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

DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 19) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.

In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:

• Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
• Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;
• Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
• Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
• Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.

In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:

• Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
• The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
• Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.

The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.

Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:

• Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
• Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
• Seek shade;
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.

Source: AI-found images