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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over 80 youth trainees complete foundation course of third phase of ROLE Stars Train-the-Leaders Programme (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Over 80 youth trainees complete foundation course of third phase of ROLE Stars Train-the-Leaders Programme  
    Following the first day of the course taught by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress and Member of the Legislative Council, Dr Starry Lee, last week, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, elaborated on the second day of the course about the importance of promoting the rule of law, and the responsibilities and roles of ROLE leaders.

    Member of the Working Group on Coordination and Liaison (Working Group) under the Steering Committee on Rule of Law Education (Steering Committee), Mr Chan Chak-ming, and member of the Steering Committee, Ms Sabrina Ho, briefed the trainees on topics such as the legal profession, court proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution services in Hong Kong. Founder and Chairperson of BExcellent Group, Dr June Leung, who has many years of experience in education, was also invited to share her insights on communication skills for effective dissemination of messages about the rule of law.
     
    Dr Cheung remarked that the rule of law is Hong Kong’s “golden reputation” and the foundation for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability under the principle of “one country, two systems”. At the current critical period of breaking new ground and achieving another leap forward, the Hong Kong community must uphold the rule of law, and leverage Hong Kong’s international advantages to promote high-quality development through the rule of law, and hence, the promotion of the rule of law is of great importance.
     
    He said that members of the district youth committees have been promoting youth development and civic education in the community, and they can certainly play an important role in the promotion of the rule of law. University students who are pursuing their career in the education sector will be the backbone of schools’ work in promoting rule of law education, and their active participation will undoubtedly provide new momentum to the passing on and further development of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
      
    Dr Cheung said that communication is a kind of special knowledge. The DoJ designed the course with an emphasis on diversified, interactive and easy-to-understand methods, along with real-life examples and case studies, which enable trainees to easily grasp knowledge of the rule of law. The course also invited experts to teach trainees the skills of dissemination and communication, better equipping them to become ROLE leaders in the future.
     
    After the course, the DoJ held the closing ceremony (including a certificate presentation) for the foundation course of the third-phase programme. Members of the Steering Committee, Ms Ho and Professor Dicky Tsang, and member of the Working Group, Mr Chan, presented certificates to the trainees who completed the two-day foundation course of the third-phase programme.
     
    Looking ahead, the DoJ will continue to organise advanced and extended courses under the third phase of the TTL Programme. Through visits to law enforcement agencies, mock court activities, thematic talks on specific legal topics and practice activities for promoting the rule of law, the courses will further deepen the understanding of the legal system and the implementation of legal procedures of the trainees who have completed the foundation course, as well as bolster their confidence in disseminating messages of the rule of law in the community.
     
    For details and other information relating to the TTL Programme, please visit the dedicated website at www.role-ttl.gov.hk 
    Issued at HKT 17:16

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Alice Mak to depart for BJ, Sichuan

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak will depart tomorrow for a visit to Beijing and Sichuan.
     
    Miss Mak will call on the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, Sichuan’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and relevant ministries and institutions to deepen exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland in areas of youth development, district governance, women’s development and religious affairs.
     
    She plans to attend the inauguration ceremonies of the Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum and the Youth Internship Programme at Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the closing ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park.
     
    These three programmes are under the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau’s Thematic Youth Internship Programmes to the Mainland 2025 that are jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the cultural, scientific research and nature conservation institutions on the Mainland.
     
    Through diverse thematic internship opportunities, the programmes aim to help Hong Kong youths gain a deeper understanding of the country’s development and acquire knowledge of relevant disciplines and professional fields.
     
    The youth affairs chief will meet with the interns and learn about their lives and experiences on the Mainland.
     
    Miss Mak will return to Hong Kong on the afternoon of July 18. During her absence, Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung will be Acting Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: KIF18A Targeting Therapies FDA EMA Approval Clinical Trials By Indication Company Country Drug Class Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delhi, July 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global KIF18A Targeting Therapies Market Trends, Clinical Trials, Technology Platforms & Future Outlook 2025 Report Highlights & Findings:

    • First KIF18A Targeting Therapy Commercial Availability Expected By 2030
    • Highest Phase Of Development: Phase-I/II
    • KIF18A Targeting Therapies In Clinical Trials:  > 10 Therapies
    • KIF18A Targeting Therapies Clinical Trials Insight By Company, Country, Indication & Phase
    • KIF18A Targeting Therapies Market Development Trends Insight
    • KIF18A Therapies Technology Platforms Insight

    Download Report: https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-kif18a-targeting-inhibitor-kif18a-inhibitor-clinical-trials-kif18a-targeting-therapy

    The global KIF18A targeting therapies market is rapidly gathering momentum as KIF18A has emerged as a key vulnerability in cancers characterized by chromosomal instability. As a mitotic kinesin motor protein essential for chromosome alignment during cell division, KIF18A is overexpressed in malignancies such as ovarian and triple-negative breast cancers, making it a promising target for precision oncology with potentially lower toxicity than traditional chemotherapies.

    Although no KIF18A-targeted therapy is commercially available yet, the field is progressing quickly. Clinical pipelines include more than 10 therapies, with several in early clinical development. Among the frontrunners is ATX‑295 from Accent Therapeutics, an oral, best-in-class small-molecule inhibitor that recently entered a Phase I/II dose-escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors, including ovarian and triple-negative breast cancer. It’s employed with biomarker-enriched enrollment based on genomic instability markers like whole-genome doubling, and has received FDA Fast Track status—accelerating its path forward.

    The clinical landscape includes global contributions from leading biotechs such as Volastra Therapeutics, advancing multiple small-molecule inhibitors including Sovilnesib (AMG‑650) in Phase I for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and VLS‑1488 in Phase I/II across chromosomal instability-high tumors. Accent’s ATX‑295 stands currently at the most advanced Phase I/II stage, with trials in the US and potentially Asia-Pacific, suggesting geographic development convergence.

    Technological innovation underpins expansion in this field. Development is dominated by small-molecule inhibitors designed to halt KIF18A’s motor activity at kinetochores, causing mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells. Alternative approaches include disrupting upstream regulatory pathways like phosphorylation, and leveraging AI-driven drug discovery platforms. For example, Insilico Medicine’s Chemistry42 and PandaOmics platforms generated a macrocyclic KIF18A inhibitor (ISM9682), showcasing the power of AI to enhance specificity and efficiency in drug design.

    Market trends demonstrate strong growth potential. The first commercial KIF18A-targeting therapy is expected by 2030, propelled by fast track designations and positive preclinical data. The rich pipeline, combined with precision biomarker strategies, supports a robust developmental roadmap, aligning with unmet clinical needs in CIN-high solid tumors and potentially extending to hematologic malignancies where KIF18A overexpression correlates with poor prognosis.

    Regional development trends show clinical leadership based in the US and Europe, where companies like Accent and Volastra are active, while China and other Asia-Pacific markets are engaging through global trial participation and local biotech collaborations. Multi-region trial footprints and biomarker-defined patient enrollment strategies are shaping global development dynamics.

    Our Global KIF18A Targeting Therapies Market Report offers detailed insights into this evolving therapeutic area. It profiles more than ten clinical-stage candidates by company, indication, country, and development phase, with a deep focus on ATX‑295 as the leading Phase I/II program. The report evaluates technology platforms, including small-molecule motor inhibitors and AI-enabled discovery, and analyzes biomarker-led patient selection models. Regional development trends and regulatory environments are mapped, and strategic partnerships and investments are examined.

    For pharmaceutical executives, biotech investors, and drug development leaders, this report provides a strategic foundation. It outlines market drivers, technological innovations, and clinical milestones that are poised to transform KIF18A from a promising target into an approved therapeutic by 2030, potentially offering new treatment options for patients with chromosomally unstable tumors.

