Hong Kong – Speech by SEE at opening plenary of APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting (English only)
Speech by SEE at opening plenary of APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting (English only)
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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the opening plenary of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting in Seattle, the United States (US), today (August 15, US time):
Thank you, Chair and fellow colleagues. Hong Kong, China is committed to contributing to the development of a resilient and sustainable APEC community by actively participating in the APEC Energy Working Group and sponsoring projects of other APEC economies. Hong Kong, China is the Deputy Lead Shepherd of the Energy Working Group, which, amongst other things, explores new APEC energy-related goals in addressing the climate challenges. Hong Kong, China was also the Chair of the APEC Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation in 2019-2023 and is the Vice-chair of the Expert Group in 2023-2025. We will continue to play an active role in the APEC community, with a view to contributing to achieve APEC’s Energy Intensity Reduction Goal.
APEC economies consume approximately 60 per cent of the world’s energy. APEC’s Energy Intensity Reduction Goal is to reduce APEC’s aggregate energy intensity by 45 per cent by 2035, against the 2005 level. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the community, so far, the energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has decreased by over 30 per cent.
Hong Kong, China has also pledged to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. Our Climate Action Plan has four major decarbonisation strategies, namely (a) net-zero electricity generation; (b) energy saving and green buildings; (c) green transport; and (d) waste reduction.
To strengthen the co-ordination and promote deep decarbonisation, we have set up a new Office of Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality since January this year to formulate strategies, policies and action plans for tackling climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. We have also earmarked HK$240 billion (equivalent to about US$30 billion) to fight against climate change in the next 15 to 20 years.
Achieving carbon neutrality in less than 27 years is an extremely challenging ambition. The importance of regional and global collaboration cannot be overstated in our carbon neutrality journey. Hong Kong, China will continue to sharpen our own policies, step up actions in combatting climate change, and welcome collaboration with APEC economies to shape a greener tomorrow.
Thank you, Chair.
Opening remarks by CE at press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia (English only) (with photo/video)
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I look forward to furthering our relations with Indonesia and bringing fresh impetus to our economies.
Hong Kong welcomes you
Unquestionable Abstraction Through a nuanced engagement with form, color, and texture, the artists invite the viewer to participate in a multisensory exploration of feeling, embodying a range of affective states from serenity to discomfort. The diverse approaches to abstraction challenge preconceived notions of representation and invite the viewer to engage with the materiality of the artworks to access deeper levels of meaning. Pushing against social convention, abstract artist LE BohemianMuse creates multifaceted artworks that reflect a story of defiance with a subtle vulnerability through the exposed layers and visible stages of creation. BohemianMuse is a first-generation Ghanaian-American artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. As a self-proclaimed colorist, BohemianMuse works against creative stagnation by placing a focus on textural elements which act as a source of detail, energy, and complexity in place of obvious colors. German artist Bernhard Zimmer produces layered, subtly textured paintings that contain diametrically opposed elements—order and chaos, abstraction and representation, boldness, and subtlety—in exquisite tension. Working with oil and mixed media on canvas, he paints in color-fields of soft shapes and delicate lines. Full of strength and fragility, Zimmer’s works reward patient viewing, revealing their rich visual nuances to those who take time to delve into their layers of visual emotion. Abstract minimalist artist Jason DeMeo creates artworks that work to serve as a meditation for the viewer, drawing them toward the timeless concepts of truth, beauty, and goodness. Through his work, he seeks to express universal themes by bringing his eclectic personal experiences, philosophies, and emotions to the forefront. He has a deep belief in the power of art to bring transformation to both spaces and people. Gail Titus works spontaneously and intuitively without regard to realistic forms, but with a focus on textures, colors, and interesting shapes. She creates artworks by intuitively applying paint to canvas using brushes, scrapers, water bottles, and other objects. As this process continues, certain areas of the painting will start to feel undeveloped. This is when she will methodically rework those areas until the artwork gradually feels resolved. Heny Steinberg arranges her paintings through a grid or lattice system which is then deconstructed and re-imagined. The shapes within Steinberg’s work transcend their two-dimensional representation and have meaning beyond appearance. Her process begins with concrete images and references, yet over time gives way to her process of decontextualization. Sarah Johnson infuses passion, heart, and a lifetime of creative experience into each painting. Her radial series exhibits both uninhibited freedom and methodical technique. Through colors, textures, and movement, Johnson’s acrylic paintings on canvas radiate joy with pleasing repetition and form. Each series has a meaningful message, adding both truth and beauty to your walls. Johnson is based in Dallas, Texas and is also a recording musician. Since the opening of Artspace Warehouse in 2010, the gallery continues to be an industry leader in affordable, museum-quality artworks making collecting art accessible and budget-friendly. With one gallery in Zurich and two galleries in Los Angeles, Artspace Warehouse specializes in guilt-free international urban, pop, graffiti, figurative, and abstract art. The expansive 5,000-square-foot space offers a large selection of emerging and established artists from all over the world. Artspace Warehouse Categories Introducing Cocoa Cookie Bar In a world where sweet treats reign supreme, a new gourmet cookie company has emerged in the heart of West Houston, ready to redefine the art of cookie making. Cocoa Cookie Bar, with its commitment to quality ingredients and innovative flavors, is set to redefine the classic cookie. Cocoa Cookie Bar has quickly garnered attention for their unrivaled creativity and passion for flavor. Each cookie is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a symphony of textures and flavors. With their dedication to imaginative flavors, Cocoa Cookie Bar sets a new standard for what gourmet cookies can be and is poised to become the destination for those seeking a cookie experience that transcends the ordinary. For more information about Cocoa Cookie Bar and to explore their assortment of gourmet cookies, please visit their website at www.htxcookie.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Follow us on social media for updates, promotions, and mouthwatering cookie photos:Hong Kong – Opening remarks by CE at press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia (English only) (with photo)
Following are the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, today (July 26):
Good morning, media friends from Indonesia, Hong Kong and beyond. This is my first visit to Indonesia as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC (People’s Republic of China).
