs (secteur du transport maritime et de la logistique)
2ème port ultramarin en volume de trafic avec 5 milliards de tonnes de manipulés (dont 3 milliards de tonnes de minerais) et 100 000 containers
Hongkong Post announced today that it has suspended the postal service for items containing goods to the US.
When explaining its decision, Honkong Post pointed out that the US Government announced earlier that it would eliminate the duty-free de minimis treatment for postal items dispatched from Hong Kong to the US and increase the tariffs for postal items containing goods to the US starting from May 2.
Apart from stressing that the US is unreasonable, bullying and imposing tariffs abusively, Hongkong Post emphasised that it will definitely not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the US and will suspend the acceptance of postal items containing goods destined to the US.
It noted that regarding surface mail, due to the longer shipping time, Hongkong Post will suspend the acceptance of surface postal items containing goods destined to the US with immediate effect.
Where senders have posted surface postal items containing goods that have not yet been shipped to the US, Hongkong Post made it clear that it will contact the senders to arrange for the return of such items and refund the postage paid starting April 22.
Concerning air mail, Hongkong Post stated that it will suspend the acceptance of air postal items containing goods destined to the US starting April 27.
Other postal items containing documents only without goods will not be affected, it added.
Details
2025-04-10
President Lai pens Bloomberg News article on Taiwan’s response to US reciprocal tariffs
On April 10, an article penned by President Lai Ching-te entitled “Taiwan Has a Roadmap for Deeper US Trade Ties” was published by Bloomberg News, explaining to a global audience Taiwan’s strategy on trade with the United States, as well as how Taiwan will engage in dialogue with the aim of removing bilateral trade barriers, increasing investment between Taiwan and the US, and reducing tariffs to zero. The following is the full text of President Lai’s article: Last month, the first of Taiwan’s 66 new F-16Vs rolled off the assembly line in Greenville, South Carolina. Signed during President Donald Trump’s first term, the $8 billion deal stands as a testament to American ingenuity and leadership in advanced manufacturing. Beyond its economic impact – creating thousands of well-paying jobs across the US – it strengthens the foundations of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This deal is emblematic of the close interests shared between Taiwan and the US. Our bond is forged by an unwavering belief in freedom and liberty. For decades, our two countries have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in deterring communist expansionism. Even as Beijing intensifies its air force and naval exercises in our vicinity, we remain resolute. Taiwan will always be a bastion of democracy and peace in the region. This partnership extends well beyond the security realm. Though home to just 23 million people, Taiwan has in recent years become a significant investor in America. TSMC recently announced it will raise its total investment in the US to $165 billion – an initiative that will create 40,000 construction jobs and tens of thousands more in advanced chip manufacturing and R&D. This investment will bolster the emergence of a new high-tech cluster in Arizona. Taiwan is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in manufacturing and innovation. As a trade-dependent economy, our long-term success is built on trade relationships that are fair, reciprocal and mutually beneficial. Encouraging Taiwanese businesses to expand their global footprint, particularly in the US, is a vital part of this strategy. Deepening commercial ties between Taiwanese and American firms is another. These core principles will guide our response to President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. First, we will seek to restart trade negotiations with a common objective of reducing all tariffs between Taiwan and the US. While Taiwan already maintains low tariffs, with an average nominal rate of 6%, we are willing to further cut this rate to zero on the basis of reciprocity with the US. By removing the last vestiges to free and fair trade, we seek to encourage greater trade and investment flows between our two countries. Second, Taiwan will rapidly expand procurement of American goods. Over the past five years, rising demand for semiconductors and AI-related components has increased our trade surplus. In response to these market trends, Taiwan will seek to narrow the trade imbalance through the procurement of energy, agriculture and other industrial goods from the US. These efforts will create thousands of new jobs across multiple sectors. We’ll also pursue additional arms procurements that are vital to our self-defense and contribute to peace and stability over the Taiwan Strait. During President Trump’s first term, we secured $18 billion in arms deals, including advanced fighter jets, tanks and anti-ship missiles. Future purchases, which are not reflected in trade balances, build on our economic and security partnership while being essential to Taiwan’s “Peace Through Strength” approach. Third, new investments will be made across the US. Already, Taiwanese firms support 400,000 jobs throughout all 50 states. Beyond TSMC, we also see emerging opportunities in electronics, ICT, energy and petrochemicals. We will establish a cross-agency “US Investment Team” to support bilateral trade and investment – and we hope that efforts will be reciprocated by the Trump administration. Fourth, we are committed to removing non-tariff trade barriers. Taiwan will take concrete steps to resolve persistent issues that have long impeded trade negotiations. And finally, we will strongly address US concerns over export controls and improper transshipment of low-cost goods through Taiwan. These steps form the basis of a comprehensive roadmap for how Taiwan will navigate the shifting trade landscape, transforming challenges in the Taiwan-US economic relationship into new opportunities for growth, resilience and strategic alignment. At a time of growing global uncertainty, underpinned by growing Chinese assertiveness, closer trade ties are more than sound economics; they are a critical pillar of regional security. Our approach is long-term and principled, grounded in a lasting commitment to our friendship with the US, a firm belief in the benefits of fair and reciprocal trade, and an unwavering dedication to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We are confident that our shared economic and security interests will not only overcome turbulence in the international trade environment – they will define the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Details