    The MIL Network –

  • Widespread rainfall predicted across India till July 17; Delhi-NCR faces waterlogging and traffic

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intermittent rainfall across large parts of the country till July 17, with heavy to very heavy showers expected in several regions, including the National Capital Region (NCR).

    In Delhi and surrounding areas, continuous rainfall has led to waterlogging and traffic disruptions, affecting daily life in parts of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram. Several roads, underpasses, and residential colonies remain inundated, leading to long traffic jams and vehicle breakdowns.

    While no formal weather alert has been issued for Delhi-NCR so far, the IMD has warned of persistent rain and thunderstorms throughout the week. The region is likely to experience fluctuating weather conditions, with spells of sunshine contributing to high humidity and discomfort. Temperatures are expected to range between 23°C and 36°C, with humidity levels staying between 60 and 95 percent.

    Nationwide, the IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Central and Northwest India, especially over East Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and both eastern and western parts of Uttar Pradesh through July 17.

    Eastern and central Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal are also likely to receive isolated heavy showers during this period. In western India, isolated heavy rainfall is expected on July 13 in parts of Konkan and Goa, Gujarat, Central Maharashtra, and the Saurashtra region.

    The weather department also expects light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, to continue in Northeast India over the next seven days.

    In the South, states like Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, South Interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are likely to experience isolated heavy showers over the coming days.

    Due to rough sea conditions, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal until July 16.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM expounds China’s position on South China Sea arbitration case

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

    The 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2025. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended and delivered a speech at the summit on Friday. [Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua]

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Friday expounded China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration case while attending the ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings.

    Wang said the arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines lacked the necessary precondition of prior consultations and failed to meet the principle of state consent, which is fundamental to arbitration. Therefore, it did not possess the legal basis to proceed from the outset.

    The move violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which stipulates that disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations by parties directly concerned. It also ran counter to commitments made by the Philippines in bilateral agreements with China and breached the principle of estoppel under international law, Wang noted.

    He pointed out that although the arbitration case was presented in various forms, the essence of the Philippine claims concerned China’s territorial sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and maritime delimitation issues. Territorial issues are beyond the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and China had explicitly excluded maritime delimitation from compulsory arbitration in a declaration made in 2006, in accordance with UNCLOS concerning the optional exceptions to the applicability of the U.N. Convention.

    Among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only the United States has not joined UNCLOS, while the other four, including China, have all made similar declarations of exclusion, Wang said. The arbitral tribunal exceeded its mandate and abused the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism, undermining the rule of law in international maritime affairs and engaging in actions contrary to the very Convention it claimed to uphold.

    Wang emphasized that the tribunal’s ruling contained serious factual and legal flaws. In particular, it wrongly classified Taiping Island — the largest feature in the Nansha Islands with an area of over 500,000 square meters — as a rock, thereby concluding that no feature in the Nansha Islands could generate an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. This decision contradicts both the facts on the ground and the provisions of UNCLOS. If such a standard were applied globally, the existing maritime order would be fundamentally altered, Wang said, questioning whether countries like the United States and Japan would also be willing to abandon their own maritime claims under this logic.

    Wang said it is widely recognized that the arbitration case and the subsequent hype were orchestrated and manipulated by forces outside the region, with the aim of disrupting peace in the South China Sea and serving their own interests. More and more countries around the world have come to see the nature of this farce.

    China’s position, Wang stressed, is precisely about upholding the principle of international rule of law and the authority of UNCLOS. Thanks to joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains stable, with freedom of navigation and overflight effectively protected.

    China is accelerating consultations with ASEAN countries on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, striving to establish a new narrative of peace, cooperation and friendship in the region. Any attempt to stir up trouble or sow discord will fail, Wang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi hands out 51,000 appointment letters in 16th Rozgar Mela, says youth driving nation-building

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly-inducted recruits in various Central government departments and organisations through video conferencing during the 16th edition of the Rozgar Mela.

    The employment drive was conducted simultaneously at 47 locations across the country.

    According to an official statement, the new recruits, selected from across India, will be joining key departments including the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Posts, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Department of Financial Services, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, among others.

    Addressing the new appointees, PM Modi said, “Our campaign to hand out appointment letters to youth in the Central Government is underway. Today, over 51,000 youth have been given appointment letters. Through such employment initiatives, till now, lakhs of youth have secured permanent jobs in the Indian government. These individuals are now contributing significantly to nation-building.”

    He highlighted the wide spectrum of departments where the recruits will be deployed, highlighting their contribution to diverse national missions.

    “Many of you have started your careers in Indian Railways, and many will be a part of India’s security. People appointed in the postal department will take the government’s initiatives to every village. Many will be a part of the ‘Health for All’ mission, some will enhance the engine of financial inclusion, and others will further strengthen the industrial development of the country. Your department might be different, but the focus is one — service to the nation and ‘Citizen First’,” he said.

    The Prime Minister congratulated the appointees and wished them well as they begin their new professional journey.

    Stressing India’s “unlimited power — demography and democracy,” PM Modi said, “India has the largest youth population and the largest democracy. This is India’s most cherished wealth and guarantee. Our government is working day and night to make this wealth a source of progress.”

    Referring to his recent international engagements, PM Modi said, “Two days ago, I returned from a five-nation tour. In every country, India’s youth power was acknowledged. The agreements made during this tour will all benefit Indian youth.”

    Launched on October 22, 2022, the Rozgar Mela is part of the Prime Minister’s mission to prioritise employment generation. It is aimed at expediting recruitment across government departments and organisations and ensuring that vacant posts do not slow down public service delivery.

    Official data reveals that more than 10 lakh appointment letters have been issued across the country through Rozgar Melas since its inception.

    The initiative has played a key role in streamlining recruitment, improving efficiency in public services, and strengthening critical infrastructure in schools, hospitals, railway stations, police units, and tax offices.

    The appointees under the Rozgar Mela will serve in a variety of sectors, reinforcing the government’s workforce and contributing towards national development goals.

    By accelerating the selection process, the initiative is ensuring that employment generation remains at the core of India’s governance agenda.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Outlines China’s Position on South China Sea Arbitration Case

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Friday outlined China’s position on the South China Sea (SCS) arbitration case while attending a series of ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings.

    Wang Yi said the arbitration, initiated unilaterally by the Philippines, lacked the necessary requirement of prior consultations and did not respect the principle of state consent, which is fundamental to arbitration. Thus, there was no legal basis for it to be heard from the outset.

    The move violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which stipulates that disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations between the parties directly concerned. Wang noted that it also contradicts the Philippines’ commitments under bilateral agreements with China and violates the principle of estoppel under international law.

    The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that although the arbitration had taken various forms, the substance of the Philippines’ claims concerned China’s territorial sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and maritime delimitation issues. Territorial issues are outside the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and China had categorically excluded maritime delimitation from binding arbitration in a statement made in 2006, in line with UNCLOS’s provisions on optional exceptions to the applicability of the UNCLOS.

    According to Wang Yi, of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only the United States has not acceded to the Convention, while the other four countries, including China, have made similar exclusion statements. The arbitral tribunal has exceeded its mandate and abused the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism, undermining the rule of law in international maritime affairs and committing acts contrary to the very Convention to which it claimed to adhere.

    Wang Yi stressed that the arbitration tribunal’s decision contained serious factual and legal inaccuracies. In particular, it erroneously classified Taiping Island, the largest naturally formed island in the Nansha Islands with an area of more than 500,000 square meters, as a rock, thereby concluding that no feature in the Nansha Islands could form an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. The decision contradicts both the facts on the ground and the provisions of UNCLOS. If such a standard were applied worldwide, the existing maritime order would be fundamentally changed, Wang Yi said, questioning whether countries such as the United States and Japan would be willing to give up their maritime claims under this logic.

