Fossil discovery a boon to HK

October 29, 2024

Chief Executive John Lee:

The dinosaur fossils are our first (such) discovery in Hong Kong. We are all very excited. 

We will maintain the fossils so that they will not only help (with) research, but also help (with) developing Hong Kong as a place for us to learn more about the history of dinosaurs, and grasping this opportunity to develop it into, maybe, a tourist attraction.

First of all, we will be making use of the courtyard of the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to build a workshop and exhibition area for people to see the work of the experts, and also to see the fossils being prepared.

In fact, what is encouraging is (that) the discovery on Port Island (was) in the area of our (Hong Kong UNESCO Global) Geopark. We actually have a very famous and spectacular spot (in the geopark), which is the volcanic hexagonal rock columns.

Indeed, we will be making use of this opportunity to develop some special tourist lines so that they can look at, first of all, the volcanic hexagonal rock columns, as well as all the other attractions of our geopark, including some exhibitions of the dinosaur fossils.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The unprecedented discovery of dinosaur fossils in Hong Kong has sparked excitement and created an opportunity for the city to seize on the revelation to further develop tourism here, Chief Executive John Lee said today.

Mr Lee made the remarks before attending this morning’s Executive Council meeting. Such remarks came after the dinosaur fossils, initially confirmed to be dated to the Cretaceous period, were discovered for the first time on Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark last week.

“We will maintain the fossils so that they will not only help (with) research, but also help (with) developing Hong Kong as a place for us to learn more about the history of dinosaurs, and grasping this opportunity to develop it into, maybe, a tourist attraction.”

The Chief Executive noted that space at the Heritage Discovery Centre has been reserved to build a workshop and stage an exhibition with the fossils as the theme.

“We will be making use of this opportunity to develop some special tourist lines so that they can look at, first of all, the volcanic hexagonal rock columns, as well as all the other attractions of our geopark, including some exhibitions of the dinosaur fossils.”