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Tackling Cross-border Environmental Problems in Hong Kong: Initial Responses and Institutional Constraints

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 January 2003

Abstract

With rapid industrial and urban growth taking place across the border, there has been a marked increase in public concern in Hong Kong over cross-border environmental problems since the early 1990s. Despite this increased concern, however, very little systematic research has been conducted on the issue. This article addresses the question of how, and to what extent, the SAR government could work with various jurisdictions across the border to address cross-border environmental problems within the “one country, two systems” governance framework. It concludes on a pessimistic note by pointing out that current signs strongly suggest that the SAR government is even more pro-business than the colonial government. Coupled with China's fragmented environmental governance structure and a dominant pro-growth culture permeating the delta region, all indications point to an uphill and long drawn-out battle for environmental managers on both sides of the border to bring forth improvements in this fast-growing and continually deteriorating landscape.

Type
Research Report
Copyright
© The China Quarterly, 2002

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Footnotes

The author would like to acknowledge the financial support granted by the Hui Oi Chow Trust Fund in the course of conducting research for this project. Useful comments on an earlier version of this paper were provided by James Nickum. Able research assistance was provided by Kevin Li and Alex Chan.