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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, has today (October 15) in his annual Policy Address announced new initiatives to upgrade the quality of life in Hong Kong.
Mr Tsang said Hong Kong residents felt that a quality living environment - which covered air quality, living space, cultural infrastructure and heritage conservation - was just as important as economic development.
"Over the past two decades, Hong Kong has transformed from a manufacturing base into a services-based economy," he said in his Policy Address entitled "Embracing New Opportunities".
"Such a transformation has impacted on urban planning, and set the stage for us to re-examine ways to beautify our cityscape and upgrade the quality of life to make Hong Kong an ideal home."
Mr Tsang said a consensus had been reached with Guangdong to jointly transform the Pearl River Delta Region into a green and quality living area under the principle of promoting environmental protection and sustainable development.
He said Hong Kong and Guangdong would jointly work to achieve this objective in areas such as post-2010 emissions reductions, optimisation of fuel mix for power generation, wider use of renewable energy, vehicle emission reductions, enhanced conservation and greening and scientific research.
The Chief Executive unveiled several measures that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and encourage recycling. These included:
* Adopting new air quality targets in stages, giving due regard to the World Health Organization guidelines
* Promoting the use of clean fuels such as gas for power generation
* Legislating for mandatory compliance with building energy codes
* Extending the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme
* Introduction of an environmental levy on plastic shopping bags at selected retail outlets in 2009
The Chief Executive said that the Development Bureau would co-ordinate the work of different departments to ensure the effective implementation of plans to beautify areas along the Victoria Harbour waterfront.
"It will set up a task force to study the feasibility of conducting medium and long-term re-planning of the harbour, improve the accessibility of the harbourfront and, in consultation with District Councils, proceed with the construction of waterfront promenades," he said.
Mr Tsang also announced plans to develop pedestrian schemes that would minimise pedestrian-vehicle conflicts and also help to improve roadside air quality.
The schemes would cover footbridges, pedestrian subways, pedestrianised streets and traffic calming streets.
Projects being considered include additional pedestrian subways in Causeway Bay linking the MTR station with Victoria Park as well as at the busy junction of Causeway Bay and Happy Valley; more footbridges in the central Mong Kong and Tai Kok Tsui areas, and a footbridge system over busy Castle Peak Road at Yuen Long town centre.
To better protect and promote Hong Kong's natural beauty, the Government was also considering the development of a geological park covering the special rock formations and features along the New Territories East coastline.
Mr Tsang said the Government would also do more to boost cultural activities in districts, by encouraging cultural and performing arts groups to perform across the city.
"We will continue to support artistic creation and overseas exchanges, encourage tertiary institutions and professional arts groups to nurture intermediaries for arts services, and develop a broad audience base," he said.
"Our joint efforts will help realise the vision of developing Hong Kong into a world-class arts and culture destination."
Ends/Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 13:04
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