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Planning Department welcomes public views on "Study on Action Plan for the Bay Area of the Pearl River Estuary"
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     In response to media enquiries on the public consultation for the "Study on Action Plan for the Bay Area of the Pearl River Estuary" (the Study), a spokesman for the Planning Department said today (February 8) that the department will continue to listen to public views, and that all opinions received will be conscientiously considered in order to refine the study proposals.

     "This conceptual study aims to providing a common platform for Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao to discuss and share experiences on planning projects as well as to enhance the liveability of the Bay Area. To achieve these aims, we welcome public opinion on this conceptual study continually," the spokesman said.

     Regarding criticism that the Study, which is jointly commissioned by the three Governments, runs contrary to the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" under the Basic Law, the spokesman emphasised that under the basic principle of "One Country, Two Systems", the three places are separate administrative entities.  While the political and economic systems of the three places are not the same, there are also differences in their social conditions.  Thus the proposals put forward by the Study mainly concern planning principles or directions that could serve as a reference by the three Governments when considering their own individual policies and measures.  The three sides would take into account their own situation when considering the feasibility and implementation of individual proposals.

     In response to some reports which suggested that those items still under consultation should not be included into the Study, the spokesman pointed out that one of the objectives of the Study is to list out all the planning studies and proposals of the three places so as to serve as a reference.  

     "In the case of Hong Kong, we are still required to study and consult the public in accordance with established procedures before any implementation of any proposal.  

     The spokesman quoted an example to point out that, "The North East New Territories New Development Area (NENT NDA) Study is one of the ten infrastructure projects put forth by the Chief Executive in his policy address, and we are now undertaking a planning and engineering feasibility study, which comprises a three-stage public engagement exercise.  The 'low-carbon community' concept will be adopted in the planning of the NDA.  Thus the proposal to include the NDA as one of the 'low-carbon living community' action items will not affect our normal processes of planning and public engagement."

     The Bay Area has undergone a rapid process of urbanisation in the past thirty years.  While there are examples of economic success, the Bay Area has also led to a number of problems concerning environmental protection, conservation of resources, heritage conservation and others.  With increasing global and regional competition and the challenge of climate change, there is a need for close co-operation among the cities within the Bay Area.

     The spokesman said, "The major focus of the Study is to preserve the natural environment, to preserve history and culture as well as enhance the living environment, so as to develop a more 'liveable' Bay Area.  The various proposals including 'Green Network', 'Blue Network', 'Green Transport', 'Low-carbon communities', and 'Cross-boundary Environmental Protection', etc, all conform with the overall goal of environmental protection and conservation of the natural ecology."

     The Study is one of the follow-up actions of the "Planning Study on the Co-ordinated Development of the Greater Pearl River Delta Townships", which was jointly commissioned by the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao governments in 2009.  It is also a regional co-operation item based on the "Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020)" promulgated by the State Council in 2008, as well as the "Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation" signed in April last year.

     Commenced in April 2010, the Study's objective is to formulate actions to enhance the liveability of the Bay Area, making it an area for quality living as well as favourable to economic development. The Planning Department held a public consultation forum in Hong Kong on January 29, 2011, attended by more than 100 participants including experts, academics and representatives of the professional/research institutes in Hong Kong, as well as members of the public.

Ends/Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:22

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