The first visit of a full-sized Chinese Long March rocket to Hong Kong in December will pose a huge problem - getting it through the streets to its show site.
The 50-metre Long March II - about equivalent to 28 people on top of each other - will be a highlight of the Trade and Industry Expo organised by the Eastern District Commerce and Industry Association in Victoria Park between December 14 and January 26.
'We thought we could invite some aerospace companies to display their products in the hi-tech pavilion,' said organising committee secretary Choy So-yuk.
'Borrowing' the rocket from the Ministry of Aerospace would cost at least $3 million in transport and insurance expenses, 60 mainland aerospace and transport officials to put it together on site and the help of the police and the Urban Council to get it there.
The rocket will be carried in three five-metre high, six-metre wide sections, the longest about 30 metres, by barge from Zhuhai and by 40-tonne truck from Chai Wan pier.
Once installed, visitors will be able to peek inside - though there will be nothing in it as there will be no precision instruments or fuel.
