Hong Kong has persistently and significantly exceeded its own targets on air pollution limits since they were first set in 1987, according to a report released on Wednesday from the government audit office.
Air pollution in Hong Kong is a constant source of complaint and frustration among the population and – along with the scarcity of school places – one of the most significant factors that discourages or even prevents some people moving to the place that bills itself “Asia’s world city”.
Christine Loh, the undersecretary for the environment, said the Hong Kong government accepted all the findings of the report and pledged it would tackle the problems with new targets, incentives and potential penalties for commercial and public transport and shipping in the city.