Restoration work is now underway for two dike breaches in Xiangtan County, central China's Hunan Province as floodwaters recede.
Due to heavy rain last week, three dike breaches occurred in the county, with one getting restored on Monday. The dike breach in Yisuhe Town was the widest among the three, reaching 81 meters. With water having receded now, heavy machines are on the site and groups of workers, operating in 24-hour rotational shifts, are sparing no effort to restore the dike as quickly as possible.
"We have been clearing the base of the dike from last night. As the base clearing is now completed, reinforcement of the dike is underway," explained Zhang Xuanzhuang, director of Safety and Environmental Protection Department at China Aneng Group First Engineering Bureau.
The road conditions near the dike breach made it difficult for the restoration work to start at first. To solve that problem, the workers from Aneng Group First Engineering Bureau and local government planed new traffic routes for trucks to transport materials.
"Getting in the material was initially a challenge. We worked together with the local government to find a solution. First, we dispatched small teams to maintain the roads, and second, the local government departments planned the traffic routes. The route is now one-way: supply trucks enter from the right bank and exit from the left one," explained Zhang.
Restoration work for two remaining dike breaches in Hunan underway
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
