A study of the Pearl River Delta has attracted $3.2 million from China's State Science and Technology Commission - the first central government money to be granted to Hong Kong researchers.
The proposed collaboration between Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Zhongshan University, Guangzhou, would develop an environmental monitoring system on the delta.
Satellites, radar stations and ships would be used to collect data on temperature, winds and tidal currents which affect the movement of pollutants in the Pearl River Estuary.
Information from the proposed $6.5 million project would be sent to research centres at the two universities which are developing an on-line database.
The data would be open to marine researchers in Hong Kong and on the mainland.
Project director Professor Chen Jay-chung said HKUST was the first local research institute to win an award from China under the National Ocean 863 Programme.
'This is a significant award since it shows how SAR institutes can contribute to China in science and technology,' he said.
