​The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the BRI Green Innovation Conference (2023) held in Shenzhen today (August 20) to share experiences in green innovation with the Belt and Road counterparts, foster mutual learning and exchange views. The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, also attended the conference.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tse said, "In response to climate change and environmental protection, the world is facing challenges of transitioning towards green living and green industries. China has clearly stated a firm adherence to the ideology that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets' and a focus on the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature in development planning. Last Tuesday (August 15) was the first National Ecology Day of our country, reflecting the nation's commitment to this issue. As part of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) spares no effort in promoting ecological civilisation and green carbon reduction."
He added that the HKSAR Government has been participating proactively in the green co-operation with the Belt and Road regions to combat climate change and environmental challenges together. It includes strengthening nature conservation, ecological environment protection, promoting green finance, water resources utilisation and management, as well as promoting sustainable green development and the application of smart technology.
Mr Tse highlighted the sewage surveillance for virus testing method developed in Hong Kong during the epidemic. This method not only helped identify hidden cases in communities to fight against the virus but also utilises statistical mathematical models to accurately predict the development of the epidemic. In early September, the Environmental Protection Department will collaborate with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to introduce and share the successful experiences in sewage surveillance for virus testing with approximately ten countries along the Belt and Road, aiming to embrace together the green development concept of the Belt and Road Initiative.
"We believe that through co-operation and mutual effort, we can contribute to the sustainable development in the region and on earth, creating a world where humans and nature co-exist harmoniously," said Mr Tse.
The conference was hosted by the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the BRI International Green Development Coalition, the Ecology Environment Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, and co-organised by the Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center (Shenzhen). It aims to deepen the exchange and co-operation of the Belt and Road countries in areas such as green technology, green equipment, green services, and green infrastructure construction, and to promote green development in the Greater Bay Area.
Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.
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