Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang pledged that Hong Kong would not step back from the efforts to protect the environment despite the financial turmoil.
Attending the last day of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima on November 23, Mr. Tsang urged member economies to join Hong Kong in sustaining public expenditure on environmental initiatives.
The Chief Executive said that climate change recognizes no geographical boundary. Closer cooperation in tackling climate change is therefore a vitally important undertaking for all APEC economies. In this regard, Hong Kong has been working closely with other economies, especially its neighbor Guangdong.
Mr. Tsang noted that Hong Kong is charting a course to transform the highly developed Pearl River Delta Region into a green and quality living area, through setting joint targets on reducing emissions, cooperating in development of renewable energy and so on.
On improving air quality, Mr. Tsang told member economies that Hong Kong will adopt in stages the air quality targets recommended by the World Health Organization.
Apart from climate change, items discussed at the meeting included regional economic integration, corporate social responsibility and human security issues.
After the meeting, Mr. Tsang joined other economic leaders to take an official photograph in the traditional costumes of Peru. He also witnessed the announcement of the Leaders’ Declaration.
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