Hong Kong will offer $1.3 billion in subsidies to replace old diesel vehicles, the region's leader said today.

The proposal is meant to cut particulate emissions by 80 percent and nitrogen oxides by 30 percent, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said in his first policy speech since taking office.

Hong Kong's smog is blamed for 3,000 premature deaths a year. The air quality has gotten worse since 2007, and the government has failed to take aging buses and trucks off the streets.

"We strive to improve air quality on all fronts," Leung said. "We must phase out old diesel commercial vehicles with greater financial incentives while putting in place more stringent regulatory measures" (Khan/Yun, Bloomberg, Jan. 16). -- JE