The new environment chief has been accused of 'recycling' old policies and failing to offer a vision of hope in his first meeting with lawmakers.
Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing briefed the Legislative Council's environment panel on eight policy areas, including air pollution, waste disposal and nature conservation.
But his introductory remarks, read from a set of prepared notes, were given a lukewarm reception by lawmakers, who had expected to hear some firm policies for tackling the city's environmental headaches.
'What you said was just a copy of what your predecessor left behind,' Democratic Party lawmaker Kam Nai-wai said.
The Civic Party's Tanya Chan said Wong's speech had been 'recycled' from past remarks by environment ministers, while Chan's party colleague Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said she wanted to hear concrete measures, not vague principles. 'The newspaper is going to report what you say today. What kind of shining ideas can you offer to them?' she asked.
Wong told lawmakers he was working on an environmental blueprint and road map with his team, which he hoped to make public in a few months.
'Our general direction is correct. What we need now is a bit more strength and depth,' he said.