Hong Kong Hosts International Infrastructure Leaders Summit to Enhance Global Project Collaboration and Innovation

DEVB hosts International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit

The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (November 15) hosted the International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit, bringing together more than 500 major infrastructure project leaders and experts in infrastructure from over 20 countries and economies around the globe, including senior government officials from Mainland and overseas countries, and representatives of renowned international organisations such as the World Economic Forum and International Institute for Management Development, to delve into the strategies and policies of infrastructure delivery plans, and addressed the challenges and opportunities in implementing mega infrastructure projects under the theme of Strategic Leadership in Managing Complexity and Uncertainty in Infrastructure Delivery.

Addressing the Summit, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region Government is committed to investing in infrastructure and advancing land development projects to promote social and economic development. Despite many challenges, Hong Kong's infrastructure development has remained robust with world-class infrastructure recognised internationally. The Government has taken proactive stances to spearhead the transformation of the construction industry over the past few years, promoting advanced construction methods and materials, integrated digital technologies, as well as adopting new project delivery model. Through exchanges that transcend geographical and sectoral boundaries at the Summit, the Government hopes to pool wisdom on the delivery of projects with enhanced efficiency and quality. She also mentioned that under the unique advantages of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong would continue to capitalise on the privilege of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, and consolidate its position as an international infrastructure centre, uniting the world's best talent, knowledge and investment to address upcoming challenges and promote quality infrastructure development.

Speaking at the Summit, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People's Republic of China, Mr Li Liangsheng, said that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China stressed the need to establish a system for the planning and standardisation of new infrastructure facilities, optimise the mechanism for the integration and utilisation of new infrastructure facilities, promote the digital transformation of conventional infrastructure, expand the diversity of investment and financing channels, and enhance the co-ordination mechanism for major infrastructure development. The Summit will inject impetus generated in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into the national development of new quality productive forces. It will further promote international infrastructural co-operation and bring far-reaching significance.

In his keynote presentation, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said that the Government is taking forward the Northern Metropolis, the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands project as well as a number of major transport infrastructure projects. He stressed the Government's commitment to be an "enabler" fostering innovation and industrialisation to drive industry enhancement, and added that Hong Kong's diverse talent pool is also one of its most significant advantages, allowing the city to play a leading role in the construction industry.

The presentation and plenary sessions of the Summit gathered prominent infrastructure leaders and experts from various sectors worldwide, including government, academia, construction and finance, to share the latest initiatives and challenges facing infrastructure development. The first plenary session "The Next Growth Curve" highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in driving the city development and the next wave of global economic growth. The second session "Powerful Partnerships" explored effective financing and procurement strategies essential for advancing infrastructure projects within a culture of collaboration. The last session "Building Tomorrow" focused on how innovation and digital technologies are reshaping infrastructure development, promoting greater efficiency and sustainability.

At the Summit, the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi) which was established by the DEVB in August this year to drive innovative applications in the construction industry, signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Mainland and overseas organisations, namely Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research and the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore, as well as three local universities, namely the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. These MoU would expand the collaboration network of the BTRi for the promotion of innovative application in the construction industry. The major development directions of the BTRi are to promote applied research and development (R&D), review and uplift standards ,as well as to provide accreditation, certification and testing.

DEVB hosts International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DEVB hosts International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DEVB hosts International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DEVB hosts International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DEVB hosts International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government invites MTRCL to proceed with detailed planning and design of South Island Line (West) project

​The Chief Executive in Council has given approval for the Government to invite the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to proceed with the detailed planning and design of the South Island Line (West) (SIL(W)) project.

The SIL(W) project will adopt a smart and green mass transit system and consist of an approximately 7.5-km long dedicated and elevated corridor and tunnel, eight stations (namely Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Tin Wan, Wah Kwai, Wah Fu, Cyberport, Queen Mary Hospital and HKU) and a depot near the Cyberport Station. It will provide stable, environmentally friendly and convenient feeder service for around 130 000 residents and major facilities such as the Queen Mary Hospital and Cyberport in the western and southern parts of Hong Kong Island, facilitating them to go to Wong Chuk Hang Station of the South Island Line (East) and HKU Station of the Island Line. It will form a transit loop with the South Island Line (East) and Island Line, and will improve the resilience of the railway network.

The SIL(W) will provide residents in the area with an alternative traveling option of new mass transit-based transportation in lieu of road-based transportation, enjoying a shorter journey time. The existing journey time from Wah Fu Estate to Admiralty via Wong Chuk Hang is about 35 minutes and that from Wah Fu Estate to HKU is about 25 minutes. After the commissioning of the SIL(W), the journey time to the two destinations will be reduced to about 20 minutes and 10 minutes respectively.

A spokesperson of the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "The alignment of the project passes through hilly terrains. The difference in altitude between Wah Fu Estate and Aberdeen promenade is over 60 metres. If heavy rail system were adopted, some sections would have to be built deep underground. The transport benefit and cost effectiveness are both unsatisfactory, making the underground heavy rail scheme financially not viable. Exercising an innovative approach to rise to the challenges, we decided to adopt a smart and green mass transit system which runs on dedicated elevated viaducts and tunnels to improve the overall cost effectiveness. Compared with the original underground heavy rail scheme, the estimated construction cost is reduced by about 40 per cent and the delivery programme is advanced by about two years."

The Government has invited the MTRCL to proceed with the detailed planning and design of the SIL(W) project, and will further negotiate with the MTRCL on the financial arrangement of the project. It is targeted to commence the advance construction works in 2027 for completion by 2034 to support developments in the area including the timetable of new population intake of the Wah Fu Estate redevelopment.

Source: AI-found images