The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (September 10, San Francisco time) began his itinerary in San Francisco, the United States, visiting the California Academy of Sciences and meeting with Hong Kong students studying in the city.

     Upon arriving in San Francisco, Mr Wong first visited the academy, where he met with the senior management of the institution and its natural history museum, and exchanged views on environmental conservation and sustainability issues. He also viewed the green building features and was briefed on the operations of the academy. Substantially rebuilt in 2008 and regarded as one of the greenest buildings in the world, it was awarded the US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rating and subsequently the LEED platinum rating in the Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance category. Afterwards, he paid a courtesy call on the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco, Mr Wang Donghua.

     In the evening, Mr Wong dined with Hong Kong students studying at a local university to learn about their daily life. Mr Wong encouraged them to consider returning to Hong Kong after graduation to contribute to the city's sustainable development.

     Mr Wong will continue his itinerary tomorrow (September 11, San Francisco time).

Ends/Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Issued at HKT 10:50

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