The Environment, Transport & Works Bureau has rejected as "wild speculation" media reports that the local section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will not meet environmental standards and that legal exemption would be required.

A newspaper reported today that an environmental impact assessment has found the project cannot meet the air quality requirement. It suggested that an exemption from the assessment ordinance would have to be sought from the Executive Council.

The bureau clarified that an assessment cannot yet be conducted as planning for the bridge is ongoing. It said only after such major decisions have been made can the various assessments, including one on air quality, be conducted.