SEE begins visit in Beijing (with photos)

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit in Beijing on July 11. He called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO), the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the National Energy Administration (NEA).
 
     Mr Tse reported to the Director of the HKMAO, Mr Xia Baolong about the latest work of the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB), including moving towards carbon neutrality, green transformation, environmental protection, ecological conservation, low-carbon energy, development of agriculture and fisheries, environmental hygiene and food safety. Director Xia remarked that the work of the EEB are mostly matters of people's concern and he fully recognised the bureau's performance.
 
     Mr Tse expressed his gratitude to Director Xia for his encouragement. He said that achieving carbon neutrality has become a worldwide consensus. As many countries and regions are undergoing green transformations, Hong Kong can seize the opportunity to develop green energy and green business in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (GBA) through synergised co-operation, support the high-quality development of Hong Kong and GBA cities, promote resources circulation, build a "Zero Waste Bay Area", and strive to achieve carbon neutrality.

     Mr Tse met with the Minister of the MEE, Mr Huang Runqiu, and exchanged views on various ecology and environment protection issues and related work. During the meeting, Mr Tse expressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue its efforts in various aspects of the environment and ecology, such as promoting green and low-carbon development, environmental pollution prevention and control, as well as enhancing the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the ecosystem. Hong Kong will also continue to leverage the distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Furthermore, Hong Kong will further actively integrate into national development and promote ecological civilisation of the GBA.
 
     In the afternoon, he visited the NEA and met with Deputy Director of the NEA Mr Ren Jingdong to exchange views on issues related to the promotion of energy co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong, and supporting Hong Kong's green and low-carbon energy transition, etc. Mr Tse was pleased to learn that the NEA had launched the National Green Electricity Certificate Issuing and Trading System, which has been running smoothly online. Hong Kong will explore ways to seize opportunities in this area, so as to facilitate the development of green finance and green certification.
 
     Mr Tse will continue his visit to Beijing on July 12.