GEO holds thematic exhibition to mark 40th anniversary of HK Slope Safety System (with photos)
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Through various exhibits and videos, the exhibition reviews the history and development of the Hong Kong Slope Safety System set up by the GEO, and introduces how the multi-pronged strategies of the System have successfully reduced the landslide risk in Hong Kong, making Hong Kong's slope safety performance on a par with the highest world standards. The exhibition also reminds the public to stay vigilant against severe landslide hazards.
In the exhibition, there is also a landslide virtual reality experience zone, a "Prince‧Princess‧Landslide Demon" toy block building corner for families, and workshops on Western calligraphy and silk-screen printing for the public to create hand-crafted souvenirs.
Officiating at the opening ceremony today (July 14), the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung, said that the government allocates resources annually for the management of landslide risks and ongoing implementation of the Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme. Also, public education programmes such as exhibitions, talks and visits are organised to enhance public awareness of landslide hazards, and to remind and help private owners to fulfil their slope inspection and maintenance responsibilities.
He said that the Government would, as always, continue to allocate resources to support departments to meet the challenges arising from landslides so as to create a safer living environment for Hong Kong people.
Another officiating guest, the Deputy Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Norman Heung, said that large-scale landslide incidents have been very rare in light of the Government's efforts over the past four decades. He stressed, however, that owing to extreme weather, population growth and slope aging, the risk of landslides can never be zero. He called on the public to raise their alertness and be prepared for landslide disasters.
Other officiating guests at the ceremony were the Director of Fire Services, Mr Daryl Li; the Director of Buildings, Dr Cheung Tin-cheung; the Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Shun Chi-ming; the Head of Geotechnical Engineering Office, Mr Pun Wai-keung; the President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Mr Thomas Chan; and the Chairman of the Construction Industry Council, Mr Chan Ka-kui.
Information about the exhibition and slope safety is available at the Hong Kong Slope Safety website (hkss.cedd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, July 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:55
Issued at HKT 17:55
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