    According to the minister, it is widely acknowledged that the arbitration and subsequent hoopla were orchestrated and manipulated by forces outside the region to undermine peace in the SCS and further their own interests. More and more countries around the world are coming to understand the nature of this farce.

    China’s position, the Foreign Minister emphasized, is precisely to support the principle of the supremacy of international law and the authority of UNCLOS. Thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains stable, and freedom of navigation and flights is effectively protected.

    China is accelerating consultations with ASEAN countries on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, seeking to create a new atmosphere of peace, cooperation and friendship in the region. Any attempt to stir up trouble or sow discord will fail, the foreign minister said. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s digital infrastructure opens up new opportunities for SCO cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    TIANJIN, July 12 (Xinhua) — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economic Forum was held in north China’s Tianjin City from Thursday to Friday, with the theme of “New Links of the Digital Economy, Jointly Expanding New Horizons of Cooperation.”

    At the event, participants noted the need to actively promote the interconnectedness of digital infrastructure and jointly expand new space for the development of digital economic cooperation.

    “The digital economy is the Silk Road of the new era, connecting countries through data, not through valleys and deserts as was traditionally the case,” said former Egyptian Minister of Administrative Development and former chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone Ahmed Darwish.

    He said China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and Internet of Things technology solutions are boosting Egypt’s computing infrastructure construction, which will greatly benefit the local digital economy.

    Chen Zhongyue, Chairman of China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd, said that building an efficient, intelligent, green and secure regional network infrastructure will help countries make full use of their resources and better integrate into the global industrial chain, supply chain and value chain to achieve common development.

    “Chinese enterprises are actively involved in the construction of the 5G network and the construction of a “smart city” in Uzbekistan,” said Daniyar Kurbanov, head of the department for the study of historical and cultural heritage and humanitarian research at the International Institute of Central Asian Studies of Uzbekistan.

    He stressed that cooperation between China and other SCO countries is becoming an important benchmark for Central Asian countries in achieving digital transformation.

    Let us recall that the forum, jointly organized by the State Data Administration of the People’s Republic of China and the Tianjin People’s Government, was attended by more than 1,500 guests representing governments, enterprises, universities and think tanks of the SCO member states. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A regular bus route has opened linking China’s Yanji and Russia’s Vladivostok

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CHANGCHUN, July 12 (Xinhua) — A regular passenger bus route has recently been launched between Yanji (northeast China’s Jilin Province) and Russia’s Vladivostok.

    The total length of the route is 399.2 km, travel time is 8 hours 50 minutes. Currently, buses depart from Yanji and Vladivostok daily, and in the future the frequency of trips will increase depending on passenger traffic.

    Yanji City, the capital of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (YKAO) in Jilin Province, is located more than 100 km from the border city of Hunchun, located at the junction of the state borders of China, Russia and the DPRK. In recent years, YKAO has become one of the main tourist destinations for residents of the Russian Far East. To meet the needs of tourists, transport companies of YKAO and Primorsky Krai signed an agreement last year to launch the above-mentioned route.

    As it became known, travelers on the new route will enjoy benefits such as customs clearance immediately upon arrival. In order to provide tourists from the two countries with safe and comfortable travel conditions, the Chinese side provides 50-seater luxury buses and charter services using luxury 9-seater minivans. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Health chief attends Nanjing forum

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau attended the 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation in Nanjing today to share with liver transplant experts from around the world Hong Kong’s latest developments in organ transplantation, and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in co-operation with the Mainland on organ donation and transplantation.
     
    In his address at the opening ceremony, Prof Lo said: “Hong Kong and the Mainland have a long-standing collaboration in hepatobiliary surgery. I have personally witnessed experts from both places jointly performing a number of complex liver transplant surgeries, achieving in-depth integration of technology and resources, which is an exemplary model of medical co-operation under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.

    “In recent years, Hong Kong and the Mainland have also made breakthroughs in organ donation and transplantation. In December 2022 and February this year, two cases of cross-boundary heart donation successfully saved the lives of two infants, exemplifying to the fullest the inseparable ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as our shared principle and mission in protecting and saving lives.”
     
    Apart from stressing that with the accumulation of experience, the channels and procedures for handling urgent cross-boundary organ transplant requests have now been streamlined and standardised, Prof Lo made it clear that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to explore arrangements for regularising this mechanism.
     
    He also shared the latest developments in the prevention and control of liver disease in Hong Kong.
     
    “Since 1988, Hong Kong has provided universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns, significantly reducing infection rates among younger generations.
     
    “As outlined in last year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive also proposed to implement hepatitis B screening to prevent liver cancer. If patients can be identified at an early stage, it will facilitate early identification and early treatment, thereby effectively reducing risks of developing complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
     
    Prof Lo then visited the Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), where he exchanged views and shared experiences on enhancing hospital management and services with the hospital’s President Prof Liu Yun.
     
    He highlighted that the Hospital Authority is adopting China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) developed by the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Centre to resume the hospital accreditation programme at its public hospitals.
     
    Moreover, the authority seeks to optimise the diagnosis process of the relevant specialties and improve the treatment outcomes through the establishment of the first stroke centre at Tuen Mun Hospital, as well as chest pain centres at both Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital.
     
    Prof Lo added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to promote the accreditation programme under the standards as well as the establishment of chest pain centres and stroke centres.
     
    “These initiatives will not only improve healthcare integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and support Hong Kong’s integration into national development, but also leverage Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, so as to demonstrate the excellence of the national hospital accreditation standards to the international community.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SHYA to visit Beijing and Sichuan

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, will depart tomorrow (July 13) to visit Beijing and Sichuan. She will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, and relevant ministries and institutions to deepen exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland in areas of youth development, district governance, women’s development and religious affairs.
     
    Miss Mak will attend the inauguration ceremonies of the Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum and the Youth Internship Programme at Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the closing ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park. These three programmes are under the HYAB Thematic Youth Internship Programmes to the Mainland 2025 that are jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the cultural, scientific research and nature conservation institutions on the Mainland. Through diverse thematic internship opportunities, the programmes aim to help Hong Kong youths gain a deeper understanding of the country’s development and acquire knowledge of relevant disciplines and professional fields. Miss Mak will meet with the interns and learn about their lives and experiences on the Mainland.
     
    During Miss Mak’s visit to Beijing, the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; the Director of Home Affairs, Ms Priscilla To; and the Deputy Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (Home Affairs), Mr Paul Wong, will also accompany her.
    　
    Miss Mak will return to Hong Kong on the afternoon of July 18. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, will act as the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SHYA to visit Beijing and Sichuan

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, will depart tomorrow (July 13) to visit Beijing and Sichuan. She will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, and relevant ministries and institutions to deepen exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland in areas of youth development, district governance, women’s development and religious affairs.
     
    Miss Mak will attend the inauguration ceremonies of the Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum and the Youth Internship Programme at Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the closing ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park. These three programmes are under the HYAB Thematic Youth Internship Programmes to the Mainland 2025 that are jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the cultural, scientific research and nature conservation institutions on the Mainland. Through diverse thematic internship opportunities, the programmes aim to help Hong Kong youths gain a deeper understanding of the country’s development and acquire knowledge of relevant disciplines and professional fields. Miss Mak will meet with the interns and learn about their lives and experiences on the Mainland.
     
    During Miss Mak’s visit to Beijing, the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; the Director of Home Affairs, Ms Priscilla To; and the Deputy Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (Home Affairs), Mr Paul Wong, will also accompany her.
    　
    Miss Mak will return to Hong Kong on the afternoon of July 18. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, will act as the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE listens to advisers’ views

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers (CECA), chaired by Chief Executive John Lee, held luncheon meetings for three consecutive days, from July 9 to 11, to listen to the views expressed by advisers for the upcoming Policy Address and the overall development of Hong Kong.

    Mr Lee pointed out that the three meeting sessions are the first for the new term of CECA members.

