[Concurrent] Lu Guohua, Director of Water Supplies Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Hong Kong actually collects rainwater from a local catchment area of more than 300 square kilometers each year, which can only meet 20 to 30% of Hong Kong’s total local water consumption. If there is no Dongjiang water supply, you can actually imagine that the entire Hong Kong must be planned as one. The catchment area, so it can be said that if there were no Dongjiang water delivery project, Hong Kong would not have the population and scale of development as it is today.
[Explanation] This is how Lu Guohua, Director of the Water Supplies Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, understands the significance of the Dongshen Water Supply Project to Hong Kong.
A few days ago, Lu Guohua said in an interview with a reporter from China News Agency that during the severe drought in 1963, Hong Kong experienced the most severe restriction of water supply. Water supply was once every 4 days for 4 hours. People's livelihood and economy were greatly affected. Restricting water supply is still fresh in my memory.
[Commentary] Lu Guohua pointed out that the problem of water shortage in Hong Kong was solved by the Dongshen Project.
This water supply project used tens of thousands of manpower. In March 1965, fresh water was exported to Hong Kong over 80 kilometers.
To this day, the Dongjiang Water Supply Agreement has adopted a more stable "turnkey total" approach to ensure that Hong Kong's water supply will not be affected even if Hong Kong suffers a drought that is once in a century.
[Concurrent] Lu Guohua, Director of Water Supplies Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
The Dongjiang Water Supply Agreement actually adopts the "turnkey" approach. What is the "turnkey" approach?
In fact, it guarantees that the annual water supply is capped at 820 million cubic meters. This upper limit guarantees that even if Hong Kong encounters a once-in-a-hundred-year drought, we can still guarantee that the water supply will not be affected. According to this agreement, Hong Kong can even look at actual needs and require The annual water supply ceiling is raised to 1.1 billion cubic meters.
[Explanation] With the development of the Pearl River Delta, the Dongshen Water Supply Project has also undergone 4 expansions, and the development of Dongjiang water is close to the upper limit.
With the launch of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cooperation and development framework, the country will continue to expand the allocation of water sources in the Pearl River Delta and introduce the Xijiang River with greater water flow.
Lu Guohua believes that the “West-to-East Water Diversion” will ease the demand for Dongjiang water in the region and provide a reserve for Hong Kong. He believes that the Pearl River Delta Water Resources Allocation Project can further guarantee water supply to Hong Kong.
[Concurrent] Lu Guohua, Director of Water Supplies Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Everyone knows that the resource development rate of Dongjiang water is very close to the upper limit. The "Pearl River Delta Water Resources Allocation Project", or "West-to-East Water Diversion Project", is actually to introduce the water from the West River to the eastern part of the Pearl River Delta, including Nansha, Guangzhou. , Shenzhen and Dongguan. This will greatly ease the demand for Dongjiang water (water supply). At the same time, it will help Hong Kong, Panyu, Shunde and other regions to provide backup. We believe that the "Pearl River Delta Water Resources Allocation Project" will further guarantee the water supply to Hong Kong.
[Explanation] Lu Guohua pointed out that looking back over the past 50 years, Dongjiang water has never been interrupted, people live and work in peace and contentment, and the economy is developing steadily. Today, Dongjiang water is the main artery of Hong Kong.
It fully reflects the country's consistent care and support for Hong Kong.
[Concurrent] Lu Guohua, Director of Water Supplies Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Looking back over the past 50 years, Dongjiang water has never been interrupted. It can be said that it is the main artery of Hong Kong. It supports the stable development of Hong Kong’s society and economy, and enables our citizens to live and work in peace and contentment. Therefore, we believe that Dongjiang water reflects the country’s consistent care and support for Hong Kong. It reflects the close relationship between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Reporter Liang Yuan from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】