Chengdu-Hong Kong Dialogue on Water Conservancy Projects: ICE HKA Delegation Visits Chengdu

Recently, the delegation of the Institution of Civil Engineers Hong Kong Association (ICE HKA) arrived in Chengdu and engaged in in-depth exchanges with water conservancy experts in Dujiangyan on water conservancy projects in Chengdu and Hong Kong.

During their exchange, Huang Xiaochuan, Senior Engineer of Sichuan Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Development Center, introduced the history, technical details, and social benefits of Dujiangyan Irrigation System. With the Yuzui Bypass Dike in view, he elaborated on the underlying rationale of “40/60 Water Allocation and 20/80 Sediment Drainage”.

Standing before the Feishayan Floodgate and the Baopingkou Diversion Passage, Huang Xiaochuan answered the delegation’s question about “how floods and sediment are managed during flood seasons”. He explained that the Feishayan Floodgate discharges sediment and mitigates floods through circulating currents at the river bend, and the Baopingkou Diversion Passage precisely regulates water intake; together with the Yuzui Bypass Dike, these components work in synergy to create the water conservancy engineering marvel of “diverting water without the use of dams”. Huang Xiaochuan further illustrated the historical maintenance of Dujiangyan Irrigation System and its philosophy of “harmony between nature and humanity” through engaging historical stories, allowing the delegation to appreciate not only the technical ingenuity but also the profound cultural heritage. An engineer remarked, “The concept of ‘harmony between nature and humanity’ manifested in Dujiangyan Irrigation System offers valuable inspiration to the design of modern water conservancy projects.” Both sides exchanged views on sediment dredging, geological challenges in the No. 2 Floodgate Project, and other topics.

During the visit, Siu Yau Cheong, a delegation member, Former Chairperson of the ICE HKA, and Former Project Manager of the West Development Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, provided a detailed introduction to the management of the Lok Ma Chau Loop area. He noted that the development of the area prioritizes ecological conservation and biodiversity maintenance. He added that in addition to ecological zones, the area is planned to include educational, innovation, exchange, and riverside recreation zones to facilitate scientific research, ecological conservation, and cross-border engagement. In his view, Dujiangyan Irrigation System and the Lok Ma Chau Loop area exemplify the philosophy of “putting humanity and nature at the core”.

The exchange event has deepened the Hong Kong engineers’ understanding of Chengdu’s history, culture, and urban development. It has not only established a bridge for deeper cooperation in water conservancy projects between Chengdu and Hong Kong but has also injected green momentum into the collaborative development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone.

Source: Chengdu Discovery