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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, on the proposed landfill extension after attending a radio programme this morning (June 24):
Reporter: How confident are you that the lawmakers will support the proposal in the end? Is there room for further concessions?
Secretary for the Environment: As mentioned earlier, we are trying our best endeavours to communicate with the lawmakers. They can understand that, on one hand, it is the basic need of Hong Kong and, at the same time, we have tried our best to respond to local concerns. In terms of concessions, I think we are enphasising the response to local issues related to the refuse collection vehicles and how to improve the air quality. Actually, we are going to have further announcement to clearly spell out how we are going to respond to local concerns today. I think communication with local people is really the focus that we would like to work more on today.
Reporter: So there will be new measures?
Secretary for the Environment: I think it is about the clarification of issues. Just now, we heard some phone calls about whether construction waste is affecting the health of local people. I think there are those worries that we would like to clarify. The further announcement is to clarify those perceptions or worries so that they can better understand our proposals and we would like to reduce their concerns.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, June 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:19
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