Pacific Rim Nations to learn about local environmental protection efforts

Delegations from the Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan and the Philippines will tour King County's West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant at different times Monday, August 28, 2000. The international visitors will learn about the wastewater treatment process and water quality protection. The Taiwanese group will also be briefed about the computerized off-site control system. The Philippine delegation will spend two days learning about a variety of King County environmental projects and programs.

"We're honored that our international peers have come to learn about our success in providing our citizens with quality regional services," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

The delegation from The People's Republic of China consists of six officials from Xinluo District, Longyan Municipality, Fujian Province.

The 23 member Taiwanese delegation is from Hsin-Chu City and includes Deputy Mayor Mr. Lin. They will have visited a Los Angeles wastewater facility prior to their arrival here.

The delegation from the Philippines is sponsored by the World Bank and represents a major effort by the Philippine government to study urban infrastructures and how local governments address citizen needs. Approximately a dozen mayors and key government administrators will be part of the group. Their stop in the Puget Sound area is sponsored by the Filipino-American City Employees of Seattle.

In addition to the treatment plant, they will tour the County's new King Street Center to learn about the County's leadership in environmentally-friendly and sustainable building practices, stop at the Ballard Locks to discuss the region's salmon recovery efforts, visit the County's Cedar Hills Regional Landfill and visit a horse farm which is a model for environmentally-safe livestock management practices. They will visit Washington D.C. after their stop in King County.

Updated: Aug. 25, 2000