    He noted that during the meetings, the advisers emphasised that Hong Kong is bestowed with its unique advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the world, excellent education and research capabilities, and advantageous geographical location, and it is also an international financial centre with free flow of capital.

    He highlighted that such advantages would greatly attract Mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong and use the city as the gateway to go global.

    The CECA conducted in-depth discussions on a range of important issues under three major themes, namely economic advancement and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, and regional and global collaborations.

    Mr Lee emphasised that members of the council are all distinguished and eminent leaders in their respective fields or internationally renowned scholars, experts or entrepreneurs.

    He thanked all members for actively providing him with valuable insights and wise counsel regarding the current situation and vision for future developments of Hong Kong. These contributions have provided important references for the overall development strategies of Hong Kong and the upcoming Policy Address.

    The three meeting sessions were chaired by the Chief Executive. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Acting Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip and Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Stephen Wong attended the three sessions respectively.

    The Chief Executive will deliver his fourth Policy Address this September, for which the public consultation commenced on June 16.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE listens to advisers’ views

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers (CECA), chaired by Chief Executive John Lee, held luncheon meetings for three consecutive days, from July 9 to 11, to listen to the views expressed by advisers for the upcoming Policy Address and the overall development of Hong Kong.

    Mr Lee pointed out that the three meeting sessions are the first for the new term of CECA members.

    He noted that during the meetings, the advisers emphasised that Hong Kong is bestowed with its unique advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the world, excellent education and research capabilities, and advantageous geographical location, and it is also an international financial centre with free flow of capital.

    He highlighted that such advantages would greatly attract Mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong and use the city as the gateway to go global.

    The CECA conducted in-depth discussions on a range of important issues under three major themes, namely economic advancement and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, and regional and global collaborations.

    Mr Lee emphasised that members of the council are all distinguished and eminent leaders in their respective fields or internationally renowned scholars, experts or entrepreneurs.

    He thanked all members for actively providing him with valuable insights and wise counsel regarding the current situation and vision for future developments of Hong Kong. These contributions have provided important references for the overall development strategies of Hong Kong and the upcoming Policy Address.

    The three meeting sessions were chaired by the Chief Executive. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Acting Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip and Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Stephen Wong attended the three sessions respectively.

    The Chief Executive will deliver his fourth Policy Address this September, for which the public consultation commenced on June 16.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Animated film brings Pu Songling’s supernatural tales to life

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

    The animated fantasy anthology “Curious Tales of a Temple” premiered in Beijing on July 8, drawing on classic supernatural stories from “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio,” a 17th-century collection by Pu Songling.

    Animators, producers and voice cast pose for a photo at the premiere of “Curious Tales of a Temple” in Beijing, July 8, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Table Film]

    The film, co-directed by six animators — Cui Yuemei, Liu Yuan, Xie Junwei, Zou Jing, Huang Heyu and Liu Yilin — follows author Pu as he encounters toad and turtle spirits in the well of the abandoned Lanruo Temple. The spirits challenge him to judge their storytelling contest, with each spirit narrating two supernatural tales. As the contest unfolds, Pu finds himself drawn deeper into their world of ghosts and legends.

    All the stories offer new interpretations of “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio,” blending folklore, fantasy and moral lessons. The anthology features scholars, ghosts, spirits and shape-shifting creatures confronting questions of virtue, retribution and the mystical.

    As the 10th feature-length production from Light Chaser Animation, the film is being billed as the studio’s most ambitious project to date. The company is also known for the blockbusters “White Snake” and “Chang An.”

    The film is noted for its vivid color palette and use of Chinese cultural elements. The chapter “Taoist from Laoshan Mountain” is co-directed by Light Chaser veterans Cui and Liu Yuan, marking their directorial debuts. For the film, the pair pioneered a felt-textured animation style, making the visuals appear as if crafted from felt fabric — a first in Chinese animation history.

    “We wanted to use a captivating approach to instantly immerse audiences in the world of ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio,’ one filled with Chinese romanticism and mysterious supernatural elements,” Cui said at the premiere.

    Xie, director of the Tang dynasty epic “Chang An,” created “Princess Lotus” for this anthology, which follows a boy who meets a bee princess in his dreams. He said he aimed to highlight the innocence found in children that remains in adults, offering audiences both delight and motivation to persevere against all odds.

    Zou, who also directed “Chang An,” leads the adaptation of “Nie Xiaoqian,” reimagining the ancient ghost story in a modern historical context. Set in the chaotic, war-torn Republic of China era, Zou said the new backdrop brings greater challenges and drama for the protagonists while preserving the story’s unique ambiguity and romance.

    Liu Yilin and Huang co-directed the horror ghost story “The Painted Skin,” marking the first time the tale has been told from a woman’s perspective. They present it as both a cautionary tale about marriage and an empowering message for women.

    “The story doesn’t just examine marriage issues — it offers solutions,” Liu said. “We hope people facing difficulties will confront them positively rather than retreat.”

    Zou and Liu Yuan co-directed “Miss Lu,” a poignant adaptation of Pu’s “The Daughter of Magistrate Lu,” which serves as the film’s climactic finale. Liu described the protagonists’ connection as “a profound bond transcending life, death and temporal boundaries.” He added, “We want audiences to leave with complete fulfillment, with that rare satisfaction when every emotional thread finds resolution.”

    A poster for “Curious Tales of a Temple.” [Image courtesy of Light Chaser Animation]

    Pu’s encounter with toad and turtle spirits beneath the well also forms a story on its own, directed by Huang, Liu Yilin and Zou, serving as a tribute to the original author.

    Screenwriter Shen Junle said elements of the supernatural in Chinese culture are deeply rooted in 5,000 years of tradition. “In these strange tales, we see reflections of human nature, emotions, worldly affairs and hopes for the future. I believe this is the core of our supernatural storytelling tradition,” Shen said.

    Producer Song Yiyi said “Curious Tales of a Temple” felt like the longest project she has worked on. “It contains so many different lives and emotions,” she said. “I hope that after watching it, everyone can feel the ups and downs in ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio,’ and believe that tomorrow will always be better than today.”

    “Curious Tales of a Temple,” released on July 12, is the second installment in Light Chaser Animation’s “New Culture” series after “Chang An.” The next film in the series will be an animated adaptation of the Chinese classic “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” scheduled for release next summer.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China eyes future, title defense at home in FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

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

    Host China will deploy its teenage phenom Zhang Ziyu with a focus on both the future and the defense of its title at the upcoming FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, which begins Sunday in Shenzhen.

    For China, the defending champion, the first major tournament of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle is about more than just winning on home soil. The primary goal is to manage a generational transition, giving young players critical experience after a disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Two years ago, China ended a 12-year title drought and broke Japan’s grip on the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup with a tense 73-71 victory to secure the gold medal. However, the setback in Paris prompted a coaching change, with veteran Gong Luming returning in February, marking his return to the position he last held 20 years ago.

    Gong has assembled a balanced roster, combining seasoned veterans like guards Yang Liwei and Wang Siyu with promising young talents, notably the 18-year-old Zhang. Standing at 2.26 meters (7-foot-5), Zhang is set to make her senior debut in this tournament, after a breakout performance last year at the same venue when she dominated the U18 Asia Cup, averaging 35 points and 12.8 rebounds to earn MVP honors.

    “There are growing pains with a generational transition,” Gong said, acknowledging the challenge ahead. “The experience and playing style of the veterans differ from the newcomers. In a team sport, building chemistry takes time and a lot of work,” he added.

    On the court, Zhang will form a towering frontcourt duo with the more agile Han Xu, providing China with diverse offensive options in the paint. Her main challenge will be adjusting to the increased physicality and stamina demands of senior-level competition.

    While depth and experience will be tested, China’s championship pedigree remains undeniable.