2025-04-08
President Lai receives credentials from new Tuvalu Ambassador Lily Tangisia Faavae
On the morning of April 8, President Lai Ching-te received the credentials of new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tuvalu to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lily Tangisia Faavae. In remarks, President Lai welcomed the ambassador to her new post and thanked Tuvalu for its long-term support for Taiwan’s international participation. The president also noted that joint efforts between our two countries have produced fruitful results in such areas as medicine and public health, agricultural and fisheries technology, and information and communications technology. He expressed his hope that we will continue to deepen our bilateral relations so as to generate even greater well-being for our peoples and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a great pleasure today to receive the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tuvalu Lily Tangisia Faavae. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend my warmest welcome to you. Last year, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Tuvalu celebrated 45 years of diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Feleti Teo visited Taiwan in May last year for the inauguration of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao and again in October for our National Day celebrations. When I visited Tuvalu last December, I was warmly received by the government and people of Tuvalu, and I deeply felt that our two countries were like family. Ambassador Faavae’s posting to Taiwan demonstrates the importance Prime Minister Teo places on our ties. Widely recognized for her exceptional talent, Ambassador Faavae is an outstanding official with extensive experience in public service. Moreover, during her term as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, she voiced support for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly. I believe that with her assistance, our two nations will further advance cooperation and exchanges. I want to thank the government of Tuvalu for long supporting Taiwan’s international participation. Furthermore, joint efforts between our two countries have produced fruitful results in such areas as medicine and public health, agricultural and fisheries technology, and information and communications technology. Last year, Prime Minister Teo and I signed a joint communiqué on advancing the comprehensive partnership between Taiwan and Tuvalu. Going forward, we will stand together in tackling the challenges we face, including climate change and expanding authoritarianism. And we will continue to deepen our bilateral relations so as to generate even greater well-being for our peoples and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region. Once again, I warmly welcome Ambassador Faavae to her new post in Taiwan. Please convey warmest regards from Taiwan to Prime Minister Teo and all of our friends in Tuvalu. I wish you all the best in work and life during your term in Taiwan. Ambassador Faavae then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor and privilege to meet with President Lai today as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tuvalu to Taiwan, and to present to him her letter of credence. She then extended, on behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu, her warmest greetings and deep respect to the president and people of Taiwan. The letter of credence, she noted, signifies the trust and confidence that her government and governor-general have placed in her to represent their nation and to foster and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our countries. Ambassador Faavae said that our two countries have enjoyed a longstanding relationship of 45 years based on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared values. She added that we have collaborated, and continue to do so, in such fields as education, health, climate change adaptation and sea level rise mitigation, agriculture, clean energy, and internet connectivity. Ambassador Faavae pointed out that Tuvalu remains committed to deepening ties with Taiwan and that it values people-to-people connections and our shared Austronesian heritage. She noted that the people of Tuvalu, a small developing nation, have greatly benefited from Taiwan’s advanced technical expertise and diverse financial assistance. She said she believes Tuvalu and Taiwan share a common interest and are united in our efforts and commitment to upholding democracy, peace, stability, and prosperity for our people and making the world better and safer. Ambassador Faavae stated that as ambassador of Tuvalu to Taiwan, she pledges to work diligently and respectfully to enhance our bilateral relations, promote mutual understanding, and facilitate collaboration in areas of shared concern. The ambassador said she looks forward to collaborating closely with the Taiwan government and other stakeholders to achieve our common objectives and to continue building a more prosperous and harmonious future for our nations. In closing, she thanked President Lai for the opportunity to serve and to further the enduring friendship between our two countries.
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2025-03-28
President Lai meets British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones
On the afternoon of March 28, President Lai Ching-te met with British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones. In remarks, President Lai welcomed Representative Bradley-Jones as she takes up her post in Taiwan, and thanked the United Kingdom government and parliament for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. The president indicated that Taiwan and the UK enjoy close economic and trade ties, and our industries complement each other well, with great potential for collaboration in such fields as semiconductors, AI, unmanned vehicles, and medium- and low-orbit satellites. He stated that he looks forward to expanding exchanges with the UK across all domains so as to enhance democratic and economic resilience, jointly advancing the prosperous development of the Indo-Pacific region and economic security around the world. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a pleasure to meet Representative Bradley-Jones here at the Presidential Office for this exchange. I understand that she has proactively called at many government agencies since taking up her post last month. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome. Taiwan and the UK are partners that share the values of freedom and democracy. In recent years, our bilateral relations have continued to deepen. With the efforts of Representative Bradley-Jones and our respective governments, I look forward to the expansion of dialogue and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. This will further elevate our bilateral ties. Especially in the face of expanding authoritarianism, the UK is not only playing an important role in crafting a unified European response; it is also demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through various channels. For example, joint statements released after the Australia-UK ministerial consultations, as well as the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, underlined a high level of concern for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The UK government has publicly expressed support for Taiwan’s international participation on multiple occasions. And last November, the UK House of Commons passed a motion clearly asserting that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. These actions attest to the UK’s belief in supporting democracy and peace, and have further solidified our countries’ friendship. I would like to convey my deepest gratitude to the UK government and parliament. Currently, the UK is Taiwan’s fourth largest trading partner in Europe and second largest source of investment from Europe. We enjoy close economic and trade ties, and our industries complement each other well. There is also great potential for collaboration in such fields as semiconductors, AI, unmanned vehicles, and medium- and low-orbit satellites. We look forward to expanding exchanges with the UK across all domains so as to enhance democratic and economic resilience. We also hope the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership so that together, we can work with more like-minded partners, jointly advancing the prosperous development of the Indo-Pacific region and economic security around the world. Once again, I welcome Representative Bradley-Jones to Taiwan and wish her all the best with her work. I anticipate that Taiwan-UK relations will continue to steadily advance through our joint efforts. Representative Bradley-Jones then delivered remarks, first saying in Mandarin that she is honored to meet with President Lai to discuss topics of mutual concern and jointly deepen Taiwan-UK relations, promoting mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. She went on to say that she came to Taiwan last August to study Mandarin, and began her post as British Office Taipei representative in February this year, noting that every day she learns more about and gains a deeper understanding of Taiwan. Last year, she said, she visited Tainan and Wanli, and found Tainan’s wetlands and the scenery in Wanli very impressive. She added that she has also tried many different Taiwanese foods, and is looking forward to experiencing even more of Taiwan’s local culture and customs over the next four years. Continuing her remarks in English, Representative Bradley-Jones stated that since taking up her post, she has borne witness to the strength of the relationship between Taiwan and the UK and the potential for it to continue to grow. She said that on trade and investment, there is significant complementarity between Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the UK’s Industrial Strategy, particularly in areas such as digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. Both governments are also together supporting Taiwan and UK businesses through our Enhanced Trade Partnership and annual trade talks, she said. Representative Bradley-Jones went on to say that on science and technology, Taiwan and the UK can and should do more