'The air will be a lot better ... Let's make a promise on this' The air in Hong Kong will be 'a lot better' in five years' time, Mr Tsang pledged, saying that the government would remain vigilant that Guangdong province delivered on its promises. The emission of nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulates would all see further reductions by 2012, he said. 'The air will be a lot better. In terms of emission of nitrogen oxide, in terms of sulfur dioxide, and in terms of particulates. Let's make a promise on this,' he said. Of the three items, the level of sulfur dioxide remained a difficult challenge to the government. The Environmental Protection Department has blamed the high level of sulfur dioxide in Hong Kong on power generation, which is almost 50 per cent higher than the 1997 level. The government has asked power plants to accelerate the timing of emission reduction projects and increase the use of ultra-low-sulfur coal and natural gas for power generation. Mr Tsang admitted that the sulfur dioxide level remained high. 'We are on the improvement track. After resolving the problem of the power plants, we'll resolve the question of SO2. I think we're there,' he said. 'We'll make sure we're vigilant over what Guangdong has promised to deliver and they are delivering all they can at the moment. I am pretty confident they'll be able to do that.' Under an agreement between Hong Kong and Guangdong, the two governments agreed to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and respirable suspended particulates by 40 per cent, 20 per cent and 55 per cent by 2010 from 1997 levels. In recent years, foreign business chambers in Hong Kong have joined environmental groups in warning against a deterioration of the city's competitiveness due to poor air quality. In November, Mr Tsang was criticised for citing the longevity of Hong Kong people in support of claims that the city was no worse than its regional competitors in tackling pollution.
