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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The delegation of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the study of the Economic Development and Environmental Protection in Pearl River Delta Region continued its duty visit in Guangzhou yesterday (May 17). Members met with senior officials of the Guangdong Provincial Government and observed the environmental protection and logistics facilities in Guangzhou and Nansha.
Members of the delegation began the programme by conducting a visit to the Guangzhou Likeng WTE Plant, where they were briefed on the plant's landfill facilities and waste incineration process. They then proceeded to the Baiyun International Convention Centre to have a look at the centre's venues for holding conventions and exhibitions.
After visiting the Convention Centre, the delegation was received by the Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wan Qingliang, at the Guangdong Yingbin Hotel where they had a meeting for about two hours. During the meeting, Mr Wan briefed delegation members on the development of Guangdong Province and how to strengthen the cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
The President of the Legislative Council and leader of the delegation, Mr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, described the atmosphere of the meeting as cordial and friendly. Mr Tsang said that the exchange of views on issues of mutual concern between Members and Guangdong officials was useful and constructive. He hoped that more such exchanges could be conducted in the future. He also added that a total of five Members were able to raise questions to Mr Wan.
Mr Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the Panel on Economic Services, said that he had reflected the difficulties faced by Hong Kong entrepreneurs running business in the Mainland to Mr Wan. Ms Audrey Eu, Chairman of the Panel on Environmental Affairs, said she had expressed her concern to Mr Wan about the impact of the construction of a refinery in Nansha on Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, the delegation departed for Nansha. They visited the Coastal Park to understand more about the tourism and environmental protection facilities there. They then had a tour in the dockyard of a ship builder to observe the ship building procedure. After that, the delegation visited the South China Oceangate Container Terminal and Nansha Wetland Park before departing for Zhuhai in the evening.
The delegation will spend the last day of its duty visit in Zhuhai this morning (May 18). Members will observe the landing site of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and visit the Zhuhai Library for an exhibition on Zhuhai town planning. They will then attend a lunch hosted by the Zhuhai Municipal Government and return to Hong Kong after the lunch.
Ends/Monday, May 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 00:40
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