together. She noted that the UK has the third largest tech sector in the world and is valued at over US$1.1 trillion, while Taiwan is the center of the semiconductor and AI hardware world. Given our complementary strengths, especially in areas such as semiconductors, space, and communications technology, she said, the UK has stepped up its level of activity in Taiwan, including by regularly hosting a UK Pavilion at SEMICON and funding 18 joint R&D programs through our new collaborative R&D fund, and looks forward to doing more together in the future. In support of Taiwan’s whole-of-society resilience, the representative said, the UK is supporting valuable exchanges, co-hosting GCTF (Global Cooperation and Training Framework) workshops, sharing lessons on financial sector resilience, and reaching out to mayors and community leaders across Taiwan. From financial resilience to cyber resilience, she said, the UK’s public sector and private industries have plenty to share and learn. Representative Bradley-Jones stated that on people-to-people links, parliamentarians, civil society, and academics are continuing to deepen contact, and that she is particularly excited by a new smart parliament partnership agreed upon by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the UK’s Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which aims to facilitate cross-party, cross-society, and cross-border exchanges on issues such as democratic governance, AI, inclusive policy-making, and public safety. The representative indicated that the examples she mentioned just scratch the surface of the full potential of the Taiwan-UK relationship. She said that the UK’s longstanding policy remains unchanged, and fundamentally, that is because we share a common set of values and interests. We are together focused on how to make our societies safer and more prosperous tomorrow than they are today, she said, and as like-minded democracies, innovative economies, and practical partners, the sincere and pragmatic cooperation between Taiwan and the UK is bringing material benefits to the prosperity and well-being of our people every day.
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2025-03-21
President Lai meets Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy
On the morning of March 21, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. In remarks, President Lai said that Alaska has long been an important trading partner of Taiwan, and that we have built a solid foundation for cooperation in such fields as energy, fisheries, and tourism. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and Alaska will have more frequent engagement and exchanges so that our relations can continue to grow to create prosperous development for both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to our guests. This is Governor Dunleavy’s first visit to Taiwan, and last night, we both attended the Hsieh Nien Fan (謝年飯) banquet hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan. I am delighted to have this opportunity to meet with Governor Dunleavy today at the Presidential Office for further dialogue. Alaska has long been an important trading partner of Taiwan. Our sister-state relationship was established in 1988, and we have built a solid foundation for cooperation in such fields as energy, fisheries, and tourism. Currently, Taiwan is Alaska’s eighth largest export market and ninth largest source of imports. This goes to show just how close our trade and economic ties are and how much potential there is for further growth. As I said in my remarks at last night’s Hsieh Nien Fan banquet, Taiwan is interested in buying Alaskan natural gas. I am sure that Governor Dunleavy’s visit will help us explore even more opportunities for cooperation and continue to deepen Taiwan-United States relations. In the face of such challenges as expanding authoritarianism, climate change, and pandemics, we look forward to strengthening collaboration between Taiwan and the US. By drawing on our strengths, we can jointly build non-red supply chains to bolster our economic resilience and drive the advancement of global technology. I want to thank the US government for reiterating the importance it attaches to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and its opposition to any attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. These statements backing Taiwan help in maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific region. Once again, I thank Governor Dunleavy for traveling such a long way to Taiwan. We hope to see more frequent engagement and exchanges between Taiwan and Alaska so that our relations can continue to grow, and we can create prosperous development for both sides. Governor Dunleavy then delivered remarks, saying that their trip to visit friends in Taiwan has been fantastic, thanking President Lai for the invitation to meet, and thanking all the staff. Governor Dunleavy said that as the pandemic was raging, the world went from “before COVID” to “after COVID.” Before COVID, he said, the world relied on a number of systems that were in place for decades after World War II involving supply chains, alliances, sources of energy, trading partners, and friends. He went on to say that as we go beyond COVID, we are reestablishing and reevaluating who our friends are, where we are going to get our energy, and who our trading partners are going to be. The governor said that we are creating a new world for the next 50 years with the new administration in Washington, and this is an opportunity for us to reevaluate and reinvest with our friends for the next 50 years in each other, our futures, and our security. Governor Dunleavy stated that one thing is for certain: that Taiwan is a friend of the US and a friend of Alaska, and has been for many, many decades. He said that it is their hope in this trip and subsequent trips to establish an even tighter bond among their friends in Taiwan, the US, and Alaska. The governor also said that we have much in common in that we are members of the Pacific family, are democracies, and believe in freedom, free speech, and capitalism. He indicated that he has much optimism for the future, and that as we reestablish relationships throughout the world, energy is going to be the key and the basis for our economic development, our national security, and our friendship. Governor Dunleavy said that he believes this trip is going to lay the groundwork for a fantastic future between Taiwan, Alaska, and the US, and that with President Lai’s support as well as the support of the US administration, we can work together to build even better relationships.
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2025-03-20
President Lai attends AmCham Taiwan 2025 Hsieh Nien Fan
On the evening of March 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the annual Hsieh Nien Fan (謝年飯) banquet hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan). In remarks, President Lai pointed out that the United States is now a major source of investment in Taiwan, adding that last year US investment accounted for 11.5 percent of total foreign investment in Taiwan. The president also pointed out that the US has become Taiwan’s largest investment destination, as Taiwan’s direct and indirect investment in the US accounted for more than 40 percent of its total outbound investment last year. President Lai expressed hope that AmCham will continue to offer support in quickly resolving the issue of double taxation, further enhancing the mutually beneficial Taiwan-US economic and trade partnership. He also emphasized that one essential element for our economic prosperity is maintaining security and stability, both regionally and globally. The president expressed his belief that, so long as we coordinate our efforts, we can achieve more in our respective defense industries and build non-red supply chains, advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: I’m delighted to be here tonight. I want to wish everyone and their families a happy, healthy, and prosperous year ahead. For many years now, AmCham has acted as a bridge between Taiwan and the US. It not only advocates for Taiwan to various sectors in the US, but also offers advice for the development of Taiwan’s industries. So tonight, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our friends from the American business community. The 2025 Business Climate Survey, published by AmCham this January, demonstrates the confidence foreign businesses have in the Taiwan market. We are happy to see that over 80 percent of survey respondents reported stable or increased revenue last year, and around 80 percent expressed confidence in Taiwan’s economic prospects for the coming year. Moreover, 90 percent of businesses surveyed are planning to maintain or expand their investments in Taiwan. The positive developments in Taiwan made by our American friends here tonight, their outlook for the future, and their confidence in Taiwan, are further proof of Taiwan’s ideal environment for investment. The US is now a major source of investment in Taiwan. Last year, US investment accounted for 11.5 percent of total foreign investment in Taiwan. In 2023, Entegris opened a new manufacturing facility in Kaohsiung and Micron launched a new facility in Taichung. Last year, Google further solidified Taiwan as its biggest R&D hub outside of the US by opening a new office here. AMD, Nvidia, and major cloud computing companies from the US have also been choosing Taiwan to expand their presence. Over the past several years, the US has also become Taiwan’s largest investment destination. Taiwan’s direct and indirect investment in the US accounted for more than 40 percent of our total outbound investment last year. Four years ago, TSMC’s [Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company] investment in facilities in Arizona became the biggest FDI [foreign direct investment] in a greenfield project in US history. And this month, TSMC announced it would expand that investment, breaking another record and highlighting the enduring prosperity shared by Taiwan and the US. In addition to TSMC, Taiwan’s GlobalWafers has built a 12-inch silicon