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During the first day of her official visit to Paris on July 18 (Paris time), the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, met officials responsible for heritage conservation and green building policies.
She met officials of the French Environment and Energy Management Agency and was briefed on their work in promoting development of low-carbon cities and energy-efficient buildings.
She also visited two office buildings to see the latest energy-saving technologies and facilities.
Earlier in the day, Mrs Lam had a meeting with the President of the National Centre of Monuments, Mrs Isabelle Lemesle, and was briefed on the efforts by this public agency under the Ministry for Culture and Communication in conserving, restoring and managing nearly 100 national monuments in the country. She took the opportunity to tour the Hotel de Sully, where the Centre's head office is located, and was briefed on the restoration work being undertaken in this historic building constructed in 1830.
She also visited the heritage conservation project in Domaine de Chantilly, which is located 45 kilometres north of Paris. The Domaine is made up of the Chateau de Chantilly, with its museum and libraries, gardens, grand stables and racecourse. These historic castles and sites have been revitalised to become venues for events, performances, film settings, conventions and seminars.
Mrs Lam was briefed by the President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, Mr Pierre-Antoine Gatier, on the restoration works to furniture and decorations in the Chateau de Chantilly. Mr Gatier will participate as a keynote speaker at the International Conference on Heritage Conservation organised by the Development Bureau later in the year.
Ends/Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:35
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