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Seafood stakeholders call for a level playing field for Sustainability

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – A consortium of civil society organisations today called on the Hong Kong government to urgently address critical gaps in the city’s seafood import regulations. The coalition warns that Hong Kong’s current regulatory framework dates back to the 1940s and fails to ensure the safety, sustainability, and traceability of seafood products entering the city, posing risks to public health, marine ecosystems, and consumer trust.

Photograph credit: Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Images

“Our call for action responds to the findings of research released over decades by different academics and NGOs, that continue to point to the same systemic issues which remain unresolved today,” said Sophie le Clue, CEO of ADM Capital Foundation.

The most recent research released in December 2024 found that of all the data necessary to ensure sufficient traceability, the Hong Kong authorities are only requiring collection of 12% of such data, in stark contrast to other countries. The call for action comes at a time when many of Hong Kong’s trading partners (Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the EU and the USA) are making substantial efforts to develop and implement measures to facilitate traceability—benefiting both suppliers and buyers who wish to source responsibly and sustainably, as well as consumer health and well-being.

“To remain competitive, Hong Kong must align with international standards and best practices by strengthening import controls,” said Benjamin So, Founder of 178 Degrees, a seafood importer. “While certain leading businesses in the industry have been promoting sustainable seafood for years, and expending resources to ensure their seafood is sourced responsibly and sustainably, the issue is ignored by many in the sector–and without government intervention and support, there is no level playing field or motivation for the industry to change,” he added.

Both the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC) and WWF-Hong Kong’s Sustainable Seafood Business Membership Programme are at the forefront of driving changes in industry practices and promoting seafood sustainability. As HKSSC Secretariat Mandy Wong explains, “The HKSSC was established by industry leaders to advance sustainable seafood practices in Hong Kong and Macau. Our corporate members are deeply committed to responsible sourcing and are dedicated to mainstreaming sustainable seafood. However, without government policies and legislation to address unethical practices and encourage responsible procurement, there are limits to what we can achieve.”

Echoing these concerns Lydia Pang, Head of Oceans Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong explains that “whilst some businesses are proactive and engaged, without sufficient traceability requirements, we continue to risk consuming seafood that may be harmful to our health, sourced through illegal fishing practices, or contributing to the depletion of global fish stocks.”

Hong Kong ranks among the top importers of seafood by value and volume. The city serves as a major hub for seafood trade in Asia, with a substantial portion of its imports being re-exported to mainland China and other regional markets. Its seafood consumption is exceptionally high due to its dense population, affluent economy, and cultural preference for fresh seafood. This makes Hong Kong a critical player in the global seafood supply chain.

The city is also a hub for high-demand luxury products such as live reef food fish, shark fin, and fish maw, but traceability for these imports is insufficient. A study by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) iterated the finding of previous research on significant data gaps in the live reef food fish trade, valued at over USD 2 billion. “Such gaps lead to a multitude of issues – environmental harm through overfishing and ecosystem damage, economic losses, and illegal fishing. They also give rise to ethical concerns, such as labour exploitation, health risks, and present a slew of regulatory challenges.” Said Prof. Celia Schunter from HKU.

The consortium has submitted a formal letter to the Hong Kong government and is calling on it to consider their concerns and prioritise a review of Hong Kong’s existing legislation and policy developments in relation to the seafood trade. Recommendations include traceability, health and safety, port measures and stakeholder collaboration.

1. Traceability:
a. Add Key Data Elements (KDEs) like species’ scientific name, catch/farming method, and location.
b. Develop digital traceability standards and align with Global Dialogue for Seafood Traceability (GDST).
c. Amend the Fish Marketing Ordinance to include live fish, crustaceans, and molluscs.
d. Require all Class III fish carrier vessels to comply with Marine Department clearance.

2. Health & Safety:
a. Mandate health certificates and stricter import checks.
b. Land all seafood at designated ports for quarantine and monitoring.

3. Port Measures:

a. Require Hong Kong-registered vessels to report entry/exit.
b. Align with FAO’s Transshipment Guidelines.

4. Stakeholder Collaboration:

a. Promote best practices through coalition or business networks such as the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition.
b. Foster collaboration among government, industry, and NGOs.
Hashtag: #ADMCapitalFoundation

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Sun Group debuts at SITF 2026 with exclusive Phu Quoc flight deals and a fresh vision for Vietnam tourism

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 June 2026 – Making its first-ever appearance at the Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) 2026, one of South Korea’s largest international travel fairs, held from June 4–7, Sun Group has delivered a meaningful message: “Visit Vietnam: Beloved Destinations – Extraordinary Experiences.” The group has showcased iconic destinations including Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Sa Pa, and Ha Long, while telling the story of a Vietnam that is constantly innovating to create unique experiences for global travelers.

