Hong Kong and Shenzhen Sign Agreement for Joint Botanical Garden and Ecological Cooperation.

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

DH continues to follow up on health condition of infants who have consumed powdered infant formula found with lead possibly exceeding limit

The Department of Health (DH) today (July 27) said that the DH will continue to follow up on the health conditions of infants who have consumed the powdered infant formula found with lead possibly exceeding limit.

The DH received notification from the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on July 25 night that the product "Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 Infant Formula" (batch number: 1W07KPJ) was found by the Macao authority with lead possibly exceeding its permissible levels. The CFS is stepping up the surveillance of powdered infant and young children formula in the market and will continue to closely monitor the recall of the related product. No other batches of the relevant product have been found to have excessive lead content so far.

In response to the incident, the DH set up a telephone hotline (2125 1199) starting from yesterday (July 26). From 3pm yesterday to 4pm today, a total of 276 telephone enquiries were received, mainly regarding the health conditions of infants. The Maternal and Child Health Centres also received six related enquiries today. Staff have provided advice based on individual circumstances. As at 6.30pm today, the DH has referred a total of 137 cases to the Hospital Authority for follow up. The hotline will continue to operate from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays), to answer public enquiries relating to the health conditions of infants and the switching of milk formula.

The DH again reminded the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batch of the product. If infants and young children feel unwell after consuming the product concerned or if parents are in doubt, they should seek advice from healthcare professionals as soon as possible.

Source: AI-found images