Latest news with #Cheuk
RTHK
3 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
New wetland park 'to deepen ecotourism appeal'
New wetland park 'to deepen ecotourism appeal' Warner Cheuk, third left, says the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park will integrate conservation with recreational tourism and aquaculture development. Photo: RTHK Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk on Friday said the SAR would develop a new wetland park in the Northern Metropolis as part of efforts to boost ecological conservation while adding to the city's eco-tourism appeal. His remarks came as the city launched a series of activities, including guided tours and handing out free tickets to Hong Kong Wetland Park, to mark the 3rd National Ecology Day on August 15. Speaking at a ceremony at Polytechnic University, Cheuk said the city created three new parks last year: Robin's Nest Country Park in Sha Tau Kok, North Lantau Marine Park and Long Valley Nature Park in Kwu Tung North. "Looking ahead, the government will establish the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park with a total area of over 300 hectares in the Northern Metropolis area, which will integrate wetland conservation with recreational tourism and the development of aquaculture," Cheuk said. "It will not only enhance habitat quality and biodiversity in Deep Bay but also promote the modernisation of the aquaculture industry, while offering high-quality ecological education and leisure experiences." "We'll continue to make good use of the city's advantage as a metropolis with its own mountains and ocean to expand eco-tourism," he added. Cheuk said Hong Kong has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shenzhen on a joint rescue mechanism for large aquatic wildlife. Meanwhile, lawmaker and Hong Kong's sole delegate to the country's top legislature, Starry Lee, said new technology could boost conservation. "We can, for example, use remote sensing and artificial intelligence to monitor real-time changes in the ocean and countryside," she said. "The utilisation of big data analysis also enables us to manage the number of tourists in parks more scientifically, to keep a balance between environmental conservation and tourism. [And] biotech also offers us more means to restore environmental ecosystems and preserve the genes of rare species," she said. As part of celebrations, Hong Kong Wetland Park is offering free admission and guided tours on Friday, while some 30 non governmental organisations are rolling out free eco-tours, night safaris, workshops to September 28. There'll also be special discounts at government recycling stations and stores.
RTHK
15-06-2025
- Climate
- RTHK
Father's Day celebrations continue despite bad weather
Father's Day celebrations continue despite bad weather Many families arrived early for dim sum to secure a spot for Father's Day celebrations. Photo: RTHK John Lee paid tribute to all the fathers in the world. Photo courtesy of John Lee's Facebook The tropical depression Wutip didn't dampen spirits, as many families continued their Father's Day celebrations on Sunday. In a Mong Kok restaurant, numerous families arrived early to secure seats for dim sum. Among them was a man surnamed Cheuk, whose son had arrived ahead to claim a table. "It's Father's Day today but I didn't need to come early to find a table. My son has already arrived to secure a spot for us. My wish is for the entire family to be safe," he said. Another father surnamed Ma expressed excitement about receiving a special gift. "My daughter and my son-in-law got me this watch. Hong Kong people are very busy and this watch can monitor my health. I am so happy and surprised. They don't only care about what I eat, but also care a lot about my overall health," he said. Meanwhile, one child named Jimmy prepared a hand-drawn card to thank his dad for helping him with his homework. Chief Executive John Lee also paid tribute on social media, describing fathers as pillars of the family. He said that it has been difficult to spend time with his family due to his busy work schedule over the past three years, but he cherishes the moments when his grandson comes to visit and play.
