kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SEE leads delegation to visit Beijing
16.4.2023

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will depart for a visit to Beijing in the evening today (April 16). During his visit to Beijing, Mr Tse will meet with officials of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the National Energy Administration to discuss various matters including food supply, food safety and energy, and to continue the deepening of Hong Kong's co-operation and exchanges with the Mainland. âDelegation members include the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Miss Vivian Lau; the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Miss Janice Tse; Deputy Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) Mrs Millie Ng; Deputy Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food) Mr Anthony Li; and the Controller of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Dr Christine Wong. Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong on April 18. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, will be the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology.
SEE visits Guangzhou and Foshan (with photos)
30.3.2023

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (March 30) attended the opening ceremony of the Fifth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Ecological Environment Forum, and visited Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park as well as hydrogen-powered projects in Foshan. In the morning, Mr Tse visited Jinan University in Guangzhou and met with the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and the Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, Mr Cai Dafeng. He then attended the opening ceremony of the Fifth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Ecological Environment Forum. The Forum, firstly held in 2018, focuses on major issues on the development of beautiful bay area, and assembles people from academia, political and business sectors for discussion and exchange. This year, the Forum themed "Biodiversity in the Beautiful Bay Area" studies the protection and sustainable management of biodiversity in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Mr Tse then proceeded to the Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park (Haizhu Wetland), and exchanged views with the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province on the progress of environmental collaboration projects including current work on wetland conservation. Known as "Green Heart of Guangzhou", Haizhu Wetland is the nation's only wetland park located on the central axis of a mega city, and the only key national developed wetland park in Guangdong Province. It was inscribed onto the Ramsar List as an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention in February this year. After the visit, Mr Tse had lunch with officials from the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province and the Macao Environmental Protection Bureau, to further discuss co-operation on environmental protection issues in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Ecological and Environmental Protection Planning is an essential component in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. To tie in with the national development blueprint and long-term vision, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to collaborate closely with the Governments of Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region, to ensure full implementation of environmental protection policies and promote green development proactively. Mr Tse proceeded to Foshan in the afternoon to visit demonstration projects including hydrogen-powered forklifts at a local enterprise, as well as a hydrogen-powered light rail vehicle and its hydrogen filling station. He also exchanged experience with respective officers on the application of hydrogen energy. Mr Tse returned to Hong Kong in the evening.
FEHD Sunlight Market opens today (with photos)
24.3.2023

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) Sunlight Market (formerly known as Tung Chung Temporary Market) located at Fu Tung Street in Tung Chung opened today (March 24). With 36 market stalls selling wet and dry goods and simple cooked food, the market offers residents in the district an additional place for purchase of fresh food. Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that the Sunlight Market project is citizen- and district-based, meeting community needs. Public markets are important livelihood facilities. The Government will continue its efforts in taking forward market development projects, with a view to keeping public markets abreast with the times to meet public needs. Sunlight Market, with an area of about 2 275 square metres, was built by using the Modular Integrated Construction method. In addition to the signature architectural design of the canopy, the outer appearance of the market features traits of Tai O stilt houses and fishing village to highlight the community characteristics of Island District. Place-making and greening elements are integrated in the market area for the public to rest and enjoy. The FEHD introduces a new management model in Sunlight Market to strengthen the role of the service contractor in managing the market, including formulating market promotion and development strategies, with a view to enhancing the market business vibrancy and meeting the needs of the public. Mr Tse; the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Miss Vivian Lau; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Ms Irene Young; the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Edward Tse; the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mrs Regina Ip; members of the Legislative Council Ms Chan Hoi-yan and Mr Chan Hok-fung; and the Chairman of the Islands District Council, Mr Randy Yu, officiated at the opening ceremony of Sunlight Market today. Apart from Sunlight Market, the FEHD is also taking forward six other new market projects that are at different planning stages. They include the development of new public markets in Tin Shui Wai, Tseung Kwan O, Tung Chung Town Centre, Tung Chung New Town Extension, and Kwu Tung North New Development Area (NDA) and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA in the Northern Metropolis.
SEE visits Shenzhen (with photos)
20.3.2023

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, visited Shenzhen and attended a meeting with Shenzhen officials today (March 20) to exchange views and discuss collaboration on environmental protection issues including air quality in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, new energy transport measures and ecology conservation. In the morning, Mr Tse met with Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Ms Zhang Hua to explore directions for co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in combating air pollution and promoting carbon reduction incentives, as well as to share strategies and achievements in promoting new energy transport measures in both places. In the meeting, they also exchanged the latest progress on environmental collaboration projects, including current work on wetland conservation. Officials from the General Office of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, the Ecology Environment Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipality, the Industry and Information Technology Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipality, the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipality, the Transport Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipality, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration also attended the meeting. Geographical proximity is key to the relationship between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Mainland. The Environment and Ecology Bureau has been communicating with the Shenzhen Government proactively, co-operating and exchanging experiences on various environmental issues with a view to improving regional environmental quality and achieving mutual benefits. Mr Tse visited the exhibition hall of new energy transport manufacturer BYD's headquarters in the afternoon, and was briefed by the staff on the latest developments of new energy transport measures. Afterwards, Mr Tse returned to Hong Kong in the evening.
60th Meeting of APEC Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation held in Hong Kong (with photos)
15.3.2023