The Sun Group booth attracts a large number of visitors with its interactive activities, destination ecosystem, and promotions.

A special highlight is Sun Group’s unveiling of its new development vision for Phu Quoc in the lead‑up to APEC 2027, presented directly to Korean partners and visitors.

From the first day of the fair, Sun Group’s booth has welcomed a steady stream of visitors. Throughout the four-day event, the booth has organized B2B and B2C networking activities, customer consultations, and introductions to tourism, resort, and aviation products. Interactive programs, including mini-games, souvenir giveaways, and tailored offers for the Korean market, have kept the atmosphere lively for hours, with a continuous flow of engaged visitors.

During SITF (June 4–7), travelers have the opportunity to receive a 20% discount on the base fare when booking Sun PhuQuoc Airways tickets via the airline’s website or app. The offer applies to the Korean market for one‑way or round‑trip journeys from Korea to Phu Quoc. Limited to 200 Economy Class discount codes, it is valid for flights from June 15 to October 24, 2026 (excluding peak periods as defined by the airline).

Visitors also have the chance to win attractive prizes through booth activities, including free round‑trip air tickets on the Seoul–Phu Quoc route (ICN–PQC) and resort vouchers at hotels within Sun Group’s ecosystem.

By combining destination promotion with airline incentives, Sun Group aims to further encourage South Korean tourists to choose Vietnam for their upcoming holidays, especially Phu Quoc, which is entering a new era of large‑scale investments in projects, products, and experiences all aimed at APEC 2027.

Hashtag: #SunGroup

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About Sun Group

Vietnam’s leading private economic group, Sun Group operates an integrated ecosystem spanning tourism, entertainment, hospitality, real estate, infrastructure, and aviation. Guided by the mission “Enhancing the beauty of the lands,” the Group shapes iconic destinations nationwide through its Sun World entertainment brand. In the aviation sector, Sun Group develops a hub-and-spoke model anchored by Phu Quoc, driven by strategic airport investments and Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

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Technology + Scenario + Supply Chain = A New Benchmark for Regional Zero-Carbon Smart Transportation

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Wing Kai New Energy X QIJI Energy X C&D Hi-Tech

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 June 2026 – The 19th (2026) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Exhibition & Conference (SNEC 2026) was grandly held from June 3 to 5, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Attracting over 3,000 exhibitors from 95 countries worldwide, the event stands as the largest and most influential professional grand gathering for the photovoltaic and energy storage sectors across Asia and globally.

During the exhibition, Mr. Yiu Wang Lee, Chairman of the Board of Wing Lee Development Construction Holdings Limited (“Wing Lee” or the “Group”, stock code: 9639.HK); Mr. Cai Huihui, General Manager of Wing Kai New Energy Technology Co., Limited (“Wing Kai New Energy”); Mr. Wang Yi, Key Account Manager of QIJI Energy; Mr. Xu Jun, Overseas Energy Storage Commercial Director of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL); and Mr. You Yuxian, ASEAN Regional Energy Storage Sales Director of CATL, jointly visited the exhibition booth of C&D Hi-Tech. The delegation engaged in in-depth discussions with the team led by General Manager Mr. Zhan Shengli, focusing on battery swapping station projects in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. By integrating multi-party resources, the teams successfully finalized and signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement.

Through this signing, the three parties will join forces to address and resolve the industry pain points of overseas markets regarding regulatory compliance, engineering infrastructure, and supply chain coordination. The collaboration represents a deep integration of QIJI Energy’s cutting-edge battery swapping solutions, Wing Kai New Energy’s localized infrastructure and operational capabilities across Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and C&D Hi-Tech’s robust global resource allocation strengths. Moving from single-project development to an ecosystem of mutual win-win, this partnership will significantly enhance the delivery efficiency of green energy across Hong Kong, Macau, and the Southeast Asian region, setting a brand-new benchmark for regional zero-carbon smart transportation.

As a subsidiary of Wing Lee, Wing Kai New Energy has been rooted in Hong Kong since its inception while radiating its presence globally, deeply cultivating sustainable clean energy solutions. Addressing the acute pain points in the Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asian markets, where rapid fluctuations in energy prices have led to surging cost pressures for logistics distribution enterprises, Wing Kai New Energy will focus on urban distribution logistics battery swapping businesses in the future. The company plans to integrate site resources, infrastructure, and operations to fill the gap in regional infrastructure. We firmly believe that this cooperation will effectively bridge the cross-border green energy eco-link, accelerate the construction of a green energy service network, and contribute solidly to the realization of the “dual carbon” goals. Meanwhile, we sincerely invite more partners to join the Zero-Carbon Smart Alliance to jointly advance sustainable development.