I attach great importance to this week-long visit in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and have brought with me a high-level delegation comprising 30 distinguished leaders from various industries and five of the most senior officials from my governing team.
We are here to promote business opportunities for our mutual growth, and consolidate our strong friendship with Indonesia built throughout the years.
Hong Kong-Indonesia relations
Hong Kong and Indonesia enjoy close and long-standing ties in trade and investment. Last year, merchandise trade between the two places grew by 12 per cent and reached US$5.7 billion. Hong Kong is the third largest source of foreign direct investment into Indonesia.
Among ASEAN states, Indonesia has the largest population and GDP (Gross Domestic Product), and is our sixth largest merchandise trade partner in ASEAN. We see great potential in strengthening Hong Kong’s collaboration with Indonesia.
Yesterday, I was delighted to meet President Widodo of Indonesia. I thanked the President for extending the hospitality and facilitation of the Wonderful Indonesia to me and my delegation.
I told the President that Hong Kong is determined to strengthen co-operation with Indonesia on various fronts such as trade, investment, finance, innovation and technology as well as culture and tourism.
I also thanked Indonesia for the continuous support towards Hong Kong’s bid to join RCEP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Hong Kong-Association of Southeast Asian Nations relations
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN. I told Dr Kao that Hong Kong values its economic and trade ties with ASEAN.
ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner in the world. With the full entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement and the related Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN in 2021, the trade and economic ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN have been elevated to a higher level.
I also expressed my gratitude to ASEAN member states for their support to Hong Kong’s accession to RCEP, and conveyed our commitment to maintaining communication with the ASEAN Secretariat on various issues.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Hong Kong champions free trade and attaches great importance to promoting multilateralism.
Hong Kong is committed to contributing to regional co-operation together with RCEP members, and we stand ready to engage in exploratory discussions with them on our accession request.
Hong Kong’s gateway role
Under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong remains an international capitalist city that acts as a gateway between the Mainland China and the world.
With the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is determined in actively pursuing what we call the “eight centres” of development. These cover our traditional strengths in finance, trade, shipping, aviation, intellectual property trading, and legal and dispute resolution, as well as the budding areas of arts and culture, and innovation and technology.
We proactively integrate into national development as part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or the GBA. The GBA comprises 11 cities, that is nine thriving cities in Guangdong Province, plus the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao. It has a population of over 86 million, and a GDP of over US$1.9 trillion last year.
In other words, the GBA has a population similar to that of Jakarta plus its three nearby provinces, namely Banten, Central Java and West Java. Its GDP is equivalent to that of the 10th largest economy in the world. The GBA is an important market, and we have invited our friends in Indonesia and ASEAN to join us on the new journey of development of the GBA, as part of the whole programme.
Belt and Road and international co-operation
Earlier today, I visited a Hong Kong insurance company operating in Indonesia, as well as an Indonesian conglomerate with a strong foothold in Hong Kong. I encouraged their continuous efforts in boosting the market growth in ASEAN, Hong Kong, Mainland China and beyond.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, personally launched by President Xi Jinping. I am pleased to have the opportunity to visit the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail later today, and appreciate the remarkable progress of this Belt and Road project.
In a moment, I am joining a luncheon hosted for the Indonesian business community. Apart from strengthening exchanges between the Hong Kong delegation and our Indonesian friends, I am delighted to see that Hong Kong and Indonesia will be signing 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements at the event.
The new and strengthened partnerships under these 15 MOUs and agreements cover a diverse array of areas. They include:
I extend a warm welcome and invitation to our friends in Indonesia to visit Hong Kong, and see for yourselves the new development, new opportunities and new advantages of our city.
Meanwhile, we have also brought Hong Kong to your doorstep. A roving exhibition under the theme “Immersive Hong Kong”, organised by the Information Services Department of Hong Kong, is now taking place at Gandaria City Mall in Jakarta. The exhibition uses art technology to let visitors experience our cosmopolitan city’s visuals with a creative twist.
We are also offering round-trip air tickets to Hong Kong in an interactive game there. The exhibition runs till this Saturday (July 29), so do grasp the opportunity to immerse yourselves in Hong Kong’s beauty.
Before I close, I must take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Indonesian community in Hong Kong, particularly some 140 000 Indonesian domestic helpers in our Hong Kong families. To many of our working families, they are not just their helpers, but also their friends, and even regarded by many as family members. We highly value their great contributions to our society throughout the years.
Next, may I invite Dr Peter Lam, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to say a few words.
Exhibition Opening: Unquestionable Abstraction
July 29 – August 25, 2023
Opening: Saturday, July 29, 2023, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Claudia Deutsch
323-936-7020
https://www.artspacewarehouse.com/en/news_detail-145
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Opening of Cocoa Cookie Bar
JJ Jones
Cocoa Cookie Bar
jj@htxcookie.com
832.679.6303
Instagram: @CocoaCookieBar
Cocoa Cookie Bar
JJ Jones
832-679-6303
www.htxcookie.com
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