31.   Mr Xie said mainland authorities were very concerned about the pollution of the East River but he insisted water quality was not poor.

32.   Ms Tam said the department would contact mainland authorities to see if any improvements in the present monitoring system could be achieved.

33.   Mrs Sin said the IRD should keep in regular touch with the mainland authorities.

34.   Ng Fung Hong will hold an emergency meeting with mainland authorities today.

35.   Officials promised to discuss with mainland authorities the construction schedules and traffic projection of the cross-border links through the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee.

36.   She said the mainland authorities appeared to target applicants who had overstayed and refused to allow them to register.

37.   Spokesman Wang Wang-heung said mainland authorities also had pledged to step up inspection of live pigs.

38.   Supt Sin attributed the drop in arrests to tighter security by Hong Kong police and co-operation with the mainland authorities, particularly during the handover period.

39.   The experts will then advise mainland authorities if they need to revise their national plan to monitor bird flu.

40.   The department is also liaising with mainland authorities for measures to be put in place to ensure imported livestock was safe for human consumption.