STH's speech at Shanghai Expo (with photo)
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    Following is the English summary of the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the "Green Transport in Hong Kong, Asia's World City" seminar at Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo) today (June 18):

     I would like to extend a warm welcome to Professor Banister and other overseas guests and participants.  Before I deliver my speech in Putonghua, let me sum up some key points in English.

     Hong Kong is a small city, with a land mass of around 1,100 square kilometres and if the hilly terrain, countryside and green belts are discounted, that leaves only about 20% of usable land.  Moving a population of seven million people around such a small city everyday is a daunting task.

     I believe that Hong Kong has done a good job in this respect so far.  Forbes magazine ranked Hong Kong's commute the best among 84 worldwide cities because our transport system is reliable, efficient and very reasonably priced.

     Our transport sector emits less greenhouse gas on a per capita basis than its counterparts in most developed economies.  Hong Kong relies heavily on public transport, with railways serving as a backbone.  Around 90% of the residents use public transport every day.  Our private car ownership rate is very low, which is only 56 private cars per 1,000 population.  

     So far, Hong Kong has been well served by its world-class transport system.  I will share with you what we have been doing to develop this important asset over the years.

     Looking ahead, we face tough challenges.  Can our transport system continue to maintain an excellent level of service to a growing population?  What else should we do to ensure that our transport system remains green and sustainable?  I hope the seminar today can give us constructive ideas to work on.

     Now, I will switch to Putonghua.  Our simultaneous interpreter will be doing a good job. Thank you.


Ends/Friday, June 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:13

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