Clean Production
42. The people of Hong Kong and the PRD region breathe the same air under the same sky. Regional co-operation is vital to develop Hong Kong into a green metropolis. To further encourage Hong Kong enterprises in Guangdong to play their part to improve the regional environment, I will ask the Legislative Council to approve funding of $93 million for the Hong Kong Productivity Council to launch a five-year programme. This programme will assist and encourage Hong Kong-owned factories within the PRD region to adopt clean production technologies and processes. Under the programme, enterprises will be able to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency as well as improve competitiveness and corporate image. This initiative complements the Mainland's policy of industrial restructuring and upgrading.
Building a Green City
43. For citizens to enjoy a quality city life, a green urban environment and countryside recreation areas are indispensable. In spite of our small area and dense population, protected green space still accounts for 40% of the land in our city, with country parks covering 417 square kilometres. To step up our ecological conservation efforts and to provide Hong Kong people with more open space in a natural environment, we will initiate the statutory procedures to designate our 24th country park which will be situated on Northern Lantau. This will increase the total country park area to 440 square kilometres. The Government will push ahead with greening work in densely populated urban areas. The Greening Master Plans (GMPs) developed for Tsim Sha Tsui and Central are being implemented. The Development Bureau will continue to pursue the development and implementation of GMPs for the remaining districts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and actively study the possibility of developing GMPs for the New Territories. Meanwhile, in the New Territories, the Government will give priority to beautification works along the Tuen Mun River.
