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Following is a transcript (English version) of the stand-up briefing by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, today (April 16) after the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commission on Strategic Development.
Reporter: (Progress on environmental protection)
Dr Liao: Actually the work on environmental protection involves a lot of areas, you've just mentioned air, waste and water, these are all the important focal points that we need to address. Some of the initiatives that you mention are already being implemented. For example, the source separation of garbage in household. We have now engaged seven hundred thousand households and there are almost two million people involved in this exercise. It has been going on for the past two years, we are achieving a net reduction in domestic waste through this campaign.
Reporter: Is it realistic to ask the rail companies to increase the fare price only two years after the merger?
Dr Liao: As I said, this is not my focal point. We must respect a system which we have discussed for over four years. We have to give a fair deal for both the passengers and the operators. In time of deflation, they will have the obligation to reduce fare. And then in time of inflation, they will have the pressure to increase their fare. And if there is a time frame for it, we would like to respect that. This is the system.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)
Ends/Monday, April 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:26
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