Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has praised the water supply from mainland China for sustaining Hong Kong’s development over the past six decades, while pledging to turn the city into an international infrastructure centre through innovation.
Hong Kong’s leader made the remarks on Tuesday to mark the 60th anniversary of the fresh water supply from the Dongjiang, or East River, in Guangdong province for the city.
“Hong Kong’s water story is one of the transformations illustrating how a city with limited water resources can turn geographic and resource limitations into engineering triumphs,” Lee said in his opening remarks at the International Water Pioneers Summit, held to mark the anniversary.
He said the water supply project was a prime example of the city’s strong infrastructure.
“Innovation in infrastructure development will power our future. Our goal is to establish Hong Kong as an international infrastructure centre that serves our city and China, our country,” he added.
Hong Kong has received a fresh water supply from the river since 1965 with 70 to 80 per cent of fresh water consumed in Hong Kong coming from that source. The rest of the city’s supply comes from rainfall.
