The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is committed to promoting countryside conservation to help revitalize villages and conserve ecological and cultural resources, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said on Saturday.

Tse made the statement during the opening ceremony of the Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour at Kuk Po in the northeastern New Territories in Sha Tau Kok.

Kuk Po is a Hakka village with over 300 years of history, and is known for its picturesque scenery and rich biodiversity.

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Showcasing local and international artists, the festival features art installations, photography exhibitions and musical performances, as well as a “Good Day” market, offering visitors a variety of rural experiences.

Tse said the festival celebrates music, art and traditional cuisine to connect natural ecology, historic buildings and rural culture.

He expressed hope that the event will develop as a new in-depth eco-tourism experience, enhance public awareness of nature conservation, foster urban-rural symbiosis, invigorate the local economy, and contribute towards building a sustainable future.

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The festival runs this weekend and next weekend, from noon to 7 pm, and admission is free.

Complimentary scheduled ferry services will also be available each day of the festival to transport visitors between Sha Tau Kok and Kuk Po.