HKSAR Launches National Ecology Day 2025 with Focus on Environmental Protection and Conservation Initiatives

2025-08-15 18:58 Last Updated At：19:08

HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2025 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held the National Ecology Day 2025 Launching Ceremony cumSymposium today (August 15), commencing a series of activities related to environmental protection and ecological conservation with representatives from the Mainland and HKSAR Governments, and non-governmental organisations, scholars and experts to exchange ideas on ecological civilisation concepts and conservation work.

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HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2025 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2025 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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.

Hong Kong Customs Seizes 29kg of Drugs, Arrests Two Passengers at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 26) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 11 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 18kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.85 million. Two men were arrested.

The first case involved a 62-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market of about $2 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 58-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market of about $6.85 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 27). For the second case, an investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

HKSAR Launches National Ecology Day 2025 with Focus on Environmental Protection and Conservation Initiatives

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