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Hong Kong shares with Canada the vision of having a cleaner, greener and sustainable environment for the global village, according to the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Toronto, Miss Gloria Lo.
Speaking today (October 13, Toronto time) at the 14th annual Phoenix Ball at the International Centre in Mississauga, Miss Lo stated that "Greening and economic development are not mutually exclusive, though managing both does pose certain challenges. But the process of managing this challenge would in turn give rise to more business opportunities."
Organised by the Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses, the Phoenix Ball 2012 carried "Rediscover Hong Kong" as the theme. A capacity crowd of 560 people attended the fundraising event, including business elites, community leaders, government officials, and experts from the environment sector.
Miss Lo highlighted Hong Kong's green agenda for cleaner air, higher energy efficiency, and modern waste management in her keynote speech.
"Hong Kong is pursuing the green agenda through new policies, financial incentives and infrastructure development," she said. "Hong Kong has new legislation to raise the energy efficiency standards in all buildings."
"We promote green transport and encourage the use of electric vehicles by providing tax incentives and expanding the charging network. We explore the use of cleaner fuel and wind power and solar energy for local power generation. We try to modernise our waste treatment technologies for more efficient waste reduction and recycling," she said.
"These initiatives have generated new jobs and new professions which are great business opportunities for the Hong Kong-Canada cooperation in the relevant fields," Miss Lo said.
Other than a place for business, Hong Kong also attaches great importance to conservation of the natural environment. "There are so many places to see and experience for nature lovers in Hong Kong," she said. "Up to 70 per cent of the total area of Hong Kong is rural areas where no high rise or busy streets are found."
According to Miss Lo, Hong Kong's per capita greenhouse gas emission is about six tonnes per year which is below the world's average of seven tonnes. There are a total of 24 country parks in Hong Kong which could bring people to picturesque places with rolling mountains and beautiful coasts, and lead them to the discoveries of traditional Chinese villages and architecture, fishing grounds, historic relics, old military sites, and even places for traditional Chinese dishes and gourmets.
"In Hong Kong, there is also a rich biodiversity with hundreds of living species near some outlying islands. In particular, the Wetland in Mai Po Nature Reserve is a renowned haven for migratory birds. The Hong Kong Global Geopark of China is another worth visiting place comprising eight different geo areas with unique geological features and breathtaking coastal landscape," she added.
The HKETO set up a photographic display at the Phoenix Ball featuring the green and natural side of Hong Kong. A video, entitled "Green Hong Kong", was also screened at the event.
Ends/Sunday, October 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 08:05
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