XN000022-1995-12-20 — Page 3

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Statement by Secretary for Works on sewage meeting

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Following is a statement made by the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon- sang, after the Fourth Round of the Expert Group Meeting on Sewage under the Sino- British Joint Liaison Group (JLG) today (Wednesday):

"As you will all know, this is the first meeting of JLG sewage experts since March this year when both sides agreed to the setting up of a Technical Group to look ̧ at a number of issues related to the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS). The group has been working hard since then in a practical and harmonious way.

I am pleased to be able to report today, that we have been able to satisfy our Chinese counterparts over many of their concerns, and we have this morning endorsed the work of the Technical Group. I would like to thank the leaders and members of the Group on their hard work.

We have also agreed today that we should press ahead as quickly as possible with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the SSDS in order to confirm the best options for future stages. Our Chinese counterparts will be participating closely in the EIA, both through this Expert Group, and directly with the consultants undertaking the work.

Both sides are committed to making SSDS a success, to bring maximum early environmental benefit to Hong Kong."

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HK's role as regional centre assumes importance: D-G/1

Hong Kong's strategic location and excellent external communication links have enabled it to become a major regional centre of the Asia Pacific, the Director-.. General of Industry, Mrs Regina Ip, said today (Wednesday).

This role had assumed increasing importance with the rapid economic. development in the Asia Pacific region in recent years, she added.