Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan wrapped up a trip to Beijing today having agreed with Mainland officials that both sides will work to strengthen co-operation, technological exchanges and talent training in the agricultural sector.

On a visit to the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Mr Tse met Agriculture & Rural Affairs Vice Minister Zhang Xingwang and briefed him on various measures in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture & Fisheries.

The two sides exchanged views on leveraging Hong Kong's advantages of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being closely connected to the world, to develop its potential as an international food hub and expand access to the global market for the Mainland's high-quality agricultural and fisheries produce. They also discussed the latest developments in restocking and multi-storey livestock farms.

Mr Tse stressed that Hong Kong is a highly developed city that has limited land resources, and in faces challenges in its development of agriculture and fisheries, while China as a whole has a strong foundation in the development, research and application of agro-technology.

Both sides agreed to establish a mechanism to strengthen co-operation, technological exchanges and talent training.

Earlier in the day, Mr Tse met representatives from the China Biodiversity Conservation & Green Development Foundation to discuss issues including green development, ocean governance and biodiversity.

He highlighted that Hong Kong boasts rich marine assets and biodiversity, and will look to increase co-operation with other cities in the Greater Bay Area to strengthen environmental protection and ecological conservation.

Mr Tse also invited the foundation to participate further in Hong Kong's conservation and environmental education work, to help promote green and sustainable development.