Hashtag: #WingLee

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Wing Lee Development Construction Holdings Limited

Deeply rooted in Hong Kong, Wing Lee is an established contractor engaged in civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, and new energy businesses, and has participated in various large-scale landmark projects in Hong Kong. The Group’s civil engineering business specialized in site formation waterworks as well as road and drainage works, while its electrical and mechanical engineering business specializes in power system-related projects and emergency maintenance works. In recent years, the Group has actively expanded into the new energy sector, undertaking solar photovoltaic projects, distributing various electric commercial vehicles and electric construction machinery, and engaging in the construction and subsequent maintenance of charging piles, battery swapping, recycling, and energy storage businesses. In 2025, Wing Lee Construction, together with SANY Group Co., Ltd. and CATL, among other industry giants, founded the “Zero-Carbon Smart Alliance” to develop full-industry-chain solutions for photovoltaics, energy storage, charging and battery swapping, and smart applications in green transportation.

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Hong Kong wraps up successful mission to deepen ties with Central Asia

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 June 2026 – A large high-level business delegation led by John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), today (June 5) wrapped up its five-day visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively, achieving fruitful results of strengthening bilateral relations and deepening ties with Central Asia.

The delegation of over 70 business and institutional leaders from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland is the largest and most diverse overseas mission led by the current term of the HKSAR Government so far.

Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive, John Lee (fifth right) and the Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development, Sardor Umurzakov (fourth right) witness the exchange of memoranda of understanding and co-operation agreements between government departments, enterprises and organisations from Hong Kong and Uzbekistan.

Speaking to the media in Uzbekistan yesterday (June 4), Mr Lee set out the three main objectives of the visit: further explore emerging markets and lay the foundation for long-term economic and trade development; strengthen government-to-government (G2G) relationships and promote closer bilateral co-operation; and build a “hub-to-hub” model of co-operation.

He said the visit had been successful, yielding achievements in eight areas, including:

  • Establishing high-level contacts and ties between the HKSAR Government and the Governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and reaching consensus on co-operation in multiple areas;
  • A total of 96 co-operation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were reached during the visit (61 with Kazakhstan, 35 with Uzbekistan), involving specific amounts exceeding US$1.65 billion in total;
  • The governments agreed to commence bilateral discussions on agreements in various areas;
  • Deepening project matching and research collaboration between Hong Kong and Central Asian region in areas including finance, innovation and technology (I&T), and aviation;
  • Demonstrating Hong Kong’s effective role as a platform for going global and achieving substantial results, with Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises joining forces in tapping new markets and bringing synergistic advantages into full play;
  • Facilitating more convenient people-to-people exchanges by promoting direct flights, aviation and transport co-operation, and extensions to the mutual visa-free period;
  • Promoting exchanges in education, talent and culture to further deepen people-to-people bonds; and
  • Advancing a hub-to-hub co-operation model to open up broader room for co-operation between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region.

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While in Tashkent (June 3-5), Mr Lee met with local leaders, government officials and business representatives to deepen co-operation between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan in areas including trade, investment, finance, I&T, and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Lee held meetings with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, his Advisor on Strategic Development, Sardor Umurzakov, the Prime Minister, Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister, Jamshid Khodjayev, to exchange views on furthering mutual co-operation.

Mr Lee highlighted that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He said that Hong Kong would continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to further deepen co-operation and exchanges with Uzbekistan on various fronts in line with Uzbekistan’s goal of achieving high-quality development.

Hong Kong SAR's Chief Executive, John Lee (left) meets with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev.
Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive, John Lee (left) meets with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev.

Earlier (June 3), Mr Lee met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, after which they jointly witnessed an exchange of notes between the two places on a mutual visa-free arrangement, which would allow a visa-free period of 30 days for visitors from both sides.

“Moreover, we are glad to have initialed the Air Services Agreement with Uzbekistan, and look forward to launching direct passenger flights between the two places soon,” Mr Lee said, during a high-level business dinner (June 4). The Chief Executive pointed out that Hong Kong and Uzbekistan are important trade and investment gateways to their respective regions – the Asia-Pacific and Central Asia.

“It helps that we are all believers in the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, a modern expression of the ancient Silk Road spirit,” Mr Lee said. “Today, China is Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner, and the two countries work closely on major infrastructure and connectivity projects that are revitalising the Silk Road. Hong Kong is a pivotal player in the B&R Initiative, thanks to our world-class professional and financial services expertise.”

The delegation also toured the IT Park Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization before concluding its visit in Tashkent.

Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #Uzbekistan





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