Press Release

 

 

Speech by the Secretary for Environment and Food

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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Environment and Food, Mrs Lily Yam, made during an occasion commemorating the 5th Anniversary of the Environment and Conservation Fund and the Woo Wheelock Green Fund today (March 21).

Mr Tung, Mr Woo, ladies and gentlemen,

I am very pleased to be here this evening to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Environment and Conservation Fund and the Woo Wheelock Green Fund, and to share this occasion with so many people who have done so much for the environment over the years.

The CE has outlined a bold and far-reaching blueprint for improving our living environment. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that you, Mr Woo, remains as committed to the environment as you were five years ago and that the business sector could be rallied behind us. The Government will provide the vision, the leadership and the resources. But the people of Hong Kong must be of one heart and mind if we were to realise our goals.

The willingness of the business sector to play their part in improving our living environment will soon be put to the test. To enhance the effectiveness of our noise control legislation, a Bill is now before LegCo proposing putting the responsibility on company directors and management. We are still working hard to secure the support of oil companies in providing sufficient filling stations to facilitate the conversion to LPG taxis. Many Hong Kong businesses operate in the Pearl River Delta. We look to them to ensure that their operations do not damage the environment.

My colleagues and I pledge to do all we can to meet the expectations of the community for a better living environment. We will succeed if the environmental champions here today continue to work together with us in this worthy mission.

End/Tuesday March 21, 2000

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