Last week, we talked about a thematic exhibition featuring the Hong Kong’s quarry industry. This week, colleagues from the Mines Division of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) will take us to Lam Tei Quarry in Tuen Mun, which is the only existing quarry operating in Hong Kong, to appreciate the quarry operation and the work of the Mines Division in supervising the use of explosives for “mountain cutting and rock breaking” (rock blasting and breaking) in the quarry……

Last year, I was honoured to be appointed as the Secretary for Development. Time flies. A year has passed. With the concerted efforts of departmental colleagues, we have been handling numerous issues. During the process, we have reached out to different stakeholders to conduct open and frank exchanges on various policies and initiatives. I am impressed by the number of people who are committed to our society. Our views may differ at times, but we share common goals of driving society forward and developing Hong Kong into an ideal city for living and working. Now, I would like to review with you the work of the Development Bureau (DEVB) over the past year......

Have you noticed that the names of quite a number of places in Hong Kong contain the character of “rock” in Chinese? Shek Tong Tsui, Diamond Hill, Shek O and Shek Mun are some examples. According to folk records, all of these places are closely related to quarries in the old days as quarries were once located in these places. With a history spanning over a century, the Hong Kong’s quarry industry has not only taken forward the Hong Kong’s city construction, but has also provided valuable developable land to support Hong Kong’s different development needs......

Every year, dragon boat races are held in various districts across the territory to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. This year, I was invited to Tai O to watch with the public a traditional annual event unique to Tai O organised by the local fishing community – the “Dragon Boat Water Parade”. Setting foot in Tai O, I certainly did not miss the opportunity to “check-in” at the Tai O Heritage Hotel, a project under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme) of the Development Bureau (DEVB). Being a distinctive building of historic interest, the hotel has become a must-see hot spot for tourists in recent years, and serves as an example of successful conservation and revitalisation. Also, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office (CHO), I have invited the Commissioner for Heritage, Mr YAM Ho-san, José, to talk about the CHO’s past efforts and its future plan in taking forward the work on heritage conservation……

Today is Father’s Day. First of all I would like to wish all fathers a Happy Father’s Day! Last week, I shared with you the story of Drain Chargeman Mr KOO Wai-ming of the Drainage Services Department. This week we have another frontline colleague, Mr CHUI Chi-kit, also a good father, who works behind the scenes in our bustling airport. Mr CHUI is an Assistant Electrical Inspector of the Airfield Facilities Section of the Airport and Vehicle Engineering Division (AVED) under the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), who is responsible for the maintenance and repair of landing and runway lights at the Hong Kong International Airport. He performs shift duty around the clock to ensure the proper functioning of the lighting systems, which are extremely important to aircrafts during takeoff and landing.……