Regional air pollution is a much more serious and difficult problem. Hong Kong and Guangdong agreed in April 2002 to reduce by 2010 the regional emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, respirable suspended particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOC) by percentages of 40, 20, 55 and 55, respectively, using 1997 as the base year. Achieving the targets will significantly reduce smog in the Pearl River Delta.

To take things forward, under a Pearl River Delta Air Quality Management Plan, Hong Kong will act to reduce power-plant emissions and VOC emissions.

Guangdong has undertaken to implement a number of enhanced air pollution control measures to reduce emissions. The plan also includes the compilation of an emissions inventory in the delta and the setting up of a regional air quality monitoring network to assess the effectiveness of the controls.

Also, the governments are studying the feasibility of introducing an emissions trading pilot scheme among power stations to maximise the cost- effectiveness of the emission reduction measures.

We believe we are on the right track to improve regional air quality by working closely with Guangdong.

TSE CHIN-WAN, principal assistant secretary (environment), Environment, Transport and Works Bureau

Veneer of identity

The letter 'Asking 'grandfather'' (September 1) aptly provokes Hongkongers to re-examine their sense of history and cultural identity.

Hong Kong is a free, pluralistic society still firmly grounded in a rich Chinese heritage. While we are considerably more global in our outlooks than our mainland brethren, we share a cultural anchor with the mainland. But our present political views sprouted from different roots.

Chinese in diaspora have always been able to nourish a unique ethnic identity. No doubt, the dominance by the west has created an inferiority complex in some. Their defence mechanism is either mindlessly echoing western values or stubbornly clinging to ancient Chinese history. The much-ballyhooed Hong Kong values recently typify the former. On this I have an interesting story to tell about a psychology experiment conducted three decades ago. A chimpanzee was raised in a lab in the company of humans. It learned many cognitive skills, including recognising a mirror image of itself. One day a scientist induced the chimp to sort a stack of pictures into two groups, with pictures of itself and other chimpanzees and humans. It piled all chimpanzee photos into one stack. But it put its own pictures into the human group without the slightest hesitation. This is the most revealing insight about loss of identity.

WILLIAM MAK, Oradell, New Jersey, US

Monolingual campaigns

I agree with Steve Trigger ('Election questions', September 2). In the last week, I have received numerous party leaflets in my postbox - all in Chinese.

When I received a package from the Registration and Electoral Office, detailing who I could vote for in my geographical constituency (Kowloon West), I was frustrated to find it was all in Chinese, with the exception of the Democratic Party's entry. When I called the office, it said there was no English version, and that it simply prints what it is given by the parties.

Obviously, the other parties do not care about the votes of the non-Chinese-reading minority. As a matter of principle, parties which have sent out information in Chinese only will not get my vote.

ANNETTE LI, Hunghom

Wide legal training vital

It is hard to believe that Vickie Lui, who claims to be a law student, says barristers hardly ever use skills such as conveyancing and that competency in advocacy does not carry most solicitors very far ('Behind plagiarism: exam scores rated over integrity', September 3).

While barristers do not preside over conveyancing transactions, knowledge in the field can be very useful when they are dealing with cases involving land law and professional negligence. Similarly, good advocacy skills are essential to many solicitors who represent their clients day in and day out in the lower courts. Ms Lui may also be unaware that local solicitors are now clamouring for the right of audience in higher courts, and there are also arguments for the merging of the two branches of the profession.

Let's not forget that the road to qualification does not end with the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, which, as I understand, gives students the knowledge and skills commonly required by all legal practitioners. Graduates of courses still go through mandatory training in a solicitor's firm (two years) or a barrister's chambers (one year) before they become a lawyer. That is where job-specific training can take place.

RAYMOND WONG, Happy Valley

Blame unsafe sex

A supporter of all sexual preferences, I must respond to 'Dangerous lifestyle' (August 31). It is obvious that Gordon Truscott is not an authority on gay issues, using religious bigots' rhetoric to justify his prejudices.

First, scientists long ago ended the religious argument that gays (and lesbians) choose their 'lifestyle', proving that gays are born. It is beyond me why anyone would choose to belong to a group that is openly discriminated against and at times brutally targeted.

Has the fact that Aids is devastating heterosexual communities in some nations, and that straight women in relationships with men who cheat are contracting the virus and unknowingly passing it to their children, slipped his mind? I guess he decided to not mention the hundreds of millions of straights with HIV and Aids; they would blow the lid off his arguments.

In saying that 'most active homosexuals will die considerably sooner that the statistical average as a result of their choice of sexual activity', he missed the point that it is unsafe sex (which heteros indulge in every day) which is to blame. It is behaviour, not groups, that spreads diseases. He mentions that blood banks internationally do not accept blood from homosexuals, yet they discriminate - not asking about unsafe sexual behaviour of heteros.

On mortality rates, he failed to include the many gay teens who commit suicide because of intolerance. When he talks about 'ex-gays', he is really referring to a gay person being put back in the closet. A place that self-righteous religious bigots would prefer gays and lesbians return to - with their 'compassion'. A gay can no more be 'ex-gay' than a black man can be ex-black.

Mr Truscott's views are shared by bigots who 'love the homo, hate the act' - they are particularly dangerous for they wear a mask of compassion to hide their intolerance and hatred.

NANCY ARTT, Sai Kung

Mainland visa fee rise

I am planning another trip to the mainland, which I have enjoyed visiting over the past 14 years. But following a visit to China Travel to obtain a visa, I changed my plans.

For a British citizen, the fee is now $500, an increase of 150 per cent. This is also levied on US and other citizens; if I were French, however, it would cost me only $210.

A permanent resident, taxpayer, property owner and registered voter, I am outraged at this apparent discrimination. When are non-Chinese permanent residents to be allowed the same rights as their Chinese counterparts, and why was this sudden fee rise not made public?

MIKE HART, Sheung Shui

Airport problem

We are very concerned to hear of Neil Turley's unpleasant experience ('Luggage complaint', September 2). We and our business partners are committed to providing outstanding customer services. Please contact the undersigned at 2188 7989.

HEIDI KWAN, chief communication officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong