SCS visits Hong Kong Observatory to learn about its latest developments (with photos)
18.1.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, today (January 18) visited the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) to get an update on its latest developments. She also encouraged the department staff to stay united and continue to uphold and put into practice the values of "Innovate with Science, Serve with Heart" by protecting lives through science and providing people-oriented quality services in meteorology and related fields. Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung was briefed by the Director of the HKO, Dr Cheng Cho-ming, and the directorate staff on the department's latest developments. They also met with staff representatives of various grades to exchange views on matters that concern them. Mrs Yeung said, "The HKO truly provides uninterrupted and round-the-clock services to the public through science, which includes weather forecasting, aviation and marine weather services, microclimate monitoring and radiation monitoring, and remains steadfast in carrying out duties regardless of adverse weather conditions. Apart from shouldering responsibilities for disseminating regular and round-the-clock weather information and various warnings on inclement weather, the HKO plays an important role in the event of emergency and maintains close communication with emergency co-ordination centres of other departments to provide them with the latest weather information for their prompt formulation of disaster preventive measures or arrangements to reduce loss of life and damage to property and minimise disruption to economic and social activities. I hope that colleagues, with dedication and professionalism, will continue to keep up with the times, strengthen communications with members of the public and tell the good stories of the HKO." The HKO has won the Gold Prize of the Excellence in Service Enhancement Award (Small Department Category) seven times in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme. The HKO has been developing new services to meet the needs of the public through science, innovation and partnership. Among them, the personalised weather app "MyObservatory" has undergone constant enhancements since it was developed by the HKO in 2010, and it is well received by the public with a cumulative download count of over 9.6 million. Mrs Yeung visited the Earthquake Monitoring and Tsunami Warning Centre where she was briefed on the procedures for collection and analysis of real-time seismic data in Hong Kong and across the globe, as well as dissemination of earthquake and tsunami information to the public. She also toured the Central Forecasting Office to learn about its forecasting and warning services, and the Radiation Monitoring and Assessment Centre to know more about the city's environmental radiation monitoring and accident consequence assessment. She then went to the Observatory's TV studio to gain an understanding of the in-house production of TV weather programmes and the procedures of weather briefing under inclement weather. Mrs Yeung said, "The Lunar New Year is approaching. Quite a number of departments, including the HKO, need to work in shifts as usual and discharge their public duties diligently during the holidays. Their work, whether it is maintaining public order, providing emergency relief, maintaining necessary services such as cleaning streets, monitoring the city's road traffic or monitoring mechanical and electrical operations of important facilities, deserves public recognition. I am also grateful to colleagues for their hard work."