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     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the One Earth Summit today (October 28):

Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Minister Huang Runqiu (Minister of Ecology and Environment), Professor Poman Lo (Founder, One Earth Initiatives), Professor Harry Shum (Council Chairman, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

​     Good morning. A warm welcome to Hong Kong. I am delighted to speak to you today, via video, at the opening of the One Earth Summit, the third edition.

​     This year’s theme, “Collective Flourishing for the Intelligent Age”, speaks of the promise of climate research and technological progress in spurring concerted global action. Accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss demand results. Now.

​     That means bridging the gap between green capital, innovation and governance. In each of these areas, Hong Kong has much to contribute.

​     First, Hong Kong is Asia’s hub in international green and sustainable bond issuances, accounting for 40 per cent of the region’s total. Hong Kong has issued government green bonds with an equivalent worth of about US$33 billion, covering 116 green projects.

​     Second, Hong Kong is well positioned to test and develop new green technologies, bridging green standards between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. Our Green Hydrogen Standard Certification Scheme, aligning Mainland and international norms, is a compelling example.

​     And third, Hong Kong is proving that government leadership can strengthen a city’s ability to cope with climate change. The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government is setting up an inter-departmental task force to build an “AI City Brain” system. It will provide early warnings of risks and trend forecasts. It will improve inter-departmental collaboration on extreme weather, major incidents and public order.

​     Our climate strategies align closely with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and its commitment to high-quality, green, low-carbon growth.

​     In step with our country, the Hong Kong SAR Government last month announced the city’s First Five-Year Plan.

​     It includes targets that relate to decarbonisation and environmental protection. They are: reducing our carbon intensity 32.5 per cent by 2030, compared to 2024 levels; raising the share of zero-carbon energy in the fuel mix from 25 per cent to 30 per cent; improving air quality by reducing the average concentration of PM2.5 from 15 to less than 14; and improving water quality by raising the overall compliance rate of Hong Kong’s surface water quality from above 88 per cent to above 90 per cent.

​     There are other targets as well, including achieving a sustainable aviation fuel consumption rate of one to three per cent for all flights departing Hong Kong International Airport by 2030, upgrading our community recycling system, and achieving zero landfill.

​     Hong Kong, like the One Earth Summit, is committed to turning dialogue into impact. Working together, we can mobilise capital, technology and people to power sustainable growth across Asia and the world.

​     My thanks to the Institute of Sustainability and Technology and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Thank you for organising this essential global gathering.

​     Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a rewarding conference and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city. Thank you! read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 28) that … read more

     Hong Kong Customs today (October 27) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected to have engaged in unfair trade practices involving a misleading omission in the course of selling Chinese herbal medicines, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs today received information alleging that a salesman of a medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui was suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices when selling Chinese herbal medicines. During the course of selling Chinese herbal medicines, the salesman provided the total price in an untimely manner. He revealed the total price only after the herbal medicines were ground into powder.
      
     After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 30-year-old local salesman of the medicine shop concerned.

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man was held for inquiry.

     Customs has all along been concerned about visitors being misled to make purchases by unfair trade practices and has established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-haul visitors. The complaints will be promptly referred to investigators to handle with priority.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO, and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops. Consumers should also be cautious about the unit price for a commodity and ask for more information, including the total price of the goods selected, before making a purchase decision.

     Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information or provides material information in a manner that is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely, and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en). read more

     Hongkong Post today (October 27) appealed to members of the public not to download Hongkong Post Mobile Application from any unofficial channels. Hongkong Post clarifies that Hongkong Post Mobile Application is curren… read more

     The four-day 21st Eco Expo Asia is being held at AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau, from October 26 to 29. Under the theme “Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future”, the Expo gathers green technology forces from around the globe, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as an international hub for green technology and green finance. The event attracted delegations from about 60 countries and regions, including the Chinese Mainland and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and participants of the Belt and Road Initiative to exhibit and exchange ideas. More than 300 government officials, environmental industry representatives, experts and academics attended to share their experiences on cutting‑edge green technologies and applications, to explore the latest developments and co-operation opportunities in global green technology, and to jointly advance the building of a green Belt and Road.

