The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited Wan Chai District this afternoon (June 22) and called at a co-working space and a rehabilitation workshop. He also exchanged views with members of the Wan Chai District Council (WCDC) on environmental issues.
      
     Accompanied by the District Officer (Wan Chai), Mr Rick Chan, Mr Wong first visited a co-working space company on Whitfield Road. Designed with ample natural daylight, the premises provide a pleasant working environment for start-ups and freelancers. During his visit, Mr Wong talked with young entrepreneurs to better understand their challenges in running start-ups. He also encouraged them to "go green" in business to help reduce carbon emissions and waste.
      
     Afterwards, Mr Wong departed for the Jockey Club Endeavour Workshop + Albert Wu Rainbow Workshop operated by St James' Settlement. In addition to providing job training opportunities for people with rehabilitation service needs, the workshop also offers a platform for upcycling abandoned items into useful products, which also highlights the environmental awareness of the operating organisations. During the visit, Mr Wong chatted with people who have rehabilitation service needs to learn about their daily rehabilitation training, and praised them for their handicrafts which incorporate environmental designs and the delicious cookies they had made with soybean paste.
      
     Before concluding his itinerary, Mr Wong paid a visit to the WCDC to meet with its Chairman, Mr Stephen Ng, and members to listen to their views on the Government's environmental policies and learn more about their concerns on district environmental issues. 
      
     Mr Wong said that in order to strengthen the "reduction-first" waste management strategy and encourage members of the public to practise green living, the Government is continuing its efforts to promote Community Green Station (CGS) projects to strengthen support for waste reduction and recycling and environmental education at the community level. Since the site location of the Wan Chai CGS has already been confirmed following consultations with the District Council, the Architectural Services Department is now implementing the construction project according to the design proposed by the first-prize winner of the professional group under the Design Idea Competition for Wan Chai CGS. The construction project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. The Government will continue to listen to the views of the WCDC on the operation and services of the Wan Chai CGS, and jointly implement environmental education activities at the district level.

Ends/Friday, June 22, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:41

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