Hong Kong Launches Coastal Cleanup Campaign for Beautiful Bays Initiative on Environment Day 2026

EPD participates in joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities)

In support of the National Event on the Environment Day 2026, and the Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest launched on June 1, the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) held the joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities) in Hong Kong today (June 6). The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; and the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, led a government volunteer team to conduct coastal cleanup activity at To Tau Wan, Wu Kai Sha, and also mobilised the community to carry out coastal cleanup activity across Hong Kong, demonstrating a territory-wide commitment to protecting the ocean and building "Beautiful Bays".

Speaking at the event, Mr Tse said that the Special Administrative Region Government has all along spared no effort in protecting the marine ecological environment. To align with the nation's comprehensive promotion of building a Beautiful China, the Government has actively taken forward the "Beautiful Bays" initiative, and Mirs Bay (Hong Kong Section) was honoured to be selected as a national "Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays" at the end of 2025. In recent years, Hong Kong has also deepened regional cooperation with Guangdong Province and Shenzhen. In the monitoring of shoreline cleanliness, the Government has actively introduced smart technologies, such as drone monitoring and artificial intelligence image analysis, gradually moving forward to the goal of "clear water and clean beaches, thriving marine life, and harmonious coexistence between humans and the sea".

Mr Tse said, "To safeguard this beautiful ocean, it is not enough to solely rely on the Government's efforts, but rather on the concerted efforts from the entire society." He expressed his gratitude to the volunteers attending the activity and the volunteer groups participating in coastal cleaning at different coasts concurrently for their efforts to protect the ocean.

On the same day, a delegation led by the Deputy Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Ms Fabia Tam; and the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Vanessa Au, attended the launching ceremony for the joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities) in Shenzhen.

The launching ceremony was guided by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), and co-organised by the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, the Society Work Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, and the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the MEE. During the ceremony, the Director-General of the Department of Publicity and Education of the MEE, Mr Pei Xiaofei, presented flags to the heads of the ecological environment departments from the participating coastal provinces (regions and municipalities). The heads then read the proposal of eco-environmental volunteer service campaign "united for blue seas and beautiful bays".

For event details of the Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest, please visit www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/news_events/events/hk_green_fest_2026.html.

The launching ceremony of the joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities) was conducted in Happy Harbour, Bao'an District, Shenzhen. Photo shows the Director-General of the Department of Publicity and Education of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Mr Pei Xiaofei (sixth left), presenting flags to the heads of the Mainland ecological environment departments. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Ms Fabia Tam (left); and the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Vanessa Au (right), attended the launching ceremony for the joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities) in Happy Harbour, Bao'an District, Shenzhen today (June 6). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (first right) led a government volunteer team to conduct coastal cleanup activity at To Tau Wan, Wu Kai Sha today (June 6). Photo shows a colleague from the Environmental Protection Department volunteer team participating in the activity together with her family. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department held the joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities) in Hong Kong today (June 6). Photo shows the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (left); and the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui (right), participating in the coastal cleanup activity at To Tau Wan, Wu Kai Sha. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department held the joint eco-environmental volunteer service campaign in coastal provinces (regions and municipalities) in Hong Kong today (June 6). The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (front row, eighth right); and the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui (front row, seventh right), leading a government volunteer team to conduct coastal cleanup activity at To Tau Wan, Wu Kai Sha. Photo shows the group photo of government volunteer team. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE witnesses in Shenzhen signing of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Botanical Garden Co-operation Agreement

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (July 27) witnessed in Shenzhen the signing of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Botanical Garden Co-operation Agreement between the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality. The collaboration will create an in-depth integration model of ecological co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, laying the foundation for the joint application for the establishment of a National Botanical Garden by the two places in the future.

Witnessed by Mr Tse; the Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Dai Jintao; and Deputy Director of the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province Mr Liang Xiaodong, the Co-operation Agreement was signed by the Director-General of the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Xu Songming; the Director-General of the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Zhang Guohong; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.

According to the Co-operation Agreement, Hong Kong and Shenzhenwill collaborate in fields including the collection and protection of plant diversity, ecological protection and the building of ecological corridors, building of synergy and capability in scientific research, science promotion and education, as well as horticultural exhibitions. The two places will jointly conduct regional plant resource systematic surveys, establish an integrated conservation system for rare and endangered wild plants, and advance regional native vegetation restoration and ecosystem remediation.

In addition, the Co-operation Agreement will foster the launch of in-depth collaboration projects between two places in plant taxonomy, nature conservation and ecological restoration to promote professional talent exchange, the planning of horticultural exhibitions with distinctive national and regional features, and the launch of nature education and citizen science promotion activities.

Mr Tse visited the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in the afternoon with representatives from other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies to learn about Shenzhen's experience in developing a livable and green urban environment, exchanged views with other representatives and joined a mangrove planting event.

Mr Tse will attend the 2026 APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry tomorrow (July 28) to discuss topics such as forest conservation and sustainable management, the balance between ecological protection and livelihood, as well as technological innovation.

SEE witnesses in Shenzhen signing of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Botanical Garden Co-operation Agreement Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases