12. The quality of Hong Kong's waters is one of our major concerns. Despite difficulties encountered in its implementation, Stage I of the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme is now making good progress and should be completed by the end of next year. We have also set up an expert panel to review the Scheme and its report will be submitted shortly. We will then consult the public on the recommendations in the report.

13. To prevent and reduce pollution requires regional co-operation. A Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection has been set up under the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference. Its study on regional air quality will be completed early next year and the Joint Working Group will then draw up a long-term co-operation plan to improve air quality. We will also maintain our joint efforts in improving the quality of Dongjiang water.

14. As a modern city, it is only right that the people of Hong Kong should be able to enjoy a better environment, with clean streets and markets as well as a beautiful countryside. We will launch a new Clean Hong Kong Campaign at the end of the year to help bring about an overall improvement to our city environment. I have asked the Secretary for Environment and Food to co-ordinate the related programmes to push ahead with our greening work, especially the planting of more trees and flowers in the urban area.

15. Environmental protection is an urgent task. But as an old Chinese saying goes, "It takes more than one cold day for the river to freeze three feet deep". Our pollution problems have been brewing for quite some time, and we should not have unrealistic hopes that they can be solved completely overnight. Sustained efforts are needed to tackle the problems and these will show results in the next few years.

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