The 60th Meeting of the Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EGEE&C) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is being held in Hong Kong today and tomorrow (March 15 and 16) in hybrid mode. Delivering a welcoming speech at the meeting today, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that Hong Kong was honoured to host the EGEE&C meeting again after 2019 and 2020 to provide a platform for direct dialogue among APEC partners. Ranked consistently as the world's freest economy, Hong Kong has been proactively promoting global economic co-operation. "The launch of the global promotional campaign 'Hello Hong Kong' in February also showed that Hong Kong is 'back', which is evidenced by hosting this significant international meeting," said Mr Tse. "It is encouraging to see over 50 experts and delegates from 11 APEC member economies as well as four international organisations gather again to share insights and exchange experiences with their counterparts after the stabilisation of the epidemic." Mr Tse indicated that Hong Kong's energy intensity had decreased over 30 per cent from 2005 to 2020. However, as the Asia Pacific region developes, the energy demand and consumption of the region would continue to increase, which may lead to an increase in emissions of greenhouse gases. To achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government published the Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 in October 2021, outlining the strategies and targets for combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. The Office of Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality was also set up in January 2023 to strengthen the co-ordination and promotion of decarbonisation work. The Chairperson of the EGEE&C and Principle Energy Efficiency Advisor of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Mr Vy Ek-chin, delivered the opening remarks at the meeting today. He said that in view of the current progress, it is expected that APEC can meet its regional goal of reducing energy intensity by 45 per cent from 2005 levels in 2034, ahead of the target schedule of 2035. He thanked APEC member economies for their continued efforts to address climate change, and stressed that close co-operation must be maintained in order to meet the challenges posed by climate change.
SEE inspects energy facilities in Shenzhen (with photos)
8.3.2023

âThe Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, visited the China General Nuclear Power Corporation Limited (CGNPC) and the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Site in Shenzhen today (March 8). Mr Tse first visited the Shenzhen CGNPC Building to learn about the history and development of the company. He also met and exchanged views with representatives of the CGNPC. Mr Tse proceeded to the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Site in the afternoon. He visited the main control room of Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station Phase II and was briefed by the staff on the operation of the nuclear power station. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and reduce the total carbon emissions from the 2005 level by half before 2035. The Government has devised four major decarbonisation strategies, namely "net-zero electricity generation", "energy saving and green buildings", "green transport" and "waste reduction" in Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 promulgated in 2021. To gradually increase the use of zero-carbon energy for electricity generation, the Government will explore more zero-carbon energy supplies at a reasonable price in surrounding areas to promote low-carbon energy transformation in Hong Kong. Mr Tse returned to Hong Kong in the evening.
Countryside Conservation Conference 2023 held today (with photos)
3.3.2023

The Countryside Conservation Office (CCO) of the Environment and Ecology Bureau today (March 3) held the Countryside Conservation Conference 2023 in a hybrid format at the Zero Carbon Park and online. With the theme "Protecting the Natural Ecology and Revitalising the Villages: Paving a Way for Urban-Rural Symbiosis", the conference gathered experts from Hong Kong, the Mainland and other parts of Asia, including government representatives, academics and professionals, to share their insights and exchange opinions on various topics of common concern, such as countryside revitalisation, restoration of built heritage, and nature and cultural conservation. The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said in his opening remarks at the conference that ecological civilisation is indispensable to sustainable development. The Government will continue to collaborate and communicate with all sectors of the community to deepen ecological and rural conservation comprehensively, and strive to achieve the vision of urban-rural symbiosis. Established for about five years, the CCO has been proactively co-ordinating and promoting the conservation and rehabilitation of remote countryside, with a view to achieving urban-rural integration in a sustainable manner. The Head of the CCO, Professor Stephen Tang, said that rural conservation was still a relatively new concept for Hong Kong. It is necessary to pool the wisdom and efforts of all parties, so as to protect and revitalise the ecological and cultural environment as well as the architecture of the villages in the countryside, thereby making steady progress along the path towards sustainable development. The conference focused on four major topics, namely "Nature Conservation and Village Revitalisation"; "Planning, Governance and Economic Sustainability"; "Architecture, Art, Culture and Tourism"; and "Pioneering a Sustainable Journey". Through the speakers' sharing of experiences in promoting countryside conservation, the public can better understand the planning and work involved, and explore the future direction of sustainable development in the countryside, so as to work together in promoting sustainable development in remote rural areas and achieving the vision of urban-rural symbiosis. A ceremony to launch the "Country Park Clean-up Partnership Scheme" was also held during the conference. The scheme seeks to engage groups of volunteers to help clean up trash along hiking trails in country parks, and promote awareness of the protection of natural habitats. For more details of the conference, please visit the thematic website cco-conference.hk .
SEE meets officials of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and Consul-General of Japan in HK to reiterate great concern on discharge of nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima, Japan
3.5.2024

