Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection holds meeting in Hong Kong
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Ms Zhang Hua, leading the officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the delegation of the Shenzhen Municipal Government respectively, held the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection meeting in Hong Kong today (June 2).
The meeting reviewed and endorsed the Working Group's 2025 Work Report and noted the implementation progress of the Agreement on Further Deepening Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation in Ecological and Environmental Protection (the Co-operation Agreement). Both sides also exchanged views in depth on the preparation of the five-year plan for ecological and environmental protection in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, regional environmental quality assurance during the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meetings, the joint development of the Shenzhen–Hong Kong ecological corridor, and cross-boundary biodiversity conservation. The two sides reported on their work progress and shared experiences on the above aspects.
The HKSAR Government is actively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and will complete the formulation of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan within this year. The HKSAR Government will continue to fully support the country in achieving its "dual carbon" goals, accelerate green transformation, and strive to reduce carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level by 2035, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. At the meeting, the HKSAR Government reported progress in green transport, environmental quality and ecological conservation, including the promotion of a Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-boundary electric cargo vehicle pilot scheme, preparations for nominating Port Shelter in Sai Kung for inclusion in the national "Beautiful Bays" list, and the deepening of co-operation on the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain–Hong Kong Robin's Nest ecological corridor. The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will organise a seminar on the Ecological and Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China in late June, inviting Mainland experts to attend. Representatives from relevant Shenzhen departments are also invited to attend the seminar as well as the Eco Expo to be held in Hong Kong in October during the meeting.
To ensure good environmental quality during the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting to be held in Hong Kong in October this year and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Shenzhen in November, Hong Kong and Shenzhen will continue to strengthen regional joint prevention and control efforts, including air quality assurance, water quality monitoring and emergency response capability.
Both sides are also actively advancing the development of the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain–Hong Kong Robin's Nest ecological corridor. In 2025, the two sides jointly completed a biodiversity survey of the ecological corridor area, strengthened ecological data sharing and connectivity, and will further enhance conservation effectiveness in the future to promote ecological integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Mr Tse thanked the various departments of the Shenzhen Municipal Government for their full support. He expressed the hope that both sides would continue to work hard under the framework of the Joint Working Group, anchor on the ten major co-operation tasks set out in the Co-operation Agreement signed in 2024, and ensure all tasks are advanced with high quality and full coverage, so as to jointly build a Beautiful China and work towards carbon neutrality.
The Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung; the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui; and representatives from the EEB, the EPD and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also attended the meeting.
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection holds meeting in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection holds meeting in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (June 2) that it had received notification of a dengue fever (DF) case from the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland through the joint prevention and control mechanism. The patient is currently in the Chinese Mainland, but spent the incubation period in Hong Kong. Therefore, the CHP classified the case as locally acquired and is working with various government departments to implement appropriate prevention and control measures. As rising temperatures and increased humidity create favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, the CHP reminded the public to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito breeding and adopt appropriate mosquito repellent measures to avoid mosquito bites, in order to prevent the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
Case details
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The case involves a 67-year-old male with underlying illnesses. He developed a rash on May 24 and fever, dizziness and muscle ache on May 26. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre for treatment on the same day. Due to his persistent fever, he sought further medical attention at a private clinic three days later (May 29). His symptoms remained mild throughout this period. Yesterday (June 1), he travelled to the Chinese Mainland with a family member and sought medical treatment at a hospital there as he was feeling unwell. His blood sample tested positive for dengue virus upon laboratory testing by the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland. The patient remains hospitalised in the Chinese Mainland and is in stable condition.
The CHP's initial investigations revealed that the patient lives in Ki Lung Street in Sham Shui Po and is retired. He had no travel history during the incubation period (May 10 to 21). He primarily stayed in the vicinity of his residence (including Tung Chau Street Park and Pei Ho Street Market). He did not recall being bitten by mosquitoes in Hong Kong recently and his four household contacts remain asymptomatic.
The CHP will maintain close liaison with the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland and exchange relevant information on epidemiological investigation.
Including the above case, a total of 21 DF cases have been recorded so far this year, including 19 imported cases and two local cases. Last year (2025), 59 DF cases were recorded, all of which were imported. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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"The DH is conducting comprehensive follow-up actions in collaboration with relevant departments, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Sham Shui Po District Office. The CHP has conducted inspections and epidemiological investigations in the vicinity of patient's residence. As the patient had been active in Sham Shui Po after the onset of his illness, the CHP will, as a precautionary measure, set up a health consultation booth at the Neighbour Care · Buildings Support Center (Address: 165 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po) starting from tomorrow (June 3) to provide health assessment and conduct free DF antibody tests for members of the public with relevant symptoms. The health consultation booth will be open from 10am to 6pm. The CHP will also set up an enquiry hotline (tel: 2125 2373), which will operate from 9am to 6pm starting tomorrow.
In addition, the CHP staff will distribute leaflets with health information on DF prevention to local residents and remind the public to be aware of the relevant symptoms and to maintain good hygiene at home. The CHP will jointly organise a health talk with the Sham Shui Po District Office and the FEHD at the Shamshuipo Kaifong Welfare Advancement Association (Address: 88 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po) at 6pm tomorrow, aiming to raise public awareness of how to prevent mosquito-borne diseases and encourage people to participate in prevention and control measures to protect themselves and others. The CHP will also send a letter to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions to explain the latest situation regarding DF and remind them to remain vigilant. If there are any suspected cases, they should immediately notify the CHP for follow-up. Finally, I would like to remind the public to stay vigilant and take proper mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling. According to surveillance data of the Aedes mosquito from the FEHD, the Area Gravidtrap Index for Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei was 26.2 per cent. As compared with last year, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further. Therefore, we anticipate that the risk of local transmission triggered by imported cases will rise significantly in the coming months," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately taken follow-up actions, including:
carrying out vector investigations and mosquito control operations, including removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
strengthening inspections of the high-risk locations and providing departments and the industry with professional advice and technical support; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets, to raise public awareness of mosquito prevention and control.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of he public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
