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Press Release
9th meeting of JWG on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection held in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group (JWG) on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection held its ninth meeting in Hong Kong today (December 18). During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the implementation progress of environmental co-operation initiatives. An account was given by experts from both sides in accomplishing the "Pearl River Delta Water Quality Model".
The meeting noted that good progress had been made on various fronts, including improving regional air quality, promoting cleaner production, protecting water environment, as well as on the management of forestry and marine resources in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region.
Major achievements in 2008
Following close collaboration of the two sides in past years, Hong Kong and Guangdong jointly developed an advanced computer mathematical model. The model is capable of simulating the complicated flow distributions and water quality processes in the Pearl River Estuary. It serves as a scientific analytical tool and enables the two governments to develop water quality management and pollution abatement plans. It will also assist the evaluation of implications for water quality of major development proposals in the Pearl River Estuary and its neighbouring waters.
Both sides have proactively implemented the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan in the past year, and released the Mid-term Review report of the Management Plan. Additional enhanced measures have been adopted by taking into account the recommendations of the report. The two governments are committed to achieve the 2010 emission reduction targets. To better inform the public about regional air quality, the two sides jointly released the results of the PRD Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network for 2007 and the first half of 2008 in April and October 2008 respectively.
On promoting energy efficiency and cleaner production to industrial enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong, the two sides have been working closely to implement the "Co-operation Agreement to Promote Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Production and Comprehensive Utilisation of Resources to Enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong". A series of publicity activities were carried out to promote energy efficiency, more efficient utilisation of resources and pollution reduction amongst enterprises in the region.
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has committed HK$93 million to support the five-year Cleaner Production Partnership Programme. The Programme was jointly launched with the Economic & Trade Commission of Guangdong Province in April this year. It is implemented by the Hong Kong Productivity Council in partnership with environmental technology service providers in Hong Kong and the Mainland. It provides professional advice and technical support to Hong Kong-owned factories in the PRD region, with a view to encouraging and enabling them to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices so as to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency.
Following the completion of the first review of the Deep Bay (Shenzhen Bay) Water Pollution Control Joint Implementation Programme, Shenzhen and Hong Kong experts jointly drew up the "2007 Revised Joint Implementation Programme". It sets out the pollutant reduction targets for Shenzhen Bay and the actions to be taken to progressively reduce the pollution loading of Shenzhen Bay with a view to improving the water quality there.
The two sides will initiate the first review of the regional water quality control strategy for Mirs Bay at the end of this year. Necessary additional measures for protecting the Mirs Bay water environment and meeting the sustainable development objectives will be recommended.
On the protection of the water quality of Dongjiang, both sides have actively taken up various pollution control measures, and agreed to maintain close liaison with a view to safeguarding the quality of water supply.
The two sides continued effective co-operation and exchanges on the protection of endangered animal and plant species. Joint inspections and promotional activities at the boundary crossings and the airport were carried out. Further to the completion of a survey on Hong Kong's forestry pests by the Forestry Bureau of Guangdong province (GDFB) in May 2007, GDFB experts visited the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in September this year. They assisted in training personnel for the prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests in Hong Kong country parks, and followed up the survey outcomes.
In order to facilitate effective marine resources management and sustainable development in Pearl River estuary, the two sides conducted exchanges in a number of areas. These included the establishment and management of marine and fisheries protected areas, aquaculture technology, and measures for sustainable development of fisheries. Both governments have been co-operating on protection and conservation and research work on artificial reefs, Chinese white dolphins, coral reefs and sea turtles. The two sides also jointly compiled and updated the list of harmful microalgae species, which forms the basis for the notification of red tide incidents between the two sides.
Focus Areas for 2009
On the basis of achievements made on the environmental co-operation front, the two sides agreed to further strengthen their areas of work. As part of the 2009 work plan, the meeting agreed to take forward and follow up the notion of transforming the PRD region into a green and quality living area as mapped out at the Eleventh Plenary of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference, which was held in August 2008. Key areas of work include:
- continue to implement the control measures under the Management Plan to improve regional air quality, with a view to achieving the emission reduction targets by 2010;
- actively take forward the idea of transforming the PRD region into a green and quality living Area. A more all-rounded and forward-looking strategy will be developed to address common environmental issues and opportunities. The two sides will also strive to include this notion in the National 12th Five-year Plan;
- actively implement the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme and related activities to take forward the "Co-operation Agreement to Promote Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Production and Comprehensive Utlilisation of Resources to Enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong";
- based on the results of the Pearl River Delta water quality model development work, both sides to jointly explore the next stage of Pearl River Estuary water quality management co-operation;
- continue the effective work in protecting the water quality of Dongjiang, and safeguard the quality of water supply;
- proactively follow up on water pollution abatement tasks for Deep Bay (Shenzhen Bay). A first review of the water quality regional control strategy for Mirs Bay will be carried out;
- continue exchanges and training on afforestation, urban greening, forest pest control as well as the protection of endangered animal and plant species. To enhance co-operation and exchanges on conservation and research work on fisheries resources development, Chinese white dolphins, sea turtles and coral reefs; and
- jointly participate at the Eco Expo Asia, to be held in Hong Kong in 2009. The opportunity will be taken to showcase regional environmental co-operation achievements, as well as to promote exchanges and co-operation of the environmental industries in both places.
Ends/Thursday, December 18, 2008
 
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