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

Online pre-registration for public observation for sixth round of evidential hearings of Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po:

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po announced today (July 2) that the sixth round of evidential hearings, comprising three hearings, will be held from July 15 to 17. Members of the public may pre-register for selected hearings under this round that they wish to observe via the online system from 10am on July 6 to 10am on July 9.

The schedule of the sixth round of three evidential hearings is as follows:

	Date
1.	July 15 (Wednesday)
2.	July 16 (Thursday)
3.	July 17 (Friday)

In the sixth round of evidential hearings, the Committee will hear the closing addresses. The evidential hearings will be conducted in Cantonese from 10am to 1pm and from 2.15pm to 4.30pm at the Multi-purpose Hall, 3/F, City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central. Simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English will be provided in the City Gallery.

Some seats for the hearings will be reserved for the involved parties, and some seats will be open to the public to observe the proceedings. To allow more members of the public to attend the hearings, the proceedings will be broadcast simultaneously in transmission areas set up on the ground floor of the City Gallery and in the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library. Arrangements will be made for some members of the public to observe the hearings in these two areas. A total of about 360 seats will be available for public observation in the main venue and the two transmission areas. About half of the seats will be set aside for residents of Wang Fuk Court on a priority basis. Separate arrangements will be made for the media.

To avoid members of the public queuing outside the venue for a long time, and to allow those who wish to observe the hearings to have certainty of whether seats have been secured before the day of the hearings, for the sixth round of hearings, individuals (including Wang Fuk Court residents) are required to pre-register online (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ic-hearing/en/) from 10am on July 6 to 10am on July 9. Registrants should select on the online registration form the dates they wish to observe (one or more sessions can be selected) and submit the duly completed form. The Secretariat of the Committee will allocate seats on a first-come, first-served basis according to the system's record of the time that the pre-registration forms are received.

Successful registrants will receive a "Confirmation of Successful Registration" for the sixth round of hearings issued by the Secretariat of the Committee by July 13. An SMS notification will be sent from the sender name "#IC-hearing". If an email address is also provided during pre-registration, an email notification will be sent from hearing@ic-wangfukcourtfire.gov.hk. Pre-registration will be considered unsuccessful for those who have not received a notification by that date. Each person can only pre-register for each day of hearing once. Duplicate registrations will not be processed.

The Chief Executive established the Committee to review the causes of the fire at Wang Fuk Court and related issues, and to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The Committee formally commenced its work on December 19, 2025. The evidential hearings commenced on March 19, 2026. Five rounds of 27 hearings have been held. No further hearings will be required following the conclusion of the sixth round. The Committee will continue to process the large volume of written evidence and other materials received, and prepare its report.

Source: AI-found images