Activist Kevin May was seen escorted away by security guards after calling for a ban on incineration in front of Tung, who was addressing the opening session of the conference on revitalising Asian tourism.

May later told reporters he carried out the action because his group was "worried" the Hong Kong government planned to build an incinerator that could worsen the environment.

According to Greenpeace, a Hong Kong firm has submitted a proposal to the government to build an incinerator, which would be the biggest in the world.

Hong Kong does not yet have a municipal waste incinerator.

"Incinerators put the health of citizens at risk, including tourists who are coming to Asia. We deplore the use of the outmoded waste disposal technology that poisons our environment, our health and food supply with toxic chemicals, including cancer-causing dioxins," said May.

He delivered a letter, signed by Greenpeace China and 45 worldwide environmental groups to the conference organiser.

The groups urged Asian governments to end waste incineraton, desist from building new incinerators and to back community-driven, healthy, socially just and sustainable waste management.

According to Greenpeace, Japan owns the largest number of incinerators in Asia with 89, followed by Taiwan, 19, while China, 17, South Korea, 17, and Thailand eight.

The tourism conference is being held by Boao Forum for Asia in cooperation with World Tourism Organisation.

The organisers chose Hong Kong since the city was one of areas hit hard by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

TERRA.WIRE