NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Africa: G20 Sherpa meeting highlights global development challenges

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency convened its third Sherpa meeting this week, focusing on critical global challenges, including sustainable development and geopolitical tensions.

    Speaking to the media, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, stressed the urgency of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the G20 represents 85% of global GDP and has a crucial role in advancing the 2030 agenda.

    “We are now five years away from the date set for achieving the SDGs and this is worrisome,” the diplomat stated. 

    He said the 20 largest economies in the world, which come from various regions, have a significant role in fostering the development agenda. “The G20 has a responsibility to push hard during these remaining years.”

    He told journalists that Wednesday’s Sherpa meeting of the G20 at the Sun City Resort addressed complex geopolitical issues, with participants discussing conflicts ranging from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Gaza and Ukraine. 

    However, the approach focused on principles of achieving “just peace” rather than diving into specific conflict details.

    Joyini said South Africa outlined four key priorities for its Presidency, which include disaster resilience, debt sustainability, critical minerals, and the Just Energy Transition (JET). 

    The Ambassador, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of transforming Africa’s mineral extraction model. “We do not want raw materials to be just taken from Africa. We want African countries to have space for beneficiation and manufacturing.”

    The meeting also noted the absence of the United States, with officials expressing openness to continued engagement and emphasising the continuity of the G20 agenda.

    Joyini believed that the gathering signalled South Africa’s commitment to advancing Global South priorities and building on the legacies of previous presidencies from Indonesia, India, and Brazil. 

    Meanwhile, Joyini explained the continuity of priorities, such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty from Brazil. “Our task force on food security that we are creating is focusing on the regional level and at the global level.” – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Turpan is a place I dreamed about”: a special screening of a film by an Uzbek documentary filmmaker was held at the Xinjiang – Central Asia media salon

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — The “China’s Xinjiang – Central Asia” media salon was held Wednesday at the scenic Hoshanhong Distillery tourist area in Turpan, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Twenty-three media representatives from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkey watched the documentary “Turpan – A Place I Dreamed About.”

    The event was attended by the film’s creator Muhammad Obidov, who is also the chairman of the Union of Journalists of the Fergana Region and the editor-in-chief of the Fergana Pravda newspaper. This film was shot under his supervision in Turfan in August 2024.

    As M. Obidov said, he came to Turpan in 2023, taking advantage of the opportunity to record an interview as a journalist. After spending just one day there, he was deeply impressed by the local culture, traditions and natural landscapes, and an idea to make a documentary about this place began to emerge in his head. In 2024, during a second visit to the city, he managed to realize his dream.

    According to M. Obidov, the documentary is currently available for viewing in Uzbek, Russian and Chinese. In Uzbekistan, the film was broadcast on several leading media structures and received a favorable response from the audience.

    “This is a touching documentary that faithfully tells the story of the development of Turpan’s grape industry, the rapidly renewing appearance of the city and the happy life of local residents, which contributes to the humanitarian exchanges between China and Uzbekistan,” said Song Tao, deputy head of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Committee of Turpan City.

    Turpan, located in the eastern Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, is a mountain basin. Despite the dry climate and sparse rainfall, thanks to the wisdom of local residents, it has become a green oasis and a famous wine-growing region in the country.

    According to statistics, by the end of 2024, the area of vineyards in Turpan exceeded 630 thousand mu /42 thousand hectares/, where more than 550 varieties of grapes are grown. It accounts for about 40 percent of the total grape production in Xinjiang. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: RBC iShares Expands iShares Core Offering with Launch of New ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, RBC iShares expands its iShares Core exchange traded fund (ETF) lineup with the launch of the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (the ‘iShares Fund’).

    The iShares Fund will provide investors with broad-based exposure to the total U.S. equity market, covering large-, mid-, small-, and micro-capitalized companies. The iShares Fund is a Canadian dollar-hedged offering and complements the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF, XTOT, which was launched on June 2, 2025.

    The iShares Fund is expected to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) today; the iShares Fund is managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc (“BlackRock”).

    Fund Name Ticker Annual
    Management
    Fee    1
    iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XTOH 0.07%2

    RBC iShares aims to help clients achieve their investment objectives by empowering them to build efficient portfolios and take control of their financial futures. RBC iShares is committed to delivering a truly differentiated ETF experience and positive outcomes for clients.

    For more information about RBC iShares, please visit https://www.rbcishares.com.

    About BlackRock

    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

    About iShares

    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

    About RBC
    Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

    We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.

    About RBC Global Asset Management
    RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC Funds, BlueBay Funds, PH&N Funds and RBC ETFs are offered by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) and distributed through authorized dealers in Canada. The RBC GAM group of companies, which includes RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) manage approximately $693 billion in assets and have approximately 1,600 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

    RBC iShares ETFs are comprised of RBC ETFs managed by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. and iShares ETFs managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    ® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. iSHARES is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used under license. © 2025 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and RBC Global Asset Management Inc. All rights reserved.

    Contact for Media:
    Sydney Punchard
    Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

    _______________________

    1 As an annualized percentage of the iShares Fund’s daily net asset value.
    2 If applicable, BlackRock Canada or an affiliate is entitled to receive a fee for acting as manager of each iShares ETF in which this iShares Fund may invest (an “underlying product fee” and together with the management fee payable to BlackRock Canada, the “total annual fee”). As the underlying product fees are embedded in the market value of the iShares ETFs in which this iShares Fund may invest, any underlying product fees are borne indirectly by this iShares Fund. BlackRock Canada will adjust the management fee payable to it by this iShares Fund to ensure that the total annual fees paid directly or indirectly to BlackRock Canada and its affiliates by this iShares Fund will not exceed the percentage of the NAV set out above. The total annual fee is exclusive of HST. Any underlying product fees borne indirectly by this iShares Fund are calculated and accrued daily and are paid not less than annually.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: RBC iShares Expands iShares Core Offering with Launch of New ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, RBC iShares expands its iShares Core exchange traded fund (ETF) lineup with the launch of the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (the ‘iShares Fund’).

    The iShares Fund will provide investors with broad-based exposure to the total U.S. equity market, covering large-, mid-, small-, and micro-capitalized companies. The iShares Fund is a Canadian dollar-hedged offering and complements the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF, XTOT, which was launched on June 2, 2025.

    The iShares Fund is expected to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) today; the iShares Fund is managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc (“BlackRock”).

    Fund Name Ticker Annual
    Management
    Fee    1
    iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XTOH 0.07%2

    RBC iShares aims to help clients achieve their investment objectives by empowering them to build efficient portfolios and take control of their financial futures. RBC iShares is committed to delivering a truly differentiated ETF experience and positive outcomes for clients.

    For more information about RBC iShares, please visit https://www.rbcishares.com.

    About BlackRock

    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

    About iShares

    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

    About RBC
    Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

    We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.

    About RBC Global Asset Management
    RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC Funds, BlueBay Funds, PH&N Funds and RBC ETFs are offered by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) and distributed through authorized dealers in Canada. The RBC GAM group of companies, which includes RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) manage approximately $693 billion in assets and have approximately 1,600 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

    RBC iShares ETFs are comprised of RBC ETFs managed by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. and iShares ETFs managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    ® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. iSHARES is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used under license. © 2025 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and RBC Global Asset Management Inc. All rights reserved.

    Contact for Media:
    Sydney Punchard
    Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

    _______________________

    1 As an annualized percentage of the iShares Fund’s daily net asset value.
    2 If applicable, BlackRock Canada or an affiliate is entitled to receive a fee for acting as manager of each iShares ETF in which this iShares Fund may invest (an “underlying product fee” and together with the management fee payable to BlackRock Canada, the “total annual fee”). As the underlying product fees are embedded in the market value of the iShares ETFs in which this iShares Fund may invest, any underlying product fees are borne indirectly by this iShares Fund. BlackRock Canada will adjust the management fee payable to it by this iShares Fund to ensure that the total annual fees paid directly or indirectly to BlackRock Canada and its affiliates by this iShares Fund will not exceed the percentage of the NAV set out above. The total annual fee is exclusive of HST. Any underlying product fees borne indirectly by this iShares Fund are calculated and accrued daily and are paid not less than annually.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in the Middle East

    Source: ASEAN

    We express concern over the escalation of tensions in the Middle East since 13 June 2025, and welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Iran on 24 June 2025. We urge all parties to respect the ceasefire and avoid further escalation of this conflict.
    We reaffirm the obligation of all States to resolve their differences through peaceful means and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, in line with international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter. We further reiterate the obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures in armed conflicts consistent with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
    We support ongoing efforts, including those led by the UN, aimed at de-escalating tensions and facilitating the resumption of constructive engagement among parties involved.
    We also re-emphasise the shared commitment to provide emergency assistance to ASEAN nationals, in accordance with the ASEAN Declaration on the Guidelines on Consular Assistance by ASEAN Member States’ Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of Other ASEAN Member State and the Guidelines for the Provision of Emergency Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEAN Member Countries in Crisis Situations.

     
    Download the full statement here.

    The post ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in the Middle East appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: UK’s F-35A fighter jet deal problem: the RAF has no aircraft to refuel them in mid-air

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Arun Dawson, PhD Candidate, Department of War Studies, King’s College London

    A1C Jake Welty

    The UK has decided to acquire at least 12 F-35A stealth fighters. These fighter jets should be able to carry out nuclear and conventional strikes from the air, a capability the Royal Air Force (RAF) has lacked since the 1990s. The deal also marks a significant move for the UK’s participation in Nato operations amid rising nuclear rhetoric from adversaries.

    The F-35A brings notable advantages over the F-35B variant already in RAF service. It’s less expensive to buy and operate, has greater range – 679 miles (1093km) vs 517 miles (833km) – and supports a broader variety of weapons, including the nuclear-capable B61 bomb (with US agreement). Because it can spend longer in the air, it may also allow prospective RAF pilots to get through their pilot training quicker.

    Yet while the F-35A offers greater range than many comparable fighter jets, it still requires in-flight refuelling to operate effectively over extended distances and to return home from such missions. This exposes a critical vulnerability that has been largely overlooked in public commentary: the RAF has no tanker aircraft capable of supporting the F-35A in this way. As a result, these fighter jets – carrying nuclear ordnance or otherwise – are limited in the types of operations they can carry out.

    Unlike the F-35B which is compatible with the UK’s current fleet of tankers, the A-model depends exclusively on “flying boom” refuelling. Flying boom is one of two aerial refuelling methods. Favoured by the United States Air Force, it uses a rigid, extendable tube to deliver fuel at a high transfer rate and is generally easier for receiving pilots to operate.

    The alternative is probe-and-drogue which relies on a flexible hose and basket, connected to a probe on the receiving aircraft. While slower and more demanding to operate, it allows multiple fighters to refuel simultaneously, offers redundancy (backup options) and is simpler to integrate.

    The RAF’s refuelling predicament stems from an exclusive leasing deal negotiated under the last Labour government, which supplied only probe-and-drogue Voyager tankers. Although the aircraft were designed to support both systems, the UK opted not to include booms due to cost constraints and limited demand at the time.

    Since then, however, the UK has steadily acquired more American-made aircraft that can only use the flying boom method to refuel: the C-17 Globemaster (air transport), RC-135W Rivet Joint (intelligence), E-7 Wedgetail (airborne command and control) and P-8A Poseidon (maritime patrol).

    The F-35A announcement continues this trend but with greater implications. While the aircraft can carry external fuel tanks to extend its range, this degrades its stealth capability. Stealth means it is less easy for enemy sensors – like radar – to detect. The F-35A needs this stealth capability for nuclear missions that require penetration of contested airspace to deliver unguided B61 bombs.

    The outcome is that Britain’s F-35As, along with alternative and otherwise highly capable aircraft, will not be ablew to operate independently during critical military operations. London to Eastern Europe, for instance, is roughly 1,150 miles (1,852km): nearly double the distance the F-35A can fly without refuelling. Without flying boom tankers or bases in foreign countries for refuelling, tactical flexibility is compromised.

    This shortfall imposes a growing reliance on allied tanker support. In crisis conditions, UK aircraft could be confined to American-led operations where such tankers exist.

    This risk was manageable in previous decades; the possibility of operating without the Americans considered remote. But as the 2025 Strategic Defence Review concedes, the United States is clear that the “security of Europe is no longer its primary international focus”.

    And while some Nato allies in Europe as well as Australia are increasing their flying boom capacity through a multinational fleet, the UK is not as yet part of those arrangements. Retrofitting the existing Voyager fleet remains an option, but it would require an extensive – and expensive – structural overhaul, prompting the question of whether acquiring new, compatible tankers might now be a more viable path.

    Either way, until Britain invests in flying boom capability or secures assured access from allies, it will have to accept constraints to its military power. Buying frontline jets is only part of the equation. Without the means to sustain them in the air, the UK risks fielding a force that can’t reach its target, leaving it a spectator when it matters most.

    Arun Dawson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. UK’s F-35A fighter jet deal problem: the RAF has no aircraft to refuel them in mid-air – https://theconversation.com/uks-f-35a-fighter-jet-deal-problem-the-raf-has-no-aircraft-to-refuel-them-in-mid-air-259821

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: UK’s F-35A fighter jet deal problem: the RAF has no aircraft to refuel them in mid-air

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Arun Dawson, PhD Candidate, Department of War Studies, King’s College London

    A1C Jake Welty

    The UK has decided to acquire at least 12 F-35A stealth fighters. These fighter jets should be able to carry out nuclear and conventional strikes from the air, a capability the Royal Air Force (RAF) has lacked since the 1990s. The deal also marks a significant move for the UK’s participation in Nato operations amid rising nuclear rhetoric from adversaries.

    The F-35A brings notable advantages over the F-35B variant already in RAF service. It’s less expensive to buy and operate, has greater range – 679 miles (1093km) vs 517 miles (833km) – and supports a broader variety of weapons, including the nuclear-capable B61 bomb (with US agreement). Because it can spend longer in the air, it may also allow prospective RAF pilots to get through their pilot training quicker.

    Yet while the F-35A offers greater range than many comparable fighter jets, it still requires in-flight refuelling to operate effectively over extended distances and to return home from such missions. This exposes a critical vulnerability that has been largely overlooked in public commentary: the RAF has no tanker aircraft capable of supporting the F-35A in this way. As a result, these fighter jets – carrying nuclear ordnance or otherwise – are limited in the types of operations they can carry out.

    Unlike the F-35B which is compatible with the UK’s current fleet of tankers, the A-model depends exclusively on “flying boom” refuelling. Flying boom is one of two aerial refuelling methods. Favoured by the United States Air Force, it uses a rigid, extendable tube to deliver fuel at a high transfer rate and is generally easier for receiving pilots to operate.

    The alternative is probe-and-drogue which relies on a flexible hose and basket, connected to a probe on the receiving aircraft. While slower and more demanding to operate, it allows multiple fighters to refuel simultaneously, offers redundancy (backup options) and is simpler to integrate.

    The RAF’s refuelling predicament stems from an exclusive leasing deal negotiated under the last Labour government, which supplied only probe-and-drogue Voyager tankers. Although the aircraft were designed to support both systems, the UK opted not to include booms due to cost constraints and limited demand at the time.

    Since then, however, the UK has steadily acquired more American-made aircraft that can only use the flying boom method to refuel: the C-17 Globemaster (air transport), RC-135W Rivet Joint (intelligence), E-7 Wedgetail (airborne command and control) and P-8A Poseidon (maritime patrol).

    The F-35A announcement continues this trend but with greater implications. While the aircraft can carry external fuel tanks to extend its range, this degrades its stealth capability. Stealth means it is less easy for enemy sensors – like radar – to detect. The F-35A needs this stealth capability for nuclear missions that require penetration of contested airspace to deliver unguided B61 bombs.

    The outcome is that Britain’s F-35As, along with alternative and otherwise highly capable aircraft, will not be ablew to operate independently during critical military operations. London to Eastern Europe, for instance, is roughly 1,150 miles (1,852km): nearly double the distance the F-35A can fly without refuelling. Without flying boom tankers or bases in foreign countries for refuelling, tactical flexibility is compromised.

    This shortfall imposes a growing reliance on allied tanker support. In crisis conditions, UK aircraft could be confined to American-led operations where such tankers exist.

    This risk was manageable in previous decades; the possibility of operating without the Americans considered remote. But as the 2025 Strategic Defence Review concedes, the United States is clear that the “security of Europe is no longer its primary international focus”.

    And while some Nato allies in Europe as well as Australia are increasing their flying boom capacity through a multinational fleet, the UK is not as yet part of those arrangements. Retrofitting the existing Voyager fleet remains an option, but it would require an extensive – and expensive – structural overhaul, prompting the question of whether acquiring new, compatible tankers might now be a more viable path.

    Either way, until Britain invests in flying boom capability or secures assured access from allies, it will have to accept constraints to its military power. Buying frontline jets is only part of the equation. Without the means to sustain them in the air, the UK risks fielding a force that can’t reach its target, leaving it a spectator when it matters most.

    Arun Dawson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. UK’s F-35A fighter jet deal problem: the RAF has no aircraft to refuel them in mid-air – https://theconversation.com/uks-f-35a-fighter-jet-deal-problem-the-raf-has-no-aircraft-to-refuel-them-in-mid-air-259821

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • Haryana govt gears up to roll out Lado Lakshmi Scheme; Rs 2,100 monthly aid for poor women

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Haryana government has completed preparations to roll out the Lado Lakshmi Scheme, which promises monthly financial support of Rs 2,100 to women from economically weaker sections.

    According to the Department of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture (DIPR) on X, the scheme is set to be implemented this year. “Under this scheme, an amount of Rs 2,100 will be deposited into the accounts of women this year itself,” the post quoted CM Saini as saying.

    A budgetary provision of Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated for the scheme. The post also mentioned that the government has fulfilled 28 out of the 217 resolutions made, and work is underway on 90 others, within just five months of assuming office.

    In another key announcement, the chief minister said results for 7,500 government job positions will be declared soon. “A plan is also being prepared to recruit youth for vacant posts across departments,” the post read.

    Earlier this week, on June 23, CM Saini had urged Vice Chancellors of state universities to prioritise skill development programmes aimed at improving employability among the youth.

    According to an official release, the CM stressed the need for stronger industry-academia collaboration. “Each university should run at least 10 per cent of its programs in partnership with industrial entities,” he said, adding that the move is aimed at aligning education with evolving market needs and generating employment opportunities in the state.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commissioner for Belt and Road leads delegation to Indonesia and Malaysia to promote Hong Kong’s professional services

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, led a delegation to Indonesia and Malaysia to promote Hong Kong’s professional services related to infrastructure and construction and to explore opportunities for co-operation. The visit concluded today (June 26).
     
         The delegation visited Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 23 and 24, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 25 and 26 to meet with government officials, business leaders and representatives of professional organisations and enterprises of the two places.
     
         The delegates visited the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency and the Investment Coordinating Board in Indonesia, as well as the Public Private Partnership Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in Malaysia, to learn about the latest economic and infrastructure developments in the two places. While in Malaysia, they also met with the Minister of Transport of Malaysia, Mr Loke Siew Fook, to exchange views and understand the planning and development of Malaysia’s transportation system, with a view to exploring opportunities for Hong Kong’s professional services to participate and contribute.
      
