NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan – B10-0138/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

    Adam Bielan, Charlie Weimers, Bert‑Jan Ruissen, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Michał Dworczyk, Carlo Fidanza, Alexandr Vondra, Alberico Gambino, Rihards Kols, Reinis Pozņaks, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Assita Kanko, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    B10‑0138/2024

    European Parliament resolution on People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan

    (2024/2891(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous reports, recommendations and resolutions on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan,

    – having regard to the urgency motion on Taiwan, passed by the Australian Senate on 21 August 2024,

    – having regard to the motion of 12 September 2024 passed in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on UN resolution 2758,

    – having regard to the statement by the spokesperson of the European External Action Service of 14 October on China’s latest military drills around Taiwan,

    – having regard to the UN Charter,

    – having regard to UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) of 25 October 1971,

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas, in the 1970s, in the hope of enhancing prosperity, stability and peace, the PRC was offered a place in the UN; whereas Beijing seized this opportunity, benefiting from close ties with the West, joining the World Trade Organization, enjoying freedom of navigation and experiencing stabilisation in the seas and straits of South-East Asia, all of which opened the door to the country’s unprecedented economic and technological development;

    B. whereas, in recent years, through its actions – such as supporting Russia’s barbaric aggression and assertively expanding in the region, particularly with the threat of invading Taiwan – Beijing is failing to uphold the commitments expected of UN Security Council members and the commitments enshrined in the UN Charter; whereas UN resolution 2758 does not establish the PRC’s sovereignty over Taiwan and does not determine the future status of Taiwan in the United Nations, nor of Taiwanese participation in UN agencies or international organisations;

    C. whereas the PRC has falsely leveraged some interpretations of UN Resolution 2758 to advance its ‘One China’ narrative globally and put pressure on Taiwan, limiting its voice on the international stage and influencing its diplomatic relationships;

    D. whereas the Australian and Dutch Parliaments have already decided not to go along with the PRC’s interpretation of UN Resolution 2758;

    E. whereas the PRC is perpetuating its overly aggressive actions, and trying to erode the status quo in the Taiwan Strait; whereas since 2019 the PRC has violated the Taiwanese air defence identification zone (ADIZ) with increasing regularity; whereas the PRC has been behaving aggressively across vast areas of the Indo-Pacific and exerting varying degrees of military or economic coercion, which has led to disputes with neighbours such as Japan, India, the Philippines and Australia;

    F. whereas on 14 October 2024 the PRC launched, without prior warning, a large-scale military drill named Joint Sword 2024-B that simulated a blockade of Taiwan; whereas the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deployed 153 aircraft and 36 naval and coastguard ships around Taiwan, setting single-day records;

    G. whereas the PLA’s air manoeuvres have increased from under 20 incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ in 2019 to 2 459 so far in 2024; whereas the threat is exacerbated by Beijing’s announcement that it was practising for a blockade of Taiwan’s key ports and military bases; whereas the PLA’s primary locus for ADIZ operations has shifted over time from the South China Sea to the Taiwan Strait; whereas the PLA’s flight activity to the east of Taiwan has increased, demonstrating a shift from training and navigation operations to testing likely combat concepts in the event of a blockade or military invasion of Taiwan;

    H. whereas, besides military pressure, the PRC has for years pursued a sophisticated strategy of targeting Taiwan with foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), including hybrid and cyberattacks, with the goal of undermining Taiwan’s democratic society;

    I. whereas the PRC under the leadership of Xi Jinping has said that it will not renounce the use of force to seek unification with Taiwan;

    J. whereas on 25 September 2024 the PRC fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean for the first time since 1980;

    K. whereas the PRC’s increasingly aggressive posture, in particular in its own neighbourhood, such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, poses a risk to regional and global security;

    L. whereas Beijing’s active support of the Russian Federation’s aggressive actions against Ukraine contradicts the PRC’s claim to be a ‘stabilising power’; whereas the Russian war of aggression is being closely watched by the PRC as a test bed for the possible future invasion of Taiwan and to gauge the likely reaction of the international community;

    M. whereas the EU and Taiwan are like-minded partners that share the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law;

    N. whereas the PRC is a one-party state controlled and ruled entirely by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); whereas the CCP has used its growing influence in international organisations to reshape the open, rules-based international order to protect and advance its own interests;

    O. whereas Taiwan is located in a strategic position in terms of trade; whereas the Taiwan Strait is the primary route for ships travelling from the PRC, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan towards Europe; whereas the EU remains the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Taiwan; whereas there is considerable potential for increasing Taiwan’s FDI in the EU; whereas Taiwan dominates semiconductor manufacturing markets, as its producers manufacture around 50 % of the world’s semiconductor output; whereas the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy argues for increasing trade and investment cooperation with Taiwan and advocates stabilising tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait;

    1. Reiterates that Taiwan is an important EU partner and a like-minded democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific region;

    2. Condemns the sustained efforts made by representatives of the PRC to distort the meaning of UN resolution 2758, historical documents and international rules;

    3. Remains deeply committed to the EU’s ‘One China’ policy, which does not equate with the PRC’s ‘One China’ principle’;

    4. Stresses that nothing in resolution 2758 prevents Taiwan’s participation in international organisations and that it has no bearing on the sovereign choices of other countries with respect to their relationship with Taiwan;

    5. Regrets the PRC’s efforts to block Taiwan’s participation in multilateral organisations; calls for the EU and its Member States to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation, in line with the key UN principles of universal representation, in relevant international organisations such as the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in order to better protect global interests and address the serious challenges facing humanity, such as pandemics, climate change and human rights;

    6. Strongly condemns the PRC’s provocative, irresponsible, disproportionate and destabilising military exercises, including the recent exercises of 14 October, as well as its continued military provocations against Taiwan and its aggressive posture in the wider region; expresses its concern about the PRC’s recent launch of an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean, which has contributed to further tensions across the Indo-Pacific region;

    7. Reaffirms its strong commitment to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait; calls for the EU and its Member States to ensure that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, particularly by means of force or coercion, will not be accepted and will be met with a decisive and firm reaction;

    8. Highlights that the PRC’s increasingly aggressive posture poses a threat to the freedom of navigation and jeopardises the stability which is vital for global trade; emphasises that this situation is being watched with concern by a growing number of like-minded partners committed to peace and stability in the region, including across the Taiwan Strait; underlines the need to shore up deterrence against destabilising behaviour, including through regular operations to assert freedom of navigation over the PRC’s attempts to impose control over international waters and airspace;

    9. Reiterates its strong condemnation of statements by President Xi Jinping that the PRC will never renounce the right to use force with respect to Taiwan;

    10. Urges the PRC to immediately cease all actions and intrusions into the Taiwanese ADIZ and the airspace violations above Taiwan’s outer islands, and to restore the full respect of the Taiwan Strait’s median line, all of which also poses a risk to international aviation, and stop all other grey-zone military actions, including cyber and disinformation campaigns;

    11. Recalls that maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific is a core interest for the free world, including the EU and its Member States; stresses that a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait would not only cause significant economic disruption affecting European interests and prosperity, but would also seriously undermine the rules-based order in the region, as well as democratic governance with human rights, democracy and the rule of law at its core;

    12. Recalls Taiwan’s help and assistance during both the COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian crises caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as its continuous involvement and support for the Ukrainian government and countries hosting Ukrainian refugees;

    13. Reiterates the importance of respecting international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and its provisions on the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means and on maintaining the freedom of navigation and overflight;

    14. Reiterates its call for the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs to change the name of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan to ‘European Union Office in Taiwan’ to reflect the broad scope of our ties;

    15. Reiterates its previous call for the Commission to launch, without delay, an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a bilateral investment agreement with the Taiwanese authorities in preparation for negotiations on deepening bilateral economic ties;

    16. Recommends further deepening cooperation between the EU and Taiwan to enhance structural cooperation on countering disinformation and foreign interference; recommends posting a liaison officer at the European Economic and Trade Office to coordinate joint efforts on tackling disinformation and interference; condemns any form of pressure and threats of reprisals, including economic coercion, with regard to the independent right of the EU and its Member States to develop relations with Taiwan in line with their interests and shared values of democracy and human rights, without foreign interference;

    17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Governments of the PRC and Taiwan.

