HKSAR Government fully supports disaster relief for the earthquake in Myanmar
On March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, resulting in serious casualties and infrastructure damage. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government expresses its deep sympathy to the people affected by the disaster and families of the deceased. The HKSAR Government sent a 51-strong search and rescue team to the quake-stricken areas in Myanmar this afternoon (March 29) to assist in the search and rescue work. In addition, the HKSAR Government has immediately reserved $30 million from the Disaster Relief Fund for emergency relief support.
The HKSAR Government is maintaining close contact with various rescue organisations regarding the detailed relief programmes with a view to providing appropriate relief assistance to the people affected and help them overcome difficulties and resume a normal life as soon as possible. The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee will promptly process related funding applications from organisations.
In addition, the HKSAR Government has liaised with the Consul-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, and will actively coordinate with various government bureaux/departments to collect the necessary relief supplies according to local needs, striving to deliver them to those in need as soon as possible to meet the current urgency.
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector
The International Water Pioneers Summit was held today (April 1) in Hong Kong. The Summit convened internationally renowned leaders, experts, academicians, senior government officials, representatives and stakeholders from water supply sector to explore new opportunities and prospects for collaboration in the development of water supply sector. The Summit attracted an on-site or online participation of around 5 000 people.
The Summit, with the theme of "Smart Water‧High-Quality Development", was jointly organised by the Water Supplies Department; the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering - Hong Kong Branch; the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers - Building Services Division; and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management - Hong Kong Branch. It is one of the celebration activities marking the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong.
Participants proposed high quality development characteristics including innovation, green, sharing and co-ordination to spearhead digital transformation of the water supply sector and secure wholesomeness of water to the benefits of mankind health. Hong Kong should give full play to the distinctive role of a connector between the country and the rest of the world. The Summit serves the purpose of attracting overseas professional knowledge and experience and promoting cross-boundary and cross-sector collaboration. It also demonstrates to the world the country's advanced technologies and experience in water supply aspects as well as the wisdom of profound Chinese water culture for making contributions in the joint promotion of the application of water resources, water technologies and water culture around the world.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Li Guoying; the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Weizhong; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zheng Yanxiong; Member of the Office Leadership of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr Xiang Bin; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Qi Bin; Vice Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Shaokang and the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Summit.
Speaking at the summit, Mr Lee said that the summit convened high-profile professionals and senior government officials from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and around the world to celebrate together the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and joined forces to ensure provision of a sustainable water supply to mankind. He pointed out that innovation in infrastructure development will power our water-secure future and Hong Kong is developing into an international infrastructure centre that serves the country and the HKSAR.
Mr Li said that the Ministry of Water Resources will resolutely strengthen exchanges and co-operation with the relevant government departments of the HKSAR Government and ensure the safety of water supply to Hong Kong. Guangdong will also actively support Hong Kong to utilise its distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as a channel for sharing with the world the water management concept, experience and solutions to promote future water security, calling for a new chapter of water management to work toward a community with a shared future for mankind.
Mr Wang said that Guangdong will firmly proceed with planning of urban development, land use, population, and production based on water resources and further deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong in-depth collaboration in respect of water management to enhance the livability of the Greater Bay Area with quality for living, working and travelling. Guangdong will actively learn advanced experience and seize firmly the collaboration opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and promote international exchanges and co-operations in the aspects of water technologies, water ecology and water security with an aim to better facilitate the high quality development of water resources.
Addressing the ceremony, Ms Linn pointed out that sustainable water resources management is crucial in facing of the challenges brought by global climate change and scarcity of resources. The summit, with the theme of "Smart Water‧High-Quality Development" timely convened different parties to explore innovative and feasible solutions together with proactive and forward-thinking strategies to combat challenges.
The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, thanked all guest speakers for sharing their insights and all the supporting organisations for their strong support. He pointed out that the summit has showed the win-win power of collaboration and innovation.
Topics of the summit covered high-quality development of water supply and technologies, development in water safety and relative issues on Dongjiang water. Participants also discussed building water security under the Belt and Road Initiative.
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
International Water Pioneers Summit convenes leaders and experts from water supply sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
