Highways Department Celebrates 40 Years of Promoting Infrastructure Development in Hong Kong

HyD celebrates 40th anniversary

The Highways Department (HyD) held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Vic Yau; and the Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau, officiated at the ceremony. Over 300 distinguished guests attended the ceremony, including representatives from the Liaison Office, Executive Council members, over 30 Legislative Council members, heads of bureaux and departments, as well as leaders of the construction industry.

Officiating at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that over the past four decades, the HyD has been both a participant in and a contributor to Hong Kong's development. With the concerted and unremitting efforts of the department as well as other government bureaux and departments, Hong Kong has developed an extensive road and railway network spanning the territory and connecting with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This network has facilitated public mobility, supported economic development, and promoted regional integration. He noted that colleagues have remained steadfast at their posts, monitoring the conditions of roads, bridges, tunnels and street lighting to ensure the smooth and reliable operation of the transport system. He added that the Government will increase investment in public works in the coming years, in particular by expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis so as to pursue infrastructure-led development and create capacity. This will not only lay a more solid foundation for Hong Kong's long-term development but also open up broader opportunities for the relevant trades. He remarked that enhancing the quality and efficiency of infrastructure development requires technology empowerment to continuously elevate standards in design, construction and maintenance. He expressed the hope that the HyD, together with other works departments, would continue to actively explore the adoption of high-quality Mainland standards and technologies so as to enhance project quality while enabling Hong Kong to act as a "super connector" and "super valueadder" in aligning national standards, or Guobiao, with international standards and rules, and that the department would continue to uphold its "pioneering" spirit, strive for excellence and work in concert with all sectors of the community to build a more liveable, efficient and convenient city for the public.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Chan remarked that roads and railways are the vital arteries that connect a city, and over the past forty years, the HyD team has quietly contributed to the everyday steps people take towards a better life. She pointed out that Hong Kong's road network has expanded significantly from about 1 323 kilometres when the department was established in 1986 to more than 2 200 kilometres today, representing an increase of 70 per cent. Looking back at the many milestones the HyD has achieved, from the early Island Eastern Corridor, to the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Tung Chung Line, the Airport Express, and Stonecutters Bridge, and more recently completed East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension and Central Kowloon Route (Yau Ma Tei Section), as well as the formulation of the Hong Kong Railway Standards, all of these reflect the professional dedication of generations of HyD colleagues and industry partners in their pursuit of excellence. She expressed hope that colleagues of the HyD will continue to adopt a "policy innovation" and "technological innovation" dual-innovation mindset, and play a more active role in integrating into the national development strategy. Through the advancement of strategic projects including the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, the Northern Link, Tsing Lung Bridge, and the Northern Metropolis Highway, the Government will build a broad network of roads and railways under the "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" layout, fully unlocking Hong Kong's future development potential, deepening connectivity with the Greater Bay Area, and leveraging today's planning to achieve Hong Kong's long-term development.

Mr Yau said at the ceremony that 40 years ago today, the Highways Office was upgraded to the HyD, marking the Government's determination to promote transport infrastructure to support Hong Kong's development. Looking back, the department has transformed from an office initially responsible solely for road construction into a multidisciplinary professional team that now drives cross-boundary road projects, plans and advances strategic railway network connectivity, embraces technological innovation, and sets industry standards. Mr. Yau pointed out that every leap in Hong Kong's economy has been underpinned by solid infrastructure, and the HyD has been the "pioneer" driving the city's advancement. The department is fully prepared to take forward the major road and railway infrastructure projects for the Northern Metropolis, including the Northern Metropolis Highway, Route 11, Tsing Lung Bridge, the Northern Link, and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, opening up new opportunities for Hong Kong's development. At the same time, the department will continue to carry out road maintenance and district works to safeguard the safety of road users.

In addition, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the HyD is holding a roving exhibition, "Connecting People, Building a Better Life" at various locations across Hong Kong from the end of May to mid-July this year. The exhibition reviews the department's achievements and future plans since its establishment in enhancing the road network, carrying out maintenance works, and fully advancing railway development. It also displays exhibits such as old street name plates and thematic manhole covers, and features interactive games. Members of the public are welcome to visit.

For more details, please visit the HyD's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hydgovhk) or Instagram page (www.instagram.com/hydgovhk/).