HKFP
28-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong gov't unveils measures to tap into elderly's purchasing power, push ‘silver economy'
Hong Kong authorities have announced a slew of measures to leverage the purchasing power of the city's senior citizens, including spending incentives, insurance products, and re-employment schemes. On Tuesday, the Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy, chaired by Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk, unveiled 30 measures to boost spending among senior citizens, develop elderly-focused products, enhance financial security, and encourage re-employment. Cheuk said at a press conference on Tuesday that people aged 60 and above spent about HK$342 billion last year, accounting for about 11 per cent of the city's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 'The elderly account for a large proportion of Hong Kong's population. With favourable financial conditions and purchasing power, they are a huge consumer group that cannot be overlooked, as they create a huge demand for silver economy-related products and services,' he said. Cheuk said the new measures would 'inject vitality into the local economy and promote overall economic development, as well as [spur] the cultivation of high-quality silver products and service modes, so that the elderly can share the fruits of development.' However, the government would not set performance goals for the measures, as they would be outsourced, and their results would be 'rather beyond the control of the administration,' the deputy chief secretary said. He added that it would be 'quite substantial' if the elderly's annual spending could increase by 5 per cent per annum, amounting to a rise of HK$17 billion in the first year. Discounts, insurance, jobs To drive consumption, the retail sector will provide elderly discounts, the catering sector and food manufacturers will offer meals suitable for the elderly, while the Trade Development Council will supply 'silver products' aimed at the needs of senior citizens. The working group also announced measures to promote quality assurance for elderly-focused products through quality standards and accreditation schemes, including elderly-accessible building designs. It also announced financial security arrangements, including cross-boundary elderly care insurance products, strengthened financial planning, and anti-scam education for the elderly. To unleash 'silver productivity,' the government will assist senior citizens to re-enter the workforce through retraining programmes and job fairs. The Labour and Welfare Bureau will also review existing schemes such as the Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme and the Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged 'to further explore measures to encourage the employment of persons aged 60 or above.' The formation of the government working group was listed as one of the policies in Chief Executive John Lee's 2024 Policy Address, in which he cited the 'growing demand for products and services catering to the elderly' due to the rapid expansion of the silver market.
RTHK
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Lights, camera, action as Walled City show lives on
Lights, camera, action as Walled City show lives on Officials at the launch of the 'Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey' exhibition. Photo: RTHK Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says the show at the Kowloon Walled City Park is much bigger than two earlier versions. Photo: RTHK SAR tourism officials and film veterans on Friday hailed the launch of a new exhibition that allows people to take a deep dive into iconic 1980s life at Kowloon Walled City using replica movie sets, saying the attraction will create new economic benefits. The launch of the three-year show – "Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey" – came after the government on Tuesday unveiled a total of nine tourism hotspots, including the exhibition, to woo tourists for in-depth tours. In an opening ceremony for the exhibition, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said the show – which is located at Kowloon Walled City Park, the site of the original slum city – is much bigger than two earlier versions of the exhibition that were held at the airport and Kai Tak. The exhibition features replica movie sets from last year's "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In" hit film. "The film scene exhibition not only attracts more visitors to the park but also connects to scenic spots in Kowloon City, such as the Kai Tak Sports Park, urban views and Thai-style cuisine in the district," Cheuk said. "Through various tourist routes within the area, tourists can experience the authentic culture of Hong Kong and taste different delicacies. "At the same time, this can boost consumption in the area and create economic benefits." The exhibition is the third to feature the hit movie and will present more iconic sets from the film, including a barber, tailor and fish-ball shops as well as a bing sutt precursor to today's cha chan teng. Visitors will be able to explore the exhibition using interactive technology to experience the lives of residents living in the walled city back in the 1980s. Officials will also roll out designs using augmented technology in the district from the third quarter of this year. Hong Kong Film Development Council chairman Wilfred Wong said the show will allow visitors to learn more about Hong Kong's history. He added that large projection screens installed on rooftops will give people a sense of what days and nights are like living in Kowloon Walled City, with special sound effects, such as of planes reverberating over the district.
RTHK
22-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Red tape cut in bid to boost industrial tourism: govt
Red tape cut in bid to boost industrial tourism: govt Warner Cheuk said officials have contacted other firms to join industrial tourism projects. File photo: RTHK Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said on Thursday that the government has relaxed rules for local companies so they can take part in initiatives to boost industrial tourism. Four brands – food company Lee Kum Kee, bakery chain Kee Wah, sauce producer Pat Chun and probiotics company Yakult – will soon be hosting visitor tours at their factories in Hong Kong. These are among nine tourism projects announced on Tuesday to offer more variety for visitors. Cheuk said officials have made the factory visits possible by simplifying application procedures to allow the companies, whose factories are located within InnoParks or former industrial estates, to take part in industrial tourism. "The stage is used to be constraints such that the factories couldn't let people visit the premises commercially," he said on a Commercial Radio programme. "We've now remove barriers and made sure the projects comply with town planning requirements." Programme hosts asked whether or not the government had asked TVB to consider taking part, saying the broadcaster could be attractive to visitors from the mainland and Southeast Asian countries who watch its programmes. Cheuk said officials had spoken to the station, but added that whether or not companies take part depends on their own business considerations. The minister went on to say that planting dozens of pink trumpet and bougainvillea trees near the harbourfront at Tamar Park should create what he called a "powerful, full blossom" scene near Victoria Harbour.
