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Press
Releases - 2000
HKSAR
and Mainland sign MOU on control of waste shipments
The Government
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and
the relevant authority of the Central People's Government
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (Friday)
on the control of waste shipments between the Mainland and
the HKSAR.
The MOU
was signed by the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection,
Mr Mike Stokoe, and the Deputy Director of the Pollution Control
Department of the State Environmental Protection Administration
(SEPA), Mr Zhang Liwei, on behalf of the relevant authorities
of their respective governments.
Mr Stokoe
said: "The MOU formalises the existing control arrangements
for waste shipments between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
"Under
the control framework, shipments of hazardous waste are not
allowed unless prior written consent is given by the control
authorities of both the place of import and place of export."
Mr Zhang
said: "This is the first MOU signed after the reunification
concerning cooperation between the SEPA and the HKSAR Government
on environmental issues.
"The
MOU would effectively prevent illegal movements of waste between
the two places.
"It would
also facilitate the proper recycling and treatment of waste,
help improve development of related environmental business
and enhance sustainable development of the environment and
the economy of the two places."
In Hong
Kong, these controls are imposed under the Waste Disposal
Ordinance. They ensure that waste shipments are conducted
in a controlled and environmentally sound manner.
The requirement
is consistent with that of the Basel Convention on the Control
of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal.
Mr Stokoe
said: "The MOU establishes formally a liaison channel between
the Environmental Protection Department and the SEPA and is
expected to enhance cross-boundary cooperation on environmental
protection.
The MOU
came into effect immediately after signing.
End/Friday,
January 7, 2000
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