Hong Kong and Guangdong Recognize 165 Enterprises for Advancements in Cleaner Production Technologies

Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Cleaner Production meeting explores ways to strengthen co-operation

The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangdong Province (GDDIIT) today (December 18) convened the 12th meeting of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Cleaner Production (JWGCP) in Guangzhou. An award presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition Scheme was also held to commend 165 enterprises supporting cleaner production.

The 12th meeting of the JWGCP was cochaired by the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government, Miss Diane Wong, and the Deputy Director-General of the GDDIIT, Mr Chen Lei, to review the work progress in 2025 and approve the work plan for 2026. Governments of both Hong Kong and Guangdong will continue to promote the adoption of cleaner production technologies and practices in energy-intensive, polluting and water-intensive industries, through the promotion of the adoption and upgrading of relevant technologies; undertaking cleaner production audits; and encouraging enterprises to try out new cleaner production technologies. This is to achieve energy saving, emission reduction, and consumption and carbon emission reduction, thereby improving the regional environment and accelerating the green transformation of enterprises. Both sides will also continue to implement publicity activities to promote the effectiveness of cleaner production to the industry.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the EEB, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Trade and Industry Department, the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong. On the Guangdong side, representatives from the GDDIIT, the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province and the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province attended the meeting.

After the JWGCP meeting, the 2025 award presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition Scheme was held to commend 165 enterprises that have actively pursued cleaner production. Of these, 34 Hong Kong-owned manufacturing enterprises were commended as "Excellent Partners" while 112 were commended as "Partners". Other commended enterprises included three sourcing enterprises and 16 environmental technology service providers.

The EPD of the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with the GDDIIT, launched the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme in 2008 to promote the adoption of cleaner production technologies and practices by Hong Kong-owned factories in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province with a view to achieving emission reductions and enhancing energy saving. To date, the Programme has provided funding support for more than 4 300 projects. A new round of the Programme was launched in May this year to continue to encourage Hong Kong-owned factories to adopt new cleaner production technologies, transform and upgrade traditional industries with the adoption of green technologies, and dovetail with the country's efforts in promoting high-quality development. To commend the dedicated efforts and achievements of Hong Kong-owned factories in pursing cleaner production, Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly launched the Recognition Scheme in 2009 to award enterprises adopting cleaner production as Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners.

For details of the Programme and the Recognition Scheme, please visit www.cleanerproduction.hk.

Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Cleaner Production meeting explores ways to strengthen co-operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Cleaner Production meeting explores ways to strengthen co-operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats mobile hawker selling counterfeit goods

Hong Kong Customs on December 16 conducted a special operation in Kai Tak and Kwai Chung, and cracked down on one mobile hawker stall and its storage place. A total of about 1 300 items of suspected counterfeit apparel with an estimated market value of about $340,000 were seized.

Customs earlier found that a mobile hawker was selling suspected counterfeit goods in Kai Tak. After a full investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action on December 16 and raided a mobile hawker stall in Kai Tak as well as its storage place in Kwai Chung. The batch of suspected counterfeit apparel was seized.

During the operation, one man, aged 37 and suspected to be connected with the case, was arrested. The arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

With Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement actions to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities in order to safeguard consumers' rights.

Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Customs also reminds traders not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious and prudent with their merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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).

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats mobile hawker selling counterfeit goods Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats mobile hawker selling counterfeit goods Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases