XN000022-1993-10-12 — Page 3

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993

2

DATE FIXED FOR 14TH ROUND OF ELECTION TALKS

**

"THE BRITISH SIDE AND THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE AGREED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, MR JIANG BNZHU, VICE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WILL HOLD THEIR FOURTEENTH ROUND OF TALKS IN BEIJING ON 20 AND 21 OCTOBER 1993 ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS

IN HONG KONG IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, THE PRINCIPLE OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE RELEVANT AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA."

NEW INITIATIVES TO CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT

THE

SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS WOULD PROVIDE NEW IMPETUS ΤΟ THE GOVERNMENT'S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO CREATE A BETTER AND CLEANER ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG.

MR EASON SAID: "THE INITIATIVES WILL ENABLE US TO TURN OUR ATTENTION FROM PROVIDING BADLY-NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES FOR WASTE DISPOSAL AND SEWAGE TREATMENT ΤΟ POLLUTION PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

"ONE OF OUR MAIN OBJECTIVES IN THE YEAR AHEAD IS TO BUILD A PARTNERSHIP AMONG THE GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND THE COMMUNITY TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT.

"

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION FUND WITH AN INITIAL CAPITAL INJECTION OF $50 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNMENT WILL HELP STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.

"THE FUND WILL ENABLE US TO MAKE A HEADSTART IN IMPROVING THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT FOR FINANCING ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION."

IT WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND WORTHWHILE PROJECTS OF COMMUNITY AND GREEN GROUPS.

UP THE OUR

ON THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO CLEAN COUNTRYSIDE, MR EASON SAID: "THE APPROACH WOULD ENABLE US TO POOL RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THE PROLIFERATION OF UNDESIRABLE LAND USES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE PLOTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WERE CONVERTED INTO OPEN STORAGE FOR CONTAINER BOXES, CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND CAR DUMPS."

/TO DEAL