Working hard to improve HK's air quality
I refer to the report headlined, 'Greens in mainland travel warning' (South China Morning Post, January 27), which reported that green groups have urged travellers to avoid mainland cities named on a pollution blacklist, and that a study funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and conducted by the World Resources Institute had listed the 10 dirtiest cities in the world.
The report rightly pointed out the need for every city to combat air pollution in order to attract tourists and protect the well-being of the people who live there.
I was, however, quite astonished to read of Greenpeace spokesman Clement Lam Hau-keen's remark in the article that the SAR was 'not any better' than many of the dirtiest cities. There are just too many misquotes about the level of air pollution in Hong Kong and this is another one. Not being complacent and fully agreeing that more needs to be done to improve Hong Kong's air quality, I have to point out that there are scientific facts behind the WHO's list and Hong Kong SAR is not among the dirtiest cities.
I also noted a comment expressed in the same report that the SAR with more than 20 years of anti-pollution effort could provide a lesson for many mainland cities. We indeed have worked hard to deal with our air pollution. Mr Lam may not know that Hong Kong's current vehicle fuel and emissions standards are at the same level as those in Europe and are the most stringent in Asia.
Hong Kong is also the only place in Asia that has imposed a territory-wide ban of high-sulphur heavy fuel oil. In fact, the air pollution control requirements in Hong Kong are overall at the same level as those in developed countries and among the most stringent in the world.
As I said, we are not content with our air quality. Every place has its characteristic problems and our air pollution problem is caused by our very high vehicle density, heavy reliance on diesel vehicles and the rapid development in the Pearl River Delta region.
We are working hard to bring in extra measures to deal with emissions from our motor vehicles as well as working with Guangdong to address the issue of air pollution in the entire Pearl River Delta area.
Nevertheless, a correct understanding of our air pollution problem is of paramount importance if we want to find the right solution. It does not help to blindly exaggerate the problems that we face.
C. W. TSE Assistant Director (Air) for Director of Environmental Protection
