HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2025 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium (with photos)
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The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Ye Shuiqiu; and member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress and Member of the Legislative Council, Dr Starry Lee, officiated at the Launching Ceremony.
In his opening speech, Mr Cheuk said that the country had designated August 15 as the National Ecology Day in 2023, aiming to enhance widespread promotion of the country's ecological civilisation concepts, and public awareness towards ecological civilisation. This year's National Ecology Day coincided with the 20th anniversary of President Xi Jinping putting forth the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", making this occasion even more special. He emphasised that the HKSAR Government placed great importance in the country's ecological civilisation initiatives, and had been promoting green transformation of society, conserving ecology, and strengthening co-operation with the Mainland, thereby building a beautiful China and a beautiful Hong Kong.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Lee stated that the establishment of National Ecological Day was a sign of the country embarking on a new stage of ecological civilisation. The progress of the country on promoting ecological civilisation was evident to all, with a greater emphasis now on harmonious coexistence between development and nature. She also affirmed the work done by the HKSAR Government in moving towards a low-carbon future, which included expanding renewable energy facilities, promoting green transport, and adding green buildings, etc. She called on everyone to integrate conservation into their lives and build a green city together.
Other guests included the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung; the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai; the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying; the Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory (Radiation Monitoring and Assessment), Mr Lee Lap-shun; member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development, Dr Lam Ching-choi; the Chairman of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee, Dr Eric Cheng; and the Chairman of the Environmental Campaign Committee, Ms Grace Kwok. Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs, including Mr Frankie Yick, Mr Kwok Wai-keung, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Junius Ho, Mr Tony Tse, Mr Dominic Lee, Mr Chan Siu-hung, and LegCo Member Mr Andrew Lam, also attended.
At the launching ceremony, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Joint Rescue Mechanism for Large Aquatic Wild Animals with the Ocean Development Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality to deepen the rescue co-operation of large aquatic wild animals between the two places, and to strengthen the exchange of experience and technology to improve the ecological safety of the adjacent waters of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Afterwards, the Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Ling Kar-kan, hosted the symposium. Speakers of the symposium included the President of the China Institute for Rural Studies of Tsinghua University and Tenured Professor of the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University, Professor Wang Yahua; Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Professor Wang Yuhong; the Director of the Hong Kong Culture and Sustainability Centre, Professor Louis Yu; the Assistant Director (Country Parks) of the AFCD, Dr Jackie Yip; and the Head of the Countryside Conservation Office of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Professor Stephen Tang. They shared and exchanged views on rural revitalisation, nature conservation and sustainable development.
The HKSAR Government announced earlier that government and non-governmental organisations would provide various special activities and offers from today to September 28 to encourage the public to respond to and participate in the third National Ecology Day this year. Details have been uploaded to the Countryside Conservation Office website (cco.gov.hk/en/event-calendar/ned2025), Hong Kong Biodiversity Information Hub website of the AFCD (bih.gov.hk/en/education-programmes/programmes/index.html) as well as the websites or social media platforms of the participating organisations.
Ends/Friday, August 15, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:58
Issued at HKT 18:58
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