Opening speech by SEE at APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Korea
Following is the opening speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the opening session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Busan, Korea, today (August 27):
Good afternoon, Chair and fellow colleagues. Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy of the Republic of Korea, for hosting the APEC Energy Minister Meeting and the warm hospitality extended to our delegation.
Sustainability and prosperity are not mutually exclusive, and to do so, we need to collaborate and think outside the box. Hong Kong, China has positioned herself as a super connector. Under the "one country, two-systems" principle, Hong Kong, China remains to be the freest economy of the world, the world's third most competitive international financial centre, and operates under the common law system. We will continue to serve as a platform and hub to connect the world to develop new energy solutions to diversify power resources to support the development of energy-hungry AI and related industries. At the same time, we should not forget innovation to improve energy efficiency to make new technological developments sustainable.
APEC economies consume approximately 60 per cent of the world's energy. APEC's Energy Intensity Reduction Goal is to reduce APEC's aggregate energy intensity by 45 per cent by 2035, against the 2005 level. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the community, as of 2022, the aggregate energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has decreased by over 30 per cent.
While the electricity consumption in the past 20 years has increased by 15 per cent, the emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates due to power generation have been reduced by 98 per cent, 77 per cent and 86 per cent respectively.
Hong Kong, China reached its carbon peak in 2014. Compared to the peak, our carbon emissions have been reduced by about a quarter now. Our per capita carbon emissions in 2023 were about 4.4 tonnes. On this foundation, Hong Kong commits to strive to further cut our carbon emissions by half before 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.
On electricity generation, we will phase out coal for daily electricity generation by 2035, and increase the share of zero carbon energy from a quarter as of today to about 60 to 70 per cent by 2035. We are in good progress towards our target of reducing the electricity consumption in commercial buildings by 15 to 20 per cent, and 10 to 15 per cent for residential buildings by 2035. About 3.7 billion kWh of electricity has been conserved in 2024 compared to 2015.
Hong Kong, China has been embracing artificial intelligence and Internet of Things to improve grid management, including the use of AI management system to monitor critical power facilities and to strengthen the resilience of power supply system.
On green finance, in 2024, the total green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong, China exceeded US$84 billion, making Hong Kong, China the top green financing centre in the Asian market for seven consecutive years since 2018.
Hong Kong, China is also home to green mega events. We will be launching our second Hong Kong Green Week on September 8, followed by the 20th Eco Expo Asia in end-October, where government officials and industry leaders gather to share, collaborate and innovate. Allow me to close my remarks by extending my warmest invitation to you all to participate in the upcoming events in September and October in Hong Kong, China. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
