Minibuses and vans in Hong Kong are facing tighter controls on exhaust emissions. Laws are being brought into line with standards in Japan and Europe, according to a Legco paper compiled by the Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau. The controls will cut emissions by 55 per cent for particulates and 38 per cent for hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide. They will affect at least 67 models of newly registered diesel light goods vehicles and minibuses and a small number of petrol-driven vehicles. The bureau said the standard would also apply to new taxis and controls would be introduced for motorcycles, currently not covered.