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The ˇ§Hong Kong ˇV Maritime Focusˇ¨ roving exhibition, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, opened at Exchange Square, Central today (October 2).
The exhibition offers the public a good opportunity to take a closer look at port and maritime activities that they seldom come across.
The exhibition, being held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, traces the development of the port of Hong Kong over the past decade and shows how Hong Kong has developed into a SuperHub.
Pictures and models of various types of vessels, from modern ultra-large container ships to cross-harbour passenger ferries, and a short film encapsulating the hustle and bustle of the port round the clock, are on show at the exhibition.
Visitors will learn about the real maritime world that is driven not only by vessels and seafarers at sea, but also by many other professionals across various sectors.
Through the exhibition, visitors can discover interesting facts, like the unique two-flag ensign flown by Hong Kong registered ships - the Hong Kong SAR flag topped by the national flag, symbolising ˇ§one country, two systemsˇ¨, and will see how busy the Hong Kong port is with one ship going in and out every two minutes.
ˇ§With a maritime history of more than 160 years, we are now the worldˇ¦s seventh largest maritime centre. Our ship-owners own, manage or operate more than 1,200 ships ˇV more than 8% of the worldˇ¦s merchant fleet in terms of deadweight tonnage,ˇ¨ the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, said as she opened the exhibition with the Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Trust, Mr C C Tung.
ˇ§Hong Kong is now among the worldˇ¦s top five shipping registers with a registered tonnage of more than 35 million tons,ˇ¨ Ms Cheng said.
She also presented cheques to 12 cadets of the Sea-going Training Incentive Scheme, which was established by the Government in 2004 with the support of the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council to encourage youngsters to embark on sea-going careers.
The scheme offers a monthly allowance of $4 000 to a cadet for the duration of his cadetship training. So far, 68 cadets have joined the successful scheme.
Admission to the ˇ§Hong Kong ˇV Maritime Focusˇ¨ roving exhibition is free. The schedule of the exhibition is as follows:
The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Central (October 2-5, 10am -6pm; October 6, 10am-4pm)
Hong Kong Maritime Museum, G/F, Murray House, Stanley (October 9-December 23, 10am-6pm; closed on Mondays)
Exhibition Hall, 1/F, Hong Kong City Hall Low Block, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central (December 27-January 12, noon-8pm; January 13, noon-5pm)
Exhibition Gallery 5, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay (January 17-30, noon-8pm; January 31, noon -5pm)
For enquiries, please call 2813 2322 or visit the website of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum: www.hkmaritimemuseum.org.
Ends/Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:27
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