International Conference on Smart and Green Transport Infrastructure Opens in Hong Kong

2025-06-12 21:29 Last Updated At：22:18

International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 opens today

The International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 co-organised by the Highways Department and the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation opened today (June 12). Themed on "Building Smart and Green Transport Infrastructure", the conference takes place on two consecutive days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with over 30 Mainland, overseas and local experts in road and railway development and industry leaders leading nearly 700 participants to jointly explore the latest worldwide practices and technological advancements of smart and green transport infrastructure, as well as the development direction of future major transport infrastructure in Hong Kong through thematic speeches and panel discussions. Representatives from various consulates, industry leaders, scholars and government officials also attended the conference this morning.

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International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, officiated at the ceremony and said that roads and railways have long been the backbone of economic growth and social advancement. In the era of rapid technological advancement and growing climate urgency, the infrastructure has to be built smarter and greener, and the key strategy amidst is the planning approach of transit-oriented development which integrates high-density urban development with efficient public transport systems. Mr Chan also said that Hong Kong is happy to share the experiences on professional knowledge and expertise in transport infrastructure with the world. Taking the Northern Metropolis as an example, he mentioned that the development of this future major innovation and technology hub of Hong Kong with a projected population of 2.5 million and over 650 000 new jobs will be "infrastructure-led" and "capacity-creating". He indicated that Hong Kong is committed to making the transport systems smarter and greener, and the Government also invests heavily in technology areas, including AI and robotics, new energy and new materials, and more; they will contribute to enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the transportation system. He also pointed out that Hong Kong is Asia's leading green bond market, accounting for nearly half of the region's total issuance. The city is also pioneering innovative financing models to unlock capital for global infrastructure development.

The President of the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation, Mr Alfred Leung, welcomed industry practitioners and scholars for attending the conference and hoped to explore the potential of integrating technology and sustainable development solutions into road and railway projects, and to enhance connectivity and collaborations around the world through communication.

The first day of the conference mainly focused on discussing Planning and Policy for Smart and Green Transport Infrastructure and Smart Technologies for Sustainable Road and Railway Systems. In her keynote speech, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said that the vision of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is to be committed to establishing a diverse and highly efficient public transport and road system, and promoting cross-boundary integration with the Greater Bay Area through the planning principles of "infrastructure-led" and "capacity-building". She emphasised that the Government adopts a "policy innovation" and "technological innovation" dual-innovation mindset and approach in actively reviewing the regulatory frameworks, administrative procedures, design standards, guidelines, etc to enhance the efficiency and quality of transport infrastructure, and applying advanced technologies to reshape road and railway development, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of transport infrastructure development, with a view to realising the vision of building a livable, competitive and sustainable Hong Kong.

In addition, the Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau, also elaborated on how Hong Kong adopts the strategies of forward planning, policy innovation, new transport model and technological innovation in responding to challenges in project implementation under the unique environment of Hong Kong, while achieving the goal of compressing construction time and reducing construction costs. Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Darryl Chan, gave a detailed overview of the relationship between debt capital markets and infrastructure investment. The Chairperson of the Building Technology Research Institute, Mr Hon Chi-keung, shared experience on effectively advancing transport infrastructure through innovations. Other speakers from around the world also gave speeches on the latest developments in smart and green technologies, as well as their applications in maintenance and monitoring of bridges and other important transport infrastructure facilities.

During the conference, Ms Chan, accompanied by Mr Yau and Mr Leung, had an interaction session with young engineers to understand the visions and expectations of the new blood in the industry regarding infrastructure development in Hong Kong, and share with them experiences on formulation of related policies. She also visited booths of the industry at the venue to understand the application of the latest technologies in construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure, and was glad to learn that local traditional contractors are actively applying innovative technologies to enhance the quality and efficiency of relevant work.

The conference tomorrow (June 13) will focus on two main themes of Smart and Green Transport Infrastructure - Planning, Design and Construction and Green Solutions for Smart Transport Infrastructure. Vice President of the Research Institute of Highway of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, Mr Wang Shuiyin, will deliver an opening speech.

Furthermore, visits to the works sites of the Central Kowloon Route and the MTR Tung Chung Line Extension will respectively be arranged for the participants on June 14 to understand the unique challenges and solutions on planning and construction of major roads and railway systems, as well as the way to connect with the community, care for community needs and conserve traditional culture during construction.

For conference details, please visit the designated website:icrr2025.com/en/index.html.

Flu Activity Declines in Hong Kong; Public Urged to Stay Vigilant and Get Vaccinated

Summer influenza season nears its end and winter influenza season yet to begin Public must remain vigilant despite influenza activity declines

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) reminded the public that seasonal influenza activity has gradually declined over the past two weeks to near baseline levels. This indicated that the summer influenza season, which began in early September last year, might conclude within the next one to two weeks. Nevertheless, the CHP urged the public to remain vigilant and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Those who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), particularly high-risk groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses, should receive SIV promptly to reduce the risk of severe illness and death from infection.

Latest surveillance data

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"Hong Kong entered the summer influenza season in early September last year. The seasonal influenza activity peaked in mid-to-late October last year and has since been gradually declining. The latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (December 21 to 27, 2025) decreased to 4.97 per cent from 7.81 per cent and 6.17 per cent in the previous two weeks (the baseline level is 4.94 per cent). The influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.28 cases per 10 000 population (lower than the 0.49 and 0.37 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous two weeks, with the baseline level of 0.27 cases per 10 000 population). Regarding outbreaks of influenza-like illness in schools, the number rose sharply from 15 outbreaks in the first week of the new school year last September to 170 outbreaks in mid-October, before gradually declining to 43 outbreaks in mid-November. After a slight rebound to 71 outbreaks in early December last year, the number has steadily decreased over the past few weeks, falling from over 30 outbreaks per week to just four outbreaks last week. The CHP will continue to closely monitor local surveillance data. Should relevant indicators persistently fall below the baseline levels, the CHP will assess next week whether this summer influenza season has concluded," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

The predominant virus circulating during this seasonal influenza season is influenza A (H3) virus strain. As in the past, severe or death cases associated with seasonal influenza primarily affect the elderly and children. As of January 1, this summer influenza season has recorded 25 severe paediatric influenza cases, including three fatal cases. The affected children aged between six months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, the case was not protected by the vaccine. Therefore, it is not counted as vaccinated). During the same period, 502 severe influenza cases were recorded among adults, including 339 deaths. Among adult fatalities with available clinical data, over 80 per cent had underlying illnesses.

"Although the summer influenza season shows signs of ending and the winter influenza season has not yet begun, influenza activity may rise again as the weather gradually turns colder in the first quarter of this year. It cannot be ruled out that the circulating virus strains may change. Therefore, I once again urge all individuals aged six months or older, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received SIV to act promptly. Although there are some antigenic differences between the currently circulating influenza A (H3) virus strain and the virus strain contained in the vaccine, SIV can still offer protection against the variant strain of subclade K, as well as the influenza A (H1) and influenza B strains included in the vaccine. Those who contracted influenza during the summer influenza season should still receive the 2025/26 SIV, if they have not yet done so, to guard against other circulating virus strains that may emerge during the forthcoming winter influenza season," Dr Tsui added.

2025/26 SIV Programmes

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Getting vaccinated against influenza is one of the most effective ways to prevent influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection. With the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community (including the medical sector, schools, parents and residential care homes), as of December 28, 2025, over 1.89 million doses of influenza vaccine were administered under various SIV programmes in the year 2025/26, representing an increase of approximately 4.7 per cent compared with the same period in the previous influenza vaccination season. Regarding schools, to boost SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has started earlier since the beginning of June last year. The CHP has also introduced enhancement measures, allowing all schools to choose either the live attenuated influenza vaccines (i.e. nasal LAIV) and the "hybrid mode", which allows schools to choose both the injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and the nasal LAIV during the same or different outreach vaccination activities. Vaccination rates among schoolchildren in different age groups are two per cent to nine per cent higher compared to the same period last year.

"The SIV coverage rate for children aged six months to under two years remains relatively low at about 22 per cent. Although this represents approximate five per cent point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to give consent for their children to receive SIV. The Government has opened all 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged six months to under two years to receive the vaccine; as well as the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP'sVaccination Schemespage. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccination at designated MCHCs via theonline booking system," Dr Tsui said.

He reminded the members of the public to maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Furthermore, high-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Public with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly to lower the risk of spreading the disease to high-risk persons.

Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza Webpage,COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, adVaccination Schemes Webpage, for the latest information.

International Conference on Smart and Green Transport Infrastructure Opens in Hong Kong

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