New Meteorological Training Centre Launched to Enhance Capabilities in Belt and Road Countries

Meteorological Training Centre for Belt and Road Countries established today

The Meteorological Training Centre for Belt and Road Countries was established today (December 3), marking a significant milestone in enhancing the capabilities of meteorological professionals in the Belt and Road (B&R) regionsand promoting future meteorological co-operation and development.

The establishment ceremony of the Training Centre was held this afternoon at the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). Officiating guests included the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; Deputy Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) Mr Xiong Shaoyuan; the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho; the Director of Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mr Ben Churchill; the Advisor of the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology of Cambodia, Dr Seth Vannareth; the Director of Fiji Meteorological Service, Mr Misaeli Mavoa Funaki; the Director of Jordan Meteorological Department, Mr Ra'ed Ahmad Subhi Rafid; the Director of the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, Mr Leong Weng-kun;the Director General of Maldives Meteorological Service, Mr Abdulla Wahid; Deputy Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department Mr Thanasith Iamananchai; and the Director of the HKO, Dr Chan Pak-wai.

At the ceremony, Mr Tse announced the establishment of the Training Centre. Mr Tse remarked that the Training Centre aims to strengthen climate resilience in the regions through capacity building and knowledge transfer. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government attaches great importance to regional co-operation in meteorological services. The Training Centre will cultivate a network of weather and climate experts to work together to prepare for high-impact and extreme weather.

Mr Xiong congratulated the establishment of the Training Centre and praised the HKO's contributions to various fields in meteorology. He emphasised that the Training Centre will enhance the capabilities of more meteorological organisations along the B&R regions, supporting the WMO's Early Warnings for All initiative. The CMA is willing to strengthen co-operation with the HKO, complement each other's strengths, and fully support the operation of the Training Centre.

Mr Churchill expressed that the establishment of the Training Centre marked a significant step forward in enhancing the resilience of several countries against hazardous weather and aligning with the mission of the Early Warnings for All initiative. He thanked the HKO for its contributions to the WMO over the years and hoped that the Training Centre would provide more information and insights on the latest meteorological developments. He also emphasised the WMO's strong support for the Training Centre.

In addition to the guests present at the ceremony, the President of the WMO, Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, and the heads of more than 10 meteorological agencies from B&R regions extended their congratulations via video on the establishment of the Training Centre. Dr Al Mandous highlighted that the establishment of this Training Centre is a significant milestone in advancing meteorological science and capacity building in the region. The Training Centre aligns with the WMO's mission to promote international co-operation in meteorology, hydrology and related geophysical sciences, contributing to the improvement of weather forecasting and disaster risk reduction.

Dr Chan stated at the ceremony, "The HKO has been involved in providing training to meteorological personnel from around the world for many years. The establishment of the Training Centre will help us strengthen the ability of meteorological professionals over the B&R regions, and promote future meteorological co-operation and technology exchange. Initially, the Training Centre will offer online meteorological training through virtual means and will seek opportunities to provide in-person training for limited number of participants."

The plan of establishing the Training Centre was outlined in the "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address" of the HKSAR. The Training Centre will help enhance the capabilities of meteorological personnel over the B&R regions in responding to adverse weather and resisting natural disasters. Through collaboration with other international organisations, such as the WMO and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in co-organising training courses, the trainings will also be extended to countries outside the B&R regions.

The first activity of the Training Centre will take place from December 3 to 6 with the theme of aviation meteorological science and service development. Over 90 participants from more than 45 WMO members and ICAO Asia Pacific States will attend the workshop either online or in person. Invited experts will share their professional knowledge and experiences at the workshops.

Meteorological Training Centre for Belt and Road Countries established today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Meteorological Training Centre for Belt and Road Countries established today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG responds to reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under HKHRDA incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

​The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects US' reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

A spokesman for the Government said, "In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. With at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security, the US has exposed its double standards by pointing the finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security."

"The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The offences endangering national security stipulated by the related Ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity, aiming at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts and activities of endangering national security. It targets only an extremely small minority of people without affecting the basic rights and freedoms lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong residents."

He said, "The US openly clamour for so-called 'sanctions' with an aim to intimidate HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all. The HKSAR despises the so-called 'sanctions' and will not be intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security."

The HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We have long been maintaining an effective mechanism for implementing the resolutions of the UNSC. That includes denying entry of vessels designated by the UNSC as well as suspicious vessels, keeping a close watch on and inspecting suspicious Hong Kong-based companies to prevent them from participating in activities evading UNSC sanctions. At the same time, the HKSAR Government has been implementing a comprehensive and robust control regime over the import and export of strategic commodities and maintaining active participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty through the Central People's Government. The effectiveness of our work has been well respected and recognised by our trading partners and internationally.

The US has substantial economic interest in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, it registered a trade surplus of about US$270 billion with Hong Kong. Currently, some 1 390 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies.

The spokesman reiterated that foreign governments and legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.