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Hong Kong Global Geopark of China signs sixth sister arrangement (with photo)
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     To foster a closer relationship with members of the Global Geoparks Network, the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China signed a sister arrangement with the United Kingdom's Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark today (May 26).

     As part of efforts to enhance the sustainable development of geotourism, geo-education and geoheritage, the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China has established sister arrangements with five other global geoparks since 2009, namely the Kanawinka Global Geopark in Australia, the Yangdanshan Global Geopark in China, the Itoigawa Global Geopark in Japan, the English Riviera Global Geopark in the United Kingdom and the Global Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald in Germany.

     "Establishing a partnership between the two geoparks will help strengthen the existing relationship between the two places as well as offering further collaboration opportunities. This will be achieved through sharing scientific information and experience in best management practices, as well as collaborating in areas such as tourism promotion, research, education and training. It will also allow the two geoparks to work together to raise public understanding and awareness of wise use of geoheritage for sustainable development," a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

     The manager of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Mr Richard Watson, said, "With over 80 global geoparks across the world, we can gain a huge amount of knowledge and expertise by working together and learning from each other's experiences. The sister arrangement offers a wonderful opportunity to explore our common interests and open up the wonders of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark to a worldwide audience."

     The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is located in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. Taking in the world-famous Marble Arch Caves, the geopark boasts some of the finest natural landscapes in the United Kingdom and offers a window into the area's 650 million year past. It joined the Global Geoparks Network in 2004.

     Hong Kong Geopark was admitted as a member of the Global Geoparks Network in September, 2011. Now called the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China, it includes two regions covering eight geo-areas, each with its unique geological features. The Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region displays spectacular hexagonal rock columns, which are considered world class both in terms of size and coverage. The Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region represents the most comprehensive stratigraphy of sedimentary rocks in Hong Kong, ranging from Devonian sandstone and conglomerate about 400 million years old to Paleogene siltstone, which is about 55 million years old.

Ends/Saturday, May 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:00

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