Delegations from Belt and Road countries attend Eco Expo Asia and EPD environmental technology forum (with photos)

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) arranged for delegations from Belt and Road (B&R) countries (including Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam and Brunei) to visit Hong Kong's climate adaptation and resilient infrastructures this morning (October 31). These infrastructures effectively strengthen the city's ability to adapt to climate change, minimising the impacts and losses caused by extreme weather.
 
     The delegations, accompanied by EPD and CEDD officers, visited the iconic landslip prevention work, Po Shan Drainage Tunnel – Landslide Sci-Tech Chamber. They were introduced to the novel and innovative features adopted in the design and construction of the Po Shan Drainage Tunnel, which can effectively control the groundwater level in the area, thereby improving the stability of the hillside against large-scale slope failure as a result of heavy rainfall. The delegations also visited the breakwaters at the Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter and studied the improvement works for enhancing its ability to resist the impact of waves.
 
     In the afternoon, the B&R delegations attended an environmental technology forum at the Environmental Academy organised by the EPD, with the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and CEDD's representatives. At the forum, EPD officers introduced the application of smart technologies in water quality management, CAS representatives shared their achievements from collaborations with B&R countries on water technologies, and CEDD officers introduced their infrastructure works for strengthening Hong Kong's ability to adapt to climate change. The delegates from the B&R countries had in-depth discussions and exchanges on topics of water environment technologies and climate resilient infrastructures.
 
     The delegations also visited the Sludge Treatment Facility (T·PARK) of the EPD and the Lok On Pai Salt Water Pumping Station of the Water Supplies Department yesterday (October 30).
 
     A spokesperson for the EPD said that Eco Expo Asia is being held from October 30 to November 2, and the EPD also takes the opportunity to exchange with the delegates from B&R countries and the CAS on various topics, including water quality management, strategies for combating climate change, application and development of advanced technology and smart enforcement in environmental protection.
 
     "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue to proactively connect with B&R regions and leverage Hong Kong's experience and advantages in environmental protection, water environment quality and resources management, and climate adaptation and resilient infrastructures to go hand in hand with B&R countries to achieve high-quality green and sustainable development," the spokesperson said.