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The Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment), Ms Anissa Wong Sean-yee, and the Chairman of California Air Resources Board, Dr Robert F Sawyer, today (April 3) signed to renew a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on collaboration between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and California on air quality management.
"The current MOU was signed in December, 2002. It has enhanced the co-operation between the Environmental Protection Department and the board in the effort to safeguard the air environment," a spokesman for the department said.
"Both the department and the California Air Resources Board have benefited from the strengthened collaboration during the past five years through technical exchanges, information sharing and visits covering the control of volatile organic compounds, vehicle emissions and air pollution emission modelling."
Under the renewed MOU, both parties will continue the collaboration and further exchange information, share experience and conduct joint projects on air management practices and pollution control technologies. Specific areas of co-operation will include:
* strategies of controlling air pollution
* ambient air quality monitoring
* air quality modelling,emission inventory and forecast
* motor vehicle emission standards and control technology
* alternative fuels for vehicles
* toxic air pollutants
* ozone depleting substances
* volatile organic compounds
"The renewed MOU came into effect today and will remain valid for five years", the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:40
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