Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the 2025 Hong Kong Climate Forum today (March 25):

Professor Gong Peng (Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) of the University of Hong Kong), Dr Dai (Director of the California-China Climate Institute, Dr Dai Fan), Duncan (Legislative Council Member, Mr Duncan Chiu), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     It is a pleasure to join you all again at the Hong Kong Climate Forum. Let me begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to the University of Hong Kong and the Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality for convening this second edition of a truly meaningful initiative. 

     Building on the strong foundation of last year’s inaugural gathering, this year’s forum deepens our collective focus – from scientific understanding and green investment to youth leadership, health resilience, and the transformative power of technology. The breadth and depth of today’s agenda are both inspiring and necessary. It reminds us that climate change is not a siloed issue; it touches every corner of our economy, society and daily life.

Climate challenges and collective responsibility

     Last year, we gathered here against the backdrop of a record-breaking year of heat. Sadly, 2024 has only reaffirmed the urgency, and became the new record. The impacts are increasingly clearer: more frequent extreme weather, rising sea levels, threats to biodiversity and stress on public health.

     Climate change is no longer a future risk; it is a clear and present danger. The cost of inaction is unbearable – environmentally, economically and socially.

     It is therefore disappointing to learn that elsewhere in the world, there was still a blatant denial of climate change, followed by withdrawal from climate commitments.

     But we must not succumb to pessimism. Around the world, support for green transition remains the mainstream. Energy systems are shifting, technologies are advancing, and people – especially the younger generation – are demanding bold and collaborative responses.

     Our country, China, has placed green development at the heart of her national development strategy, with concrete steps taken. They include not only launching green projects, but also establishing mechanisms for carbon auditing, footprint management and carbon certification. China is also actively participating in global climate governance. In the China Development Forum held last Sunday, Premier Li Qiang reiterated the importance of green transition as a driver of economic growth.

     So are we here in Hong Kong. We are firmly committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 with four key areas of focus: net-zero electricity generation, green transport, green buildings and waste reduction.

     We do not view combating climate change as a burden that will hurt business. Of course, it entails necessary changes to our lifestyles, production methods and business practices. However, climate goals are creating new opportunities for business as well. That cannot be better encapsulated than in President Xi’s famous words: “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”, or “綠水é�’山就是金山銀山”.  Through the many changes to our ways of life, new business cases are emerging. The most obvious examples are the Mainland’s stellar industries of the New Three – electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels and lithium batteries.

Hong Kong’s green progress

     For us, it is clear that Hong Kong, and the Greater Bay Area, will be able to ride this new wave of change with commitment and leadership.

     A recurrent topic in combating climate change is the significant funding gap for green transition, measured in trillions of US dollars. In other words, there is a need to mobilise capital to support green projects on a massive scale. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre adhering to the best green finance standards, excels at matching quality green projects with funding. To enable broader participation in funding green projects, Hong Kong has recently rolled out innovative financing arrangements, such as tokenised green bonds and securitised infrastructure loans.

     Moreover, Hong Kong is progressing into the new space of transition finance to help high-emitting sectors invest in clean technologies and decarbonise. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is working to include transition activities in the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. 

     Then there is green tech. We are home to many green tech start-ups, all sharing the mission to develop practical technological solutions. In our Science Park and Cyberport, there are approximately 300 green start-ups specialising in energy-efficient materials, carbon capture, EV infrastructure, and much more.

     In this year’s Budget, we announced the establishment of a GreenTech Hub, which would house around 200 green enterprises and bring together innovators in the green industry, forming a nexus for fostering fresh ideas, transformative solutions and business partnerships. The hub was opened earlier this month. 

     Going forward, our green tech sector will benefit from the technological prowess of the Greater Bay Area as well.

     Speaking of green tech, it would be remiss of me not to address an important subject, which is also a theme for discussion at the forum this morning: how AI (artificial intelligence) will drive and benefit the green transition. Allow me to share a few thoughts on their intersection. 

AI and green: a strategic alliance

     To begin with, AI is a game changer. It is fundamentally altering production, business and consumption models, redefining the competitiveness of economies. When considering AI’s relationship with green development, a broader perspective should be taken. It is not only empowering specific green technologies but also acting as a catalyst for driving behavioural change. 

     Clearly, AI has vast potential in optimising energy production and consumption. The World Economic Forum, for example, has indicated that AI’s benefits in these areas are especially impactful in emerging markets with significant infrastructure gaps, as they have enormous potential to leapfrog to cleaner systems.

     AI can also accelerate the invention of new materials. It can improve climate modelling and forecasting, enhancing our preparedness in the face of natural disasters. 

     The many applications of AI can permeate into our daily life and transform various sectors and businesses across the community, culminating in significant climate change mitigation. From energy saving tech for home appliances and vehicles to smarter traffic management, these innovations are spreading across our country and the world at large. 

     Even simply taking environmentally friendly driving routes recommended by AI could significantly reduce emissions. 

     In green finance, AI helps identify green opportunities with strong climate impact potential and sustainable returns, thereby optimising the allocation of capital across clean energy projects.  

     In ESG (environmental, social and governance) analysis and sustainability reporting, AI improves transparency. It can monitor and cross-check corporate disclosures, strengthening accountability and increasing market confidence in green-labelled financial products. In risk management, AI-powered climate analytics can help us assess exposure to physical risks, such as flooding or wildfires, as well as transition risks, including changes in regulation, market preferences and technology disruption.

