Legislative Council Subcommittee Explores AI and Robotics at Yuen Long Barrage and Nullah Improvement Schemes Project for Enhanced Safety and Efficiency

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics visits construction site of Yuen Long Barrage and Nullah Improvement Schemes Project

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics visited the construction site of Yuen Long Barrage and Nullah Improvement Schemes Project today (June 25) to gain a deeper understanding of the application of artificial intelligence and robotic technology in the construction industry.

Members first received a briefing on the project and the application of innovative technologies to enhance project quality and site safety from representatives of the Government. Members noted that the project, commenced in 2023, aims to tackle flooding risks posed by climate change and to improve the water quality of the Yuen Long Nullah through the construction of an automatic flood barrier and other electrical and mechanical facilities, a dry weather flow interception system, and the revitalization of the nullah.

Members then visited the Smart Site Safety System Control Centre, which leverages artificial intelligence to proactively detect potential hazards during construction and issue real-time alerts, effectively safeguarding worker safety by preventing industrial accidents caused by falling from heights and lifting mishaps.

Afterwards, Members observed demonstrations of the remote-controlled tower crane system and welding robots respectively to understand how the technologies enable operators to control the cranes remotely from a ground-level control room, reducing risks of working at height; while a single worker can control multiple welding robots to complete standard processes, boosting welding efficiency and enhancing the working environment.

Members also visited the All-in-One Training Centre to experience firsthand the use of immersive technologies in training, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, which simulate potential dangers and accident scenarios at construction sites in order to raise workers’ safety awareness. During the visit, Members also exchanged views with representatives of the government on the extensive use of innovative technologies in construction sites, and encouraged the administration to proactively promote the adoption of artificial intelligence and robotic technology in the construction industry, so as to raise the quality, safety and productivity of projects.

A total of 16 members and non-members of the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics participated in the visit.

The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics visits the construction site of Yuen Long Barrage and Nullah Improvement Schemes Project today (June 25). Photo shows Members observing the demonstration of welding robots. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics visits the construction site of Yuen Long Barrage and Nullah Improvement Schemes Project today (June 25). Photo shows the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Dr Johnny Ng (front row, eighth left), Deputy Chairman, Mr Ken Lee (front row, tenth left), and other LegCo Members posing for a group photo with the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong (front row, ninth left), the Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office of the Development Bureau, Mr Joseph Lo (front row, third right), and representatives of the Government. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics visits the construction site of Yuen Long Barrage and Nullah Improvement Schemes Project today (June 25). Photo shows Members visiting the Smart Site Safety System Control Centre. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in August 2026

Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for August 2026 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

In August 2026, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 28.6% and 34.6% respectively over August 2025.

Comparing the first eight months of 2026 with the same period in 2025, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 29.1% and 30.0% respectively.

Comparing the three-month period ending August 2026 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.1%, while the volume of imports of goods decreased by 2.1%.

Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.

Comparing August 2026 with August 2025, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 18.7% and 18.0% respectively.

As regards price changes in the first eight months of 2026 over the same period in 2025, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 10.1% and 9.8% respectively.

Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.

The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2025, the index increased by 0.6% in August 2026 and 0.3% in the first eight months of 2026.

Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

Comparing August 2026 with August 2025, increases were recorded for the total export volume to Vietnam (56.5%), Taiwan (53.1%), the USA (41.8%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (31.3%). On the other hand, the total export volume to India decreased by 2.5%.

Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the Mainland (21.9%), Vietnam (15.8%), the USA (14.1%), India (13.1%) and Taiwan (13.0%).

Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.

Comparing August 2026 with August 2025, increases were recorded for the import volume from all main suppliers: Korea (166.9%), Vietnam (37.4%), the Mainland (31.4%), Singapore (26.4%) and Taiwan (7.0%).

Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (37.9%), Taiwan (30.2%), Vietnam (20.2%), the Mainland (17.4%) and Singapore (16.7%).

Further information

Details of the above statistics are published in the August 2026 issue of "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230).

Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2599).

Source: AI-found images