Opening speech by SEE at APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Beijing
Following is the opening speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the opening session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Beijing today (September 10):
Thank you, Chair.
First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the National Energy Administration of China, for hosting the 16th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting, and for the hospitality.
Sustainability and prosperity can, and must, complement each other. To achieve both, we need to join forces and embrace innovative solutions.
Hong Kong, China is fully aligned with APEC’s goals to reduce APEC’s aggregate energy intensity by 45 per cent by 2035 against the 2005 level; and to double the share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 compared to 2010. With concerted efforts of our community, as of 2023, the aggregate energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has already decreased by around 35 per cent from 2005.
Our carbon emissions peaked in 2014 and have already dropped by about a quarter. With a per capita carbon emission of around 4.41 tonnes in 2024, Hong Kong, China compares well with our counterparts among the more advanced economies. Our goal is to reduce carbon emissions by half before 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.
Hong Kong, China continues to be the freest economy in the world, and a trusted common law jurisdiction. As an international financial centre, we are well positioned to promote green financing. The volume of green and sustainable bonds arranged in Hong Kong, China amounted to around US$38 billion in 2025, ranking first in the Asian market for eight consecutive years.
As a global premier destination for hosting world-class mega-events, Hong Kong, China continually brings people together. Just earlier this week, we launched our third "Hong Kong Green Week" which is our flagship sustainability event to offer a platform to drive dialogues and collaborations on multiple issues ranging from climate resilience, green technology to green trade. And before long we will host another flagship event in October, the 21st Eco Expo Asia, which aims to bring global industry leaders and government representatives together to share, collaborate and innovate. Therefore, I would warmly invite all of you to visit our city and join the upcoming events this October.
Thank you, Chair.
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Energy Ministerial Meeting in Beijing on September 10. Photo shows Mr Tse speaking at the opening session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration
The 11th Belt and Road Summit organised by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government successfully concluded yesterday (September 10). The two-day event brought together more than 6 200 government and business leaders from over 70 countries and regions, showcasing over 300 investment projects, facilitating more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, and witnessing a record high of over 60 memoranda of understanding (MOUs). The total value of these MOUs, together with new projects and deals finalised before and during the Summit, is over US$3.1 billion.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered remarks at the opening session. Senior officials over the world joined to share their insights, includingthe Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov; the Vice President of Uruguay, Ms Carolina Cosse; and Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith proving the Summit's success in promoting government-to-government exchanges and relations with Belt and Road countries.
Various new elements were featured in this year's Summit, including think-tank dialogue, enterprises going global, low-altitude economy, media co-operation, Health Silk Road, sovereign wealth funds of Belt and Road countries, and universities, exploring collaborations with Belt and Road partners in new areas, giving full play to Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" in the global economy.
A key highlight was the inaugural "GoGlobal Chapter", designed to support the expansion of Chinese Mainland enterprises into overseas markets. This Chapter featured two thematic breakout sessions - one organised by the Department of Justice and another by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global - with welcome remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau.
A new thematic breakout session hosted by the Working Group on Developing of Low-altitude Economy, and addressed by the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, also explored aligning Hong Kong's low-altitude economy with national strategies and Belt and Road synergies.
The Summit also introduced a debut Dialogue for Future Session with the theme of "The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Cooperation in a Changing Global Landscape", with think tank dialogues on regional co-operation.
Day two of the Summit also featured a special address by the Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation, Professor Teresa Cheng, on resolving international disputes through mediation.
Echoing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's commitment in expanding our business and trade networks, this year's Summit also featured dedicated elements on Central Asia and the Middle East.
Building on the Chief Executive's visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan earlier this year, the Summit introduced a dedicated Central Asia Zone to further business and trade ties with the region. Key development projects, including Kazakhstan's Alatau City and Data Center Valley were featured.
The Business Plenary, themed "Unlocking New Market Opportunities along and beyond the Belt and Road" focused on the Middle East and African markets, with speakers from Qatar, Oman, South Africa, and Nigeria sharing insights on the potential of these emerging markets. Key development projects including Türkiye's Ankara–Istanbul Super Speed Railway and Istanbul Northern Ring Railway projects were introduced.
A newly integrated University Zone showcased Hong Kong universities' research and development strengths and their capabilities in technology commercialisation across the Belt and Road region, consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international education hub.
This year's Summit was a huge success, aligning with the five co-operation priorities under the Belt and Road Initiative, namely policy coordination, infrastructural connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond, while serving as a platform to embark on the new journey for high quality development.
Source: AI-found images
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
