Dr. Marie L Frey, from the Global Geopark Bureau, was invited to visit Hong Kong Global Geopark of China and to deliver a talk at the Knowledge Sharing Workshop for Asia Pacific Geopark Managers titled “Learning together with GGN Partners” on 1-2 June 2014. Dr. Frey also met with the Secretary for the Environment, Mr. Wong Kam-sing, and attended a guided tour of one of the geopark-themed hotels in Hong Kong. Both sides had the opportunity to discuss geopark management and operations from the perspective of the Global Geoparks Network.

Breakfast meeting between Dr Marie L Frey from the Global Geopark Bureau,
the Secretary for the Environment, Mr. Wong Kam-sing and Head of Hong Kong Global Geopark of China

On 2 June 2014, Dr Frey also enjoyed the excitement of the dragon boat races and the associated cultural performances during the Dragon Boat Festival, an ancient Chinese festival commemorating the death of National Hero Qu Yuan some 2,000 years ago. Communities across Hong Kong celebrate the festival with locally organized dragon boat races. This popular part of Hong Kong’s cultural heritage attracts dragon boat teams from around the world for the competition and associated celebrations, and it has also become an integral part of Hong Kong Global Geopark.

Visit to dragon boat races and the associated cultural performance

Following the above activities, the successful seven-day Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) series of workshops concluded on 2 June 2014 at Hong Kong Global Geopark of China.

“We hope our experience in running and coordinating this series of APGN workshop in the region provided new perspectives and opportunities for growth of the Global Geoparks Network,” said a Hong Kong Global Geopark spokesman.