Hong Kong has made evident progress in improving the environment though with obvious challenges still ahead, said a latest government annual report published Wednesday by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

In the annual report entitled "Environment Hong Kong 2003," Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao said Hong Kong has made solid progress in waste and sewage management.

The recycling rates of municipal solid waste and domestic waste went up respectively to 36 percent and around 13 percent in 2002.

The government has also succeeded in arresting the growth of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills for three consecutive years since 2000, reversing the 3.5 percent annual growth rate before 2000, according to Liao.

"In 2002, we continued to make good progress in our work to reduce motor vehicle emissions," said Liao, adding that compared with 1999, the concentrations of particulate and nitrogen oxides at the roadside had fallen by 19 and 16 percent respectively in 2002.

The annual report contains nine chapters highlighting the work done in the past year in areas including community awareness, partnerships, environmental assessment and planning, air, noise, waste, water and enforcement.

It also emphasizes the EPD's efforts to form partnerships with local key stakeholders in tackling environmental problems.

The partnership programs have brought greater environmental awareness, with more companies complying with environmental laws, it said.

Apart from partnerships with local stakeholders, the annual report gives an account of cooperation with regional and international organizations on protecting the environment.

It also looks ahead to major tasks in different aspects of the environment in the coming years.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2003)