DSD's Tsui Ping River Revitalization Project Awarded Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize for Innovation and Infrastructure Enhancement

DSD project awarded Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize

The Hong Kong Seaside and Riverside Enhancement Scheme - Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and Upgrading of Sewage Facilities in Kwun Tong, a project by the Drainage Services Department (DSD), has been awarded the 21st Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize (Municipal Infrastructure Category). The prize recognises the project's outstanding performance in engineering technology innovation and the application of technology, as well as in driving high-quality industry development.

Attending the prize presentation ceremony held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 22), the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said that the project is the DSD's first comprehensive municipal initiative integrating flood protection, sewage treatment and waterfront enhancement. The prize is a recognition of the team's efforts in delivering people-oriented and river-focused infrastructure projects, and highlights the achievements of the Hong Kong engineering sector in applying advanced technology and balancing flood protection with conservation.

The project integrates two major works, namely the Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and the Enhancement Works for the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station. The approximately one-kilometre-long Tsui Ping River, which had in earlier years been artificially converted into a reinforced concrete open drainage channel, has been revitalised into a scenic riverside space through ecological restoration and installation of facilities including cross-river walkways and Hong Kong's first smart water gate in a river channel. In addition, an underground sewage balancing tank with a capacity of 16 000 cubic metres was constructed beneath the sewage pumping station, while the 11 000-square-metre Cha Kwo Ling Promenade was built on its roof. The project not only enhances local flood resilience and improves the water quality of Victoria Harbour, but also unlocks waterfront space, connecting approximately 1.7km of coastline to form a continuous promenade and provide high-quality leisure space for the public.

The judging panel of the prize highly commended the project's adoption of innovative technologies and designs, in particular the "single site, multiple uses" model and the creation of green public spaces; the use of an AI-based water level forecasting system and a smart site safety system during construction; the installation of a smart water gate in the river channel that rises and falls with the tides to effectively enhance construction efficiency and environmental performance; and the linking of river water level data with surrounding underground stormwater storage tanks through a sophisticated control system to form a co-ordinated "tank-lake-river" flood protection network, demonstrating excellent flood discharge performance.

Established by the China Civil Engineering Society and the Beijing Tien-yow Jeme Foundation for Development of Science and Technology in Civil Engineering, the Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize aims to commend civil engineering projects with outstanding achievements in technological innovation and application. The DSD was previously awarded the prize for its Stormwater Interception and Storage Schemes for Hong Kong Urban Areas project and the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme in 2014 and 2018 respectively.

The Hong Kong Seaside and Riverside Enhancement Scheme - Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and Upgrading of Sewage Facilities in Kwun Tong, a project by the Drainage Services Department, has been awarded the 21st Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize (Municipal Infrastructure Category). Photo shows a panoramic view of Cha Kwo Ling Promenade on the roof of the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Seaside and Riverside Enhancement Scheme - Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and Upgrading of Sewage Facilities in Kwun Tong, a project by the Drainage Services Department, has been awarded the 21st Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize (Municipal Infrastructure Category). Photo shows Tsui Ping River after revitalisation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Seaside and Riverside Enhancement Scheme - Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and Upgrading of Sewage Facilities in Kwun Tong, a project by the Drainage Services Department (DSD), has been awarded the 21st Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize (Municipal Infrastructure Category). Photo shows the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok (centre); the then Chief Engineer of the DSD Mr Terence Tse (first right); and the Chief Engineer of the DSD Mr Ian Wan (first left), both of whom oversaw the relevant project works, at the award presentation ceremony in Chengdu today (September 22). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects case of non-registered precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified transactions

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 21) detected a case involving a local company that conducted transactions of pearls and jewellery containing pearls valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. An investigation is ongoing.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs, Photo source: reference image