Hong Kong mulling over new rules on air pollution

Government to boost existing measures.

Secretary for the Environment KS Wong says the Government is keen to boost Hong Kong's air quality and wants to have new regulations to make the living environment cleaner.

Speaking to the media after attending an energy symposium, Mr Wong said the public has rising expectations of air quality and living standards.

He said the Clean Air Plan was launched earlier this year to comprehensively address the city's air issues, along with other measures.

"The Government is really keen to help clean the air in Hong Kong. We would like to invest more, and also to have new regulations and initiatives, to make our living environment safer and cleaner.

"I think all of us can appreciate the big sum invested to phase out the pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles is a very definite measure implemented by the Government to help clean the air."

When asked about the insect problem at the West New Territories landfill, Mr Wong said: “The source is yet to be identified. It is not necessarily related to the landfill. But I think it is a kind of territory-wide issue that is being handled by the [Food & Environmental Hygiene] Department.”

It is important to find the source of the insects, he said, adding the Government is enhancing measures on-site, including insect and pest control to minimise the insects' spread.