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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Wednesday)

stressed the importance of protecting the environment and conserving our heritage which is vital to maintaining the quality of life in Hong Kong and promoting tourism.

Mr Tung reiterated the Government's determination to raise Hong Kong's environmental hygiene standards to a level commensurate with the city's status as an international business, financial, tourism and telecommunications centre.

He said, "I hope Hong Kong people will be more aware of the importance of protecting the environment. As for the Government, we will be working even harder in areas such as sewage and waste disposal, and eliminating hygiene blackspots and air pollution. Environmental protection will be our priority in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002."

Speaking during a visit to Tai Po, Mr Tung noted that the Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau last Saturday presented the document "Clean Air for Hong Kong" setting out the full range of actions being taken to tackle air pollution so that Hong Kong people could enjoy fresher air.

In Tai Po, the Chief Executive inspected some of the sites for clean-up under the Hygiene Blackspots Elimination Exercise early this year. Mr Tung expressed satisfaction at the positive public response, which included 616 reports of environmental hygiene blackspots for the first round of the exercise.

"From these reports, 90 of them were selected by the 18 District Management Committees for the public to monitor and assess on their improvement. Eighty-two per cent of them have received positive ratings with only 18 per cent receiving negative ratings.

He was briefed on the significant improvements made at two of the blackspots in Tai Po, including the formerly rubbish littered and dirty embankment along the cycling track parallel to Tolo Highway. The clean-up has turned the embankment into a scenic spot for tourists and local residents alike.

The other blackspot in Fu Shin Street was caused by illegal shop extensions and display of goods outside shop premises, resulting in serious obstructions to pedestrian traffic and inconvenience to shoppers. The place has been turned into a tidy area through the cooperation of shop owners with the help of liaison work undertaken by the Tai Po Provisional District Board and Tai Po District Office.

Mr Tung also visited Lam Tsuen, an area comprising 26 indigenous villages dating back to the Sung Dynasty in the 13th century. It now boasts a combined population of 8,000.

In Fong Ma Po Village, he stopped by the famous wishing tree which traditionally has been the target of incense papers tied to oranges thrown at its branches by the faithful as they made a wish.

The 260-year-old Tin Hau Temple, which dates back to the Ching Dynasty, was also included in the Chief Executive's itinerary.

Commenting on two of the New Territories' most well-known tourist spots he had just visited, Mr Tung said, "We should be mindful of the fact that our tourist industry is important to our economy.

"I hope that more scenic spots and historical sites can be developed to make our city one of Asia's favourite tourist destinations. This will certainly also help us to maintain our reputation as a major cosmopolitan city where people can savour the best of Eastern and Western cultures."

Mr Tung also noted the efforts being taken by the Home Affairs Bureau to preserve our historical relics. These include developing a heritage trail, strengthening heritage education and establishing a heritage tourism task force.

Mr Tung then proceeded to Lam Tsuen River to view the results of three stream embankment improvement works projects to reinforce 1,300 metres of river banks along Fong Ma Po, Tong Mei Tsuen and Ma Po Mei at a cost of about $8.5 million, $9.1 million and $6 million respectively. They were funded under the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy Minor Works Projects managed by the Home Affairs Department.

The improvement works were completed in 1996-97, significantly minimising flooding hazards faced by some 2,500 villagers along the Lam Tsuen River.

At Tai Po Centre, Mr Tung conducted a walkabout in the shopping arcade while chatting with shop owners and residents. He also watched the rehearsal of a children's performance which will be presented at the Summer Youth Programme opening ceremony next month.

The Chief Executive concluded the visit with an informal discussion of public issues with members of the Tai Po Provisional District Board and representatives of Rural Committees, Owners' Corporations, Mutual Aid Committees and local organisations at the Tai Po Community Centre.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, the Tai Po District Officer, Mr Frankie Lui and the Tai Po Provisional District Board Chairman, Mr Cheung Hok-ming.

End/Wednesday, June 9, 1999

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