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, met the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Takahashi Mitsuo, and the Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong, Mr Kenichi Okada, today (May 3) upon request and discussed about the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water in Japan. Mr Tse reiterated at the meeting that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has come to the view that there is currently no guarantee from the Japanese authorities that their purification and dilution system can operate continuously and effectively in the long term, and that the discharge will not pose any potential risks to food safety and marine ecology. Safeguarding food safety and public health in Hong Kong is the responsibility of the HKSAR Government, thus corresponding precautionary measures must be taken. The HKSAR Government will closely monitor developments of the discharge, so as to obtain more monitoring and scientific data in order to further examine the impact of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharge on food safety, and keep under review relevant counter measures. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban. In response to the Japanese Government's earlier decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station into the sea, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong. For other aquatic products, sea salt, and unprocessed or processed seaweed from Japan that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market. Besides, all vegetables, fruits, milk, milk beverages and dried milk originating from Fukushima are banned from importing into Hong Kong while such foods originating from the four prefectures nearby Fukushima, i.e. Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma, are allowed to be imported on the condition that they are accompanied with a radiation certificate and an exporter certificate issued by the Japanese authority. Chilled or frozen game, meat and poultry, and poultry eggs originating from the above five prefectures are allowed to be imported on the condition that they are accompanied with a radiation certificate issued by the Japanese authority which shows the radiation levels do not exceed the guideline levels of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology attends Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (with photos)
28.3.2024

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (March 28) led a delegation to attend the 2024 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF) in Macao and officiated alongside officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and other guests at the opening ceremony of the MIECF. The 2024 MIECF was held with the theme of "Reaching the Dual Carbon Goals through Green Transformation". The exhibition booth of the Environment and Ecology Bureau is presenting a number of innovative initiatives adopted by the Hong Kong SAR Government departments and local industries including smart technologies for environmental enforcement, environmental impact assessment, energy conservation, green transportation, waste recycling as well as food waste management technologies to provide green impetus for the sustainable development of society and ecological civilisation. Mr Tse paid a courtesy call on the Secretary for Transport and Public Works of the Macao SAR, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Ros&aacute;rio, and met the Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau, Mr Wang Baosen, at the exhibition, to exchange views on various environmental subjects and collaboration opportunities. Mr Tse said that Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou are Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities in close proximity, and are facing similar environmental issues during the development process. He said he believed that enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Macao could better improve the ability in dealing with climate change and other environmental challenges, ultimately optimising the environment in the Greater Bay Area. After touring the exhibition and exchanging views with Hong Kong exhibitors, Mr Tse and the delegation returned to Hong Kong in the early afternoon.
SEE attends launch ceremony of Pilot Scheme on Food Waste Smart Recycling Bins in Private Housing Estates (with photos)
14.3.2024

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the launch ceremony of the Pilot Scheme on Food Waste Smart Recycling Bins in Private Housing Estates at Sceneway Garden in Lam Tin today (March 14), witnessing the introduction of the first batch of food waste smart recycling bins (FWSRBs) into large-scale private housing estates. To support the Government's initiative to expand the food waste collection network, the Environmental Campaign Committee has subsidised through the Environment and Conservation Fund to support the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to roll out the Pilot Scheme on Food Waste Smart Recycling Bins in Private Housing Estates. The Scheme, which started accepting applications at the end of December last year, provides eligible large-scale private housing estates with free FWSRBs, including installation and relevant maintenance services, for a period of two years. During the launch ceremony, Mr Tse said, "Domestic food waste accounts for about 70 per cent of the total amount of food waste disposed of in landfills, and over 60 per cent of the population in Hong Kong resides in private residential buildings. Therefore, we have launched this Scheme to facilitate food waste recycling for residents. I am pleased to learn that the Scheme has received an overwhelming response since its launch, with over 100 housing estates submitting applications as of early March this year. We have gradually approved the applications and started the installation of the FWSRBs. It is expected that in 2024-25, along with various programmes to support private residential buildings under the Recycling Fund and the Environment and Conservation Fund, over 300 FWSRBs will be put into service in private housing estates." The FWSRBs provided by the Scheme are equipped with overflow prevention and odour abatement devices to maintain environmental hygiene. The FWSRBs are also connected to the EPD's GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme platform. When residents participate in food waste recycling, they not only contribute to environmental protection but also earn GREEN$ points for redeeming gifts. In addition, through the application of Internet of Things technology, operational data is uploaded in real time to the central data system directly, which facilitates real-time monitoring of the operation of the devices. Due to the positive response from housing estates, the EPD is now considering expanding the Scheme to accept applications from private housing estates with fewer than 1 000 units. Further details will be announced in due course. In addition to private housing estates, the EPD is working together with the Housing Department and the Hong Kong Housing Society to expand at full steam the smart food waste recycling services, aiming to substantially complete the installation of over 700 FWSRBs in 213 public rental housing estates (a total of approximately 1 500 blocks) across the territory by August this year, covering about one-third of the population in Hong Kong.