         In addition, the delegation attended presentations of signature projects in the two places, directly connecting with representatives of local enterprises to explore commercially viable investment and co-operation. They also attended business luncheons hosted in the two places by the Belt and Road Office with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages to around 200 local business leaders. Apart from the delegates, around 20 representatives from Hong Kong enterprises and organisations also took part in some of the exchange sessions. During the visit period, Hong Kong representatives signed 21 Memoranda of Understanding with their partners in Indonesia and Malaysia, covering such areas as business collaboration and exchanges in professional services.
     
         During the stay in Jakarta, Mr Ho also visited a data centre, an investment development project of a Hong Kong company, to learn about how the data centre contributes to the development of the Digital Silk Road in promoting connectivity.
     
         Mr Ho said, “The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner and a key link in the Belt and Road Initiative. Indonesia and Malaysia are both undergoing rapid infrastructure development, and there is huge demand for professional services in large-scale projects such as the new capital city of Nusantara in Indonesia and the mass rapid transit system in Malaysia. Hong Kong, as a ‘super connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’, is connected to international standards in fields such as financing, law, construction engineering, project management, logistics and transportation, and innovative technology. We also have a deep pool of professionals with experience especially in taking forward public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects, presenting extensive room for collaboration with Indonesia and Malaysia to seize the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative.”
     
         He added that as an international financial and trade centre, Hong Kong possesses the advantages of convergence of capital and talent, and is committed to giving full play to its role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road, striving for solid progress in pursuing high-quality Belt and Road co-operation. As announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, the Government will continue to pay visits and lead business and professional services delegations to priority markets such as Belt and Road countries.
     
         The delegation comprises around 20 representatives from professional services and commercial sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises. The visit is supported by the Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme under the Government’s Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme. Hong Kong professionals from eligible professional sectors can apply for the subsidy to join the visit to promote Hong Kong’s competitive edges and professional services.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds

    • Amnesty visits more than 50 scamming compounds in 18-month long research
    • Testimony from survivors details human trafficking, slavery and forced labour affecting thousands
    • Findings point towards state complicity in abuses carried out by Chinese criminal gangs

    The Cambodian government is deliberately ignoring a litany of human rights abuses including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture being carried out by criminal gangs on a vast scale in more than 50 scamming compounds located across the country, Amnesty International said in a new report published today.

    Survivors interviewed for the report, “I Was Someone Else’s Property”, believed they were applying for genuine jobs but were instead trafficked to Cambodia, where they were held in prison-like compounds and forced to conduct online scams in a billion-dollar shadow economy defrauding people around the world.

    Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organized gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General

    “Deceived, trafficked and enslaved, the survivors of these scamming compounds describe being trapped in a living nightmare – enlisted in criminal enterprises that are operating with the apparent consent of the Cambodian government,” Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard said.

    “Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organized gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    “Amnesty’s research reveals the horrifying magnitude of a crisis the Cambodian authorities are not doing enough to stop. Their failures have emboldened a criminal network whose tentacles extend internationally, with millions of people impacted by the scams.”

    Amnesty’s findings suggest there has been coordination and possibly collusion between Chinese compound bosses and the Cambodian police, who have failed to shut down compounds despite the slew of human rights abuses taking place inside.

    ‘High salary and swimming pool’

    In the most comprehensive documentation yet of the issue, Amnesty’s 240-page report identified at least 53 scamming compounds in Cambodia and interviewed 58 survivors of eight different nationalities, including nine children. Amnesty also reviewed the records of 336 other victims of Cambodian compounds. Those interviewed had either escaped from compounds, been rescued or had a ransom paid by their families.

    The interviewees’ testimony gives a detailed insight into a sprawling, violent criminal operation that is taking place often with the full knowledge of the Cambodian authorities, whose woefully ineffective – and at times corrupt – response to the scamming crisis demonstrates its acquiescence and points towards state complicity in the human rights abuses taking place.

    They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop.

    *Lisa, who was trafficked at the age of 18 and forced to work on scams

    One survivor, *Lisa, who was 18 and looking for work during a break from school in Thailand when she was trafficked, said: “[The recruiters] said I would work in administration… they sent pictures of a hotel with a swimming pool… the salary was high.”

    Instead, Lisa was taken across a river at night into Cambodia, where she spent 11 months held against her will by armed security guards and forced to work on scams. When she tried to escape, she was severely beaten.

    “There were four men… three of them held me down while the boss hit me on the soles of my feet with a metal pole… They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop,” she said.

    Map showing the 53 scamming compounds documented by Amnesty International.

    ‘They kept beating [them] until their body was purple’

    As part of its 18-month long research, Amnesty International visited all but one of the 53 scamming compounds located in 16 towns and cities across Cambodia, as well as 45 similar sites also strongly suspected to be scamming compounds. Many of the buildings were formerly casinos and hotels repurposed by criminal gangs – mostly from China – after Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019.

    Compounds appeared designed to keep people inside, with features such as surveillance cameras, barbed wire around perimeter walls and large numbers of security personnel, often carrying electric shock batons and in some cases firearms. Survivors reported that “escape was impossible”.

    Most victims had been lured to Cambodia by deceptive job advertisements posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. After being trafficked, survivors said they were forced to contact people using social media platforms and begin conversations aimed at defrauding them. These included fake romances or investment opportunities, selling products that would never be delivered, or building trust with victims before financially exploiting them – known as “pig-butchering”.

    All but one of the survivors interviewed were victims of human trafficking, while everyone had been subjected to forced labour under the threat of violence. In 32 cases, Amnesty International concluded the survivors were victims of slavery as defined under international law, with compound managers exerting a level of control over them that amounted to de facto ownership. Survivors also reported being sold into compounds or witnessing the sale of other people. Many others were told they owed a debt to the compound which they had to work to repay.

    Forty of the 58 survivors interviewed had suffered torture or other ill-treatment – almost always carried out by compound managers. Some compounds had specific rooms – often known as “dark rooms” – which were designated places for torture of people who did not or could not work or meet work targets, or who contacted the authorities.

    Survivors frequently mentioned deaths inside the compounds or nearby; one survivor described hearing a body hitting the roof of a building. Amnesty International also confirmed the death of a Chinese child inside a compound.

    Survivor *Siti described seeing a Vietnamese person beaten by compound bosses for around 25 minutes. He said: “They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton. Beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up…then the boss tell me that they wait until another compound want to buy him.”

    Of the nine children interviewed, five were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. *Sawat, a 17-year-old Thai boy, was beaten by several managers before being told he would be stripped and forced to jump off the building.

    PSP01: compound with suspected guard posts – highlighted with yellow circles – at strategic locations within the perimeter wall.

    Cambodian government’s glaring failures

    Amnesty International’s report found that the Cambodian government has failed to adequately investigate widespread human rights abuses at scamming compounds despite being repeatedly made aware of them.

    “The Cambodian authorities know what is going on inside scamming compounds, yet they allow it to continue. Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raises questions about the government’s motivations,” Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said.

    The government has claimed to be addressing the scamming crisis through its National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCT) and a number of ministerial task forces, which have overseen a series of police “rescues” of victims from compounds. However, more than two thirds of the scamming compounds identified in the report continued to operate even after police raids and “rescues”. At one compound in Botum Sakor, human trafficking has been widely reported by media and police have intervened multiple times to rescue victims, yet the site remains open.

    Police failings stem from their collaboration or coordination with compound bosses. For example, in many of the “rescues”, instead of entering the compounds and investigating, police would simply meet a manager or security guard at the gate, where they would be handed the individual(s) who had called in for help. Business then continued as usual.

    In other instances, several survivors said they were punished with beatings after their secretive efforts to contact police for help were somehow uncovered by bosses. One Vietnamese survivor told Amnesty International that police “work for the compound and will report requests for help back to the compound bosses”.

    Those “rescued” from compounds were often subsequently detained in immigration detention centres in poor conditions for months at a time – the Cambodian authorities having failed to recognize them as victims of human trafficking and provide them with the support required under international law.

    Meanwhile, the authorities have targeted others speaking out about scamming compounds. Several human rights defenders and journalists working on the issue have been arrested, while the news outlet Voice of Democracy was closed in 2023 in apparent retaliation for its reporting on the scamming crisis.

    Amnesty International sent its findings to the NCCT, which responded by sharing vague data on interventions at compounds, none of which clarified whether the state has identified, investigated or prosecuted individuals for human rights abuses other than deprivation of liberty. It also did not respond to Amnesty International’s list of scamming compounds or suspicious locations.

    Caged windows behind high walls of a scamming compound with three rungs of barbed or razor wire.

    Slavery thrives when governments look away.

    Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director

    “The Cambodian government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to. The police interventions documented appear to be merely ‘for show’,” Montse Ferrer said.

    “Cambodia’s authorities must ensure no more jobseekers are trafficked into the country to face torture, slavery or any other human rights abuse. They must urgently investigate and shut down all scamming compounds and properly identify, assist and protect victims. Slavery thrives when governments look away.”

    Survivors interviewed for Amnesty International’s report were from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ethiopia, but Amnesty International also had access to records of hundreds of others who are nationals of India, Kenya, Nepal and the Philippines among many more.

    Background

    Under international human rights law, the Cambodian state has a duty to ensure that no one is held in slavery or servitude or required to perform forced labour. It is obligated to protect children from economic exploitation and must prevent, prohibit, investigate and prosecute acts of torture. The Cambodian government must also effectively investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking whether committed by governmental or non-state actors; it must identify trafficking victims and provide remedy; and it must implement measures to ensure that “rescue” operations of trafficked persons do not further harm their rights and dignity.