     Above all, the application of AI for the green movement presents opportunities everywhere. What we need is a whole-of-community approach.

Hong Kong’s vision

     That’s why in Hong Kong, we have envisioned AI as a core industry. We are driving this development on five fronts: supercomputing capabilities, algorithms, data, capital and talent. We have positioned Hong Kong as an international exchange and co-operation hub for the AI sector. This year, we will host events of global significance, including the inaugural International Young Scientist Forum on Artificial Intelligence and the International Conference on Embodied AI Robots. We believe these platforms will be ideal occasions to discuss how AI could reinforce our efforts in combating climate change. 

     Ladies and gentlemen, we need not just action but also thought leadership. That’s what makes fora like today’s highly meaningful and productive. 

     Hong Kong will continue to host various climate platforms. For example, the second edition of Hong Kong Green Week will be held this September. Anchored by the Climate Business Forum co-hosted with the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, the event will offer a platform for dialogue, deal-making and partnership. 

     All of these efforts reflect our belief and commitment that Hong Kong can – and must – play a meaningful role in the global climate response. 

     Let us act together – with courage and a sense of urgency – for our planet, our community and future generations.

     I wish you all a most successful forum. Thank you very much.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Members of the public are invited to attend the Hospital Authority (HA) Board Meeting to be held on March 27 (Thursday) at 4pm. 
 
     The HA Board Meeting has been open to members of the public since 1998 to demonstrate the continuous effort of the Authority to enhance its transparency and public accountability. The HA Board holds meetings at regular intervals to discuss major health policy issues that have impacts on the public. Through these open meetings, the community is able to understand more about the role and functions of the HA Board as well as the operation and services of the HA and its hospitals.
 
     The HA Board will discuss the following agenda items in the coming meeting:
 

• Hospital Authority Annual Plan 2025-26;
• Progress Report on Strategic Priorities;
• Corporate Presentation Programme – Patient-centric Services in the Hospital Authority;
• Cluster Presentation Programme – Kowloon West Cluster – 10 Years' Experience in Rationalising Clinical Facilities in Princess Margaret Hospital; and
• Cluster Presentation Programme – New Territories East Cluster – Neuromodulation: Way Forward for Advancing Treatment.

 
     The meeting agenda and papers will be made available to the public at the meeting. Members of the public are reminded that they can attend the Board Meeting only as observers and will not be participating in the meeting discussions.
 
     Members of the public who are interested in attending the coming Board Meeting have to make an advance booking by contacting the Secretariat of the HA Board at 2300 6797 before noon on March 27. To facilitate booking arrangements, members of the public are advised to provide their names and contact telephone numbers. In view of the limited seating available in the public gallery of the meeting venue, seating will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

     Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel on March 16. A batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $10 million was seized.

     Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Enforcement operations were thus formulated, with a suspicious container scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Singapore via an ocean-going vessel being selected for inspection.

     Customs inspected the abovementioned container that was declared as carrying two private cars and 240 pieces of electronic products on March 16. Upon examinations, Customs officers found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including refrigerators, tablets, mobile phones, and clothing, in the container. Additionally, the quantity of electronic products seized exceeded the declared quantity.

     An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

     Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities 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).

  

     The Labour Department (LD) regularly organises courses and public health talks on the prevention of heat stroke and occupational health to raise awareness of occupational health among both employers and employees.
     
     Details of five courses and health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in April are as follows:
 
(1)
Dates and time: April 10 and 24 (Half-day (am)); April 3 and 14 (Half-day (pm))
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the LD, 13/F, KOLOUR·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Enrolment method: Download the application form (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/form.htm)
Enquiry hotline: 2940 7057
 
(2)
Date and time: April 7 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration for public talks on occupational health (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
     In addition, the LD will hold the following occupational health public talks in April:
 
(1)
Topic: Noise Hazards and Prevention of Hearing Loss
Content: The talk will give an introduction on the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Noise at Work) Regulation and the Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme, as well as health hazards posed by noise at work and preventive measures for hearing loss.
Date and time: April 2 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
(2)
Topic: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for Confined Space Workers
Content: To enhance workers' OSH awareness of working in confined spaces, the talk will explain the related hazards as well as their preventive measures.
Date and time: April 16 (6.30pm to 8pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
(3)
Topic: Occupational Health of Office Workers Series (III) More Exercise, Smart Work
Content: The talk will introduce the benefits of exercise. Demonstrations and practice of workplace exercises will also be included.
Date and time: April 23 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
     All courses and public talks will be given by the LD's occupational hygienist, occupational safety officer, occupational health nurse or a representative of the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board in Cantonese. Admission is free.
     
     The LD also provides a free-of-charge outreach health education service. For details, please visit the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content7.htm) or call 2852 4062.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (March 25) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from April 1 to April 30, 2025, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts for dedicated LPG filling stations.

     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on April 1, 2025, would reflect the movement of the LPG international price in March 2025. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations would range from $3.67 to $4.59 per litre, amounting to a decrease of $0.08 to $0.09 per litre. 

     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a pricing formula specified in the contracts. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price refers to the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on February 1 and June 1 annually according to the average movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index. 

     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in April 2025 are as follows:
 

     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk) and posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.

     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the "What's New" section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.