A HUGE oil slick at Huangpu port near Guangzhou has almost been cleared up, Chinese authorities have told Hong Kong.
A Government Flying Service helicopter found no sign of the oil when it flew a reconnaissance flight to the territory's western boundary yesterday morning.
And authorities could find no trace at Shekou port near the mouth of the estuary, said senior marine officer for port operations Steven Lam Wai-ming.
'Guangzhou said most oil had been removed,' Mr Lam said. Ships' masters had also reported no sign of oil in the river.
But he said the Marine Department would continue to monitor the situation. It could request a helicopter flight at short notice.
The Chinese had said nothing about their earlier inquiry to find out whether the Tsing Yi chemical treatment centre could take the oil for treatment, Mr Lam said.