John Lee hails Hong Kong’s mainland water legacy amid warning over future supply

Hong Kong’s leader pledges to turn city into global infrastructure centre on 60th anniversary of securing fresh water supply from mainland

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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Water Pioneers Summit held at Hong Kong Palace Museum in West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 1:10pm, 1 Apr 2025Updated: 9:48pm, 1 Apr 2025

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has praised the water supply from mainland China for sustaining Hong Kong’s development over the past six decades, with experts warning over the challenges of maintaining stability and quality.

Hong Kong’s leader made the remarks on Tuesday as the city marked the 60th anniversary of the fresh water supply being procured from the Dongjiang, or East River, in Guangdong province.

“Hong Kong’s water story is one of the transformations illustrating how a city with limited water resources can turn geographic and resource limitations into engineering triumphs,” Lee said in his opening remarks at the International Water Pioneers Summit, held to mark the anniversary.

He said the water supply project was a prime example of the city’s strong infrastructure.

“Innovation in infrastructure development will power our future. Our goal is to establish Hong Kong as an international infrastructure centre that serves our city and China, our country,” he added.

Hong Kong has received a fresh water supply from the river since 1965, with 70 to 80 per cent of fresh water consumed in Hong Kong coming from that source.