    *All survivors using pseudonyms for security reasons

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds

    • Amnesty visits more than 50 scamming compounds in 18-month long research
    • Testimony from survivors details human trafficking, slavery and forced labour affecting thousands
    • Findings point towards state complicity in abuses carried out by Chinese criminal gangs

    The Cambodian government is deliberately ignoring a litany of human rights abuses including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture being carried out by criminal gangs on a vast scale in more than 50 scamming compounds located across the country, Amnesty International said in a new report published today.

    Survivors interviewed for the report, “I Was Someone Else’s Property”, believed they were applying for genuine jobs but were instead trafficked to Cambodia, where they were held in prison-like compounds and forced to conduct online scams in a billion-dollar shadow economy defrauding people around the world.

    Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organized gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General

    “Deceived, trafficked and enslaved, the survivors of these scamming compounds describe being trapped in a living nightmare – enlisted in criminal enterprises that are operating with the apparent consent of the Cambodian government,” Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard said.

    “Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organized gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    “Amnesty’s research reveals the horrifying magnitude of a crisis the Cambodian authorities are not doing enough to stop. Their failures have emboldened a criminal network whose tentacles extend internationally, with millions of people impacted by the scams.”

    Amnesty’s findings suggest there has been coordination and possibly collusion between Chinese compound bosses and the Cambodian police, who have failed to shut down compounds despite the slew of human rights abuses taking place inside.

    ‘High salary and swimming pool’

    In the most comprehensive documentation yet of the issue, Amnesty’s 240-page report identified at least 53 scamming compounds in Cambodia and interviewed 58 survivors of eight different nationalities, including nine children. Amnesty also reviewed the records of 336 other victims of Cambodian compounds. Those interviewed had either escaped from compounds, been rescued or had a ransom paid by their families.

    The interviewees’ testimony gives a detailed insight into a sprawling, violent criminal operation that is taking place often with the full knowledge of the Cambodian authorities, whose woefully ineffective – and at times corrupt – response to the scamming crisis demonstrates its acquiescence and points towards state complicity in the human rights abuses taking place.

    They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop.

    *Lisa, who was trafficked at the age of 18 and forced to work on scams

    One survivor, *Lisa, who was 18 and looking for work during a break from school in Thailand when she was trafficked, said: “[The recruiters] said I would work in administration… they sent pictures of a hotel with a swimming pool… the salary was high.”

    Instead, Lisa was taken across a river at night into Cambodia, where she spent 11 months held against her will by armed security guards and forced to work on scams. When she tried to escape, she was severely beaten.

    “There were four men… three of them held me down while the boss hit me on the soles of my feet with a metal pole… They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop,” she said.

    Map showing the 53 scamming compounds documented by Amnesty International.

    ‘They kept beating [them] until their body was purple’

    As part of its 18-month long research, Amnesty International visited all but one of the 53 scamming compounds located in 16 towns and cities across Cambodia, as well as 45 similar sites also strongly suspected to be scamming compounds. Many of the buildings were formerly casinos and hotels repurposed by criminal gangs – mostly from China – after Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019.

    Compounds appeared designed to keep people inside, with features such as surveillance cameras, barbed wire around perimeter walls and large numbers of security personnel, often carrying electric shock batons and in some cases firearms. Survivors reported that “escape was impossible”.

    Most victims had been lured to Cambodia by deceptive job advertisements posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. After being trafficked, survivors said they were forced to contact people using social media platforms and begin conversations aimed at defrauding them. These included fake romances or investment opportunities, selling products that would never be delivered, or building trust with victims before financially exploiting them – known as “pig-butchering”.

    All but one of the survivors interviewed were victims of human trafficking, while everyone had been subjected to forced labour under the threat of violence. In 32 cases, Amnesty International concluded the survivors were victims of slavery as defined under international law, with compound managers exerting a level of control over them that amounted to de facto ownership. Survivors also reported being sold into compounds or witnessing the sale of other people. Many others were told they owed a debt to the compound which they had to work to repay.

    Forty of the 58 survivors interviewed had suffered torture or other ill-treatment – almost always carried out by compound managers. Some compounds had specific rooms – often known as “dark rooms” – which were designated places for torture of people who did not or could not work or meet work targets, or who contacted the authorities.

    Survivors frequently mentioned deaths inside the compounds or nearby; one survivor described hearing a body hitting the roof of a building. Amnesty International also confirmed the death of a Chinese child inside a compound.

    Survivor *Siti described seeing a Vietnamese person beaten by compound bosses for around 25 minutes. He said: “They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton. Beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up…then the boss tell me that they wait until another compound want to buy him.”

    Of the nine children interviewed, five were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. *Sawat, a 17-year-old Thai boy, was beaten by several managers before being told he would be stripped and forced to jump off the building.

    PSP01: compound with suspected guard posts – highlighted with yellow circles – at strategic locations within the perimeter wall.

    Cambodian government’s glaring failures

    Amnesty International’s report found that the Cambodian government has failed to adequately investigate widespread human rights abuses at scamming compounds despite being repeatedly made aware of them.

    “The Cambodian authorities know what is going on inside scamming compounds, yet they allow it to continue. Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raises questions about the government’s motivations,” Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said.

    The government has claimed to be addressing the scamming crisis through its National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCT) and a number of ministerial task forces, which have overseen a series of police “rescues” of victims from compounds. However, more than two thirds of the scamming compounds identified in the report continued to operate even after police raids and “rescues”. At one compound in Botum Sakor, human trafficking has been widely reported by media and police have intervened multiple times to rescue victims, yet the site remains open.

    Police failings stem from their collaboration or coordination with compound bosses. For example, in many of the “rescues”, instead of entering the compounds and investigating, police would simply meet a manager or security guard at the gate, where they would be handed the individual(s) who had called in for help. Business then continued as usual.

    In other instances, several survivors said they were punished with beatings after their secretive efforts to contact police for help were somehow uncovered by bosses. One Vietnamese survivor told Amnesty International that police “work for the compound and will report requests for help back to the compound bosses”.

    Those “rescued” from compounds were often subsequently detained in immigration detention centres in poor conditions for months at a time – the Cambodian authorities having failed to recognize them as victims of human trafficking and provide them with the support required under international law.

    Meanwhile, the authorities have targeted others speaking out about scamming compounds. Several human rights defenders and journalists working on the issue have been arrested, while the news outlet Voice of Democracy was closed in 2023 in apparent retaliation for its reporting on the scamming crisis.

    Amnesty International sent its findings to the NCCT, which responded by sharing vague data on interventions at compounds, none of which clarified whether the state has identified, investigated or prosecuted individuals for human rights abuses other than deprivation of liberty. It also did not respond to Amnesty International’s list of scamming compounds or suspicious locations.

    Caged windows behind high walls of a scamming compound with three rungs of barbed or razor wire.

    Slavery thrives when governments look away.

    Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director

    “The Cambodian government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to. The police interventions documented appear to be merely ‘for show’,” Montse Ferrer said.

    “Cambodia’s authorities must ensure no more jobseekers are trafficked into the country to face torture, slavery or any other human rights abuse. They must urgently investigate and shut down all scamming compounds and properly identify, assist and protect victims. Slavery thrives when governments look away.”

    Survivors interviewed for Amnesty International’s report were from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ethiopia, but Amnesty International also had access to records of hundreds of others who are nationals of India, Kenya, Nepal and the Philippines among many more.

    Background

    Under international human rights law, the Cambodian state has a duty to ensure that no one is held in slavery or servitude or required to perform forced labour. It is obligated to protect children from economic exploitation and must prevent, prohibit, investigate and prosecute acts of torture. The Cambodian government must also effectively investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking whether committed by governmental or non-state actors; it must identify trafficking victims and provide remedy; and it must implement measures to ensure that “rescue” operations of trafficked persons do not further harm their rights and dignity.

    *All survivors using pseudonyms for security reasons

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI China: China remains ‘thriving land’ in global economy: Premier Li

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

    BEIJING, June 26 — Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday that China’s economy will remain a thriving land in the global economy, and the expansion and upgrading of the massive Chinese market will keep generating significant dividends, offering greater trade and investment opportunities for other countries.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Board of Governors, Li affirmed China’s commitment to high-standard opening up and its ongoing deep integration into the global economy, a move set to create fresh development opportunities worldwide.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: S for Housing attends Asia Pacific Network for Housing Research 2025 Conference at Tsinghua University (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    S for Housing attends Asia Pacific Network for Housing Research 2025 Conference at Tsinghua University  
         The APNHR is an international organisation focusing on housing issues in the Asia-Pacific region. The conference was held at Tsinghua University this year with the theme “Towards Resilience and Inclusivity: Adapting to Multifaceted Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Region”. The conference convened experts and scholars in the fields of architecture, urban planning, sociology, environmental studies, and others from the Asia-Pacific region to have in-depth exchanges on the housing development and challenges in the region, and to jointly explore ways to promote innovative housing construction and development directions. Participants included professors and students from Tsinghua University and relevant trade representatives.
    ???
         Ms Ho attended the roundtable session of the conference in the morning. She shared the opportunities and challenges in housing development faced by the Housing Bureau (HB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA). She said that the current-term HKSAR Government has actively addressed Hong Kong’s housing problems since taking office, overcoming livelihood issues and addressing people’s concerns by identifying sites and enhancing the quantity, speed, efficiency and quality of public housing construction. The HB is working full steam ahead on implementing groundbreaking innovative policy initiatives, such as Light Public Housing (LPH) and Basic Housing Units, to tackle the “long-standing, big and difficult” issue that has plagued Hong Kong for many years and to provide the grassroots with options to improve their living environment and quality of life. The HKHA, established over 50 years ago, has long been providing affordable rental housing to low-income families with housing needs. It continuously enhances the housing ladder to help low- to middle-income families gain access to subsidised home ownership, encouraging them to move up the housing ladder and thus enhance people’s sense of contentment and happiness.
     
