Speech by SEE at thematic session one of APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Korea
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at "Thematic Session 1: Electricity Expansion for a Stable Supply" of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Busan, Korea, today (August 28):
Thank you, Chair. Good morning fellow colleagues. As a vibrant metropolis and major international financial centre in the world, Hong Kong, China faces surging demand in electricity driven by the rapid expansion of our innovation and technology sector, in particular the increasing number of advanced manufacturing facilities and data centres in the city. Resilient and secure energy supply is of utmost importance to Hong Kong, China.
The electricity market in Hong Kong, China is regulated through the Scheme of Control Agreements signed between the Government and the two power companies. The Agreements set out the obligations of the power companies, and framework for the Government to monitor the companies' financial, technical and environmental performances. The Government conducts an annual tariff review with the two power companies to closely examine their tariff proposals. Incentive schemes are in place to encourage the power companies to promote energy efficiency and conservation.
With these efforts, Hong Kong, China enjoys one of the most reliable electricity supplies in the world and at the same time, keeps our tariffs at an affordable level. Households in the city on average spend around only 2 per cent of their expenditure for their electricity bills.
Looking to the future, we have adopted "net-zero electricity generation" as one of the major decarbonisation strategies. In this regard, we have stopped building new coal-fired generating units since 1997, and will cease using coal for daily electricity generation by 2035. Also, Hong Kong, China's first offshore LNG (liquefied natural gas) receiving terminal has commenced operation since 2023. It enables Hong Kong, China to procure natural gas at more competitive prices by diversifying the sources of natural gas supply, as well as enhances the stability and security of energy supply, providing strong support for Hong Kong's energy transition.
As a result, the current share of coal in electricity generation has reduced from about half 10 years ago to about one-fifth, while the share of natural gas has significantly increased from about a quarter to more than half, and a quarter is nuclear and renewable energy.
Our objective is to raise the share of zero-carbon energy in Hong Kong, China's fuel mix for electricity generation to about 60 per cent to 70 per cent by 2035. We are investing in the necessary infrastructure to increase our capacity to import zero-carbon energy.
The increase in the share of clean energy in our fuel mix will make the city less susceptible to fluctuation in prices of natural gas. This helps us ensure a stable electricity tariff.
Hong Kong, China will continue to explore and study different zero-carbon energy solutions in accordance with the city's long-term development needs, with a view to maintaining a stable and safe electricity supply and contributing the sustainable development of the APEC region.
Thank you.
Speech by SEE at thematic session one of APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
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