    China is favored to advance from a group that includes New Zealand, South Korea, and Indonesia. South Korea, tied with China for the most Asia Cup titles at 12, is expected to be China’s toughest group-stage opponent.

    The path to a second straight championship will likely involve overcoming perennial rivals Japan and world No. 2 Australia, who are on the opposite side of the bracket.

    Australia handed China its only loss in recent warm-up matches, a 76-63 defeat in a game where Zhang was rested. The Australians have medaled in every Asia Cup since joining the FIBA Asia zone in 2017.

    The Opals have undergone a roster refresh, with only Chloe Bibby returning from 2023, and the loss of Maddy Rocci to injury is a setback. Still, their blend of youth and experience makes them a formidable contender capable of challenging China for gold.

    Gong said the two exhibition games against Australia were the most valuable preparation for his squad.

    “To become a top team in the world, we must adapt to playing against this level of high-intensity, physical basketball,” Gong added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Over 1.63 lakh pilgrims perform Amarnath Yatra in first 9 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 1.63 lakh devotees have performed the sacred Amarnath Yatra since it began on July 3, even as a fresh batch of 6,639 pilgrims departed from Jammu for Kashmir early Saturday morning.

    According to officials, the pilgrims who have so far undertaken the yatra have successfully had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine, which is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Himalayas of south Kashmir. On Saturday, two escorted convoys carrying the latest group of pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The first convoy of 116 vehicles, carrying 2,337 yatris, departed at 2:50 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,302 pilgrims, left at 3:55 a.m. for the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam.

    Meanwhile, the Bhumi Pujan ceremony of the sacred ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday. The ceremonial mace was taken from the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak. The procession carried the mace to the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam, where the traditional Bhumi Pujan was conducted. The Chhari Mubarak is scheduled to reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, the final day of the yatra, which coincides with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    In light of heightened security concerns, particularly following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow that claimed 26 lives, authorities have deployed extensive multi-tier security arrangements. The central government has sent an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to reinforce existing deployments from the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

    The Indian Army has also launched a comprehensive security initiative named “Operation SHIVA 2025.” More than 8,500 troops have been deployed alongside advanced surveillance and combat technology to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The operation includes a dedicated counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) grid with over 50 counter-drone and electronic warfare systems to tackle aerial threats.

    Live monitoring via UAVs (drones) and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras is being used to track yatra convoys and activity near the cave shrine. Engineer task forces have been deployed to maintain and improve infrastructure along the route, including bridge construction, track widening, and landslide mitigation.

    Medical preparedness has also been enhanced significantly. The Army has positioned more than 150 doctors and paramedics, two Advanced Dressing Stations, nine Medical Aid Posts, a 100-bed hospital, and 26 oxygen booths supported by 2 lakh litres of oxygen. Additional support includes bomb detection squads, technical detachments, and communication teams.

    Transit camps, base camps, and the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave are under strict surveillance and protection. Notably, helicopter services have been suspended this year due to security concerns.

    Pilgrims undertake the yatra to visit the naturally formed ice stalagmite inside the cave shrine, believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva. The structure is known to wax and wane with the lunar cycle, reinforcing its mystical significance.

    The Amarnath Yatra remains one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimages. According to legend, it was in this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality and eternal life to Mata Parvati.

    This year’s pilgrimage spans 38 days, with thousands of pilgrims trekking via the two main routes: the traditional 46-kilometre Pahalgam route, which typically takes four days, and the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route, which allows pilgrims to complete the round-trip in a single day.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • Over 1.63 lakh pilgrims perform Amarnath Yatra in first 9 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 1.63 lakh devotees have performed the sacred Amarnath Yatra since it began on July 3, even as a fresh batch of 6,639 pilgrims departed from Jammu for Kashmir early Saturday morning.

    According to officials, the pilgrims who have so far undertaken the yatra have successfully had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine, which is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Himalayas of south Kashmir. On Saturday, two escorted convoys carrying the latest group of pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The first convoy of 116 vehicles, carrying 2,337 yatris, departed at 2:50 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,302 pilgrims, left at 3:55 a.m. for the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam.

    Meanwhile, the Bhumi Pujan ceremony of the sacred ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday. The ceremonial mace was taken from the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak. The procession carried the mace to the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam, where the traditional Bhumi Pujan was conducted. The Chhari Mubarak is scheduled to reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, the final day of the yatra, which coincides with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    In light of heightened security concerns, particularly following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow that claimed 26 lives, authorities have deployed extensive multi-tier security arrangements. The central government has sent an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to reinforce existing deployments from the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

    The Indian Army has also launched a comprehensive security initiative named “Operation SHIVA 2025.” More than 8,500 troops have been deployed alongside advanced surveillance and combat technology to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The operation includes a dedicated counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) grid with over 50 counter-drone and electronic warfare systems to tackle aerial threats.

    Live monitoring via UAVs (drones) and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras is being used to track yatra convoys and activity near the cave shrine. Engineer task forces have been deployed to maintain and improve infrastructure along the route, including bridge construction, track widening, and landslide mitigation.

    Medical preparedness has also been enhanced significantly. The Army has positioned more than 150 doctors and paramedics, two Advanced Dressing Stations, nine Medical Aid Posts, a 100-bed hospital, and 26 oxygen booths supported by 2 lakh litres of oxygen. Additional support includes bomb detection squads, technical detachments, and communication teams.

    Transit camps, base camps, and the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave are under strict surveillance and protection. Notably, helicopter services have been suspended this year due to security concerns.

    Pilgrims undertake the yatra to visit the naturally formed ice stalagmite inside the cave shrine, believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva. The structure is known to wax and wane with the lunar cycle, reinforcing its mystical significance.

    The Amarnath Yatra remains one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimages. According to legend, it was in this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality and eternal life to Mata Parvati.

    This year’s pilgrimage spans 38 days, with thousands of pilgrims trekking via the two main routes: the traditional 46-kilometre Pahalgam route, which typically takes four days, and the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route, which allows pilgrims to complete the round-trip in a single day.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • Over 1.63 lakh pilgrims perform Amarnath Yatra in first 9 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 1.63 lakh devotees have performed the sacred Amarnath Yatra since it began on July 3, even as a fresh batch of 6,639 pilgrims departed from Jammu for Kashmir early Saturday morning.

    According to officials, the pilgrims who have so far undertaken the yatra have successfully had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine, which is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Himalayas of south Kashmir. On Saturday, two escorted convoys carrying the latest group of pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The first convoy of 116 vehicles, carrying 2,337 yatris, departed at 2:50 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,302 pilgrims, left at 3:55 a.m. for the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam.

    Meanwhile, the Bhumi Pujan ceremony of the sacred ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday. The ceremonial mace was taken from the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak. The procession carried the mace to the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam, where the traditional Bhumi Pujan was conducted. The Chhari Mubarak is scheduled to reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, the final day of the yatra, which coincides with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    In light of heightened security concerns, particularly following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow that claimed 26 lives, authorities have deployed extensive multi-tier security arrangements. The central government has sent an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to reinforce existing deployments from the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

    The Indian Army has also launched a comprehensive security initiative named “Operation SHIVA 2025.” More than 8,500 troops have been deployed alongside advanced surveillance and combat technology to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The operation includes a dedicated counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) grid with over 50 counter-drone and electronic warfare systems to tackle aerial threats.

    Live monitoring via UAVs (drones) and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras is being used to track yatra convoys and activity near the cave shrine. Engineer task forces have been deployed to maintain and improve infrastructure along the route, including bridge construction, track widening, and landslide mitigation.

    Medical preparedness has also been enhanced significantly. The Army has positioned more than 150 doctors and paramedics, two Advanced Dressing Stations, nine Medical Aid Posts, a 100-bed hospital, and 26 oxygen booths supported by 2 lakh litres of oxygen. Additional support includes bomb detection squads, technical detachments, and communication teams.

