References - Press Releases - Hong Kong

2004

Sarah Liao, Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works and Mr. Ekin Cheng, WWF Hong Kong Marine Ambassador, today led 1,300 nature lovers to discover the beauty of our natural environment and learn the importance of marine conservation. The Hoi Ha Charity Walk, organized by WWF Hong Kong, is to raise funds for our marine and conservation work. Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd is the major sponsor of the walk.

"We are very happy to have Canon Hongkong joining, and fully supporting, us to protect our precious marine heritage. WWF Hong Kong has a long-term interest in marine conservation by initiating the research and monitoring programme of the Chinese White Dolphin in the late 1980's when the government first announced Chek Lap Kok as the site of the new airport. We have also taken part in reef checking exercise since 1998 to collate important coral data for the formulation of a long-term conservation policy," said Mr. Markus Shaw, WWF Hong Kong Chairman.

(from left) Sarah Liao, Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works,, Mr. Ekin Cheng, WWF Hong Kong Marine Ambassador and Mr. Markus Shaw, WWF Hong Kong Chairman, speaking in the kick-off ceremony.

"I am also very delighted to see over 1,300 nature lovers joining our walk today to show their concern for our marine environment. The public support is always the strongest driving force behind our conservation efforts. WWF Hong Kong will continue to protect our remaining marine resources for our present and future generations," continued Mr Shaw.

The 1,300 participants, divided into four sections, started the walk from Wan Tsai Peninsula of Sai Kung to explore the beauty of our natural environment along the Tai Tan Country Trail. Exhibition panels introducing the ecological value of mangroves and our marine conservation programmes will be set along the route to enhance public understanding on the importance of nature conservation. Information sheets promoting responsible public behaviour at the countryside were also distributed to the participants.

"Hong Kong has a rich marine biodiversity with over 80 coral species and 320 reef fish species identified. Just at Hoi Ha Wan, over 50 coral species and 120 fish species have been recorded. We all share the responsibility of protecting these beautiful and precious marine life and heritage for our present and future generations," said Mr. Ekin Cheng, WWF Hong Kong Marine Ambassador.

Thanks to the following companies for joining and supporting the charity walk:
Major Sponsor:
Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd.

Sponsors:
Aigle, Altruist Financial Group Limited, City Telecom (HK) Limited, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Hong Kong Disneyland, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Ltd., Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited, Hitachi Elevator Engineering Company (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong Amateur Radio Transmitting Society, Hysan Development Company Limited, ING Life Insurance Co. (Bermuda) Ltd., Jebsen & Co. Ltd., Johnson Matthey HK Ltd., Kerry Properties Limited, Leo Paper Group, Freescale Semiconductor Hong Kong Ltd., Ove Arup & Partners HK Ltd., PCCW, Saint Alp Teahouse, Shun Hing Group, St. John Ambulance, Telford International Company Limited, The Hong Kong Electric Co., Ltd, The Hong Kong & China Gas Company Limited, The Kowloon Motor Bus Co., (1933) Ltd., Shaw And Sons Limited.

Special thanks to following companies for sponsoring free media space for our promotional video and posters:
FirsTVision, M-Channels, MTR, Pearl and Dean, RoadShow and Texon .

Since our inception in 1981, WWF Hong Kong works to ensure a better environment for present and future generations in Hong Kong through the implementation of a wide range of focused conservation and education programmes. Our objectives are to conserve biodiversity, improve environmental quality and motivate people to conserve our natural environment.

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