Perhaps the Chief Executive feared his nose would grow longer than Pinocchio's if he failed to tell the whole truth about his meeting with Walt Disney chairman Michael Eisner at the end of his trip to Disneyland in California.
It cannot have been comfortable to be lectured on the SAR's poor air quality, and even less pleasant to come out and admit it. So Mr Tung deserves a little credit for facing up to the problem. Now he has to come home to start the clean-up.
If he fails, it is going to cost the SAR dearly. The week has been full of bad economic news all centred on the city's pollution problems. The cancellation of an international conference was the start. Although only 250 delegates were expected to attend, the decision means the state of Hong Kong's smog-bound streets will be being discussed in a number of European countries.
The Hong Kong Tourist Association will never know the number of potential tourists this little episode has cost the SAR. It does not auger well for the bid to host the 2006 Asian Games, but there is still time to improve air quality before then. All it takes is determination to implement measures to control emissions, such as importing diesel with less sulphur, raising the penalty for smoky vehicles and providing incentives for owners to use cleaner fuel.
Disney is worried pollution will keep crowds away. However, it does not seem to have the same concern about the haste with which environmental tests of its new theme park are carried out. Environmental protection should apply to all aspects.