         Ms Ho said that Hong Kong, with its distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world, has leveraged the strengths of the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in smart construction. The HB and the HKHA have been making use of various innovative construction technologies, such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), construction robots and smart project management platforms, to enhance construction efficiency and build LPH expeditiously, so as to improve the living conditions of those who are inadequately housed as soon as possible.
     
         She also introduced at the conference the “Well-being design” guide launched by the HB and the HKHA last year. It covers eight well-being concepts, namely “Health & Vitality”, “Green Living and Sustainability”, “Age-Friendliness”, “Intergenerational & Inclusive Living”, “Family & Community Connection”, “Urban Integration”, “Upward Mobility” and “Perception & Image”. The guide serves as a reference for the future design of new public housing and the improvement works of existing public rental housing estates, with a view to creating a more comfortable and vibrant living environment for public housing tenants. Apart from housing construction, the HKHA has also continued to enhance management efficiency and service quality of its nearly 200 public rental housing estates by actively promoting smart estate management and introducing new technologies to optimise estate management and building maintenance services, to provide a better living environment for its residents.
     
         In the afternoon, Ms Ho visited the Qingtangwan public rental housing project in Beijing. This project is a green residential area that adopted the use of prefabricated components and environmental monitoring platforms, among others, that facilitate energy saving and decarbonisation and promote a low-carbon lifestyle. It also implements smart community management through community apps. This is in line with the HKHA’s direction of promoting smart estate management through innovative technologies, which is of reference value to Hong Kong.
     
         Afterwards, Ms Ho met with the Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Mr Xie Hui, to exchange views on housing design and planning. She also shared the adoption of advanced construction technologies from the Mainland in Hong Kong and the outcomes. She mentioned that this year, under the Housing•I&T initiative, the HB will organise a series of activities and visits, including an international symposium to be held in Hong Kong in November, to showcase to the world the latest developments of construction technologies in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The HB will fully capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the rest of the world and play the role of a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”. She expressed hope that friends from around the world could attend the symposium to be hosted by Hong Kong at the end of this year.
     
         Yesterday (June 25), Ms Ho visited the Better House Living Tech Lab and was briefed on the practice of combining housing design concepts of quality homes and technologies on the Mainland. Some examples are the installation of age-friendly facilities such as handrails and sensor lights, and the External Wall Three-Axis Surveillance System for monitoring the old exterior walls’ stability, to create a safe and eco-friendly smart living environment.
     
         Ms Ho will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (June 27) before returning to Hong Kong.
    Issued at HKT 18:09

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKMA and SFC conclude annual updates to Financial Services Providers list under OTC derivatives regulatory regime

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
     
    The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today (June 26) issued joint consultation conclusions on the annual updates to the list of Financial Services Providers (FSP List) (Note 1) under the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives clearing regime.
     
    Having considered market feedback, the HKMA and SFC will implement the proposed changes to the FSP List as set out in the joint consultation paper (Note 2). The consultation conclusions paper and updated FSP List are available on the websites of the HKMA and SFC (Note 3).

    Note 1: The FSP List includes entities that meet the following two criteria:
    (a)  They belong to a group of companies that appears on either the list of global systemically important banks published by the Financial Stability Board, or the list of dealer groups which undertook to the OTC Derivatives Supervisors Group to work collaboratively with central counterparties, infrastructure providers and global supervisors to continue to make structural improvements to the global OTC derivatives markets; and
    (b)  They are clearing members of the largest central counterparties offering clearing for interest rate swaps in the United States, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong.

    Note 2: See the April 2025 joint consultation paper on the annual updates to the FSP List. 

    Note 3: The updated FSP List will be gazetted during the fourth quarter of 2025 for implementation on January 1, 2026.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKMA and SFC conclude annual updates to Financial Services Providers list under OTC derivatives regulatory regime

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
     
    The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today (June 26) issued joint consultation conclusions on the annual updates to the list of Financial Services Providers (FSP List) (Note 1) under the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives clearing regime.
     
    Having considered market feedback, the HKMA and SFC will implement the proposed changes to the FSP List as set out in the joint consultation paper (Note 2). The consultation conclusions paper and updated FSP List are available on the websites of the HKMA and SFC (Note 3).

    Note 1: The FSP List includes entities that meet the following two criteria:
    (a)  They belong to a group of companies that appears on either the list of global systemically important banks published by the Financial Stability Board, or the list of dealer groups which undertook to the OTC Derivatives Supervisors Group to work collaboratively with central counterparties, infrastructure providers and global supervisors to continue to make structural improvements to the global OTC derivatives markets; and
    (b)  They are clearing members of the largest central counterparties offering clearing for interest rate swaps in the United States, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong.

    Note 2: See the April 2025 joint consultation paper on the annual updates to the FSP List. 

    Note 3: The updated FSP List will be gazetted during the fourth quarter of 2025 for implementation on January 1, 2026.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Working Group on Patriotic Education distributes tote bags and badges to local primary school students (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Working Group on Patriotic Education distributes tote bags and badges to local primary school students (with photo)     
         The Convenor of the WGPE, Dr Starry Lee, said, “The Central Government gifted a pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, demonstrating the country’s care for Hong Kong and fostering exchanges in areas such as culture and conservation. In celebration of the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and the upcoming first birthday of the giant panda twin cubs, Jia Jia and De De, tote bags and badges are distributed to local primary school students to share the joy, promote patriotism, and strengthen students’ sense of belonging to our nation.”
         
         The Giant Panda Family tote bags feature Hong Kong’s traditional signage with six adorable and lively giant pandas. Paired with badges displaying messages of promoting love for our country, Hong Kong and our community, patriotic education can be better integrated across campuses and into students’ daily studies and lives in an interesting and diversified manner.
    Issued at HKT 16:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Working Group on Patriotic Education distributes tote bags and badges to local primary school students (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Working Group on Patriotic Education distributes tote bags and badges to local primary school students (with photo)     
         The Convenor of the WGPE, Dr Starry Lee, said, “The Central Government gifted a pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, demonstrating the country’s care for Hong Kong and fostering exchanges in areas such as culture and conservation. In celebration of the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and the upcoming first birthday of the giant panda twin cubs, Jia Jia and De De, tote bags and badges are distributed to local primary school students to share the joy, promote patriotism, and strengthen students’ sense of belonging to our nation.”
         
         The Giant Panda Family tote bags feature Hong Kong’s traditional signage with six adorable and lively giant pandas. Paired with badges displaying messages of promoting love for our country, Hong Kong and our community, patriotic education can be better integrated across campuses and into students’ daily studies and lives in an interesting and diversified manner.
    Issued at HKT 16:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: External merchandise trade statistics for May 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    External merchandise trade statistics for May 2025 
    In May 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 15.5% over a year earlier to $434.1 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 14.7% in April 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 18.9% over a year earlier to $461.4 billion in May 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 15.8% in April 2025. A visible trade deficit of $27.3 billion, equivalent to 5.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in May 2025.
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.6% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 12.9%. A visible trade deficit of $124.7 billion, equivalent to 5.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first five months of 2025.
     
    Comparing the three-month period ending May 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 10.0%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.9%.
     
    Analysis by country/territory
     
    Comparing May 2025 with May 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 21.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Japan (+96.2%), Malaysia (+55.3%), Taiwan (+54.8%), Vietnam (+41.2%), India (+35.1%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+17.6%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to Korea (-25.6%).
     
    Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the United Kingdom (-52.0%) and the USA (-18.4%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+67.3%), the United Kingdom (+49.2%), Taiwan (+33.5%), Malaysia (+27.7%) and the Mainland (+18.5%).
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+58.5%), Taiwan (+39.7%), Japan (+20.4%) and the Mainland (+17.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-24.0%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+76.4%), the United Kingdom (+55.8%), Taiwan (+48.9%), Malaysia (+34.2%) and the Mainland (+9.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-19.6%).
     
    Analysis by major commodity
     
    Comparing May 2025 with May 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $27.4 billion or +15.5%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $18.9 billion or +44.9%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $40.4 billion or +23.7%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $21.7 billion or +69.4%).
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $125.1 billion or +66.1%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $103.3 billion or +12.0%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $122.8 billion or +14.6%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $115.9 billion or +81.5%).
     
    Commentary
     
    A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to show resilience, picking up strongly by 15.5% in May over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and most other Asian markets grew visibly further. Exports to the European Union turned to moderate growth, while those to the United States fell.
     
    Looking ahead, the sustained steady growth in the Mainland economy and Hong Kong’s enhanced economic and trade ties with different markets should render support to trade performance. The Government will continue to closely monitor the external environment and stay vigilant to the elevated geopolitical tensions and uncertainties surrounding trade policies.
     
    Further information
     
    Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for May 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to May 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
     
    The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for May 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
     
    Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for May 2025.
     
    All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for May 2025 will be released in mid-July 2025.
     
    The May 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in May 2025 and will be available in early July 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230 
    Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).
    Issued at HKT 16:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: External merchandise trade statistics for May 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    External merchandise trade statistics for May 2025 
    In May 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 15.5% over a year earlier to $434.1 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 14.7% in April 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 18.9% over a year earlier to $461.4 billion in May 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 15.8% in April 2025. A visible trade deficit of $27.3 billion, equivalent to 5.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in May 2025.
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.6% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 12.9%. A visible trade deficit of $124.7 billion, equivalent to 5.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first five months of 2025.
     
    Comparing the three-month period ending May 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 10.0%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.9%.
     
    Analysis by country/territory
     
    Comparing May 2025 with May 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 21.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Japan (+96.2%), Malaysia (+55.3%), Taiwan (+54.8%), Vietnam (+41.2%), India (+35.1%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+17.6%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to Korea (-25.6%).
     
    Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the United Kingdom (-52.0%) and the USA (-18.4%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+67.3%), the United Kingdom (+49.2%), Taiwan (+33.5%), Malaysia (+27.7%) and the Mainland (+18.5%).
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+58.5%), Taiwan (+39.7%), Japan (+20.4%) and the Mainland (+17.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-24.0%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+76.4%), the United Kingdom (+55.8%), Taiwan (+48.9%), Malaysia (+34.2%) and the Mainland (+9.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-19.6%).
     
    Analysis by major commodity
     
    Comparing May 2025 with May 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $27.4 billion or +15.5%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $18.9 billion or +44.9%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $40.4 billion or +23.7%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $21.7 billion or +69.4%).
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $125.1 billion or +66.1%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $103.3 billion or +12.0%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $122.8 billion or +14.6%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $115.9 billion or +81.5%).
     
    Commentary
     
    A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to show resilience, picking up strongly by 15.5% in May over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and most other Asian markets grew visibly further. Exports to the European Union turned to moderate growth, while those to the United States fell.
     
    Looking ahead, the sustained steady growth in the Mainland economy and Hong Kong’s enhanced economic and trade ties with different markets should render support to trade performance. The Government will continue to closely monitor the external environment and stay vigilant to the elevated geopolitical tensions and uncertainties surrounding trade policies.
     
    Further information
     
    Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for May 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to May 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
     
    The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for May 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
     
    Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for May 2025.
     
    All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for May 2025 will be released in mid-July 2025.
     
    The May 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in May 2025 and will be available in early July 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230 
    Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).
    Issued at HKT 16:30

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Wage and payroll statistics for March 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Wage and payroll statistics for March 2025 
    According to the figures released today (June 26) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed, as measured by the wage index, increased by 3.5% in nominal terms in March 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    About 62% of the companies reported increase in average wage rates in March 2025 compared with a year ago. A total of 34% of the companies recorded decrease in average wage rates over the same period. The remaining 4% reported virtually no change in average wage rates.
     
    After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (A), the overall average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed increased by 1.6% in real terms in March 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    As for payroll, the index of payroll per person engaged for all the industry sections surveyed increased by 3.2% in nominal terms in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Composite Consumer Price Index, the average payroll per person engaged increased by 1.6% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier.
     
    The wage rate includes basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses. Payroll includes elements covered by wage rate as well as other irregular payments to workers such as discretionary bonuses and overtime allowances. The payroll statistics therefore tend to show relatively larger quarter-to-quarter changes, affected by the number of hours actually worked and the timing of payment of bonuses and back-pay.
     
    Sectoral changes
     
    For the nominal wage indices, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected industry sections in March 2025, ranging from 3.1% to 4.1%.
     
    For the real wage indices, year-on-year increases were also recorded in all selected industry sections in March 2025, ranging from 1.1% to 2.1%.
     
    The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real wage indices for the selected industry sections from March 2024 to March 2025 are shown in Table 1.
     
    As for the nominal indices of payroll per person engaged, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected industry sections in the first quarter of 2025, ranging from 2.0% to 3.9%.
     
    For the real payroll indices, year-on-year increases were also recorded in all selected industry sections in the first quarter of 2025, ranging from 0.4% to 2.3%.
     
    The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged for selected industry sections from the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025 are shown in Table 2. The quarterly changes in the seasonally adjusted nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged in the same period are shown in Table 3.
     
    Commentary
     
    A Government spokesman said that wages and labour earnings continued to increase in all surveyed industries in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    The average wage rate for all selected industries increased by 3.5% in nominal terms in March 2025. After discounting for inflation, the average wage rate increased by 1.6% in real terms.
     
    Payroll per person engaged, which includes basic wage, discretionary bonuses and other irregular payments, rose by 3.2% in nominal terms and 1.6% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025.
     
    Looking ahead, the expansion of the Hong Kong economy should render support to labour demand and thus wages and labour earnings, though the external uncertainties and the changing consumption patterns of residents and visitors may continue to pose challenges.
     
    Other information
     
    Both wage indices and payroll indices are compiled quarterly based on the results of the Labour Earnings Survey (LES) conducted by C&SD. Wage index only covers employees up to the supervisory level (i.e. not including managerial and professional employees), whereas payroll index covers employees at all levels and proprietors actively engaged in the work of the establishment.
     
    Apart from the differences in employee coverage, wage statistics are conceptually different from the payroll statistics. Firstly, wage rate for an employee refers to the sum earned for his normal hours of work. It covers basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses, but excludes earnings from overtime work and discretionary bonuses, which are however included in payroll per person engaged. Secondly, the payroll index of an industry is an indicator of the simple average payroll received per person engaged in the industry. Its movement is therefore affected by changes in wage rates, number of hours of work and occupational composition in the industry. In contrast, the wage index of an industry is devised to reflect the pure changes in wage rate, with the occupational composition between two successive statistical periods being kept unchanged. In other words, the wage index reflects the change in the price of labour. Because of these conceptual and enumeration differences between payroll and wage statistics, the movements in payroll indices and in wage indices do not necessarily match closely with each other.
     
    It should also be noted that different consumer price indices are used for compiling the real indices of wage and payroll to take into account the differences in their respective occupation coverage. Specifically, the Composite Consumer Price Index, being an indicator of overall consumer prices, is taken as the price deflator for payroll of workers at all levels of the occupational hierarchy. The Consumer Price Index (A), being an indicator of consumer prices for the relatively low expenditure group, is taken as the price deflator for wages in respect of employees engaged in occupations up to the supervisory level.
     
    Detailed breakdowns of the payroll and wage statistics are published in the “Quarterly Report of Wage and Payroll Statistics, March 2025”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050009&scode=210 
       For enquiries on wage and payroll statistics, please contact the Wages and Labour Costs Statistics Section (1) of C&SD (Tel: 2887 5550 or email:     wage@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Wage and payroll statistics for March 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Wage and payroll statistics for March 2025 
    According to the figures released today (June 26) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed, as measured by the wage index, increased by 3.5% in nominal terms in March 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    About 62% of the companies reported increase in average wage rates in March 2025 compared with a year ago. A total of 34% of the companies recorded decrease in average wage rates over the same period. The remaining 4% reported virtually no change in average wage rates.
     
    After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (A), the overall average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed increased by 1.6% in real terms in March 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    As for payroll, the index of payroll per person engaged for all the industry sections surveyed increased by 3.2% in nominal terms in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Composite Consumer Price Index, the average payroll per person engaged increased by 1.6% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier.
     
    The wage rate includes basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses. Payroll includes elements covered by wage rate as well as other irregular payments to workers such as discretionary bonuses and overtime allowances. The payroll statistics therefore tend to show relatively larger quarter-to-quarter changes, affected by the number of hours actually worked and the timing of payment of bonuses and back-pay.
     
    Sectoral changes
     
    For the nominal wage indices, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected industry sections in March 2025, ranging from 3.1% to 4.1%.
     
    For the real wage indices, year-on-year increases were also recorded in all selected industry sections in March 2025, ranging from 1.1% to 2.1%.
     
    The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real wage indices for the selected industry sections from March 2024 to March 2025 are shown in Table 1.
     
    As for the nominal indices of payroll per person engaged, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected industry sections in the first quarter of 2025, ranging from 2.0% to 3.9%.
     
    For the real payroll indices, year-on-year increases were also recorded in all selected industry sections in the first quarter of 2025, ranging from 0.4% to 2.3%.
     
    The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged for selected industry sections from the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025 are shown in Table 2. The quarterly changes in the seasonally adjusted nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged in the same period are shown in Table 3.
     
    Commentary
     
    A Government spokesman said that wages and labour earnings continued to increase in all surveyed industries in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier.
     
    The average wage rate for all selected industries increased by 3.5% in nominal terms in March 2025. After discounting for inflation, the average wage rate increased by 1.6% in real terms.
     
    Payroll per person engaged, which includes basic wage, discretionary bonuses and other irregular payments, rose by 3.2% in nominal terms and 1.6% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025.
     
    Looking ahead, the expansion of the Hong Kong economy should render support to labour demand and thus wages and labour earnings, though the external uncertainties and the changing consumption patterns of residents and visitors may continue to pose challenges.
     
    Other information
     
    Both wage indices and payroll indices are compiled quarterly based on the results of the Labour Earnings Survey (LES) conducted by C&SD. Wage index only covers employees up to the supervisory level (i.e. not including managerial and professional employees), whereas payroll index covers employees at all levels and proprietors actively engaged in the work of the establishment.
     
    Apart from the differences in employee coverage, wage statistics are conceptually different from the payroll statistics. Firstly, wage rate for an employee refers to the sum earned for his normal hours of work. It covers basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses, but excludes earnings from overtime work and discretionary bonuses, which are however included in payroll per person engaged. Secondly, the payroll index of an industry is an indicator of the simple average payroll received per person engaged in the industry. Its movement is therefore affected by changes in wage rates, number of hours of work and occupational composition in the industry. In contrast, the wage index of an industry is devised to reflect the pure changes in wage rate, with the occupational composition between two successive statistical periods being kept unchanged. In other words, the wage index reflects the change in the price of labour. Because of these conceptual and enumeration differences between payroll and wage statistics, the movements in payroll indices and in wage indices do not necessarily match closely with each other.
     
    It should also be noted that different consumer price indices are used for compiling the real indices of wage and payroll to take into account the differences in their respective occupation coverage. Specifically, the Composite Consumer Price Index, being an indicator of overall consumer prices, is taken as the price deflator for payroll of workers at all levels of the occupational hierarchy. The Consumer Price Index (A), being an indicator of consumer prices for the relatively low expenditure group, is taken as the price deflator for wages in respect of employees engaged in occupations up to the supervisory level.
     
