Economic concern beat environment

SCMP 03 Dec 1999

Hong Kong is one of only three areas in the world where concerns about the environment come second to developing the economy, according to an opinion poll. Hong Kong finds itself in the company of Cameroon and Armenia. Nevertheless, nearly 80 percent of respondents accused the Government of doing too little about the environment. The poll was conducted on October at about the time Tung Chee-hwa highlighted the need to improve the environment.

Winder Meijer, managing director of Asian Commercial Research, which conducted the poll, said the findings were in clear contrast to international trends. ¡§While there is an almost worldwide belief that protecting the environment is more important than ensuring economic growth, Hong Kong people put the economy first,¡¨ he said.

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