     

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOD, German Ministry of Defence Enter Into Security of Supply Arrangement

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    The Department of Defense (DoD) entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) with the Federal Ministry of Defence for the Federal Republic of Germany (DEU MOD). The arrangement will enable both the U.S. and Germany to acquire the industrial resources they need to quickly meet defense requirements, resolve unanticipated disruptions that challenge defense capabilities, and promote supply chain resiliency.

    The SOSA was signed on October 22, 2024 by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William LaPlante, on behalf of the United States and the Head of the Directorate-General for Equipment within the Federal Ministry of Defence, Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, on behalf of Germany in Brussels, Belgium.

    “This SOSA is an important step forward and further strengthens the robust defense partnership between Germany and the United States,” said Dr. LaPlante.

    Through this arrangement, the U.S. and Germany commit intent to support one another’s priority delivery requests for procurement of critical national defense resources. The U.S. will provide Germany some assurances under the U.S. Defense Priorities and Allocations System, with program determinations by the DoD and rating authorizations by the Department of Commerce. Germany will in turn establish a government-industry Code of Conduct with its industrial base, in which German firms will voluntarily agree to make every reasonable effort to provide the U.S. with priority support. Participation in this Code of Conduct is made voluntarily.

    SOSAs are an important mechanism for DoD to strengthen interoperability and are a proven supply chain tool for enabling a resilient, global defense ecosystem for the U.S. and key partners and allies. The arrangements institute working groups, establish communication mechanisms, streamline DoD processes, and proactively act to allay anticipated supply chain issues in peacetime, emergency, and armed conflict.

    Germany is the nineteenth SOSA partner of the United States. Other SOSA signatories include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. For more information on SOSAs, visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/security-of-supply.html

    About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD (IBP):

    The OASD IBP works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the warfighter, now and in the future.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: DPRK says it discovered remains of a South Korean drone

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) said it had discovered remains of a drone identical to a military unmanned aerial vehicle that South Korea showed during the Armed Forces Day parade, calling it decisive material evidence to prove South Korea committed a hostile provocation in violation of the country’s sovereignty, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday.

    A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of National Defense said on Friday that the Pyongyang Municipal Security Bureau of the DPRK Ministry of Public Security on October 13 discovered the remains of a crashed drone during a search operation in Pyongyang, the KCNA said.

    The DPRK assessed through technical examination and analysis the drone it discovered as a light-weight drone for long-range reconnaissance owned by the South Korean military and one of “the same type as the vehicle-carried one opened to public at an event marking the ROK Armed Forces Day”, according to the KCNA report. ROK is the acronym of the official name of South Korea, the Republic of Korea.

    Based on the drone shape, its presumptive flight period and the leaflet-scattering box fixed to the underpart of the drone’s fuselage, among other factors, “it is quite likely that the drone is the one which scattered leaflets over the center of Pyongyang,” the KCNA said, adding though “the conclusion has not yet been drawn.”

    Subsequently, the DPRK asked its military units in the capital city and the southern border area to reinforce anti-air observation posts, and “decided to keep the combined artillery units and the units with important fire duties near the border in full combat readiness,” according to the KCNA.

    The DPRK warned that “if a violation of the DPRK’s territorial ground, air and waters by ROK’s military means is discovered and confirmed again, it will be regarded as a grave military provocation against the DPRK sovereignty and a declaration of war and an immediate retaliatory attack will be launched,” the KCNA said.

    The DPRK Foreign Ministry on October 11th accused South Korea of sending drones over Pyongyang. South Korea’s military denied the accusation on the same day, saying “it did not send drones into North Korea.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM holds talks with British foreign secretary

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom David Lammy in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 18, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom David Lammy in Beijing on Friday.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China and the UK, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world, should be upholders of the UN-centered international order, collaborators in addressing global challenges, and partners in achieving national development.

    China is willing to work with the UK to follow the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, adhere to mutual understanding and respect, and make open cooperation the main theme, deepen strategic communication, promote practical cooperation, and push China-UK relations to a new stage of stable development, Wang said.

    China-UK relations have come a long way in history and now stand at a new starting point, Wang said, adding that the British Labour government has put forward the proposal to develop a long-term, stable and strategically significant relationship with China. The Chinese side has positively evaluated this proposal, as it conforms to the historical logic and practical needs of the bilateral relationship, serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and aligns with the historical trend and the international situation.

    Noting that Taiwan and Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs, and non-interference in internal affairs is a fundamental principle of international relations, Wang said both sides should respect each other’s concerns, strengthen dialogue on the basis of equality, enhance understanding, and create an atmosphere for communication and cooperation.

    China agrees to fully restore dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in various fields between the two countries, and actively carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, finance, green development, science and technology, health, education, culture and other areas, Wang said.

    China is willing to work with all countries, including the UK, to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, share international responsibilities, uphold true multilateralism, and effectively promote international fairness, justice and open development, he added.

    Lammy said the British government is committed to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with China and effectively managing differences in a coherent, mutually respectful manner that serves the long-term interests of both sides.

    The UK remains steadfast in honoring its commitment on the Taiwan question since the establishment of diplomatic relations and will stick to it in the long term, Lammy said.

    The UK looks forward to strengthening high-level and various levels of dialogue with China, expanding cooperation in areas such as climate change, energy, environmental protection, technology, economy and trade, investment and international development, and embarking on a new journey of strong development of the UK-China partnership, he added.

    As permanent members of the UN Security Council, both the UK and China should jointly uphold free trade and commit to addressing geopolitical crises and complex challenges through diplomatic means, Lammy added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong improves listing rules to attract more IPOs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hong Kong on Friday announced an enhanced timeframe for new stock listings, giving companies greater certainty in the timing of their initial public offerings (IPOs), a move that is expected to elevate Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a leading international listing venue.

    The enhanced framework clarified rules for applications fully meeting requirements, accelerated timeframe for eligible A-share listed companies, and applications requiring longer process, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) said in a joint statement.

    Michael Duignan, the SFC’s executive director of corporate finance, said that the SFC has always been committed to transparency, accountability and better efficiency in listing regulation, and the improvement is in line with its strategic priority to enhance the global competitiveness and appeal of Hong Kong’s capital markets.

    Katherine Ng, HKEX’s head of listing, said that the enhanced timeframe will provide greater clarity and certainty in the application process for new listing applications, further elevating Hong Kong’s attractiveness as an international financial center.

    The enhanced application timeframe will be applicable to new listing applications filed after the statement, the regulators said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CSAF, CMSAF visit Korea to engage allies and Airmen

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    OSAN AIR BASE, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], South Korea  –  

    U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin met with Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee, Youngsu at the ROKAF Headquarters in Gyeryongdae, Oct. 17, as part of a weeklong visit to the region.

    The Air Chiefs discussed the current strategic environment and ways their two services can integrate even more effectively to deter aggression.

