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The Secretary for the Environment Mr Edward Yau today (September 29) began his visit to Beijing by meeting representatives from the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
They discussed the progress of the supply of natural gas to Hong Kong after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on energy co-operation in August last year.
Mr Yau met the Vice-President of CNPC, Mr Liao Yongyuan, this morning. They talked about arrangements for supplying natural gas to Hong Kong via Shenzhen through the West-East Natural Gas Pipeline to ensure a stable supply of gas to Hong Kong.
Mr Yau later met the President of CNOOC, Mr Fu Chengyu, and they discussed the supply of natural gas to Hong Kong from Yacheng, Hainan.
Mr Yau said the supply of natural gas to Hong Kong was of utmost importance to the two local power companies in the use of cleaner energy, which would help achieve the objective of improving the air quality in Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, Mr Yau attended a signing ceremony for extending the contract for the supply of nuclear electricity between CLP Power and Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station. The contract will be extended for another term of 20 years from May 7, 2014, to May 6, 2034.
The extension of the contract provides Hong Kong with a reliable, safe and efficient electricity supply, which is essential for the overall economic development of Hong Kong. It also guarantees a continued supply of cleaner electricity to Hong Kong, which will help alleviate air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions locally.
Ends/Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:10
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