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.

Click to Gallery

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

More Images

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.

WGPE Delegation Explores Innovation and Culture in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

2025-07-13 21:49 Last Updated At：21:58

Working Group on Patriotic Education organises exchange tour to Greater Bay Area

The Working Group on Patriotic Education (WGPE) under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee organised a two-day exchange tour to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on July 12 and 13. Led by the Convenor of the WGPE, Dr Starry Lee, together with members of the Media Publicity Sub-group, Mr Lee Luen-fai and Dr James Li; the Director of Information Services, Mrs Apollonia Liu; and 20 representatives from different media organisations, the delegation visited various enterprises and places in Shenzhen and Dongguan to learn more about the latest developments of the GBA in areas such as innovation and technology and industrialisation, as well as culture and history.

The delegation visited the headquarters of DeepRoute.ai in Shenzhen yesterday (July 12) to experience the application of autonomous vehicle technologies. After that, it visited the China State Construction Hailong Technology Company Limited Science and Technology Research Institute to learn about the operation of the Modular Integrated Construction manufacturing bases, which has been applied to the Light Public Housing development at Kai Tak, Hong Kong. The delegation later paid a visit to BYD Company Limited's headquarters in Shenzhen.

Today (July 13), the delegation visited Huawei's research institute in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, followed by a visit to the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project Memorial Park and its exhibition hall to gain insights into the project's history and its importance for fresh water supply in Hong Kong. In the afternoon, the delegation explored the Nantou Ancient City Museum and was briefed on the important position of Nantou Ancient City in the Lingnan coastal region, reflecting on the close ties and deep friendship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen as well as the same roots they share. The delegation then visited SmartMore Corporation Limited, which was founded by a Hong Kong entrepreneur, and learned about the company's developments in artificial intelligence.

Dr Lee said, "Since its establishment, the WGPE has been dedicated to preserving and promoting patriotism on different fronts. The delegation gained significant rewards through the exchange. By visiting different renowned enterprises and sites in Shenzhen and Dongguan, we observed the rapid development of our country in various areas, fostered a strong sense of national pride, and recognised the close ties between the GBA and Hong Kong, enabling the media to continue to deliver in-depth and accurate information to Hong Kong citizens. In the future, I hope that the WGPE and the media will maintain close collaboration to keep abreast of the latest developments of our country and tell good stories of Mainland China and Hong Kong."

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

HK