Hong Kong is an international financial, trade and transport centre and a well-known shopping paradise. With our varied and vibrant economic activities, the demand for land is keen. We understand that adequate land supply and appropriate planning are essential for the sustainable development of our industries and economic activities, as well as the provision of job opportunities to different strata of society. In fact, we have been endeavouring to increase land supply to facilitate social and economic development and to strike a balance among different land use demands......

It is natural to think of water when we talk about the Water Supplies Department (WSD). In Hong Kong, both drinking and flushing water are processed by the WSD before being supplied to consumers. As the treatment and distribution of water consumes energy, the WSD is inevitably the top energy-consuming department in the Government. In light of this, the department spares no effort in saving energy. The use of seawater for flushing is an energy-saving green initiative, which can conserve water and energy as it takes less electricity to supply seawater than fresh water......

Fifteen years ago, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) launched a large-scale water mains programme to replace and rehabilitate some 3 000 kilometres of aged water mains in phases. Most of these water mains were laid more than 30 years ago and their expiry dates are now looming. As a result, repair and maintenance works are getting more difficult and expensive. By March this year, 92 per cent of the works had been completed. The programme is expected to be substantially completed by the end of this year, and by then the condition of our water supply networks will be significantly improved......

Earlier on, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) forecast that the rainfall in Hong Kong will be normal to relatively low this year, but it reminded us to remain vigilant at all times for extreme weather. I remember that in the first half of last year, there were two black rainstorm warnings and a number of periods of sudden torrential rainfalls in the territory, which posed a great challenge to our flood prevention infrastructure. The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has been taking precautionary measures and striving to provide quality flood prevention facilities for the community. One example is Phase 1 of the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme (HVUSSS), which commenced operation in late March......

Last night, the variety show “Build a Better Hong Kong” was broadcast. The programme had four sessions of short films, describing the International Commerce Centre, Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme, Stonecutters Bridge and Zero Carbon Building. These four projects are very meaningful as they showcase Hong Kong’s high-rise development, underground development, horizontal development and sustainable development respectively.....