(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-13 09:18

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang on Wednesday encouraged New Zealand's environment tech companies to use Hong Kong as a stepping stone to explore the market in Asia, particularly in China, a government release said.

The government leader of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, toured a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant in Auckland Wednesday and was told that new technology had reduced its water treatment cycle from 21 days to 13 hours.

The facility of 450 million New Zealand dollars (US$310 million) includes the world's largest ultra-violet disinfection facility to kill viruses and bacteria, making it unnecessary to conduct chlorination, which itself can cause environmental problems.

The consolidation of treatment facilities and demolition of old plants using outdated technology also freed up to 500 hectares of land, which had been restored to its original coastal marine environment and had become a haven for birdlife.

"New Zealand is renowned for its high environmental standards and its use of new technologies to protect the environment," Tsang said. "Hong Kong can learn much from New Zealand's record in this regard and that also translates to business opportunities for New Zealand companies in our city and elsewhere in Asia."

Tsang also encouraged New Zealand wine makers to use Hong Kong in promoting their products in Asia following a visit to the facility of wine producer Villa Maria.

Tsang is due to leave New Zealand for Hong Kong Wednesday night.