    Detailed breakdowns of the payroll and wage statistics are published in the “Quarterly Report of Wage and Payroll Statistics, March 2025”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050009&scode=210 
       For enquiries on wage and payroll statistics, please contact the Wages and Labour Costs Statistics Section (1) of C&SD (Tel: 2887 5550 or email:     wage@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH further optimises online registration system for dental general public session

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH further optimises online registration system for dental general public session 
    (1) Add “iAM Smart” and “eHealth” as channels for registering for GP sessions
     
         Members of the public who wish to register for dental GP sessions may perform real-time identity authentication by logging on to the “iAM Smart” or “eHealth” apps. Their personal particulars (including name, identity document number, gender and date of birth) will be automatically filled into the registration system, reducing registration time and minimising the possibility of manual errors.
     
    (2) Optimise the waiting list mechanism
     
         The registration system is added with a “Cancel Appointment” function. People who are successfully allocated a service quota but wish to cancel the appointment may use the “Enquiry of Ballot Result or Cancel Appointment” function to select “Cancel Appointment” and confirm. The ORDGP will automatically allocate the vacated quota to candidates on the waiting list. Successful waitlisted applicants will receive an SMS notification by 9pm on the day of registration. For easy authentication, SMS messages issued by the DH bear the identification “#DH-DENT GP” with the prefix “#”. Relevant SMS messages will not contain hyperlinks.
     
    (3) Enhance the enquiry function of the ballot results
     
         Those who registered via the website only need to provide their Hong Kong identity card (ID) number and date of birth to enquire about their registration records or ballot results. They do not need to enter the date of issuance of their ID cards. Those accessing the registration system through the “iAM Smart” or “eHealth” apps do not need to re-enter their personal details to enquire about their registration records or ballot results.
     
    (4) Add the enquiry service of successful appointment record in “eHealth”
     
         Members of the public who registered for the dental GP sessions and are successfully allocated service quotas through the “iAM Smart” or “eHealth” apps, the person, along with their family members or carers registered with “eHealth”, can check their relevant appointment records of service quota through the “eHealth” app.

         The ORDGP has been operating smoothly since its launch on December 30, 2024. Members of the public, especially the elderly, no longer need to go to dental clinics to queue in the early morning to compete for a service quota. Since the launch of the ORDGP, the average utilisation rate of the GP sessions is as high as 99 per cent. To optimise the use of public resources, the DH reminds members of the public who have been successfully allocated service quotas to utilise the new “Cancel Appointment” function if they are unable to attend the dental GP sessions, so that the service quotas could be reallocated in time to those with emergency needs.

         The scope of services provided by the dental GP sessions includes prescription for pain relief, tooth extraction and management of other urgent conditions (such as oral abscesses). The DH will continuously review the operation and effectiveness of the enhanced ORDGP, with a commitment to improving service accessibility for the public.
    Issued at HKT 13:00

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FSTB welcomes Shanghai Gold Exchange’s launch of International Board certified vault in Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    FSTB welcomes Shanghai Gold Exchange’s launch of International Board certified vault in Hong Kong???
         The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “The SGE’s decision to establish its first International Board certified vault in Hong Kong offers international investors an option for delivering gold offshore. This marks a key stride in the internationalisation of our country’s gold market, extending the global footprint of RMB-denominated gold trading, and further strengthening Hong Kong’s role in the regional market. The Government is pushing ahead with the development of an international gold trading centre in Hong Kong to tap into new growth areas for financial services as well as to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. As such, I have engaged with various stakeholders from overseas and the Mainland during my recent duty visits to gather their views on this initiative. The SGE’s establishment of a certified vault in Hong Kong will, on one hand, attract more international investors to participate in the SGE’s trading and, at the same time, increase gold storage in Hong Kong, thus driving the development of related services. This will undoubtedly give impetus to our development of an international gold trading centre.”

    He added, “Hong Kong has the unique advantages under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and is able to provide comprehensive financial, logistics, and shipping services. Coupled with a deep offshore Renminbi liquidity pool, international institutional investors will enjoy facilitation in their participation in gold trading with delivery in Hong Kong. Last week, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Shanghai Municipal Government signed the Action Plan for Collaborative Development of Shanghai and Hong Kong International Financial Centres. This case stands as a successful example of Shanghai-Hong Kong collaborative development. I look forward to the further deepening of co-operation, expansion of mutual market access between the two markets, and scaling up of two-way participation between Hong Kong and Shanghai by complementing the advantages of the two leading international financial centres under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.”Issued at HKT 17:34

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Reformed hiring policy for LCSD performance venues and invitation for participation in sixth round of Venue Partnership Scheme announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (June 26) announced a reformed hiring policy and measures for its performance venues, aiming to provide more performance slots for use by different arts groups and establish clearer venue identities, thereby fostering a diversified, professional, industry and mega-event development of performing arts. 

         The reformed measures include the following:    
         The sixth round of the VPS will be implemented at 11 performance venues, namely the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong City Hall, Yau Ma Tei Theatre, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sha Tin Town Hall (Cultural Activities Hall), North District Town Hall, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Tsuen Wan Town Hall and Tuen Mun Town Hall. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mainland-listed software provider establishes international headquarters in Hong Kong to “go global” (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Mainland-listed software provider establishes international headquarters in Hong Kong to “go global” (with photo)
         Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Charles Ng welcomed the decision of Information2 Software to set up its international headquarters in Hong Kong. He said, “As an international business and financial hub, Hong Kong attracts multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises to set up their presence in the city. They have a strong demand for reliable, stable, and secure disaster recovery backup systems to prevent data breaches and cyber attacks, providing huge business opportunities for software providers like Information2 Software. Hong Kong is the perfect base for their internationalisation.”

         The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Information2 Software, Mr Justin Hu, said, “The Hong Kong office not only provides better services to customers in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, but also deepens our co-operation with local partners to provide more local market-oriented support. The city is also our starting point to expand into the Southeast Asian and global markets. We can leverage its international legal framework and financial services system to facilitate our ‘going global’ strategy.”

         Mr Hu added, “Hong Kong has an open, efficient, and internationalised market, making it our first stop to expand globally. We hope to leverage the city’s unique advantages to establish an international platform for our operations. We position Hong Kong as the headquarters for our overseas business, with future plans to develop it into an international market and a research and development base for international talent, further building a comprehensive marketing and service system, and making it a key foundation in our global strategic plans.”

         Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) in January 2023, Information2 Software is a leading provider of data backup and disaster recovery on the Mainland. The company has established over 30 outlets on the Mainland. Mr Hu said, “In recent years, we have been continuously advancing our global layout. With its highly open business environment, sound legal system, mature financial system, and multilingual, diversified talent pool, Hong Kong is our ideal platform to further serve international customers and expand overseas markets.”

         For more information about Information2 Software, please visit www.info2soft.com    
         To get a copy of the photo, please visit     www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327086216Issued at HKT 16:45

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Arrangements for LCSD’s Mobile Library services

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Arrangements for LCSD’s Mobile Library services

    Mobile Libraries 4, 8 and 11 will suspend services during designated periods in July for maintenance, while a Mobile Library 4 service point in Tung Chung will also be relocated in July, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 26).

    Mobile Library 4 will suspend services from July 2 to 8. The affected service points are Yat Tung Estate in Tung Chung, Discovery Bay, Pui O, Shui Hau and Tong Fuk. Starting from July 9, the service point at Yat Tung Estate in Tung Chung will be relocated to the area adjacent to Chi Yat House from Ying Yat House. The opening hours of the service point will remain unchanged, i.e. from 10am to 1pm, and 2pm to 6pm every Monday and Wednesday (except library closing days and public holidays). For enquiries about Mobile Library 4 services, please call 2984 9417.

    Mobile Library 8 will suspend services from July 7 to 19. The affected service points are Laguna City in Lam Tin, On Tai Estate in Kwun Tong, Po Tat Estate in Sau Mau Ping, Tai Hang Tung Estate on Tai Hang Tung Road, Laguna Verde in Hung Hom, Choi Fook Estate in Kowloon Bay and Yau Lai Estate in Yau Tong. For enquiries about Mobile Library 8 services, please call 2926 3055.

    Mobile Library 11 will suspend services from July 9 to 22. The affected service points are Sun Chui Estate and Kwong Yuen Estate in Sha Tin; Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Shing East Estate and Lai Yiu Estate in Kwai Chung; Easeful Court and Cheung Ching Estate in Tsing Yi; Tin Wah Estate in Tin Shui Wai; Wan Tau Tong Estate and Tai Yuen Estate in Tai Po; and Po Tin Estate in Tuen Mun. For enquiries about Mobile Library 11 services, please call 2479 1055.

    Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension periods. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.

    Ends/Thursday, June 26, 2025
    Issued at HKT 15:00

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hospital Authority announces senior appointment

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

    The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced the following senior appointment today (June 26):

    Dr Cheng Koi-man will be appointed as Hospital Chief Executive of Kwai Chung Hospital with effect from July 1, succeeding Dr Desmond Nguyen upon his retirement.

    Dr Cheng is a specialist in psychiatry with solid experience in both clinical service and hospital management. Dr Cheng is the Chief of Service and a consultant in the Department of General Adult Psychiatry of Castle Peak Hospital (CPH). He has dedicated himself to psychiatry since graduation, and has taken up the role of Deputy Service Director (Quality & Safety) for New Territories West Cluster from 2017 to 2024. As the chairman of various committees, working groups and task groups under the Coordinating Committee in Psychiatry, Dr Cheng contributed to a wide range of aspects related to psychiatry from talent acquisition, standardisation of patient care pathways, and resources utilisation. He led the development of the enhanced common mental disorder clinics, spearheaded the revision of the psychiatric specialist outpatient clinic defaulter tracing workflow, and established a three-tier psychiatric day hospital service model to enhance patient care, in addition to facilitated ward conversions to meet evolving demands. He also led the implementation of telehealth services.

