-
· 2 ·
"We have now secured agreement from signatories to remove the discriminatory provisions targeted specifically against Hong Kong, and to conduct an early review of the Agreement with a view to removing other discriminatory elements," the Government spokesman explained.
Other parties to the Agreement include Canada, the twelve member states of the European Community, Israel, Japan, Korea, Aruba, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland and the US.
End
$20 billion earmarked for upgrading drainage system
The Drainage Services Department is committed to a programme of works to upgrade the sewerage, sewage treatment and storm drainage systems at a total estimated cost of around $20 billion over the next 10 years.
This was stated by the Director of Drainage Services, Mr John Collier, at the opening ceremony of the Drainage Services Department Open Day at Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works today (Saturday).
"Every day, two million cubic metres of wastewater are generated and discharged into our surrounding waters. If left untreated, it would damage our natural environment," he said.
Also officiating at today's Open Day were two former directors of the Drainage Services Department, Mr Ng Yee-yum and Mr Siu Chuen.
The Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works, one of the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, is open to the public today as part of the "Serving the Community Week" programme.
The plant provides full biological treatment to the sewage entering the plant and is capable of serving an ultimate population of 500,000 in Sha Tin and Ma On Shan. Similar secondary treatment plants are in operation in Tai Po, Fanling and Yuen Long.
Mr Collier said that new capital projects for extending our sewerage and sewage treatment systems were at various stages of planning, design and construction.