HK kids help clean up Okinawa beach

Children from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan have joined hands to clean a beach in Okinawa that was hit by two typhoons and to gain insights into marine conservation.

The five-day trip of young ones from Hong Kong was organized by Junior Chamber International North District last week, according to Media OutReach.

The experience "helped them face issues such as marine litter and conservation and the effects of the looming release of nuclear wastewater," JCI said.

Its president, Raymond Lai, said the cultural exchange camp - comprising 14 children - also conducted visits to the DMM Kariyush aquarium to enhance the campers' understanding of marine ecology and the Ryukyu Cultural Village and the Ogimi Shiikuwassa Park to learn about history.

Lai added: "I am concerned about the potential harm that could be caused by the discharge of nuclear wastewater. This could have a far-reaching impact on the marine ecosystem and be even more damaging than marine garbage. We shared our thoughts with our sister organization, Naha JCI Japan, and hope to encourage the Japanese government to stop the discharge of wastewater."

Participant Kayton Ng, 11, said: "It was the first time I joined cleaning work for a beach in Japan and I firmly believe that environmental protection is not just an individual matter but a global issue. We all share the same responsibilities."

The trip allowed the campers to understand the United Nations' sustainable development goals, according to JCI.

"It was aimed at enhancing the children's awareness of environmental protection and clean water and [other] global issues," it added.

"We hope Japanese authorities heed our voice, think about the sustainable development of the planet and [scrap the release of] nuclear wastewater, thereby protecting marine life. This is what responsible humans should do."