John Lee Highlights Hong Kong's Role in Climate Action at One Earth Summit

Speech by CE at One Earth Summit (with video)

Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the One Earth Summit today (October 28):

Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Minister Huang Runqiu (Minister of Ecology and Environment), Professor Poman Lo (Founder, One Earth Initiatives), Professor Harry Shum (Council Chairman, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. A warm welcome to Hong Kong. I am delighted to speak to you today, via video, at the opening of the One Earth Summit, the third edition.

This year's theme, "Collective Flourishing for the Intelligent Age", speaks of the promise of climate research and technological progress in spurring concerted global action. Accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss demand results. Now.

That means bridging the gap between green capital, innovation and governance. In each of these areas, Hong Kong has much to contribute.

First, Hong Kong is Asia's hub in international green and sustainable bond issuances, accounting for 40 per cent of the region's total. Hong Kong has issued government green bonds with an equivalent worth of about US$33 billion, covering 116 green projects.

Second, Hong Kong is well positioned to test and develop new green technologies, bridging green standards between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. Our Green Hydrogen Standard Certification Scheme, aligning Mainland and international norms, is a compelling example.

And third, Hong Kong is proving that government leadership can strengthen a city's ability to cope with climate change. The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government is setting up an inter-departmental task force to build an "AI City Brain" system. It will provide early warnings of risks and trend forecasts. It will improve inter-departmental collaboration on extreme weather, major incidents and public order.

Our climate strategies align closely with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and its commitment to high-quality, green, low-carbon growth.

In step with our country, the Hong Kong SAR Government last month announced the city's First Five-Year Plan.

It includes targets that relate to decarbonisation and environmental protection. They are: reducing our carbon intensity 32.5 per cent by 2030, compared to 2024 levels; raising the share of zero-carbon energy in the fuel mix from 25 per cent to 30 per cent; improving air quality by reducing the average concentration of PM2.5 from 15 to less than 14; and improving water quality by raising the overall compliance rate of Hong Kong's surface water quality from above 88 per cent to above 90 per cent.

There are other targets as well, including achieving a sustainable aviation fuel consumption rate of one to three per cent for all flights departing Hong Kong International Airport by 2030, upgrading our community recycling system, and achieving zero landfill.

Hong Kong, like the One Earth Summit, is committed to turning dialogue into impact. Working together, we can mobilise capital, technology and people to power sustainable growth across Asia and the world.

My thanks to the Institute of Sustainability and Technology and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Thank you for organising this essential global gathering.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a rewarding conference and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong, Asia's world city. Thank you!

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at medicine shop

Hong Kong Customs today (October 27) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected to have engaged in unfair trade practices involving a misleading omission in the course of selling Chinese herbal medicines, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

Customs today received information alleging that a salesman of a medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui was suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices when selling Chinese herbal medicines. During the course of selling Chinese herbal medicines, the salesman provided the total price in an untimely manner. He revealed the total price only after the herbal medicines were ground into powder.

After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 30-year-old local salesman of the medicine shop concerned.

An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man was held for inquiry.

Customs has all along been concerned about visitors being misled to make purchases by unfair trade practices and has established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-haul visitors. The complaints will be promptly referred to investigators to handle with priority.

Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO, and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops. Consumers should also be cautious about the unit price for a commodity and ask for more information, including the total price of the goods selected, before making a purchase decision.

Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information or provides material information in a manner that is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely, and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).

Source: AI-found images