Civic Exchange Seminar – Dirty & Thirsty: Is this the future of Dongjiang?
DATE: 30 May 2012  FILED UNDER: Environment, Events, Events, Issues, Latest Events, News 

Hong Kong’s fresh water supply is largely taken for granted. It is plentiful and affordable, and by global standards considered safe to drink. However, recent news of a toxic chemical spill in Xijiang and pollution in the Dongjiang River is a warning to Hong Kong that our water supply depends on the health of a larger hydrological system on the Mainland.

Building on the two reports reviewing the water quality in the Dongjiang and the Pearl River Basin[1] and the risks of industrial relocation in Guangdong[2], Civic Exchange will launch a report and a photographic documentary on the current state of the Dongjiang River. The principle author of the new report, Ms Su LIU (Greater China Manager of Civic Exchange) will introduce her recent visit to the Dongjiang River Basin and explain the implications for water security and sustainable development in Hong Kong. We are also delighted to have Mr YANG Yong (Founder and Chief Scientist of Hengduan Mountain Research Association) to join this event and share his insight.

Download full report:

Liquid Assets IIIA：Dongjiang Overloaded – 2011 Dongjiang Expedition Report English | Chinese
Liquid Assets IIIB: A photographic report of the 2011 Dongjiang Expedition Bilingual report

Media Coverage:

30 May 2012 – RTHK – News at 16.26 – Thinktank urges long-term water strategy
30 May 2120 – RTHK – Newswrap (18.00 – 22.05) – Interview with Ms Su Liu
31 May 2012 – RTHK – News at 00.26 – Thinktank urges long-term water strategy
31 May 2012 – RTHK – Backchat (9.15 – 9.30) - Interview with Ms Su Liu
31 May 2012 – SCMP – The disgusting and dissipating source of HK’s miraculous drinking water
31 May 2012 – SCMP – Pressure on river spells the end of our low water bills
Ming Pao Weekly – (coming soon)

Date: 30 May 2012
Time: 9.00 – 10.45am
Venue: Main Dianing Room, Foreign Correspondents’ Club Hong Kong
Language: Mandarin and English

Ms Su LIU – introduced her fieldtrip observations and address the problems of urbanization and industrial relocation in Guangdong and its threats to water resources. PPT (2.6MB) | Video

Mr YANG Yong – articulated the ecological and geological problems of hydropower development in the Pearl River basin, especially the Dongjiang. He will also address the implications of China’s water diversion plans as well as mega hydro development in the southwest China in relation to Guangdong. PPT (2MB) | Video Session 1 | Session 2

Mr Mike KILBURN – commented on the interconnection between climate change, drought, Guangdong’s energy market and air pollution in the Pearl River Delta. PPT (1MB)

Ms Christine LOH – moderated a panel discussion and Q&A session with all speakers and audiences.

Ms Su LIU

Su Liu is the Great China Manager and Policy Researcher of Civic-Exchange, a Hong Kong based independent and non-profit public policy think tank. Her work in Civic Exchange covers mainly water related policy research and China related project coordination. Su was a former public opinion researcher (Deputy Managing Director of the Gallup Organization HK), and a communication strategist (Deputy Managing Director of Wirthlin Worldwide Asia).

Mr Yang Yong

Graduated in the China University of Mining and Technology’s Department of Geology, Mr Yang is a senior engineer of environmental geology. He is also an independent geologist, a well-known professional explorer, the Founder and Chief Scientist of Hengduan Mountain Research Association, and the Deputy Director of China Foundation for Desertification Control. Mr Yang has 25 years of expedition experience on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Hengduan Mountains, as well as major rivers and river basins for studies in ecology, geology and hydrology.

Previous reports:

[1] Liquid Assets I – Water Security and Management in the Pearl River Basin and Hong Kong (2009) http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/liquidassets_en
[2] Liquid Assets II – Industrial Relocation in Guangdong Province: Avoid Repeating Mistakes http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/120110industrialrelocation_en