Co-operation with the Mainland

The EPD has established strong links with its counterparts on the Mainland, particularly those in Guangdong province. Guangdong and Hong Kong share the same air shed and major water bodies, and recognise the need to co-operate in tackling regional environmental problems. The Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection, with representation from both administrations, completed a report on regional air pollution in 2002, which recommended clean air targets and a plan of action. Hong Kong and Guangdong are also developing a water quality model for the Pearl River Delta, and carrying out action plans to improve water quality in Mirs Bay and Deep Bay. Hong Kong and Shenzhen also co-operated during the year on the environmental impact assessment of the Shenzhen Western Corridor.

Contacts have also been established with national and other regional environmental authorities. In January 2002, the Vice-Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), Mr Zhu Guangyao, visited the EPD, while the Director-General of Supervision and Management of SEPA, Mr Zhu Xingxiang, visited in December. The EPD organised a major conference on strategic environmental assessments for Mainland and Hong Kong officials and experts in December. The department was also among the first batch of Hong Kong government departments to participate in a new staff exchange arrangement agreed by the Hong Kong and Shanghai governments in July.

A joint exercise on marine monitoring was completed with the State Oceanic Administration's National Marine Environment Monitoring Centre, South China Sea Environment Monitoring Centre and Government Laboratory in 2002. The exercise was to prepare for Hong Kong's participation in the National Marine Environment Monitoring Network.
Ms Zha Ping and Mr Jerome Tang (centre left and right) from the Shanghai government were seconded to work in Hong Kong for three months, and had useful exchanges with EPD's colleagues.

Mr Alex Ng (left) and Mr Anthony Fok (right) were the first batch of EPD delegates to participate in a staff exchange programme between the Hong Kong and Shanghai governments
Mr Zhu Guangyao, Vice-Minister of SEPA (front right) was briefed by Mr Rob Law, Director of Environmental Protection (front left), on environmental protection achievements in Hong Kong


Mr Zhu Xingxiang, Director-General of Supervision and Management of SEPA (front centre), discussed environmental issues with Mr Rob Law (front right)


Mr Zhu Xingxiang (left), accompanied by Mr Elvis Au, Assistant Director of Environmental Protection (centre), visited the EPD's Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Register Office

Co-operation with Canada

Canada and Hong Kong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Environmental Collaboration in 1992, which has resulted in an active exchange programme. In 2002, the Canadian Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Ms Johanne Gelinas, joined a round-table session on the MOU in Hong Kong in June. A workshop on the MOU was also held in November, to review its progress and renew the agreement. Officials from both sides also held a meeting on environmental enforcement in June.

A tri-lateral symposium involving Hong Kong, Canada and the Mainland was held in July in Shandong province. The symposium, entitled Smart Growth and Ecosystem Management and Planning for Urban Centres, looked at urban development issues. Participants included government officials, managers, experts and stakeholders.
Ms Johanne Gelinas, Canadian Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainable Development (left), exchanged views with Mr Rob Law, Director of Environment Protection (right), on sustainable development, environmental protection and environmental performance reporting


Mr Donald Fast, Regional Director of Environment Canada (1st left), Mr Law (2nd left) and Ms Vong Man Hung, Acting President of the Executive Committee of the Environment Council, Macau (3rd left), attended the Canada-Hong Kong MOU workshops on waste management and environment assessment in November 2002

Co-operation with the United States

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Director of Environmental Protection, Rob Law, and the Chairman of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Dr Alan Lloyd, in December 2002. Hong Kong and the CARB will collaborate on air quality management. Specific areas of interest include such things as motor vehicle emission standards and technology, alternative fuels, monitoring, air pollution control strategies, toxic air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
The memorandum of understanding co-signed by Dr Alan Lloyd, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) (left) and Mr Rob Law, Director of Environmental Protection (right), represents more exciting collaboration opportunities between CARB and EPD on air quality management

Mr Ong Ka Ting, Minister of Housing and Local Development of Malaysia (centre left) exchanged views with Mr Mike Stokoe, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (centre right)


Ms Gloria L Tan Climaco, Presidential Advisor for Strategic Projects Office of the President of the Philippines (centre right), met with Mr Stokoe (centre left), to share waste management experiences
Other International Contacts

Mr Ong Ka Ting, Minister of Housing and Local Development of Malaysia visited in August 2002 to discuss environmental protection issues with EPD officials. The Director of the Sabah Environmental Conservation Department visited in March for an exchange of information and views. Ms Gloria L Tan Climaco, Presidential Advisor for Strategic Projects Office of the President of the Philippines, visited in June to discuss waste management with the EPD. A delegation from the Moscow City Department for Nature Use and Environmental Protection visited in December. They toured some of the EPD's facilities and witnessed the signing of the MOU between the EPD and the California Air Resources Board.

Participation in Major International Events

A regional workshop, entitled Better Air Quality, was organised by the EPD, California Air Resources Board, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities and Air Pollution in Mega Cities of Asia in December 2002. It attracted delegates from all over the world. This is the third time the EPD has organised this event. Previously, in 1999 and 2000, the focus was on motor vehicle emissions. In 2002 the focus was wider and covered everything from climate change to air quality monitoring.

The EPD had a strong presence at a major International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) conference in June. The Assistant Director of Environmental Protection, Elvis Au, chaired the conference as president of the IAIA. More than 600 participants from more than 70 countries attended the event in the Hague.

Additionally, the Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Rob Law, attended the annual Globe 2002 event in Vancouver in March, which is aimed at the international environmental business community. Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Mike Stokoe, led a delegation to the International Symposium and Exhibition on Solid Waste Treatment held in Beijing. EPD colleagues presented several papers at the symposium and shared experience with the mainland colleagues on solid waste management.

The EPD sent a representative to join the Hong Kong SAR government delegation to the World Summit in Johannesburg in August. The EPD was also an active participant in the International Symposium on Sustainable Development, which was organised by the Hong Kong government's Sustainable Development Unit in June.
Dr Sarah Liao, JP, Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, delivered a keynote speech in the Better Air Quality 2002 conference


Mr Elvis Au, Assistant Director of Environmental Protection (left), chaired the International Association for Impact Assessment conference in June in the Hague
Mr Mike Stokoe, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (3rd left), led a delegation to attend the International Symposium and Exhibition on Solid Waste Treatment, Beijing. Also attending was Mr Hao Sheng-kun, the President of the China Association of Urban Environmental Sanitation (4th left)
The Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR, Mr Donald Tsang, delivered the opening speech at the International Symposium on Sustainable Development