    “Challengers to a free and open Indo-Pacific are real, from the Korean peninsula to the South China Sea,” Allvin said. “That is why our ironclad alliance with the ROK has never been more important. Together, we continue to strengthen our interoperability and sharpen the combined readiness of our forces.”

    One of the initiatives being tested within Seventh Air Force is the Super Squadron at Osan, which has temporarily shifted F-16 Falcons on the Korean peninsula to optimize combat capability and increase readiness.

    “The ongoing F-16 Super Squadron test is centered on two things — readiness and combat effectiveness,” Allvin said. “This initiative demonstrates our nonstop commitment to the defense of the ROK against any threat or adversary. Our Airmen stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our ROK counterparts and are trained and ready to respond to any provocation or crisis.”

    The meeting with Lee was part of Allvin’s trip to Korea where he, along with his wife, Gina Allvin, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi visited Osan Air Base to speak with Airmen and discuss Air Force operations in the Korean theater.
    During the visit Allvin and Flosi held office calls with Air Force leaders from Osan and Kunsan, spoke with Airmen during an all call, and toured facilities on base.

    At the all call, Allvin discussed the evolution of the Air Force in response to changing geopolitical dynamics, emphasizing the importance of readiness. He highlighted the need for reoptimization to adapt to Great Power Competition, focusing on improving current force readiness and developing future capabilities. He also stressed the importance of large-scale exercises, agile combat employment, and human-machine teaming.

    Flosi joined Allvin for the question-and-answer portion of the all call, addressing issues from eliminating barriers to service, to enhancing mission readiness through better training and risk management. The discussion also addressed policy discrepancies and efforts to improve medical care standards and prevention.

    The leadership team closed the all call by discussing the importance of enforcing standards.

    “Take a hard look at the culture of standards in your organization,” said Flosi. “Our ability to execute our mission, do our nation’s bidding, hinges on an organization of Airmen who believe in and enforce standards.”
    Following the all-call, Flosi met with senior NCOs for lunch and had a more in-depth discussion about policies and issues that affect Airmen.

    He also toured the hospital, 51st Security Forces Squadron, and 36th Fighter Generation Squadron to learn about different aspects of the mission at Osan.

    Meanwhile, Mrs. Allvin met with Key Support Liaisons and received briefs about noncombatant evacuation operations and the command sponsorship program. She also toured the Military and Family Readiness Center, base schools, the child development center, and the hospital.

    Allvin concluded the visit by expressing his appreciation for Team Osan.

    “I am leaving here feeling refreshed and energized,” he said. “The Airmen here are leaning forward and doing their very best for our nation in one of the toughest and most consequential parts of the world.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS George Washington transits to Japan

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SAN DIEGO  –  

     The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed the San Diego area for routine operations Oct. 8, beginning its transit to Yokosuka, Japan.

    George Washington assumed the role of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed carrier, replacing USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which operated out of Yokosuka for nearly nine years before departing Japan in May.

    “USS George Washington departed San Diego to begin the final phase of its redeployment to Japan, where it will once again serve as the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier,” said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5. “It will take up station alongside the always-ready forces postured in the area of responsibility. George Washington, with all its capabilities, represents America’s commitment to stability in the region where it will sail and fly with our partner navies as we strive to move from interoperability to true interchangeability.”

    George Washington completed its midlife refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding in May 2023, conducted pre-deployment certifications and inspections over the course of 10 months, and departed Norfolk, Virginia, in April for its Southern Seas deployment around South America, arriving in San Diego in July.

    The forward-deployed Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, which recently completed training at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada, will embark George Washington to transit the Pacific Ocean and return to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.

    “I am incredibly proud of this team and everything they have accomplished this year,” said Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer of George Washington. “This crew, alongside Carrier Air Wing 5, is trained, tested, and ready to return to 7th Fleet as the Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier.”

    This marks the second time that George Washington has served as the Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Japan aircraft carrier. In 2008, it became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be forward-deployed to Japan before being relieved by Ronald Reagan in 2015.

    After operating in the U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operations, George Washington will arrive in Yokosuka in late fall.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Legacy of partnership: 25th FS hosts Buddy Squadron 25-1

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –  

    The 25th Fighter Squadron hosted two units from the Republic of Korea Air Force 8th Fighter Wing for Buddy Squadron 25-1 at Osan Air Base, ROK, Oct. 15-17, 2024.

    Unique to the ROK, Buddy Squadron is a tradition between the ROKAF and U.S. Air Force that started in the late 1990s and has grown over time. It is an opportunity to allow ROKAF and U.S. Air Force fighter pilots to share and practice flying concepts and tactics while also building and developing relationships between the Airmen.

    Today, all four U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons on the Korean peninsula participate in this training event on a semi-annual basis with their designated Buddy Squadron.

    “Being a fighter pilot in Korea can be very demanding both physically and emotionally,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Chase McCathern, 51st Operational Support Squadron current operations flight commander and project officer for Buddy Squadron 25-1. “These Buddy Squadron events help make those long days worth it.”

    Since its development in the ‘90s, the program continued to grow and thrive with eager participation from both the ROKAF and U.S. Air Force members. While the COVID-19 pandemic brought the training event to a halt for a few years; since its rebirth in 2022, the program has once again started to flourish.

    “This program has returned stronger than ever,” expressed McCathern. “I think that’s a testament to the relationships amongst the squadrons and to how much of a priority this is for us all.”

    As the most forward-deployed, permanently based fighter wing, Osan AB trains their Airmen to be ready to “Fight Tonight” and defend the peninsula at a moment’s notice. In order to accomplish this goal, integration and collaboration with our ROK military partners is paramount.

    “This level of interdependence while flying requires a deep level of trust, teamwork, communication, and skill,” explained McCathern. “ These things aren’t developed overnight and Buddy Squadron is an intentional method to build the relationships which are the foundation for all of them.”

    On top of the great training opportunity and tactical value Buddy Squadron provides, pilots assigned to the 25th FS also look forward to reconnecting with their counterparts, meeting new aviators, and taking the opportunity to repay the kindness of their ROKAF partners.

    “Our Buddy Squadron partners are notorious for the exceptional hospitality they always show us, and it’s a blessing for us to get the opportunity to have them here at Osan and to try and return the favor,” said McCathern.

    This iteration of Buddy Squadron included academics, knowledge exchange, social events and combined flying missions including the A-10 Thunderbolt II, FA-50 Golden Eagle and the KA-1 Woongbi. Many of the 25th FS “Draggins” look forward to Buddy Squadron for months as a refreshing, tangible reminder to why they fly in the first place – to defend the peninsula and the people who call it home.

    “Buddy Squadron is one of the things we are most excited about every year here,” said McCathern. “We always have a blast when we get together for these events, and the time I spend with our buddies always reminds me of my favorite Frank Sinatra quote: ‘If you don’t know the guy on the other side of the world, love him anyway because he’s just like you. He has the same dreams, same hopes and fears. It’s one world, pal. We’re all neighbors.’”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Visa-free entries spur cross-border travel

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The number of foreigners entering China visa-free saw a surge in the third quarter as a result of the country’s continuous efforts to invigorate cross-border travel, the National Immigration Administration said.

    During the period, China saw more than 4.88 million visa-free entries by foreigners, a 78.6 percent year-on-year increase, Zhang Ning, a spokeswoman for the administration, said on Friday.

    The total number of foreigners entering China during the same period increased 48.8 percent to more than 8.18 million, Zhang said at a news conference.

    The country issued 807,000 visas for foreigners in the third quarter, which was 32.7 percent more than the same period last year.

    The rapid increases are a direct result of the country’s efforts to facilitate foreigners’ travel this year, Zhang said.

    The administration introduced a series of measures in the third quarter to streamline visa policies for foreign travelers.

    In a statement issued in late July, the administration said that tourists from countries that have diplomatic ties with China can enter Hainan province without a visa and stay there for up to 144 hours, if they arrive in a group which is organized by travel agencies registered in the Hong Kong or Macao special administrative regions.

    The statement came about two weeks after the administration granted the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to another three ports in Henan and Yunnan provinces, expanding the number of China’s ports of entry enjoying the policy to 37.

    As a result of the expansion, citizens of 54 countries are now able to stay in Henan for up to six days visa-free if they transit in the province through Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport.

    If they transit in Yunnan through Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Mohan Railway Port, they can also enjoy a six-day visa-free stay in nine cities and prefectures of the Southwest China province.

    All these measures, “working together in synergy, have brought about multifaceted benefits”, Zhang said.

    The administration will continue to improve the visa-free transit policy and other policies, and work with relevant departments to make foreigners’ trips and their stays in China easier, Zhang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mexico’s president says ties with China ‘very good’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday highlighted Mexico’s “very good relationship” with China and the broad opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

    “There is a very good relationship with China” in cultural matters, trade and other areas, she said during her daily press conference in response to a question from Xinhua.

    Sheinbaum added that one of the tasks facing the Mexican government is to meet with its Chinese counterparts to jointly assess and enhance the bilateral relationship.

    She also expressed her gratitude to China for its support after Hurricane Otis, which devastated the Pacific Coast resort of Acapulco in October last year.

    “Mexico is very grateful to the Chinese government for the goods arriving in Mexico after Otis in Acapulco,” said Sheinbaum, referring to China-made household appliances and utensils.

    She also stressed that Mexico and China, as important economies and markets, collaborate in various multilateral forums such as the Group of Twenty (G20) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.

    Mexico’s position at multilateral forums remains aligned with its foreign policy, focusing on “the search for peace because of what the world is experiencing,” said the president.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing man in Tsing Yi (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police today (October 19) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsing Yi.

         Lo Ka-leung, aged 67, went missing after he left his residence in Cheung On Estate yesterday (October 18) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
       
         He is about 1.67 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and is bald with short black and white hair on both sides. He was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeved T-shirt, blue jeans, dark blue sport shoes and a grey cap.

         Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1174 or 6103 4963 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system
    Bus parade and exhibition amid 75th National Day celebrations review important role of bus services in public transport system
    ******************************************************************************************

         Organised by the Transport Department (TD), the Bus Parade cum Exhibition for Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, featuring buses from the past and present, was launched today (October 19) in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. It is one of the highlight events held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government amid National Day celebrations this year.     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony this morning, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, “Bus services have long been an indispensable and important part of Hong Kong’s economy and people’s livelihoods. Buses have not only met the travel needs of Hong Kong people every day, but have also witnessed the city’s developments.” The event marked the evolution of franchised buses in Hong Kong from the past to the present, engaging with the public to experience the crucial role of bus services in the public transport system, he added.     Mr Lam said, “The rapid development of new energy technologies of our country in recent years has enriched Hong Kong’s choices of new energy public transport. Numerous electric double-decker buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses introduced into Hong Kong in the past few years were China-made models. Our country has been forging ahead steadfastly in the last 75 years and continuous innovations in such areas as energy and transport technology not only reflect our country’s leading role in this field, but also bring the convenience of technology into the lives of the general public.”     Also officiating at the ceremony were Legislative Council (LegCo) Member (Transport) Mr Frankie Yick; the Chairman of the LegCo Panel on Transport, Dr Chan Han-pan; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Eddie Cheung; the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee; the Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, and the management of franchised bus operators co-organising the event. Some 750 participants from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the TD, LegCo Members, the TAC, major public transport operators, Members of District Councils and district personalities attended the ceremony.     The officiating guests then boarded an open-top bus themed on the 75th National Day to lead a parade of eight retired and in-service buses from Victoria Park to Man Kwong Street, via Gordon Road, King’s Road, Causeway Road, Hennessy Road, Fleming Road and Lung Wo Road, which was about 6 kilometres long. Members of the public enjoyed the parade along the route across districts and took photos to share the joy. The convoy engaged with the public and tourists at locations such as Hennessy Road near Jardine’s Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the destination at Central Pier.     In addition, the four-day bus exhibition at the soccer pitches of Victoria Park is open to registered members of the public free of charge from this afternoon. The exhibition features a total of 10 retired and in-service buses, including the first-generation double-decker bus introduced 75 years ago and the newly introduced China-made new energy double-decker buses. Bus model exhibits, photo-taking spots simulating a bus driver and passengers, a neon light installation as well as bus service-related memorabilia including bus captain uniforms of different generations and vintage bus tickets are also on display.     The TD reminded members of the public registered to queue up and enter the exhibition via its entrance at Soccer Pitch No. 4 of Victoria Park (near the jogging track) with a QR code at the selected time slot. Each visitor can obtain one commemorative ticket on-site. Following an overwhelming response to the exhibition, all quotas including those for additional sessions are full. The TD thanked the public for their support.     The event is fully supported by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). The public may refer to the RTHK and the RTHK Radio 5 Facebook page for the live ceremony webcast.

     
    Ends/Saturday, October 19, 2024Issued at HKT 12:26

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Minister completes successful visit to Thailand

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters wrapped up a successful programme of engagements in Bangkok today, where he met with Thai political and business leaders. 

    “Thailand is an important economic and security partner for New Zealand. We are seriously focused on achieving our joint ambition of lifting our relationship to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ by 2026,” Mr Peters says. 

    “High-level contact between our two countries is key to taking our relationship to the next level. That is why we have agreed to re-establish regular and substantial Foreign Minister consultations. 

    “We look forward to hosting Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa in New Zealand for the first of these consultations in the coming months.” 

    While in Thailand, Mr Peters also met with Deputy Prime Minister, and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, Thai political and business leaders, and New Zealand alumni. He also witnessed the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding between New Zealand and Thai businesses. 

    Thailand is the seventh member of ASEAN that Mr Peters has visited this year. 

    Mr Peters travels to Jakarta today to represent New Zealand at the inauguration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Missing man in Tsing Yi located

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         A man who went missing in Tsing Yi has been located.

         Lo Ka-leung, aged 67, went missing after he left his residence in Cheung On Estate yesterday (October 18) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

         The man returned to his residence this afternoon (October 19). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD cancels licence of restaurant in Sham Shui Po

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene today (October 19) cancelled the licence of a general restaurant in Sham Shui Po, as the licensee repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by illegally extending the food business area. The restaurant concerned has had to cease operation with immediate effect.
          
         The restaurant is located at Shop C5 on the ground floor of 353-357 Un Chau Street.
          
         “Two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the restaurant licensee in April and July of this year. A total fine of $6,000 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department’s demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the cancellation of the licence,” a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
          
         The licensee concerned had a record of four convictions for the same offence between August of last year and January of this year. A total fine of $9,900 was levied and 60 demerit points were also registered, resulting in a seven-day and 14-day licence suspension in February and April of this year respectively.
          
         The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR and other relevant regulations, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
                      
         Licensed food premises are required to exhibit their licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.html).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AFCD holds “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is holding the “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo today and tomorrow (October 19 and 20) at Domain Mall in Yau Tong. The Expo showcases the diversity of local leisure fisheries activities through a series of workshops, guided tours, seminars, plays and sales booths featuring fisheries products.

         Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, remarked that the “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo is one of the key promotional initiatives aiming at facilitating the development of local leisure fisheries, as outlined in the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. Through participating in a variety of leisure fisheries activities, members of the public can experience and understand the heritage of fisheries’ history and culture, as well as recognise Hong Kong’s precious marine and cultural resources. This initiative aims at promoting the blue economy, facilitating the sustainable development of fisheries, and creating new opportunities for the development of both the fisheries and tourism industries.

         The “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo brings together a range of unique leisure fisheries-related activities across Hong Kong, including workshops on fish net weaving, pearl and shell jewellery making, salted fish curing, Gyotaku printing and fish sketching. Additionally, there are Lei Yue Mun Sam Ka Tsuen guided tours and plays showcasing the culture of fishermen. The Expo also features a variety of unique seminars, including firsthand accounts from fishermen about the culture of a fishing village, experts’ sharing on the history of local pearl cultivation and tips on selecting different fisheries products. These activities foster public appreciation of fisheries’ history and culture through the imprints left by the fishermen and the fisheries industry of the past. There are also sales booths offering high-quality local fisheries products and fishery-related handicrafts for members of the public to purchase on-site.

         The “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo is open from noon to 7pm. Members of the public are invited to join for free. No prior registration is required for the seminars and plays, while a limited number of seats for the workshops and the guided tours are available on-site for reservation. The event schedule can be found in the Annex.

         Developing leisure fisheries is one of the key directions outlined in the Blueprint. Through integrating fisheries culture and ecological resources, the Government aims to assist the upgrade and transformation of the industry. The AFCD will continue to provide fishermen with training courses, exchanges and field visits related to leisure fisheries, and encourage the trade to launch pilot projects of developing leisure fisheries activities based on commercial modes of operation through funding support from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund. The AFCD will, at the same time, enhance promotion of local leisure fisheries, as well as explore suitable modes of development for leisure fisheries in Hong Kong and opportunities for jointly developing leisure fisheries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious Crash, Coronation Road, Morrinsville

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are responding to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Coronation Road and Bank Street, Morrinsville.

    The crash was reported around 6:50pm.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

    The road is closed and diversions are in place at the intersections of Bank Street, Williams Avenue and North Road.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard members, good Samaritans receive international recognition for Maui wildfires response

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    10/20/2024 12:03 AM EDT

    HONOLULU – Coast Guard members and good Samaritans who responded during the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires received international recognition and awards during a ceremony at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku, Hawaii, Friday.

    For breaking news follow us on twitter @USCGHawaiiPac

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs detects large-scale sea smuggling case and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $240 million (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs detects large-scale sea smuggling case and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $240 million (with photos)
    Hong Kong Customs detects large-scale sea smuggling case and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $240 million (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         ​Hong Kong Customs stepped up enforcement to combat illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea over the past week and detected two related cases involving seaborne containers. A total of about 53 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $240 million and a duty potential of about $170 million were seized. About 20 million suspected illicit cigarettes seized were duty-not-paid cigarettes known as “cheap whites”, accounting for about 40 per cent of the total seizure.     In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs selected for inspection a 40-foot container, declared as carrying recycled aluminum and arriving from Taiwan en route to Foshan, Guangdong, via Hong Kong, on the morning of October 18 at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 11 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside the container. An investigation is ongoing.     In the second case, Customs yesterday (October 19) morning intercepted a suspicious cargo vessel in the waters off Tsing Yi. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized a total of about 42 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside four 40-foot containers on board the vessel. Seven non-local men, aged between 28 and 51, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested and they comprise a captain and six crew members. The arrested captain, aged 47, will be charged with one count of importing unmanifested cargoes. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 21).     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     
    Ends/Sunday, October 20, 2024Issued at HKT 17:05

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Launch of the Hanging out to help out youth volunteering awareness campaign

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE transcript

    Good morning.

    I’d like to begin this morning by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet, the Kaurna (Gaa-nuh) peoples, and pay my respects to elders past and present.

    I extend that acknowledgement to all First Nations peoples joining us today.

    I would also like to acknowledge:

    • Hamilton Calder – CEO Volunteering SA&NT
    • Louise Miller-Frost MP – Member for Boothby
    • Jacob Dommerson – Campaign ambassador and volunteer at St John Ambulance NSW
    • Allira Potter – First Nations campaign ambassador and life coach

    It’s so great to be with you all here today.

    Volunteers are the backbone of our communities.

    Every time you patrol the beach here in Glenelg to keep swimmers safe.

    Every time someone cooks the sausages to feed hungry athletes and raise money for their local sports team.  

    Every time someone visits a local retirement village to have a cuppa and a chat with someone who might be experiencing loneliness.

    Every time a volunteer gives up their time to help another Aussie be happy, or safe – you make Australian society richer.

    But I have not always had the best relationship with volunteering.

    I say this because as a child, I was very close to my grandmother, and I got a bit jealous when I wasn’t able to see her because she was such a dedicated volunteer.  

    Tuesday was Meals on Wheels. Thursday afternoon she was volunteering at Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia. Every second Friday she was at Probus and she was involved with the local Lions group as well.

    I felt more than a little resentful that I wasn’t getting to see my grandmother but as I became an adult, it really instilled in me the importance of volunteering.

    To see the pride that she took in the help she gave and the connections she made.

    And of course, it didn’t take long until I found myself being a Seacliff Surf Lifesaver volunteer. It really was passed on from generation to generation.

    I am proud to support volunteering in Australia on both a personal level and as a representative of the Albanese Government.

    Volunteering builds communities. And if you think about connections in the community, those are often built by lending a hand and helping others out.

    But COVID interrupted that connection, and we have not seen volunteer numbers return to what they were pre-pandemic.

    Many dedicated volunteers have returned, but we are yet to see young people volunteering at that pre-pandemic rate. That’s a real challenge that we need to address.

    We had 1.86 million fewer formal volunteers at the start of 2022 compared to pre-pandemic. And while the demand for the help and support volunteers provide remains high, for some volunteering organisations there are not enough new volunteers to fill the gap. 83 per cent of volunteer involving organisations say they are in need of more volunteers.

    Decreased volunteering creates significant challenges for volunteer organisations and Australia’s communities. We know that with fewer volunteers, it means that organisations are limited in delivering the amount of work in community than they would like to. Or, existing volunteers are expected to take on more.

    There is a clear need for more volunteers across Australia right now.

    Our National Strategy gives us the framework to boost volunteering supports nationwide. Of course, this is just one part of our investments.

    We are working towards increasing the numbers of young people getting into volunteer roles. Because we know that young Australians have plenty to benefit from when volunteering, and we want young people to be supported to volunteer to the pre-pandemic participation levels.

    Though we saw a small uptick in participation in 2023, only 29.7 per cent of young people were participating in formal volunteering, which was still far shy of pre-pandemic levels of 36.5 per cent.

    There are many reasons for this drop, including the extra challenges faced by many Australians due to the impacts of the pandemic, and the day to day pressures of balancing school and work.

    But recent research has shown that for young people between 15 and 18 years old, a big barrier is as simple as a low awareness about the need for young volunteers, the flexibility and variety of volunteering opportunities available to them, and the personal benefits that volunteering can bring.

    Many young people that took part in the research looked on volunteering positively but didn’t think it was something for them.

    They were uncertain about what a volunteer actually does, and saw it more as an activity for older people, something that would be onerous and difficult to fit into their lives.

