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Following is the speech (English only) by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong Corporate Membership Award Presentation Ceremony at the Government House tonight (August 30):
Mr Shaw, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to attend this Corporate Membership Award Presentation Ceremony and see for myself the generous support from the business sector towards nature conservation. Indeed, it is our common interest to save the use of our natural resources and preserve the beautiful natural environment of Hong Kong.
A philosopher once said, 'I am I plus my surroundings, and if I do not preserve the latter, I do not preserve myself.' The natural environment is not only our invaluable heritage, it is the very reflection of the well being of our society. But it is constantly subject to challenges posed by development. Although the Government has been implementing measures aimed at conserving it, the natural environment cannot sustain unless all of us act in concert to preserve it.
For many years, the Government has been promoting public awareness of the importance of nature conservation and encouraging public participation in nature conservation activities. We are glad that we have WWF as our partner in advancing conservation initiatives, and engendering public interest and support in nature conservation. WWF has made a great contribution to building up a more conservation-minded Hong Kong as we see today.
Since 1984, WWF has taken up management of the Mai Po Nature Reserve and worked in close collaboration with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to preserve and enhance the ecology in this important habitat. The Nature Reserve comprises important wetland that provides foraging and roosting sites for birds. Such include migratory birds as rare as the Black-faced Spoonbills that come to Hong Kong in winter every year. WWF has been organising guided tours to the Nature Reserve to allow the public the opportunities to appreciate the beauty of nature and the value of conserving it. In 1998, the Government commissioned WWF to conduct an ecological study on the endangered Black-faced Spoonbills. The findings of the Study have formed the basis for developing a conservation programme for the endangered species. Apart from these, WWF has also taken interest in the conservation of other endangered animals such as the Chinese White Dolphins. The WWF in Hong Kong started off by accepting the Government as its partner motivated by the same desire to protect and conserve our environment. Its members participated directly and personally in conservation efforts, using work rather than words. This strategy has enabled WWF to accomplish much more than any other organisations in Hong Kong in the advancement of nature conservation and green protection. With WWF's effort, the world has come to know about the rich flora and fauna Hong Kong proudly boasts.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank WWF for its excellent work. I also extend my personal thanks to all those who participate in the Corporate Membership Scheme. I can assure you that you have made the right decision in contributing to the most worthy cause of conserving the nature of Hong Kong - a cause that will generate very high returns not only for the present generation but also for many generations to come.
Thank you very much.
End/Friday, August 30, 2002
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