I have the delight to present you with our first Sustainability Report 2004, which summarizes our economic, environmental and social performance in 2003. In our 2003 Environmental, Health and Safety Report covering our performance in 2002, we were honoured to have been awarded commendation in the ACCA Hong Kong Awards 2003 for sustainability reporting. Our initiative of adopting a transparent and accountable manner of reporting our operational, environmental, health and safety performances had been recognized. This gives us the motivation to pursue further by expanding the scope of this year's report to cover also our economic and social performance and to maintain a balanced and reasonable representation of our sustainability performance.

2003 is a disquieting year of Hong Kong. The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) during the spring of 2003 had raised a number of challenges for all people especially for medical practitioners, architects, engineers and property managers. To prevent the possible resurgence of SARS in future is not only our professional duty but also our social obligation. We worked in collaboration with the Hospital Authority, to implement an urgent project of enhancing the infection control facilities in 6 major hospitals. Despite the risks of contracting SARS, the hospital enhancement works were started in July 2003 and successfully completed in March 2004.

In the design, procurement and maintenance of public facilities, we took the holistic approach to consider the integration and compatibility of our projects with the surrounding environment, and the conservation and efficient use of land, energy and material resources. By way of the projects like the Science Park Phase 1, Improvement to Sai Kung Waterfront, Public Health Laboratory Centre etc., we had implemented our sustainable initiatives in practice and in operation.

To pursue our goal of creating a healthy, safe and sustainable built environment for our community and to seek continual improvement of our performance in environmental, social and economic aspects, we are committed to work in partnership with our strategic partners and maintain dialogues with our key stakeholders. We will strengthen our role as corporate advisor to Government on environmental sustainability in property planning and development. We will also enhance our work in research and development, and promote excellence and best practice in the construction industry.

I believe that with the full support from you, our partners and stakeholders, we will collaborate to achieve our common objective in the sustainable development of the built environment in Hong Kong.

Yue Chi Hang, JP
Director of Architectural Services