CE: Establishing Hong Kong's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Base in Dongguan to Deepen Hong Kong-Guangdong Collaboration

Speech by CE at Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding - Establishment of Hong Kong's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Base in Dongguan

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding - Establishment of Hong Kong's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Base in Dongguan today (May 5):

Now I shall talk to our English speaking friends. Good morning, everyone. A warm welcome to our English-speaking guests and friends. I am delighted to witness with you today's MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signing.

This is a real milestone: Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government and Dongguan Government leading EcoCeres to build in Dongguan a sustainable aviation fuel value chain right here in the Greater Bay Area.

Traditional aviation fuel carries a heavy carbon footprint. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) cuts lifecycle emissions by more than 80 per cent. That is a substantial step toward greener aviation.

The collaboration between Hong Kong and Dongguan is the realisation of Executive-led governance of Hong Kong and also the joint working of effective government and efficient market. It is also an excellent example of synergy of the two places. Hong Kong brings global finance, professional services and research capabilities. Dongguan brings mature chemical industry parks, logistics, and a steady supply of used cooking oil, the essential raw material for SAF. Together, we form a powerful combination.

The company at the heart of this project is EcoCeres. Incubated in Hong Kong, it has developed proprietary technology to turn waste cooking oil into internationally certified sustainable aviation fuel, SAF. That is why it holds a leading position in the global market.

Ladies and gentlemen, the world faces energy disruptions. But Hong Kong, under "one country, two systems", enjoys a unique advantage: strong support from the Motherland and close connection to the world. We can turn green challenges into green opportunities.

Today's MOU means policy alignment, co-ordinated resource mobilisation, and joint action between Hong Kong and Dongguan. We are linking the entire supply chain, from raw materials to production. That will drive investment and support our country's carbon reduction goals.

Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen Hong Kong-Guangdong collaboration. More policy connectivity. More resource sharing. More green projects.

Together, we will build a cleaner, greener future – for Hong Kong, for Dongguan, for the Greater Bay Area, for our country, and for the world. Thank you.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding - Establishment of Hong Kong's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Base in Dongguan today (May 5). Photo shows (front row, from fourth left) Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Wang Jie; the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; Co-Chairman of EcoCeres Mr Alan Chan; the Secretary of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee, Mr Wei Hao; Mr Lee; the Chairman of Towngas and Founder of Full Vision Capital, Dr Lee Ka-kit, and other guests at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding - Establishment of Hong Kong's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Base in Dongguan today (May 5). Photo shows (back row, from second left) the Chairman of Towngas and Founder of Full Vision Capital, Dr Lee Ka-kit; Mr Lee; the Secretary of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee, Mr Wei Hao; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Wang Jie and other guests witnessing Co-Chairman of EcoCeres Mr Alan Chan (front row, left) and member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People's Government Mr Zeng Jianpeng (front row, right) signing a Memorandum of Understanding. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding - Establishment of Hong Kong's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Base in Dongguan today (May 5). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes dried shark fins of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 7) seized about 31 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $130,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.

A 51-year-old Mainland female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Brazil via Ethiopia yesterday. She was intercepted for customs clearance at the arrivals hall of the airport. Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled dried shark fins inside her check-in baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of dried shark fins was suspected to be from endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong. The woman was subsequently arrested by the Customs officers. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

The arrested woman has been charged by the AFCD with one count of illegal import of an Appendix II species.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 seizes dried shark fins of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases