CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas

Chief executive of hong kong visits sichuan to discuss arrival of giant pandas and strengthen cooperation with province leaders

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, began the visit programme in Sichuan today (July 8), visiting the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to deliberate on and understand the overall arrival arrangements of the pair of giant pandas gifted to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the Central Government, and meeting with leaders of Sichuan Province.

In the morning, Mr Lee, accompanied by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, toured the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to visit giant pandas, including the pair of giant pandas to be gifted to Hong Kong, and understand details of the arrival arrangements of the giant pandas. The officers of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the centre gave a thorough briefing to the delegation on the work in rearing, caring and conserving giant pandas, as well as the latest development on giant panda research. The delegation will bring back the precious experience to Hong Kong to further enhance the conservation of giant pandas in Hong Kong.

Mr Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the Central Government for gifting another pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, which fully demonstrates its care and support for the city. He also expressed his thanks to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the Sichuan Province for the arrangements and assistance they rendered on the matter. Noting that Hong Kong people are looking forward to the arrival of the giant pandas, Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will endeavour to make good preparations to welcome the giant pandas.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee and the delegation visited the Sichuan HKJC Olympic School and exchanged with the students. Mr Lee said he was delighted to see that the school has now become a key training base of competitive sports in Sichuan and a significant platform for youth exchanges between Sichuan and Hong Kong.

The two facilities were reconstruction projects participated by the HKSAR after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Mr Lee noted that the HKSAR Government and various sectors actively participated in the rescue work and post-earthquake reconstruction of the Wenchuan earthquake, fully demonstrating the spirit of "when trouble occurs at one spot, help comes from all quarters" and compatriotism. He was pleased to see the successful development of the facilities, which have become important bridges for fostering people-to-people bonds between the two places.

In the evening, Mr Lee met with the Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Xiaohui, and attended a dinner hosted by the Sichuan Province. Noting that Hong Kong has been the largest source of foreign direct investment in Sichuan for many years, Mr Lee said the relationship between Sichuan and Hong Kong has always been close. The Hong Kong/Sichuan Co-operation Conference mechanism has seen steady development since its establishment in 2018. With the opening of the high-speed railway directly connecting Chengdu and Hong Kong in July last year, the distance between Sichuan and Hong Kong has been further shortened, he added. Mr Lee said he hopes that Sichuan and Hong Kong will continue to strengthen co-operation and he welcomes Sichuan citizens to visit the giant pandas and travel to Hong Kong in the future, sharing laughter and joy together.

Mr Lee will continue his visit programme in Sichuan tomorrow (July 9) and return to Hong Kong in the evening.

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HAD opens temporary heat shelters

The Home Affairs Department is opening 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (October 6).

The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:

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Central and Western -

Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall

3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex

2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern -

Causeway Bay Community Centre

3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern -

Lei Tung Community Hall

Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai -

Wan Chai Activities Centre

LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:

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Kowloon City -

Hung Hom Community Hall

1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices

42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong -

Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre

71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po -

Shek Kip Mei Community Hall

G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin -

Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre

45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong -

Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre

60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:

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Islands -

Tung Chung Community Hall

G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing -

Kwai Shing Community Hall

Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North -

Cheung Wah Community Hall

Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung -

Hang Hau Community Hall

G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin -

Lung Hang Estate Community Centre

Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin

Tai Po -

Tai Po Community Centre

2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po

Tsuen Wan -

Lei Muk Shue Community Hall

G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan

Tuen Mun -

Butterfly Bay Community Centre

Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun

Yuen Long -

Long Ping Community Hall

Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

Yuen Long -

Tin Yiu Community Centre

Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.