    While volunteering offers opportunities to people of all ages, as our National Strategy for Volunteering makes clear, young people are the future of volunteering in Australia.

    Which makes it vital for us to reach out to show them what volunteering can be and what it can bring into their lives, and how easy it can be to make it a part of their day-to-day.

    We know young people who engage in volunteering prior to entering the workforce are more likely to have a lifelong connection to volunteering.

    This is why today we are launching the Hanging out to help out volunteering awareness campaign.

    The campaign shows young people that volunteering is something enjoyable and rewarding, an opportunity to give back and do good while hanging out with friends.

    It will be a chance to demonstrate to young Australians all the personal benefits volunteering can bring, like gaining lifelong skills, meeting new people, connecting with like-minded young people, and boosting their mental and emotional wellbeing.

    While I was in high school, I worked in a variety of volunteering roles, including as a surf lifesaver at Seacliff, and I believe that experience when I was younger has helped shape who I am today.

    Yes, sometimes patrolling for five hours along the beach felt like a drag and sometimes the water was freezing, but the friends, experiences and skills I gained throughout my volunteering are invaluable.

    I know many of you will share this sentiment and know the great benefits volunteering can bring to you as a volunteer as well as to those you help.

    The Hanging out to help out campaign will shine a light on the diversity of volunteering opportunities available to young people to suit all different types of interests, circumstances, and time availability.

    The campaign will meet young people across Australia where they are, with a focus on digital communications across social media, including Instagram and TikTok, YouTube, streaming services and podcasts.

    This will ensure that young Australians, regardless of their background, know what volunteering opportunities are available to them and how they can access them.

    It’s as simple as going to volunteering.gov.au to find opportunities nearby, or talking to people around your community who run local volunteering organisations.

    Because we know many young people are looking for opportunities to take a gap year before embarking on further education or entering the workforce following their completion of high school, we are also partnering with Year 13, a website for students looking for information about post-school pathway options.

    The partnership will be running through to June 2025 and is expected to reach more than a million 15- to 18-year-olds across Australia and open the door for them to a whole new world of volunteering.

    Showing them they can contribute their time and skills in a way that suits them and do meaningful work while enjoying themselves and spending time with their friends.

    This new awareness campaign is one part of the Government’s broader suite of support for volunteering in Australia.

    The campaign directly supports the objectives of the National Strategy for Volunteering to reshape the public perception of volunteering and recognise the inherent value of volunteering.

    The National Strategy for Volunteering, funded by the Government and developed by Volunteering Australia, sets out a 10-year blueprint for a brighter future for volunteering, where more people volunteer more often, in a safe, supported and inclusive volunteering environment.

    We are proud to have worked with Volunteering Australia to develop the National Strategy, which is being backed in by our investments in volunteering.

    These are not just words on a page for us. The Albanese Government is investing in a strong volunteer sector and encouraging more Australians to enrich their lives through volunteering.

    In August, I was pleased to join with Volunteering Australia at the Hectorville Community Centre to launch the first Action Plan under the Strategy, outlining how governments and volunteer organisations will work to achieve the goals of the Strategy.

    We’ve invested over $83 million committed between July 2022 and June 2026 for our Volunteering and Community Connectedness programs.

    Australia’s volunteers are at the heart of our communities and are vital to a vibrant, inclusive Australia.

    I thank Volunteering Australia, Volunteering SA & NT, and Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club for all the hard work you and your members do to give back to keep volunteering strong.

    With the introduction of the Hanging out to help out campaign I hope many young Australians will be inspired to make their own contributions and discover all the wonderful things that volunteering can bring into their lives.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by DCS at Racial Diversity and Inclusion Recruitment Fair (English only)(with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Racial Diversity and Inclusion Recruitment Fair organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Federation of Hong Kong Ethnic Communities in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 15th Anniversary of the Implementation of the Race Discrimination Ordinace at the Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong (Sikh Temple) in Wan Chai today (October 20):
     
    Ms Linda Lam (Chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC)), Mr Akil Khan (President, Federation of Hong Kong Ethnic Communities), Mr Bhagt Singh (President, Sikh Temple), Dr Rizwan Ullah (EOC member), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         Good afternoon. I am pleased to be joining you today for the opening of the Racial Diversity and Inclusion Recruitment Fair co-organised by the EOC and the Federation of Hong Kong Ethnic Communities (Federation).
     
         Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city with rich tapestry of people connections, vibrant economic activities and a flourishing multi-cultural scene, thanks in no small part to the some 300 000 ethnic minority residents who settled here for generations. It is evident from the latest Census figures (of 2021) that this treasured community continues to play an integral part in strengthening Hong Kong’s workforce and driving our productivity: their labour force participation rate is at 65.5 per cent, which is higher than the 57.7 per cent of the whole population. 

         Today’s recruitment fair is among the EOC’s celebration events for the 15th anniversary of the implementation of the Race Discrimination Ordinance, a crucial piece of legislation driving Hong Kong’s promotion of racial equality. Following the Racial Diversity and Inclusion Sports Day in April this year, I am excited to be here today to witness another milestone. This fair is also held in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I trust that you have been enjoying the wide arrays of celebrating events and special offers over the past few weeks. With the new card-type Mainland travel permits for non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents, it has never been easier for many of you to visit the Mainland for business or pleasure, to see for yourself the spectacular transformation in the Mainland today.

         Since its inauguration in 2018, the Federation of Hong Kong Ethnic Communities has been uniting and leveraging the support from various ethnic minority communities for greater and wider contributions to the betterment of Hong Kong. We thank the Federation’s support all along in realising our common vision for a harmonious and inclusive society. 

         The current-term Government places importance on enhancing support and services for ethnic minorities. As just announced in the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address, the Government will engage one more “Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities” to provide interpretation and translation services for ethnic minorities next year, so as to reduce language barrier concerns. In terms of education, more resources will also be invested in boosting support for learning Chinese and parental assistance for our non-Chinese speaking students. 

         Of course, the Government’s support for ethnic minorities does not stop there. As the largest employer in Hong Kong, over 50 civil service grades in the Government have adjusted their Chinese-language proficiency requirements to increase government job opportunities for ethnic minorities. Departments, including the disciplinary forces, are also encouraged to design their own job-oriented language tests suitable for individual grades to provide ethnic minority applicants with an additional avenue for meeting the thresholds. Since 2019, we have been organising an internship programme for non-ethnic Chinese university students and 180 students have since taken part. 

         In addition, the Racial Diversity Employment Programme launched by the Labour Department has been regularised in 2023 to step up employment support for ethnic minorities. To date, the Programme has provided employment support services to over 400 ethnic minority job-seekers. 

         Today’s recruitment fair features prominent private enterprises in addition to a number of government departments, offering over 500 employment opportunities, including a wide range of skilled and professional positions, as well as on-the-spot career and employment counselling services. These job opportunities span across eleven signatories of the EOC’s Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers from different industries, including aviation, hospitality, education, transportation, and five government departments including our disciplinary forces.

         In closing, my great thanks go to the EOC and the Federation for organising this meaningful recruitment fair, the Sikh Temple for the support rendered, and the representatives from different sectors who are here with us today, for your wholehearted efforts in creating opportunities for our ethnic minority community. I wish this recruitment fair great success and all of you an enjoyable weekend. Thank you very much.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Harden Murrumburrah Rural Women’s Gathering passes flame to Lismore for 2025

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 19 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Women

    Lismore has been named host of the 2025 Rural Women’s Gathering at a candle lighting ceremony as part of the 2024 event in Harden Murrumburrah.

