Water workshop: Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau meets Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau Director Li Qing in Guangzhou.

Hong Kong and Guangdong have agreed to commission an initial study on the regional water quality management plan for the Pearl River estuary next year.

The consensus was reached at the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development & Environmental Protection's 10th meeting held in Guangzhou today.

The initial study, to be completed in 2013, will a use a mathematical model the two sides developed to assess the estuary's water quality and environmental capacity for meeting various water-quality objectives. It will provide a scientific basis for formulating regional water quality management plans.

Both sides will continue to maintain close liaison and collaboration in protecting the Dongjiang water environment to safeguard the quality of water supply.

They have also formed a study team to look into the formulation of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan for 2011-20. The study will be completed next year.

The two governments are committed to achieving their emission reduction targets by next year. Substantial efforts have been made to implement control measures set out in the plan during the past year.