The Environmental Protection Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Environmental Protection Bureau of Guangdong Province announced the findings of the report on the Mid-term Review of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to continuing with the various control measures set out in the Management Plan. The Guangdong Provincial Government will implement additional emission control measures in the PRD Economic Zone taking account of the recommendations of the Mid-term Review. Both sides also reaffirmed their determination to achieve in time the mutually agreed emission reduction targets by 2010. The HKSAR and Guangdong Provincial Government reached a consensus in April 2002 to reduce, in their best endeavours, the emission of SO2, NOx, RSP and VOC by 40%, 20%, 55% and 55% respectively by 2010 in PRD region, using 1997 as the base year. The consensus was achieved with reference to the forecast on the growth rates of the economy, population, electricity consumption and vehicle mileage in PRD region made at that time.

The Mid-term Review seeks to assess the effectiveness of the existing emission reduction measures contained in the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan; examine the emission trend of the four major air pollutants, namely, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, respirable suspended particulates and volatile organic compounds; project the levels of emission and the extent to which the reduction targets could be achieved by 2010 based on the latest economic and social development; and recommend necessary additional emission control measures.

One of the main conclusions of the Mid-term Review is the emission reduction and control measures adopted by both sides under the Management Plan could bring about positive impact on abating air pollutant emissions in the region, and are therefore conducive to achieving the agreed 2010 emission reduction targets by both sides.

The reports also says the upon implementation of the current and committed emission reduction measures under the Management Plan, HKSAR should be able to fully meet the mutually agreed emission reduction targets by 2010. In respect of PRD Economic Zone, with its significant socio-economic developments which well exceeded the original estimates, the emission reduction targets could be achieved by 2010 upon implementation of additional enhanced control measures as recommended in the Mid-term Review report.