    Tina Irish and Karen Hirst from Lismore City Council joined Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and the Harden Murrumburrah 2024 organising committee for the ceremony, accepting carriage of the 2025 event.

    The NSW Government provides $30,000 for the Gathering as part of its commitment to empowering women and girls across regional, rural and remote NSW, including helping them build new connections and learn new skills to ensure they can reach their full potential and thrive.

    The NSW Rural Women’s Gathering is an annual event held in a different location each year. 2024’s event in Harden Murrumburrah was themed “Sowing the Seeds of Success – Creating Your Own Work Life Balance”. The program – prepared by a organising committee made up of local volunteers – featured a range of enriching workshops, networking opportunities and cultural experiences.

    Attendees heard from inspiring female leaders, including former Australian Olympian and two-time Athletics World Champion Jana Pittman; Founder of Womn-Kind and AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2024 NSW/ACT Finalist Ruby Reithmuller; and AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2022 VIC Winner Kimberley Furness, who is also a magazine publisher and podcaster.

    Details for the 2025 Rural Women’s Gathering will be shared via the fortnightly Rural Women’s Network e-newsletter. To subscribe, visit nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

    Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

    “The NSW Government is committed to empowering women and girls across regional, rural and remote NSW to have full access to opportunities.

    “We recognise that women in regional parts of NSW experience unique challenges living in remote locations. We also know women in these communities are doing extraordinary things.

    “The Rural Women’s Gathering provides a great opportunity to share their experiences and, in turn, help other women to better support their communities.

    “Thank you to our incredible 2024 hosts in Harden Murrumburrah for helping facilitate connection through friendship, mentorship, professional resources and services. I look forward to seeing the tradition continue next year in Lismore.”

    Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

    “Thank you to the fabulous volunteers who coordinated and delivered a hugely successful 2024 Rural Women’s Gathering in Harden Murrumburrah – your local insights are absolutely invaluable, your dedication and commitment make this important annual event possible.

    “The Rural Women’s Gathering links women to information and services, create opportunities to build personal and business resilience, allow us to promote action on rural women’s issues, and ultimately strengthen communities across NSW.

    “After 31 years, the Gathering continues to be a key event on the NSW Rural Women’s Network calendar, enabling women from regional, rural and remote areas of NSW to connect, learn and celebrate.

    “Each year, there’s a range of diverse speakers and workshops, all of whom bring something new and inspiring to share – and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Lismore in 2025.”

    Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

    “I’m excited to have the Rural Women’s Gathering here. I think its fantastic because we have some great women right across our community.

    “This is recognition that there’s a whole lot of women’s leadership here, particularly our rural women. They’re in everything, from the CWA, to the SES, to the RFS, to Zonta, we’ve got the lot.

    “The Rural Women’s Gathering is a great opportunity to network and having it in Lismore means its easier for local women to take part.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update on NSW Government response to power outage in Far West NSW

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 19 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Energy and Climate Change

    Power supplies have been restored to communities in the Far West region of NSW using a large-scale back-up generator, but households and businesses are being urged to reduce their usage this evening to minimise demand.

    The Far West region is relying on the generator while Transgrid constructs temporary towers to replace those damaged by a serious storm. This could take a number of weeks.

    The large-scale back-up generator is not adequate to meet consumer demand at all times of the day, in particular during the evening peak from 5:30pm to 10:30pm (Australian Central Daylight time).

    During this time, Essential Energy may need to rotate power between different areas for around two hours at a time. Essential Energy will prioritise Life Support Customers and priority loads such as Broken Hill Base Hospital.

    The community in the impacted area can help by taking simple steps to minimise power use between 5:30pm and 10:30pm (Australian Central Daylight Time):

    • Turn off any non-essential appliances.
    • Use lights only in occupied rooms.
    • If you are using air conditioning, consider raising the set point temperature to about 26 degrees and close all blinds, windows and doors.

    Outside these times, the community should continue to use electricity as they normally would.

    The impacted area incudes Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs and several other surrounding communities.

    The NSW Government has activated an emergency response and is coordinating assistance across a number of emergency services and government agencies, and is working with Transgrid and Essential Energy.

    A NSW Rural Fire Service b-double truck which set off from Sydney loaded with supplies has now arrived in the Far West. The supplies include generators, fuel pods, cool rooms, lighting towers and Starlinks (satellite connections).

    The NSW Government encourages community members to follow the guidance of emergency service crews and asks travellers to the Far West of NSW avoid the area surrounding Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs unless absolutely necessary.

    For the latest updates from Essential Energy visit: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults/power-outages

    Customers, including Life Support customers, can contact Essential Energy on its outage line on
    13 20 80 for support.

    For more information on ways to reduce your energy during this peak demand event visit https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/guides-and-helpful-advice-households/electricity-supply-disruptions

    Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

    “It’s positive news that power supplies have been restored to Broken Hill and nearby communities via a large-scale back-up generator. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to replace the transmission towers and repair the electricity network.

    “I want to thank the Essential Energy and Transgrid workers who have worked tirelessly over the past two days to restore power.

    “I also want to thank Perilya Mine for supplying load to the large-scale backup generator, which in turn, has provided security and stability to the Broken Hill grid and helped restore power to communities across the Far West.”

    Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

    “We are focused on restoring power to all homes and businesses in Broken Hill and towns across the region.

    “We welcome the arrival of supplies including generators to support those on the ground.

    “I encourage everyone in our community to please check in on your neighbours and relatives, especially those who are vulnerable, as we work through this situation.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Removing roadblocks to building infrastructure

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealand has a widely acknowledged infrastructure deficit, which is holding us back socially, economically and environmentally, Land Information Minister Chris Penk says.

    “If we want to improve our productivity and lift our standard of living, we need to fix our pipes, increase the capacity of our schools and hospitals and build more houses, roads and renewable energy sources. 

    “To help achieve this we are reviewing the Public Works Act, which is a fundamental piece of legislation that allows the Government to acquire land for critical public infrastructure. 

    “Having not been substantially amended since 1988, the Act is no longer fit-for-purpose, and it is time to make changes to improve its fairness and efficiency.

    “An independent expert advisory panel has carried out a targeted review and identified instances where the Act lacks clarity and commonsense.

    “For example, all infrastructure projects that use the Act must meet a high threshold of being of ‘national and regional significance’. While a high threshold is important for protecting private property rights, there are many worthy and necessary projects that are vital for a particular region or community but may not be nationally significant. 

    “Similarly, building large-scale modern infrastructure often creates a knock-on effect where existing infrastructure must be upgraded or moved to accommodate the new project. For example, a new state highway often requires new regional roads to connect to it. Or widening a road may mean moving power pylons. 

    “This necessitates working across government agencies at both a central and regional level and acquiring land for direct and indirect purposes, which the current Act poorly enables.

    “If we can make it simpler to acquire land for critical projects, then we reduce the likelihood of budget blow-outs and delays and can get on with growing our economy and delivering the public services Kiwis deserve.

    “I’m looking forward to considering the review’s findings and recommendations in more detail and expect to announce policy decisions about changes to the Act by the end of the year, with a view of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill being introduced to Parliament in mid-2025.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Announces $40 Million Federal Grant To Improve Resiliency Of O‘ahu Power Grid Serving Both Military And Civilian Communities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01) today announced that a $40 million grant funded by the landmark 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will develop a back-up power source for O‘ahu’s electric grid, providing resiliency to both military and civilian communities in the event of disruptions from various sources. 

