As part of its commitment to promoting healthy and sustainable living, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) joined hands with Green Power in mobilizing over 100 people for a clean-up activity today at the ecologically important beach in Shui Hau on Lantau Island. Leading the action were Christopher Kwok, SHKP Executive Director, Dr Yip Yin, Assistant Director (Country & Marine Parks) of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Dr Man Chi Sum, Vice Chairman of Green Power, and Johnny Chow, Chairman of the Hong Kong Hiking Association, China. They were joined by 100 students, teachers and other volunteers. About 150 kg of waste and recyclables were collected ultimately, and the participating students were able to appreciate better the importance of a clean coastline to the ecological environment. 

In addition to students from Tung Chung Catholic School, the participants were from the Hong Kong Hiking Association, China, the Agency for Volunteer Service, the Friends of KMB volunteer team, and the SHKP Volunteer Team. 

Shui Hau, on south Lantau Island, has extensive natural mudflats and mangroves, providing a rich habitat for coastal organisms, including horseshoe crabs, which are referred to as ‘living fossils’. The area is also one of the few nursery grounds for the crabs. 

SHKP and Green Power launched the SHKP Love Nature Campaign in 2011 and jointly developed Nature Rescue, the first free terrestrial and coastal clean-up mobile app in Hong Kong. Last year, Nature Rescue collaborated with The Point, SHKP’s integrated shopping mall loyalty programme, to introduce a reward programme to encourage people to download the app and do more to help the environment. Users can earn The Point bonus points for reporting a rubbish blackspot, initiating a clean-up or participating in such an event. The bonus points can be redeemed at any of the 2,000-plus merchants in 25 SHKP malls. The collaboration allows users to blend leisure and entertainment with healthy living and environmental protection.   

Christopher Kwok said he looks forward to providing a better environment to the next generation. He also believes environmental protection can be done in a fun way. The Group launched the SHKP Love Nature Campaign more than 10 years ago to spread green messages to students and other young people through fun-filled initiatives. Nature Rescue, the first terrestrial and coastal clean-up mobile app in Hong Kong, was rolled out in 2018 to encourage the public to participate in activities to protect the environment. 

He added that with the lifting of all anti-pandemic measures and Hong Kong’s return to normal, the SHKP Love Nature Campaign will strengthen its collaboration with different sectors of society, including companies, customers, students and non-profit-making organizations, and encourage more people to use the Nature Rescue app. The programme aims to hold several coastal and countryside clean-ups every month.

From October to December 2022, Nature Rescue co-organized Hiking X Eco Clean Up Action with one non-profit-marking organization and nine companies, including Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited, Fortune Pharmacal Co. Ltd. and HKSH Medical Group, resulting in more than 350 kg of waste being collected. 

Dr Man Chi Sum said he was grateful for SHKP’s continuous support. At today’s event, he introduced to the participants the functions of Nature Rescue, including the Clean-up Checklist (guidelines on how to initiate and execute clean-up activities) and Activity Chatroom (which allows app users to interact with each other). Recording 33,000-plus downloads, Nature Rescue was the launch pad for more than 150 clean-ups, in which over 3,500 people participated, collecting more than 14 tonnes of waste.

Dr Yip Yin pointed out that the government has gone the extra mile to promote the conservation of marine parks and marine reserves. She said she hoped today’s clean-up event would motivate more participants to reduce waste at source to minimize marine pollution.