Hong Kong and Canada on Thursday signed a renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Environmental Collaboration between the two sides.

Under the MOU, both sides agreed to continue to exchange experience and share information on issues such as regional airshed management, environment awareness and enforcement, stormwater management, climate change, emission trading and environment impact assessment.

Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Sarah Liao, and Canadian Minister of Environment, David Anderson, signed the MOU.

The MOU outlines common goals and objectives for the two parties to co-operate in the environment projects.

This is the second renewal of the MOU since it was first signed in 1992 to enhance collaboration in the area of environment affairs. The first renewal was signed in 1998. The MOU is renewed every 5 years while a new Work Plan under the MOU will be drawn up and signed each year.

(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2003)