The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today that the Government attaches great importance to environmental protection while implementing its infrastructure development projects in the New Territories.

Speaking during a visit to the northwest New Territories, Mr Tung said: "In our effort to strengthen Hong Kong's economic competitive edge in Asia, we must also ensure that a good living environment is maintained in order to attract and retain talents both locally and from overseas."

He said that while rapid development of the northwest New Territories had brought its population to about one million, residents' living standards had improved at the same time.

"The development potential in the area will become even greater with the completion of Route No. 3 and West Rail in mid-1998 and 2003 respectively. There will be more housing units completed to meet expected demands.

"However, the Government is concerned that the accelerated development does not bring about various environmental problems, such as flooding and illegal land use," Mr Tung said.

After inspecting some anti-flooding projects in the North District and Yuen Long, Mr Tung noted that through the joint effort of various Government departments, the problem of flooding in the area has been gradually alleviated. He expressed confidence that the problem could be further eased when a number of major river training projects are completed in three years' time.

He remarked that the Shenzhen River Training Project had been successfully launched under the concerted efforts of Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities. Also the Ng Tung River and River Beas training projects will commence next year and are expected to be completed by 2002.

In Au Tau, Yuen Long, Mr Tung was briefed on the construction of a main drainage channel to serve Yuen Long, Kam Tin and Ngau Tam Mei. Launched in 1993, the project comprised a 29-kilometre nullah to be completed in 2003 at a cost of $2.8 billion.

As for short-term measures, Mr Tung noted that in recent years the Drainage Services Department has stepped up the cleaning of major watercourses and has installed alarm systems in low-lying rural areas to alert residents to any flooding threats. For example, the flood alarm system in Tin Ping Shen, Sheung Shui, will be in place soon.

The Chief Executive noted that under the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy, implemented by the Home Affairs Department, the watercourses in rural areas are regularly cleaned up. Additionally, minor river training projects and nullah improvement works are carried out to prevent flooding.

Mr Tung also expressed concern over the problems caused by the parking of container vehicles on farm land, adding that the Government had stepped up inspection and prosecution, and had successfully ended illegal land use spread over 184 hectares of land.

"We have also achieved good results in urging operators of container parking areas to improve their drainage systems. The threat of flooding has been substantially reduced," he added.

Before concluding the visit, Mr Tung met with the provisional district board members and community leaders of North, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun districts to exchange views on district issues and future development.

Accompanying the Chief Executive were the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau; Project Manager of North New Territory Development, Mr Che Bing-doon and Assistant Director of Drainage Services, Mr Raymond Cheung.