    The federal grant award will fund the Pu‘uloa Microgrid and Backbone Project, a partnership between the U.S. Navy, Hawaiian Electric and Ameresco, Inc.

    “I strongly advocated for this project with the U.S. Department of Energy when the partnership applied for funding under the Department’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program,” said Case.  

    “Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) plays a critical role in promoting national security throughout the Pacific theater. Especially given its importance, the Department of the Navy has identified energy resilience gaps that could significantly impact JBPHH’s ability to respond to and recover from grid outages. Further, new state and federal policy directives have required the Department of the Navy to improve resilience and reduce carbon emissions from the installation. 

    “As the U.S. Congressman in whose district JBPHH is located and a member of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, I have focused on the installation’s grid challenges and the potential for disruption of service to our civilian communities as well, and on assuring available funding to address these issues. This GRIP funding is critical to enabling this project to succeed.”

    “We are thrilled to be chosen for the Department of Energy’s GRIP program,” said Nicole Bulgarino, Executive Vice President at Ameresco. “Partnering with the U.S. Navy and Hawaiian Electric Company on the groundbreaking Pu`uloa Microgrid project will not only enhance energy resilience and reliability for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, but also provide significant benefits to the broader O‘ahu community. This project exemplifies our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.”

    According to the project description, the Pu`uloa Microgrid will detect the loss of power during grid outages, disconnect from the broader grid and direct power from Pu`uloa Energy to support JBPHH’s national security needs while maintaining civilian community service. During a full island outage, the system will provide black start capabilities. The project will also improve power quality to JBPHH and the local grid through ancillary services such as frequency response and voltage support. 

    Pu`uloa Microgrid is designed to strengthen the grid and improve resilience by increasing or establishing interconnections between Hawaiian Electric substations at JBPHH with new 46 kV transmission infrastructure that will be integrated into the microgrid control system and utilize state of the art smart grid technologies.

    “Since 2021 I have been working hard to ensure that my government and community partners throughout Hawai‘i are aware of project and funding availability from both the $1.2 trillion BIL, as well as from the $500 billion Inflation Reduction Act (which Congress passed in August 2022). Together these two landmark measures are addressing our country’s most pressing infrastructure needs including those arising from climate change,” said Case.

    ·      Details of the project can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Presidential Delegation of the U.S. led by the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, during her visit to Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia. Following the successful convening of the 12th ASEAN-U.S. Summit held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 11 October 2024, both sides exchanged views and ideas to further strengthen the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI China: Flower business thrives in China’s Dounan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The air is charged with anticipation as an auction commences at the Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Center in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

    Giant screens flicker with the pulse of the market, displaying the ever-changing prices of fresh-cut flowers. Auctioneers make swift decisions, and soon the auctioned flowers will embark on journeys far and wide, not just within the country but to over 50 overseas markets.

    Official data shows that daily transaction volume at the auction trading center, located in Dounan of Kunming, is as high as 6 million stems.

    In the afternoon, Yang Tao delivers 2,000 bundles of blooms to the flower market. A second-generation flower grower, Yang bears witness to the transition of Dounan.

    Residents in Dounan began planting flowers in 1983. In the 1990s, they embarked on the path of commercial cultivation and trading of fresh-cut flowers. At that time, farmers and traders sold flowers on the main road of Dounan Village, forming a 50-meter-long “Dounan flower street.”

    Over the following decades, flowers grown in Dounan were sold to more regions across the country. In 1999, China’s first professional flower-trading market was established in Dounan.

    Since then, Dounan has further developed and strengthened its flower industry chain, progressively establishing itself as the largest fresh-cut flower trading hub in Asia. Now seven out of 10 fresh-cut flowers in China come from Dounan.

    Every day, over 1,700 varieties of fresh flowers are traded in Dounan, which has established itself as the national center for trade, logistics, financial services and big data information of flowers, as well as a convention and exhibition hub for flower tourism.

    Dounan’s blooming flower industry has also consolidated China’s role as a major player in the global flower market.

    With about 1.5 million hectares dedicated to flower cultivation and more than 5 million people involved in the industry, China has become the world’s largest flower producer, and an important flower trader and consumer.

    A guideline jointly issued by China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs proposed that by 2025, the annual sales of the country’s flower industry will reach 300 billion yuan (about 42 billion U.S. dollars), and more than 700 billion yuan in 2035.

    Such promising market prospects have encouraged flower growers to keep improving their know-how and updating cultivation techniques.

    “The introduction of advanced technologies and an integrated smart irrigation system for water and fertilizer has revolutionized our cultivation techniques,” Yang said.

    “This has led to a substantial increase in both the yield and quality of our roses. Now, a team of just four workers can efficiently manage 1.3 hectares of flower fields,” he said, adding that during peak holiday periods, the high market demand means he can sell 140,000 roses in a single day.

    The flower industry has ignited a wave of prosperity that extends far beyond itself.

    “We have a thriving market centered on the flower industry. We have established cooperation with 49 logistics enterprises, nearly 12,000 brands, over 10,000 flower brokers, 350,000 flower wholesale markets and florist shops across the country,” said Qian Chongjun, the executive president of Yunnan Dounan Flower Industry Group.

    As the flower industry flourishes, a ripple effect is transforming the surrounding areas of Dounan. The blossoming logistics, financial services and tourism sectors are all contributing to a vibrant economic boom in the region.

    To Yang, the industry brings a palpable sense of happiness and fulfillment, bringing him a comfortable income while providing a service to thousands of customers seeking flowers to adorn their homes or as a romantic gift.

    “My life has taken a significant step forward thanks to the flowers,” he said, adding that he has recently invested in a new refrigerated truck and hired a driver as the volume of business continues to grow.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi congratulates Prabowo Subianto on assuming presidency of Indonesia

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a congratulatory message to Prabowo Subianto on assuming the presidency of Indonesia.

    Noting that China and Indonesia are traditionally friendly neighbors, Xi said that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has been growing steadily, entering a new era of building a community with a shared future.

    Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Indonesia, which will provide a new opportunity for advancing bilateral cooperation, Xi said.

    Xi also expressed willingness to maintain close strategic communication with Prabowo to guide the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future to a higher level, and write a new chapter of seeking strength through unity, promoting solidarity and coordination, and achieving mutual benefit between two major developing countries. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Prabowo Subianto sworn in as Indonesian president

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Indonesia’s former army general, Prabowo Subianto, was sworn in as the country’s eighth president on Sunday morning at the parliament building, succeeding Joko Widodo, who led the world’s fourth most populous nation for the past decade.

    Prabowo, who had been serving as defense minister, and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo’s eldest son and former mayor of Surakarta, won the 2024 presidential election held on Feb. 14.

    In his inauguration speech, Prabowo pledged to serve all Indonesians. “We will prioritize the interests of the nation and state above all else,” he stated in his address to the nation.

    Following the ceremony, 73-year-old Prabowo and 37-year-old Gibran, Indonesia’s youngest-ever vice president, will be greeted by cheering crowds as they make their way to the state palace. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs meets with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN

    At the sidelines of the 45th AIPA General Assembly in Lao PDR, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Nararya S Soeprapto, held a productive meeting with H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ Johari bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia. The discussion centred on Malaysia’s upcoming presidency of AIPA in 2025 and the modalities of the 4th AIPA-ASEAN Hearing. During the meeting, DSG Nararya assured Malaysia of ASEAN’s commitment to a successful AIPA Chairmanship, emphasising the Secretariat’s readiness to collaborate on initiatives that will enhance the role of AIPA in ASEAN Community building efforts.

    Photo credit: Parlimen Malaysia
    The post Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs meets with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –