About 80 per cent of people polled by the Democratic Party found government measures to clean up the air either ineffective or only slightly effective. In interviews of more than 500 people from December 29 to Monday by telephone, it was found that only 12 per cent said the measures were effective. Nearly half felt that air pollution was now even worse than in the previous two years. The poll also found that the air-pollution sources needing to be addressed most urgently was transport, followed by cross-boundary emissions and power plants. More than a third of respondents also said schools should be closed at times of serious air pollution.

'One country, two systems' sets example for Taiwan, official says

The 'one country, two systems' principle used in Hong Kong since the handover set an example for Taiwan, the director of the central government's liaison office said yesterday. Speaking at a seminar on the 30th anniversary of Beijing's 'Message to Compatriots in Taiwan' - which on January 1, 1979, marked an end to the mainland's artillery bombardment of Taiwan's Quemoy island and urged Taiwan to reunify with the mainland - Gao Siren said Hong Kong's experience over the past decade had enhanced the confidence of many Taiwanese and their understanding of the 'one country, two systems' principle. Mr Gao added that the system indicated the mainland respected the long-term interests of people living in Taiwan.