     Speaking at the welcome ceremony today (October 27), the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin‑wan, said that the Government has formulated the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and has introduced four binding environmental targets, which set the bar for promoting green transition, energy reform, as well as making Hong Kong a cleaner and more enjoyable city. He pointed out that the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference this year was held outside the Chinese Mainland for the first time, serving to connect policy with innovation, technology with investment and expertise with opportunity. Mr Tse said that under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong enjoys close connections with the Chinese Mainland and international markets, leveraging its professional services, financial system, common law system and environmental management experience to act as the “super connector” for international collaboration in green transformation.

     The Minister of Ecology and Environment, Mr Huang Runqiu, was also invited to attend the welcome ceremony. The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, introduced at the ceremony the Government’s latest achievements in and aspirations for jointly building a green Belt and Road. He pointed out that high-quality development of the green Belt and Road is advanced through high-level collaboration platforms, talent nurturing, environmental-related exhibitions and deepening of research and technical co-operation. He added that the Government has established the Hong Kong Green Technology Innovation Centre, which drives green transformation and innovation and implements green Belt and Road co-operation projects. The Centre plans to launch the Green Technology Bridgehead Programme in 2027 to help transfer green solutions to Belt and Road countries. 

     Also presented at the welcome ceremony were the third series of “Enchanting China”, jointly produced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, as well as highlights from the “Beautiful Hong Kong Series” produced by the EEB. The series covered four themes including “Beautiful Living”, “Beautiful Ecology”, “Beautiful Trails” and “Beautiful Climate” to showcase the achievements and distinctive features of environmental protection and ecological conservation of the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

     During the Government Session of the Eco Asia Conference on the same day, Deputy Director General of the Department of Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China Ms Luo Xiaoli and the Director of the Climate Technology Centre and Network under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ms Ariesta Ningrum, introduced the strategies of the Chinese Mainland in promoting green and low-carbon industrial development and those of the UNEP in utilising the accelerated transfer of climate technology to promote low-carbon and green transformation in the Global South. A panel chaired by the Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Christopher Chao, was held to discuss core issues of promoting regional green transformation and accelerating the transition towards sustainable development, jointly sharing policy experiences and exploring new directions for transnational co-operation. Various government officials and senior representatives of the Belt and Road countries were engaged to participate, including the Minister of State for Climate Change, Environment and Energy of the Maldives, Ms Aishath Inaya; Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia Mr Oeurn Panchakneat; the Director General of the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Mr Zhang Zhifeng; the Rector of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies of Uzbekistan, Professor Bakhtiyor Pulatov; and Researcher of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Professor Yang Min.

     Mr Huang and Mr Tse also witnessed Vice President of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences Ms Liu Chunyan exchanging a co-operation agreement with Dr Chui to advance the developments of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the “Beautiful China Pilot Zone” and the co-operation of the green Belt and Road. 

     The Expo was co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, with the EEB as co-organiser. The EEB has set up four exhibition zones at the Expo, themed “Green Energy and Buildings”, “Green Transport”, “Waste Reduction and Recycling” and “Better Environment”. This year, including the EEB and the EPD, a total of 11 government bureaus and departments exhibited, presenting environmental measures, technologies and engineering projects that advance green transformation and help achieve carbon-neutrality. 

     The EPD established a comprehensive experience zone for green technology at the Expo showcasing sustainable living concepts and the ways to attain comprehensive win-win opportunities and advance development momentum to the public under the themes of “Green Flat”, “Green Cooperation” and “Green Innovation”, leading the environmental industry towards a higher quality and more sustainable future. The zone also provided a “Green Match” space to facilitate trade and business co-operation and exchanges, and to jointly build high-quality green development and technology.

     To encourage citizens to actively participate in various environmental activities to experience and practise a low-carbon green lifestyle first-hand, the last day of the Expo (October 29) will be the public day. Members of the public can visit for free. For details, please visit the Expo’s dedicated website: www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en.