    Transit camps, base camps, and the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave are under strict surveillance and protection. Notably, helicopter services have been suspended this year due to security concerns.

    Pilgrims undertake the yatra to visit the naturally formed ice stalagmite inside the cave shrine, believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva. The structure is known to wax and wane with the lunar cycle, reinforcing its mystical significance.

    The Amarnath Yatra remains one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimages. According to legend, it was in this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality and eternal life to Mata Parvati.

    This year’s pilgrimage spans 38 days, with thousands of pilgrims trekking via the two main routes: the traditional 46-kilometre Pahalgam route, which typically takes four days, and the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route, which allows pilgrims to complete the round-trip in a single day.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • Over 1.63 lakh pilgrims perform Amarnath Yatra in first 9 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 1.63 lakh devotees have performed the sacred Amarnath Yatra since it began on July 3, even as a fresh batch of 6,639 pilgrims departed from Jammu for Kashmir early Saturday morning.

    According to officials, the pilgrims who have so far undertaken the yatra have successfully had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine, which is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Himalayas of south Kashmir. On Saturday, two escorted convoys carrying the latest group of pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. The first convoy of 116 vehicles, carrying 2,337 yatris, departed at 2:50 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,302 pilgrims, left at 3:55 a.m. for the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam.

    Meanwhile, the Bhumi Pujan ceremony of the sacred ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday. The ceremonial mace was taken from the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak. The procession carried the mace to the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam, where the traditional Bhumi Pujan was conducted. The Chhari Mubarak is scheduled to reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, the final day of the yatra, which coincides with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    In light of heightened security concerns, particularly following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow that claimed 26 lives, authorities have deployed extensive multi-tier security arrangements. The central government has sent an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to reinforce existing deployments from the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

    The Indian Army has also launched a comprehensive security initiative named “Operation SHIVA 2025.” More than 8,500 troops have been deployed alongside advanced surveillance and combat technology to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The operation includes a dedicated counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) grid with over 50 counter-drone and electronic warfare systems to tackle aerial threats.

    Live monitoring via UAVs (drones) and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras is being used to track yatra convoys and activity near the cave shrine. Engineer task forces have been deployed to maintain and improve infrastructure along the route, including bridge construction, track widening, and landslide mitigation.

    Medical preparedness has also been enhanced significantly. The Army has positioned more than 150 doctors and paramedics, two Advanced Dressing Stations, nine Medical Aid Posts, a 100-bed hospital, and 26 oxygen booths supported by 2 lakh litres of oxygen. Additional support includes bomb detection squads, technical detachments, and communication teams.

    Transit camps, base camps, and the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave are under strict surveillance and protection. Notably, helicopter services have been suspended this year due to security concerns.

    Pilgrims undertake the yatra to visit the naturally formed ice stalagmite inside the cave shrine, believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva. The structure is known to wax and wane with the lunar cycle, reinforcing its mystical significance.

    The Amarnath Yatra remains one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimages. According to legend, it was in this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality and eternal life to Mata Parvati.

    This year’s pilgrimage spans 38 days, with thousands of pilgrims trekking via the two main routes: the traditional 46-kilometre Pahalgam route, which typically takes four days, and the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route, which allows pilgrims to complete the round-trip in a single day.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • UN report urges stronger measures to detect AI-driven deepfakes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Companies must use advanced tools to detect and stamp out misinformation and deepfake content to help counter growing risks of election interference and financial fraud, the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union urged in a report on Friday.

    Deepfakes such as AI-generated images and videos, and audio that convincingly impersonates real people, pose mounting risks, the ITU said in the report released at its “AI for Good Summit” in Geneva.

    The ITU called for robust standards to combat manipulated multimedia and recommended that content distributors such as social media platforms use digital verification tools to authenticate images and videos before sharing.

    “Trust in social media has dropped significantly because people don’t know what’s true and what’s fake,” Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department at the ITU’s Standardization Bureau, noted. Combatting deepfakes was a top challenge due to Generative AI’s ability to fabricate realistic multimedia, he said.

    Leonard Rosenthol of Adobe, a digital editing software leader that has been addressing deepfakes since 2019, underscored the importance of establishing the provenance of digital content to help users assess its trustworthiness.

    “We need more of the places where users consume their content to show this information…When you are scrolling through your feeds you want to know: ‘can I trust this image, this video…’” Rosenthol said.

    Dr. Farzaneh Badiei, founder of digital governance research firm Digital Medusa, stressed the importance of a global approach to the problem, given there is currently no single international watchdog focusing on detecting manipulated material.

    “If we have patchworks of standards and solutions, then the harmful deepfake can be more effective,” she told Reuters.

    The ITU is currently developing standards for watermarking videos – which make up 80% of internet traffic – to embed provenance data such as creator identity and timestamps.

    Tomaz Levak, founder of Switzerland-based Umanitek, urged the private sector to proactively implement safety measures and educate users.

    “AI will only get more powerful, faster or smarter… We’ll need to upskill people to make sure that they are not victims of the systems,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • UN report urges stronger measures to detect AI-driven deepfakes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Companies must use advanced tools to detect and stamp out misinformation and deepfake content to help counter growing risks of election interference and financial fraud, the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union urged in a report on Friday.

    Deepfakes such as AI-generated images and videos, and audio that convincingly impersonates real people, pose mounting risks, the ITU said in the report released at its “AI for Good Summit” in Geneva.

    The ITU called for robust standards to combat manipulated multimedia and recommended that content distributors such as social media platforms use digital verification tools to authenticate images and videos before sharing.

    “Trust in social media has dropped significantly because people don’t know what’s true and what’s fake,” Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department at the ITU’s Standardization Bureau, noted. Combatting deepfakes was a top challenge due to Generative AI’s ability to fabricate realistic multimedia, he said.

    Leonard Rosenthol of Adobe, a digital editing software leader that has been addressing deepfakes since 2019, underscored the importance of establishing the provenance of digital content to help users assess its trustworthiness.

    “We need more of the places where users consume their content to show this information…When you are scrolling through your feeds you want to know: ‘can I trust this image, this video…’” Rosenthol said.

    Dr. Farzaneh Badiei, founder of digital governance research firm Digital Medusa, stressed the importance of a global approach to the problem, given there is currently no single international watchdog focusing on detecting manipulated material.

    “If we have patchworks of standards and solutions, then the harmful deepfake can be more effective,” she told Reuters.

    The ITU is currently developing standards for watermarking videos – which make up 80% of internet traffic – to embed provenance data such as creator identity and timestamps.

    Tomaz Levak, founder of Switzerland-based Umanitek, urged the private sector to proactively implement safety measures and educate users.

    “AI will only get more powerful, faster or smarter… We’ll need to upskill people to make sure that they are not victims of the systems,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • UN report urges stronger measures to detect AI-driven deepfakes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Companies must use advanced tools to detect and stamp out misinformation and deepfake content to help counter growing risks of election interference and financial fraud, the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union urged in a report on Friday.

    Deepfakes such as AI-generated images and videos, and audio that convincingly impersonates real people, pose mounting risks, the ITU said in the report released at its “AI for Good Summit” in Geneva.

    The ITU called for robust standards to combat manipulated multimedia and recommended that content distributors such as social media platforms use digital verification tools to authenticate images and videos before sharing.

    “Trust in social media has dropped significantly because people don’t know what’s true and what’s fake,” Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department at the ITU’s Standardization Bureau, noted. Combatting deepfakes was a top challenge due to Generative AI’s ability to fabricate realistic multimedia, he said.

    Leonard Rosenthol of Adobe, a digital editing software leader that has been addressing deepfakes since 2019, underscored the importance of establishing the provenance of digital content to help users assess its trustworthiness.

    “We need more of the places where users consume their content to show this information…When you are scrolling through your feeds you want to know: ‘can I trust this image, this video…’” Rosenthol said.