wafer factory in Texas, the biggest in the US. This will be followed by many other industries. These companies are confidently expanding their global presence across the Pacific and eastward into the Americas. The US is moving to reindustrialize its manufacturing industry and consolidate high-tech leadership, as it moves to become a global AI hub. In these efforts, Taiwan is an indispensable partner for the US. While the US is a leader in chip design, Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing plays an irreplaceable part in the supply chain. Adapting to the changing geopolitical landscape and the coming era of smart technology, Taiwan will continue to promote its Five Trusted Industry Sectors of semiconductors, AI, military, next-gen communications, and security and surveillance. This will drive the next stage in our economic development. A great time to invest in Taiwan is now. We will continue to better connect relevant government agencies and align with international standards to foster a friendlier investment environment. And I am confident that Taiwanese and American companies can leverage their respective high-tech expertise and invest in each other, boosting growth in industrial innovation and development for both our economies. At the same time, we hope to continue deepening Taiwan-US trade relations. Last year, Taiwan was the seventh largest trading partner of the US, up one spot from the previous year, and bilateral trade grew by 24.2 percent. Taiwan is going to expand procurement from the US of industrial and agricultural products, as well as natural gas. I am very happy to welcome Governor [Mike] Dunleavy of Alaska, who has specially come all the way to Taiwan. Alaska is a source of high-quality natural gas, and its relatively short distance from Taiwan facilitates transportation. So we are very interested in buying Alaskan natural gas because it can meet our needs and ensure our energy security. We hope that AmCham will continue to offer support in quickly resolving the issue of double taxation and removing tax barriers to bilateral investment and trade, further enhancing the mutually beneficial Taiwan-US economic and trade partnership. One essential element for our economic prosperity is maintaining security and stability, both regionally and globally. So we are grateful for the joint leaders’ statement issued by [US] President [Donald] Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, in which they expressed their solid support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As we face growing authoritarianism, Taiwan will continue to uphold our values of freedom and democracy and will be a responsible actor in regional and global security. Currently, Taiwan’s defense budget stands at about 2.5 percent of GDP. Going forward, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. At the same time, we will continue to reform national defense, further enhancing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. And we will advance our cooperation with the US and other democracies in upholding regional stability and prosperity. We also welcome continued Taiwan-US cooperation in the defense sector. I believe that, so long as we coordinate our efforts, we can achieve more in our respective defense industries and build non-red supply chains, advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. In closing, I look forward to seeing even greater achievements from Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Thank you. After remarks, President Lai, AmCham Chairperson Dan Silver, American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene, and Governor Dunleavy raised their glasses in recognition of the strong Taiwan-US friendship.
Details
2025-04-06
President Lai delivers remarks on US tariff policy response
On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions. However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods: 1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age. 4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit Welcome Dinner tonight (April 15):
Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipality and the Executive Vice-Chair of the World Tourism Cities Federation Council, Ms Sima Hong), distinguished guests and friends from the global tourism community,
In a significant operation against drug trafficking, acting on specific intelligence, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted an Indian national upon her arrival from Dubai at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, on 14.04.2024, New Delhi.
The baggage of the passenger, after a thorough inspection, was found to contain five empty handbags / purses. Upon cutting open the inner layers of these five bags, 10 packets of white-coloured powder weighing 7.56 kg and worth around Rs. 75.6 crore, were found concealed and tested positive for cocaine.
The apprehended individual was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The DRI is pursuing further investigations to uncover the source of the drugs and identify any potential networks involved in the smuggling operation.