The Division of Applied Science invited distinguished speaker Ms. Cindy Choi, Chairman of the Association for Geconservation, Hong Kong, to share with the students of Geography and Resources Management (GRMG) Concentration Studies the sustainable development and challenges faced by UNESCO global geoparks and geotourism in China.

應用科學學部早前邀請到香港地貌岩石保育協會主席蔡慕貞女士蒞臨國際學院與「地理及資源管理」專修同學分享， 主題為聯合國教科文組織世界地質公園和中國地質旅遊的可持續發展和面臨的挑戰。

Ms. Choi began by highlighting that China had 41 out of the 195 UNESCO global geoparks as of 21 Mar 2024, making it the country with the highest number of geoparks in the world. She emphasised the significance of geotourism and geoparks in supporting sustainable development, noting that different geoparks in China exhibit a diverse range of geological, ecological and cultural characteristics, including granite, karst, sandstone, volcano, glacier, desert, paleontology, humanities, minerals, and ecology.

蔡女士稱截至2024年3月21日, 全球現有195個被列爲聯合國教科文組織世界地質公園，其中中國擁有41個，為世界上地質公園數量最多的國家。她強調地質旅遊和地質公園於支持可持續發展具相當的重要性，中國各地的地質公園展示了多樣的地質、生態和文化特徵，包括花崗岩、喀斯特、砂岩、火山、冰川、沙漠、古生物、人文、礦物和生態。

Ms. Choi used Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark which is known for its well-preserved volcanic landforms, including various types of volcanoes, craters, lava tunnel and lava formations as an example. The geopark also features a string of five lakes known as Wudalianchi, earning it the nickname of "Natural Volcano Museum." Ms. Choi highlighted the importance of geopark laws, environmentally friendly practices, and effective management in Wudalianchi Geopark. Notable initiatives included using e-vehicles, constructing wooden trails for block lava flow observation, and implementing diligent monitoring and review processes.

她以位於中國黑龍江省黑河市的五大連池聯合國教科文組織世界地質公園作為例子，該地以火山地貌而聞名，包括不同類型的火山、火山口、熔岩隧道和熔岩地貌等。該地質公園還擁有五大湖泊，被稱為“自然火山博物館”。蔡女士闡明五大連池地質公園的法律、環境友善的實踐和有效管理的重要。其中一些值得注意的措施包括使用電動車輛，建設木質步道去觀察熔岩冷卻後所形成的熔岩台地，以及實施嚴謹的監測流程。

In addition to sharing success stories, Ms. Choi discussed the challenges faced by Wudalianchi Geopark. These challenges included the closure of the geopark during the cold season (November to March), the potential strain on carrying capacity during peak tourist periods, natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and changes in management units.

蔡女士與同學討論了五大連池面臨的挑戰，包括在寒冷季節（11月至3月）關閉地質公園，旅遊高峰期間可能對承載大量觀光客的壓力、地震和火山爆發等自然災害、以及管理單位的變化。

GRMG students found Ms. Choi's talk both interesting and enlightening, as it deepened their understanding of China's global geoparks. They came to appreciate the vital role that geoparks play in environmental conservation, sustainable development, and their broader impact on the economy and society.

同學對中國世界地質公園增長了不少知識。他們認識到地質公園在環境保護、可持續發展以及對經濟和社會所扮演的重要角色。