The Third Cross-Strait Hong Kong & Macao Urban Construction & Sustainable Development Science & Technology Forum Held

The Third Cross-Strait Hong Kong & Macao Urban Construction & Sustainable Development Science & Technology Forum was held in Hong Kong on October 30, aiming to promote scientific and cultural exchanges, foster consensus-building, encourage collaborative innovation and share developmental experiences and achievements among the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. The prestigious event was directed by the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Exchange Office of the China Association for Science and Technology, collaboratively organized by the China Civil Engineering Society, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Macao Institution of Engineers and the Geotechnical Technology Research and Development Foundation (Taiwan, China) and sponsored by the Beijing Urban Construction Design & Development Group (UCD) and the Institute of Public Safety Research of Tsinghua University.

The forum, themed “Sustainable Development of Transportation and Urban Construction”, focused on the scientific and technical issues and engineering practices in the collaborative development of urban construction and transportation across the Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong and Macao. It aimed to explore solutions, pool wisdom and foster joint development efforts in support of the robust transportation strategy. Over 200 representatives from enterprises, universities and colleges, research institutions, government departments and social organizations, from across China attended the event.

At the opening ceremony, a number of distinguished leaders and experts delivered speeches, including Mr. Xing Haifeng (Director-General Level Counsel of Department of Urban Development, MOHURD); Ir Lam Sai Hung (Secretary for Transport and Logistics, HKSAR); Mr. Li Jiqin (Secretary General of the China Civil Engineering Society); Ir Eric Ma (President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers); Mr. Joe Eddie Wu Chou Kit (President of the Macau Institution of Engineers); Mr. Wang Tai-Tien (Chairman of Sino-Geotechnics R&D Foundation (Taiwan, China)); Prof. Fan Weicheng (Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) & Dean of Institute of Public Safety Research, Tsinghua University); and Mr. Xia Xiujiang (Party Secretary and General Manager of UCD & Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Rail Transit Branch of China Civil Engineering Society).

Mr. Xing Haifeng emphasized that since the introduction of reform and opening up, China has experienced the largest, fastest and most influential urbanization in human history. Transportation, as a vital backbone of urban development, plays a crucial role in this process. It serves as the link and carrier that connects and facilitates the various functions of a city, and is key to the construction of high-standard houses, residential buildings, communities and urban areas. Moreover, transportation is foundational to the efficient operation of urban life. A city cannot develop and thrive without the support of an efficient and accessible transportation system. The forum brings together experts and think tanks from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, providing a high-quality platform for exchanging ideas and addressing urban development issues. He also expressed the hope that the forum would strengthen cross-sector exchanges and cooperation and offer strategies for creating more efficient, green and intelligent urban transportation systems, as well as for building livable, resilient, smart and sustainable cities.

Mr. Li Jiqin highly praised the significant achievements of the forum since its inception. As a key academic exchange event for the China Civil Engineering Society, the forum has provided an effective platform for communication among enterprises, institutions, experts and scholars in the field of engineering construction on both sides of the strait. It brings together leading experts in urban construction and technology, outstanding engineers and young talents to collaboratively address the issues and challenges facing urban development in the current context. Since its establishment, the society has focused on the core areas of engineering construction, making vital contributions to advancing scientific research, enhancing academic exchanges, nurturing scientific and technological talents and fostering international cooperation. He wished to use this forum as an opportunity to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with science and technology professionals from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and to support the economic development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as the integration and connectivity of the scientific and technological communities across the strait.

Mr. Xia Xiujiang emphasized that as a member of the Rail Transit Branch of the China Civil Engineering Society, UCD has long been committed to staying abreast of industry trends. The company has focused on uniting resources from all sectors to build an academic exchange platform, gathering collective wisdom and offering insights for the development of smart cities. He also highlighted that UCD is not only a researcher and participant in urban construction but also a beneficiary of it. Over the years, the company has evolved into a comprehensive urban construction service provider, with operations spanning urban rail transit, integrated transportation hubs, underground space development, industrial and civil construction, municipal engineering and urban planning. It boasts a complete industrial chain that includes surveying and design, engineering construction, investment and financing, technology industrialization, real estate, tourism, and operation management. In response to the new challenges in urban development and the evolving national strategies, UCD will actively shoulder its corporate social responsibility by conducting cutting-edge research and exploring areas such as urban renewal, urban infrastructure safety and new energy applications. Currently, the company is dedicated to contributing its knowledge and expertise toward promoting the integration and sustainable development of people, cities and the environment.

At the Science Forum, Ir Prof. CF Lee (Academician of CAE & Fellow and Past President of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Science); Ir Prof CC Chan (Academician of CAE; Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering U.K.; Honorary Professor of the University of Hong Kong & Distinguished Chair Professor of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University); Prof. Chen Xiangsheng (Academician of CAE & Dean of the College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University); Prof. K. V. Yuen (Ph.D., California Institute of Technology; Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Macau; Leading Scientist, State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, University of Macau & Co-Director, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory on Smart Cities); and Mr. Su Ting-Chun (Senior Vice President and Director of Moh and Associates, Inc.) discussed key issues such as “Urban Development and Infrastructure Engineering”, “New Journey of Energy Revolution and Automotive Revolution”, “Building Metros is Building Cities”, “Telescopic Broad Bayesian Learning and its Applications to Disaster Mitigation”, and “Towards Net Zero: Sustainable Urban Development and Carbon Reduction Strategy”.

At the Engineering Forum, Mr. Gao Yang (Director of Interior Department, Beijing Institute of Residential Building Design & Research Co., Ltd.) and Mr Zhou Mingzhe (General Manager of Zhejiang Jinghang Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd.) gave keynote speeches and exchanged insights with attending experts. Mr. Gao Guofei (R&D Engineer of National Engineering Research Center) participated in the Youth Roundtable Session of the forum and exchanged ideas with young designers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan on urban planning, smart transportation and infrastructure construction.

The forum activities included site visits to key projects such as the Kai Tak Sports Park, the three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport and Ho Pui Reservoir, offering insights into the management characteristics and innovative technology applications in engineering construction projects in Hong Kong. Through this forum, academic exchanges, think tank consultations and youth engagement in the field of engineering construction across the strait have been effectively promoted. The forum has enhanced mutual understanding and trust, fostered the exchange of best practices in urban construction, and encouraged mutual learning across the strait, Hong Kong and Macao. It has also contributed to building consensus on cultivating young scientific and technological talent between these regions, while supporting the advancement of urban construction in the new era.

After the forum concluded, Mr. Xia Xiujiang led a team to conduct an on-site survey of the subsidiary’s operations in Hong Kong. He highly commended the long-standing role of the subsidiary as a window upon exchange and cooperation and outlined expectations for the further development of international business.