The Highways Department (HyD) held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section), one of the major transport infrastructure projects implemented by the HyD. Commissioned in end 2025, the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) is one of the main sections of Route 6 connecting Yau Ma Tei and Kai Tak. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Highways Department (HyD) held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road, one of the major transport infrastructure projects implemented by the HyD. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road is a dual three-lane highway commissioned in 2018 connecting the Hong Kong Port to the eastern end of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Main Bridge at the boundary between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong Province. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Highways Department (HyD) held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, one of the major transport infrastructure projects implemented by the HyD. Commissioned in 2018, the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link has integrated Hong Kong into currently the world’s largest national railway network. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Highways Department held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau, speaks at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Highways Department (HyD) held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Tsing Ma Bridge, one of the major transport infrastructure projects implemented by the HyD. Commissioned in 1997 with a main span of 1 377 metres, the Tsing Ma Bridge is the world’s longest-spanned suspension bridge in full operation carrying both vehicular and rail traffic, and still remains a world-class landmark of Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Highways Department held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, speaks at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Highways Department held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (centre); the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong (second left); the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan (second right); the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Vic Yau (left) and the Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau (right) at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Highways Department held its 40th Anniversary celebration ceremony today (June 1). Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening remarks by SITI at HKUST Unicorn Day 2026 "From Ideas to Miracles - 35 Years of Impact and Beyond"

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at HKUST Unicorn Day 2026 "From Ideas to Miracles - 35 Years of Impact and Beyond" today (June 2):

HKUST, Photo source: reference image

Professor Nancy Ip (President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)), Ms Edith Shih (Vice-Chairperson of the University Council of the HKUST), Professor Ni (Founding President of the HKUST (Guangzhou), Professor Lionel Ni), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all at HKUST Unicorn Day, especially as the University celebrates its remarkable 35th anniversary.

In just three and a half decades, the HKUST has risen from a bold vision on Clearwater Bay to a global powerhouse in deep-tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The University's ability to nurture unicorns and deep-tech ventures is the result of visionary leadership, a culture that embraces experimentation, and an ecosystem that nurtures talent and empowers young innovators to turn ideas into impact. Few young universities in the world have recorded such a rapid ascent. The HKUST's achievements are truly impressive.

Innovation and technology (I&T) has always been on the top agenda of the Hong Kong SAR Government. We fully recognise the crucial role of local universities - not only as key partners, but as the bedrock of Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem. To this end, the Government has implemented a series of forward-looking initiatives to accelerate research translation, strengthen collaboration, and expand our talent pipeline. Among these, the RAISe+ Scheme has been particularly well received by local universities. To date, 73 projects have been supported, with over $3 billion of government funding committed.Nineteen of them came from the HKUST. This once again demonstrates the HKUST's strength in translating frontier research into real-world applications.

This year also marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which signals clear and unwavering support for Hong Kong's I&T development. Just last week, Hong Kong celebrated a historic milestone in our nation's space endeavours. It is the first time ever that a payload expert from Hong Kong has joined the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight. We understand that among many other missions, our Hong Kong-born payload expert will operate the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory, an advanced Earth observation instrument invented by Professor Su Hui's team of the HKUST, on board the Tiangong space station. This is a powerful recognition of Hong Kong's scientific excellence at the national level. It also sends a clear message to all students and young innovators: Your ideas can go from the laboratory not only to the marketplace, but also to space. The future of innovation belongs to those who dare to dream boldly and fight for what they believe in.

As we look ahead, Hong Kong is entering a golden era of I&T development. We are building new engines of Hong Kong's high-quality development, including the Hetao Hong Kong Park, the San Tin Technopole and the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster. In addition to the existing R&D (research and development) institutes such as the Hong Kong Productivity Council, ASTRI (Applied Science and Technology Research Institute) and the Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, we will have the AI Research and Development Institute and the Life and Health Technology Research Institute to focus on R&D in the respective fields and lead industry application. All these will create unprecedented opportunities for universities, enterprises, and start-ups to work together, scale faster, and connect more deeply with the Greater Bay Area and the world.

As the HKUST celebrates its 35th anniversary, it stands on the cusp of an even more fruitful chapter. With the collective efforts of government, industry,academia,research and investmentsectors, and with the passion of young people inspired by achievements from Unicorn Day to Shenzhou 23, I am confident that Hong Kong will rise as a leading international I&T centre and contribute meaningfully to our nation's high-quality development, and that the HKUST will continue to be a driving force in this amazing journey.

May I wish Unicorn Day great success. Thank you.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, delivers opening remarks at the HKUST Unicorn Day 2026 "From Ideas to Miracles - 35 Years of Impact and Beyond" today (June 2). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases