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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (June 1) visited the Hong Kong Observatory to gain a better understanding of its work during the wet typhoon season, and other services it provided.
While he was in the Central Forecasting Office, the Chief Executive watched through computer monitors a replay of the sequence of weather events during the approach of Typhoon Chanchu last month.
Mr Tsang said: "I am impressed by the observatory's ability to predict the 90-degree turn of Chanchu in the central part of the South China Sea, and the rapid improvement in the local weather after Chanchu's landfall.
"It is important to predict accurately the movement of a tropical cyclone so that workers and students can plan their transport arrangements as early as possible."
He complimented the observatory on its use of advanced technology to enhance forecast accuracy. He also expressed his gratitude to all frontline staff working round-the-clock to serve the public during the approach of tropical cyclones.
The Director of the Observatory, Mr CY Lam, and a number of professional staff explained the work of the observatory to the Chief Executive, in particular, the pivotal role of research and development in the provision of weather services.
The "Nowcasting System" developed by the observatory to support its rainstorm warning operation is one of the most advanced systems of its kind in the world. This system will support the specialised weather forecasting service for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A trial version of the system will be shipped to Beijing this summer to take part in a preliminary demonstration project.
To support the 2008 Olympic equestrian event in Hong Kong, the observatory had developed a system to monitor a horse's heat stress, and will collect the necessary climatological data starting this summer. The system would also have potential applications in Hong Kong in studying heat stress on human in the future. "The 2008 Olympics is an important event of our country," Mr Tsang said. "I am glad that the observatory will use advanced technologies to serve the country and to serve Hong Kong."
The Chief Executive then visited the observatory's TV studio, and saw how a single professional meteorologist produced an entire TV weather programme. He said that TV weather programmes brought observatory colleagues closer to members of the public "It is the main channel of weather information for senior citizens. I appreciate the observatory's effort to meet the needs of the community."
He was also briefed on the studies being carried out by the observatory on the possible relations between meteorological factors and visibility.
Finally, Mr Tsang met and chatted with representatives of different grades of the observatory and members of the "Happy Business" working group who organise activities for colleagues at the observatory. Mr Tsang remarked that despite being a small department, the Hong Kong Observatory offered a broad range of services, thereby bringing challenges, opportunities and job satisfaction to its staff. "Your 'Happy Business' is very meaningful. To sustain the vitality and productivity of the department, it is very important for all staff to maintain a proper work-life balance," he said.
After visiting the observatory, Mr Tsang took a bus and ferry back to Central and talked to other bus and ferry passengers. "The buses nowadays are much more comfortable, and taking a cross-harbour ferry ride is always a good option to enjoy the views on both sides of the harbour," he said.
Ends/Thursday, June 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:29
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