    Dr. Farzaneh Badiei, founder of digital governance research firm Digital Medusa, stressed the importance of a global approach to the problem, given there is currently no single international watchdog focusing on detecting manipulated material.

    “If we have patchworks of standards and solutions, then the harmful deepfake can be more effective,” she told Reuters.

    The ITU is currently developing standards for watermarking videos – which make up 80% of internet traffic – to embed provenance data such as creator identity and timestamps.

    Tomaz Levak, founder of Switzerland-based Umanitek, urged the private sector to proactively implement safety measures and educate users.

    “AI will only get more powerful, faster or smarter… We’ll need to upskill people to make sure that they are not victims of the systems,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commissioner of Police encourages graduates to demonstrate team spirit (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Commissioner of Police encourages graduates to demonstrate team spirit  
    Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chow said this was his first time attending the Police College passing-out parade in the capacity of the Commissioner of Police, and serving as the reviewing officer. He mentioned his participation in the parade as a graduate at the same venue 29 years ago, and hence could fully understand the feelings of the graduates.
     
    He stated that the HKPF, with a history of 181 years, is a world-renowned, professional and highly efficient team. Over the years, the Force has encountered countless challenges, but has always overcome obstacles with team spirit, upholding the motto of “Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty”, ensuring the safety and stability of Hong Kong.
     
    He said that police officers have to serve in various posts throughout their career, and policing work requires concerted efforts to overcome adversities. Team members have to share weal and woe with each other and express care for their fellow colleagues; whereas team leaders win respect through personal integrity and take the initiative and stand at the forefront.
     
    He shared that he had worked closely with a number of outstanding team members in his 30-year policing career. He stressed that team culture is indispensable and with great pride in HKPF, and since his appointment as the Commissioner of Police in April, one of his work priorities is strengthening the team culture.
     
         Mr Chow wished that graduates would stay in touch with their fellow classmates and peers from the same batches, to support and encourage each other, as well as bearing in mind that if each member goes the extra mile for the team, much more could be achieved. He also encouraged graduates to uphold their original aspiration when facing challenges ahead, and remember the steadfast support from their families, friends, colleagues, and the entire Force, and they are never fighting alone.
    Issued at HKT 14:21

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China Focus/ Global Dialogue Among Civilizations Builds Bridges Through Cultural Exchanges

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — More than 600 participants from around the world attended the ministerial meeting of the Global Dialogue of Civilizations held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

    Under the theme “Preserving the diversity of human civilizations for world peace and development,” participants in the parallel sub-forums on Friday noted the importance of mutual learning among civilizations.

    They stressed that harnessing the wisdom of different cultures can serve as a powerful catalyst for shared prosperity, as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and innovation.

    Roger T. Ames, a professor at Peking University and the University of Hawaii, noted that dialogue among civilizations offers an alternative to nation-state-oriented geopolitics.

    “Instead of simply being tolerant of other cultures, we must activate our differences to benefit each other,” he said.

    Simon Lichtenberg, founder and chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, stressed that mutual understanding and respect are fundamental to global development. “International exchanges and development require that everyone understands and respects each other,” he said.

    Such views were echoed during the participants’ visits to various cities in China earlier this week. Singh Vikash Kumar, a Hindi language specialist at Beijing Foreign Studies University, expressed admiration for the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the northwest Chinese city of Dunhuang.

    “This is one of the most important and vibrant stories in the history of Buddhist art. To see it so completely and exquisitely preserved in China is very moving,” he said.

    Moments like these highlight not only the enduring legacy of past civilizations, but also the importance of cultural heritage and innovation in today’s interconnected world – a topic that many experts continued to explore during discussions at the event.

    Dunhuang Academy Director Su Bomin said protecting cultural heritage is important to preserving and transmitting culture. He called for more efforts to deepen research and introduce new technologies.

    “Cultural heritage is how we pay homage to that heritage,” said former Malaysian Senate President Wong Foon Meng, adding that the most powerful innovations often come from deep exploration of cultural heritage, reimagined in a way that resonates with new generations. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Expo 2025 Osaka Celebrates China Pavilion Day

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    OSAKA, Japan, July 12 (Xinhua) — The China National Pavilion Day was held at the World Expo 2025 Osaka on Friday, attracting more than 400 participants, including representatives from China and Japan, as well as delegates from various national pavilions and friendship organizations.

    The event featured a large-scale cultural performance under the theme of “Colorful China, Shaping the Future Together.” Artists from Shaanxi Province (Northwest China) presented traditional cultural shows, including classical musical instruments, martial arts and acrobatics.

    China Pavilion Director Wu Shengrong told Xinhua that the pavilion has received about 800,000 visitors from around the world since it opened on April 13.

    In addition, the China Pavilion hosted more than 20 cultural events involving provinces and cities, enterprises, and themed exhibitions.

    The exhibition, which runs from April 13 to October 13, is dedicated to the theme “Designing a Future Society for Our Lives.”

    The Chinese Pavilion, one of the largest foreign pavilions built independently, covers an area of about 3,500 square meters. Its architectural concept is inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls and reflects the theme of “Building a Living Community for Humanity and Nature—A Future Society with Green Development.” –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Delhi Parks 10°C Cooler, But 8 out of 10 parks Lack Water, Gates Shut in Heat

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Delhi, 12 July, 2025: A recent audit of 50 parks across Delhi has revealed stark contrasts in surface temperatures – with shaded green areas being up to 20°C cooler in some parks than nearby unshaded concrete spaces, while an average 10°C temperature difference was recorded. In one instance, the concrete zones peaked at 53.3°C, while tree-covered spots within the same park remained at 35°C, underscoring the critical cooling power of urban forests.

    Yet despite this natural relief, the audit led by Greenpeace India in collaboration with COHAS and Youth For Climate Justice, South Asia highlights a troubling picture: 8 out of 10 parks lack drinking water facilities for the public, and none of the parks had official provisions for nests or birdhouses to protect urban birdlife from soaring temperatures.

    The audit was conducted to assess how well Delhi’s green spaces, which serve as vital buffers against extreme heat, are currently equipped to meet the needs of residents, animals, and birds during peak summer months. It surveyed basic amenities such as access to water, cooling infrastructure, biodiversity support, and equitable access across Delhi’s zones.

    While Delhi is said to have green cover across 25% of its geographical area, the reality is that most parks are concentrated in just five districts, leaving large swathes of the city, particularly low-income, congested areas with minimal access to green relief. This inequity, combined with concretisation of urban forests, further enhances heat vulnerability in the capital.

    “At a time of record-breaking heat waves, Delhi cannot afford to lose its lung spaces. Urban forests and parks are not ornamental — they are life-saving infrastructure and help our cities fight climate change. This audit clearly shows that green cover lowers temperatures dramatically, yet our policies prioritize concrete over canopies. The forest cover in Delhi has and is still under threat of being converted into big infrastructural projects. Forest areas like Dwarka forest, Aravalis act as carbon sinks for Delhi and destroying these will further aggravate the impacts of climate change. There is a need to save some of the forests. If we are serious about climate resilience, we need urgent, actionable changes,” said Aakiz Farooq, Climate & Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace India.

    “We conducted this audit in the middle of the heat as we wanted to understand what people are really going through. In many low-income neighbourhoods, the heat lingers late into night, yet most parks are locked. It made us realise that parks aren’t luxuries, they’re life-saving infrastructure. We also noticed how tree roots were choked with concrete, green patches were disappearing under paving, and drinking water was missing. We recorded a significant temperature difference between green, shaded spaces. Parks should be open 24×7, with water facilities and shade as these are basic, life-saving necessities,” said Priyanka, member of the audit team from COHAS. 

