The territory-wide Clean Hong Kong programme has been officially launched. One of the initiatives stated in the Chief Executive's Policy Address, the programme's objective is to bring about visible and sustainable improvements on the streets through both active cleaning operations and public education and publicity efforts. It will last for three years and comprises four key elements: stepped up enforcement action against littering and dumping of waste; legislative changes to enhance effectiveness of existing laws against littering and dumping of waste; joint efforts with District Councils and other local organisations to secure noticeable improvement on the ground; and public education and publicity programmes to reinforce public commitment to a cleaner Hong Kong. A steering committee was set up in October to oversee the implementation of the programme. The departments concerned will strengthen evening street cleaning operations in areas with high pedestrian flow; improve the cleanliness of public markets and country parks ; provide at tendant service and toilet paper at busy toilets; increase the frequency of removal of illegal posters and bills in major blackspots and launch clean-up operations in major marine refuse blackspots. At the launching ceremony, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa unveiled a multimedia publicity package to promote the Clean Hong Kong message. A new TV promotion film and a new Clean Hong Kong Web page ( http://www.cleanhongkong . gov.hk) have been introduced and a series of posters has been launched. The logo for the programme features a whirling arrow sailing straight into a litter bin, depicting the pitching in message. Household name Lap Sap Chung, a character first intro duced 28 years ago, has been modified to be the mascot for the Clean Hong Kong programme. Posters and banners carrying Lap Sap Chung and the slogan 'Littering . . . What a Shame!' will be put up throughout the territory. MTR, KCR and bus advertisements will also be introduced. To enhance community involvement in the programme, all 18 District Councils have been invited to organise their own Clean Hong Kong activities with a subsidy of $80,000 each. Another major project is the Clean Hong Kong Funding Scheme. Organisations are invited to take part, and each applicant will be eligible for a maximum of $20,000 subsidy. Application forms are available from Environmental Hygiene District Offices of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and public inquiry service centres of District Offices of the Home Affairs Department. Forms can also be downloaded from the Clean Hong Kong Web page.