    The Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, congratulate Dr Cheng on his new appointment and wish him every success in taking up the new role. Mr Fan and Dr Ko also expressed their appreciation to Dr Nguyen for his dedicated service over the years and wish him a happy retirement.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: France: Gatewatcher secures €25 million EIB investment to accelerate growth and reinforce European cyber resilience

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The EIB is backing Gatewatcher’s ambition to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty.
    • The French firm, recently named the only “Visionary” in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant for network detection and response (NDR), will use the funding to boost innovation and continue to expand internationally.
    • This transaction is part of the EIB Group’s ever-stronger commitment to security and defence, as reaffirmed by the Board of Governors at their annual meeting on 20 June.  

    Marking its largest venture debt investment in cybersecurity to date, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €25 million financing facility to Gatewatcher, a French company recognised as a European leader in cyber threat detection. Gatewatcher has developed an advanced network detection and response (NDR) platform that combines artificial intelligence and threat intelligence to deliver real-time visibility across all digital environments. The funds will accelerate the development of Gatewatcher’s advanced detection technologies and support its international expansion in a context of rising cyber threats and renewed focus on European autonomy.

    EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle said: “Cybersecurity is a strategic sector within the defence industry. Having the capability to prevent cyberattacks, safeguard the integrity of infrastructure and data, and identify those responsible for attacks is now imperative for Europe’s security and the competitiveness of our economies. We are therefore proud to support the development of a company like Gatewatcher, which is fully dedicated to cybersecurity and whose results are already promising. The project is also fully in line with the EIB’s new strategy to finance the European security and defence sector.”

    “This investment is a strong signal of trust from a major European institution. It represents a shared commitment to building a secure, digital future,” said CEO and founder of Gatewatcher Jacques de La Rivière. “This financing allows us to pursue our innovation efforts for our clients and partners, while accelerating the market launch of our latest AI solution. Our ambition is clear: to bring cutting-edge threat detection technologies to the broadest possible market, while contributing to the emergence of a robust European cybersecurity industry. This next phase of growth is first and foremost a collective one, driven by our teams and guided by a sense of responsibility to our ecosystem.”

    The financing comes as Gatewatcher marks its tenth anniversary and continues to scale across Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa. A pioneer in large-scale fundraising within the European cybersecurity sector, Gatewatcher is confirming its long-term vision, strategic independence and strength in a fiercely competitive global market with this new milestone. Its inclusion as the only fully European vendor, and the sole “Visionary” in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant for network detection and response further confirms its role as a key player in Europe’s cyber defence ecosystem. Today, Gatewatcher’s technologies protect hundreds of public and private organisations, including critical infrastructure operators, governments and enterprises.

    For the EIB Group, this transaction confirms its commitment to security and defence, just a few days after the Bank’s annual Board of Governors meeting on 20 June, where the 27 EU Member States approved the plan to increase the financing volume for 2025 to an unprecedented level of up to €100 billion. This revised ceiling will notably enable 3.5% of total financing to be dedicated to European security and defence. Further information on the EIB Group’s financing of security and defence projects is available here.

    Background information

    About EIB:

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security. In France, the EIB Group signed more than 100 operations in 2024 for a total amount of €12.6 billion, which made it possible to mobilise €62 billion in investments in the real economy. Nearly 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

    About Gatewatcher:

    Gatewatcher, a leader in cyber threat detection, has been protecting the networks of businesses and public institutions, including the most critical ones, since 2015. The Gatewatcher NDR Platform (network detection and response) combines artificial intelligence, dynamic and behavioural analytics techniques, and contextualised cyber threat intelligence (CTI). This enables unified, comprehensive visibility, real-time detection and mapping of systems, and an automated, prioritised response to attacks. Deployed across cloud, on-premise or sensitive infrastructure, and compatible with information technology, operational technology and internet of things environments, it secures all critical assets while streamlining operations through its integrated AI assistant. Gatewatcher combines technological power with operational peace of mind to align cybersecurity with your business objectives. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • EU leaders meet to decide on whether to back quick US trade deal or seek better terms

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    European Union leaders are to tell the European Commission on Thursday whether they want to reach a quick trade agreement with the United States on terms that favour Washington or keep fighting for a better deal.

    A quick deal seems to be the preferred option for most, officials and diplomats said, as the EU can then seek to address the unfavourable bias with some rebalancing measures of its own.

    “I support the Commission, I support the President of the European Commission in her endeavours to make progress on competitiveness. I also support the European Commission in all its endeavours to reach a trade agreement with the USA quickly,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

    “I want us to get Mercosur off the ground and conclude further trade agreements. Europe is facing decisive weeks and months,” he said.

    The Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the EU, will ask leaders of the EU’s 27 members meeting in Brussels how they want to respond to President Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline for a deal, now less than two weeks away.

    The bloc has said it is striving for a mutually beneficial agreement, but as Washington looks set to stick to its 10% across-the board tariffs on most EU goods and threatening higher rates with prolonged talks, EU diplomats said a growing number of EU countries were now favouring a quick resolution.

    “A trade war makes both sides of the Atlantic poorer and is just stupid. So I support the approach of the Commission president, who always kept calm and has negotiated for a result,” said Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

    “If that were to end in one-sided and unfair tariffs then we have to take proportionate and very targeted countermeasures.”

    The bloc is already facing U.S. import tariffs of 50% on its steel and aluminium, 25% for cars and car parts, along with a 10% tariff on most other EU goods, which Trump has threatened could rise to 50% without an agreement.

    The United States’ only completed trade deal to date is with Britain, with the broad 10% tariff still in place. U.S. officials say it will not go lower for any trading partner.

    Some 23 of the leaders will come to Brussels straight from the NATO summit in the Hague. Few will want to follow accord there with an economic war.

    “There is a group of EU countries that want to protect companies by seemingly accepting something they have gotten used to – a 10% baseline,” one EU diplomat said.

    REBALANCING MEASURES

    One question EU leaders face is whether it should respond with its own measures to such a baseline tariff.

    The European Union has agreed, but not imposed, tariffs on 21 billion euros of U.S. goods and is debating a further package of tariffs on up to 95 billion euros of U.S. imports. Some EU countries favour watering it down.

    Among the EU rebalancing options is a tax on digital advertising, which would hit U.S. giants like Alphabet Inc’s Google, Meta, Apple, X or Microsoft and eat into the trade surplus in services the U.S. has with the EU. The bloc has a trade surplus with the U.S. in goods.

    The Commission has proposed an EU-U.S. deal to cut respective tariffs on industrial goods to zero, along with potential further EU purchases of liquefied natural gas and soybeans.

    Washington has shown little obvious interest, preferring to highlight items it considers as barriers, such as EU value-added tax, environmental standards and rules on online platforms, on which the EU does not want to move.

    On the sidelines of the summit, EU leaders will also seek to allay the concerns of Slovakia and Hungary over ending their access to Russian gas as foreseen by the EU’s plan to phase out all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027.

    EU diplomats said EU leaders’ assurances over gas should allow the two countries to back the EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which they are now blocking.

    Before the start of the summit however, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would demand a delay in voting for the sanctions until Slovak concerns were addressed.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tax Justice Aotearoa welcomes IRD discussion document on tax reform

    Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

    Tax Justice Aotearoa has welcomed the release of Inland Revenue’s draft Long Term Insight Briefing, which looks at the possible future directions for New Zealand’s tax system.

    The discussion document suggests a stable core structure of main bases that “comprehensively taxes the factors that are sought to be taxed”, coupled with the ability to “change rates on main bases to change the level of revenue.”

    “We welcome the release of the draft LTIB as a useful contribution to the debate about what kind of tax system we want for the future,” says Glenn Barclay, Chair of Tax Justice Aotearoa.

    “Tax has become a hot topic and this document demonstrates some of the challenges we face.”

    “We look forward to hearing more from the IR officials and giving the public the opportunity to question their thinking at our upcoming briefing event*,” says Glenn Barclay. “This is part of the consultation process so everyone who would like to make a submission on the LTIB should come along.”

    The LTIB notes the fiscal challenge we face as a country as expenditure increases, largely as a result of an ageing population.  

    “Tax Justice Aotearoa agrees with this observation but an ageing population is just one of the many problems we have stored up for ourselves by failing to invest in both social and physical infrastructure – the challenges of poverty and inequality, as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation also come to mind”, says Glenn Barclay.

    The LTIB also demonstrates that New Zealand is an outlier in the extent to which it relies on tax revenue from labour income and GST and that we under tax capital income.

    “These are the taxes that impact most on working people and the poor,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “We need to address this imbalance by ensuring those who can afford to pay more are required to do so, and also that the regressive nature of GST can be addressed. The permanent GST-offset credit suggested by the LTIB, is a proposal worth considering.”
     
    “There are limitations to the document, for example it does not address the interface between the tax system and the Working For Families tax credit, which is a fraught issue for those who are dependent upon WFF, but we look forward to the debate that the document will provoke,” says Glenn Barclay.

    * Tax Justice Aotearoa will be hosting speakers from Inland Revenue at one of its ‘Tax on Tuesdays’ events on Tuesday 1 July at 12.30pm* – members of the public are welcome to attend.

    It will be a hybrid event with an in person session at Rutherford House in Wellington, which will be live-streamed.

    Where: Rutherford House Lecture Theatre 2 (RHLT2), 33 Bunny Street, Wellington.

    When: 12.30-1.30 pm Tuesday, 1 July 2025

    To register in person or Zoom: https://www.tjanz.org/ir-insights-briefing

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –