Hong Kong fumes over pollution comments

HONG KONG: Asia continues to battle with air pollution amid growing concerns that the perennial problem will have a significant impact on tourism.

Northern Thailand continues to battle serious haze in the region where popular destinations such as Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son are suffering from the impact of forest burning.

Water spraying in public areas has done little to contain the pollution problem while air force jets have been seeding clouds with chemicals in an effort to induce rain.

There was some relief on Wednesday when much-needed rain helped to reduce dust levels.

An environment office official said Chiang Mai had at least 1,000 crematoriums, but only 20 per cent were smoke-free. He said locals were not interested in environmentally-friendly crematoriums because they were expensive to build.

Even Singapore has been affected. According to country’s National Environment Agency (NEA), “smoke haze particles” from fires in the northern Asean region are being carried over by mild winds, contributing to hazy conditions.

In Hong Kong the poor air quality is being blamed on industry pollution from factories in the neighbouring Pearl River Delta region of southern China.

A recent survey which assessed 48 Asian locations as the best for expatriates saw Hong Kong fall in the rankings, a result attributed to worsening air pollution in the SAR.

Undertaken annually, ECA International Location Ranking Survey compares living standard-related categories such as climate, air quality, health services, infrastructure and political tensions in 254 locations globally.

Hong Kong’s ranking has fallen from 18th position in 2002/03 to 23rd in 2006/07. Among the 48 Asian cities, it has fallen one spot to fifth place.

Lee Quane, ECA’s Hong Kong- based general manager, told the Hong Kong Standard newspaper that worsening air pollution in the SAR proved to be the decisive factor.

“Elevated levels of air pollution and the associated health risks have been well documented and commented on by expatriates in Hong Kong.

“While certain criteria of our research have recorded improvements recently, air pollution remains the major cause for the difference in ranking between Hong Kong and Singapore.”

Quane warned that the SAR will further risk losing its competitive edge if the government fails to eradicate the air pollution problem.

Hong Kong received some unwelcome publicity over its pollution problem during the much-trumpeted visit of Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 during its maiden voyage around the world.

An onboard lecturer, Professor John Reich, allegedly told wealthy QM2 passengers that “Hong Kong is extremely polluted,” and “there is no point going up The Peak “ because the great view tended to be obscured by fog.

While it was later reported that Professor Reich said he had no wish to denigrate Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourist Board was not amused by the comments.

And it cannot be said that Hong Kong is not doing all it can to fix the air quality problem. From January 1 this year, smoking was banned from shops, restaurants and some bars, and new regulations dictate that travellers with Hong Kong identity cards can only enter the SAR with 60 cigarettes or 15 cigars.