    Key Findings of the Audit:

    • Temperature Variance: Up to 20°C difference between shaded green areas and adjacent concrete zones in some parks while an average of 10°C difference was recorded. 
    • Average Surface Temperatures: 39.2°C in unshaded concrete spaces vs. 28.9°C under tree cover.
    • Lack of Drinking Water: 78% of parks lacked public drinking water points.
    • Neglected Wildlife Needs: While 73% of parks had water bowls for animals and birds, almost all were set up by local residents or caretakers, not authorities.
    • Poor Water Body Management: Only 28% of parks had water bodies, many of which were dirty or drying up.
    • No Birdhouses: None of the parks had installed nests or birdhouses.
    • Access Restrictions: 74% of parks were closed at some time of the day, with 64% shut during night hours — limiting respite for residents in heat-stressed neighborhoods.

    This audit report, part of Delhi Rising campaign underscores an urgent truth: our cities cannot survive rising heat without inclusive, well-maintained green spaces. Public parks and urban forests must be protected — not converted into malls, parking lots, or gated “clean zones.” They must be accessible, equitable, and ecologically alive.

    ENDS

    Find the full report here

    For Media queries: Nibedita Saha, Media Officer, [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • PM Modi hails UNESCO recognition of Maratha military landscapes as India’s 44th World Heritage Site

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed immense pride and joy over the inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. The recognition, granted at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, marks India’s 44th World Heritage site and celebrates the nation’s enduring cultural and architectural legacy.

    The nomination, submitted for the 2024–25 cycle, features a group of twelve strategically located forts that exemplify the Maratha Empire’s military acumen and architectural brilliance from the 17th to 19th centuries CE. The inscription followed an extensive eighteen-month evaluation involving technical reviews and an on-site mission by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

    Reacting to the announcement, Prime Minister Modi took to X, saying:

    “Every Indian is elated with this recognition. These ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ include 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu. When we speak of the glorious Maratha Empire, we associate it with good governance, military strength, cultural pride and emphasis on social welfare. The great rulers inspire us with their refusal to bow to any injustice. I call upon everyone to go visit these forts and learn about the rich history of the Maratha Empire. Here are pictures from my visit to Raigad Fort in 2014. Had the opportunity to bow to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Will always cherish that visit.”

    Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also extended congratulations to the nation, calling the recognition a proud moment for India’s cultural diplomacy and historical preservation.

    The twelve forts that comprise the Maratha Military Landscapes include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, as well as Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.

    These forts are strategically situated across diverse terrains—ranging from hilltops and dense forests to plateaus and coastal islands. Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Salher, Rajgad, and Gingee are hill forts. Pratapgad is a hill-forest fort, Panhala is a hill-plateau fort, Vijaydurg is a coastal fort, and Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg are classified as island forts.

    Eight of these forts—Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee—fall under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The remaining four—Salher, Rajgad, Khanderi, and Pratapgad—are maintained by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.

    India’s nomination was accepted under UNESCO criteria (iv) and (vi), recognizing the forts for their outstanding architectural and technological significance, as well as their deep cultural and historical associations. The nomination received overwhelming support from 18 of the 20 State Parties present, with the final deliberation lasting 59 minutes.

    This recognition follows the inscription of the Moidams of Charaideo in Assam during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi last year. With this new addition, India now ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia-Pacific region for the number of World Heritage Sites.

    India is currently serving as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2021–2025 term and continues to strengthen its global cultural presence through the dedicated efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India—the country’s nodal agency for all matters related to World Heritage. Presently, India also has 62 sites on the Tentative List, a prerequisite for future World Heritage nominations.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at opening ceremony of City University of Hong Kong’s “City Quest” programme (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SCST at opening ceremony of City University of Hong Kong’s “City Quest” programme (English only) 
    Chairman Ngai (Council Chairman of City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Mr Michael Ngai), 屈總 (Vice President and Chairman of the Group Technology Committee, Xiaomi Corporation, Mr Qu Heng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good morning. It is my great pleasure to be in the CityU today for the opening ceremony of the “City Quest 尋‍城記” programme.  
     
    Today, we gather here to mark the official launch of a visionary community engagement programme that embodies the spirit of “tourism is everywhere”,「香港無處不旅遊」. I was particularly impressed that this programme is inviting every member of the public to become a storyteller of our city through the “hands” by sharing personal narratives about Hong Kong, through the “feet” by becoming docent ambassadors and through the “eyes” by capturing the beauty of Hong Kong. This resonates with what I have been advocating ever since assuming the post as Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, which is “Everyone is a tourism ambassador”, 「人人都是旅遊大使」.
     
    With the travel patterns and traveller preferences progressing into more in-depth explorations, the Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots, as led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, with myself as Deputy Leader, has recently announced nine hotspot projects to offer new and more in-depth tourist experiences, with one project in Old Town Central and the other in Kowloon City. The Old Town Central project will take the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator as a conduit connecting various offerings in the vicinity to guide visitors to explore the beauty of our alleys and streets. On the other hand, the Kowloon City project features the “Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey” Movie Set Exhibition as the starting point to extend visitors’ experience further in the district. Through these projects, we encourage visitors to experience Hong Kong’s authentic local flavour from widened perspectives. I am confident that the “City Quest” programme will complement our hotspot projects to curate more fascinating experiences to a wider audience, thereby bringing more visitors to the unique beauty of Hong Kong.
     
    Hong Kong is an international tourist city with significant advantages in developing city walk routes, with our diverse gourmet food, high accessibility and efficient transportation system. I wish the “City Quest 尋城‍記” programme a success and would love to see more efforts of this kind from different stakeholders in the community in promoting the Hong Kong neighbourhoods.  
     
    Before I close, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to City University of Hong Kong and its partners for organising this meaningful programme to promote Hong Kong from fresh perspectives. Thank you very much.
    Issued at HKT 13:08

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Maratha military landscapes of India inscribed as 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, France, the “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” were officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This significant recognition marks India’s 44th World Heritage site and highlights the country’s remarkable historical and architectural heritage, reflecting its enduring cultural legacy on the global stage.

    The nomination, submitted for the 2024–25 cycle, highlights a group of twelve strategically located forts that exemplify the Maratha Empire’s military acumen and architectural brilliance between the 17th and 19th centuries CE. The inscription followed a rigorous eighteen-month process that included multiple technical evaluations and an on-site mission by ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated the nation on this significant achievement, praising the recognition of India’s historical and cultural contributions to global heritage.

    The Maratha Military Landscapes comprise forts located across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The twelve forts include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.

    These sites are spread across diverse terrains, from hilltops and dense forests to plateaus and coastal islands. Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Salher, Rajgad, and Gingee are categorized as hill forts. Pratapgad is classified as a hill-forest fort, while Panhala stands on a plateaued hill and is recognized as a hill-plateau fort. Vijaydurg is a notable coastal fort, whereas Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg are island forts surrounded by the Arabian Sea.

    Eight of these forts—Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee—are under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The remaining four—Salher, Rajgad, Khanderi, and Pratapgad—are safeguarded by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.

    The inclusion of these forts under UNESCO’s World Heritage List is a result of India’s nomination under criteria (iv) and (vi), which pertain to architectural and technological significance and strong association with living traditions and historical events. The collective ensemble presents a sophisticated understanding of geography, defense strategy, and regional adaptation.

    During the committee meeting, 18 out of 20 State Parties supported India’s proposal. The deliberation lasted for 59 minutes, after which the proposal received enthusiastic backing from all member states, UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, and advisory bodies such as ICOMOS and IUCN.

    This global recognition comes on the heels of the Moidams of Charaideo in Assam, which were inscribed at the 46th session held in New Delhi last year. India now ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia-Pacific region for the most number of World Heritage Sites.

    India is currently a member of the World Heritage Committee (2021–2025) and continues to promote its cultural and natural legacy through the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India, the nodal agency for all World Heritage matters. The country also maintains 62 sites on its Tentative List, which serves as a prerequisite for future nominations.