National Day Celebration by the Hong Kong Construction Industry, Youth Cultivation for Our Bright Future

October 1st is our National Day. This year, I joined CIC-Zero Carbon Park’s National Day Flag Raising Ceremony as the Chairman of CIC for the first time. It was a joyous moment for me as well as our guests. Last month, I attended the "73rd National Day Celebration Ceremony" co-organised by the National Day Celebration Committee of the Hong Kong Construction Industry. I was delighted to see talents of our industry gathered together to celebrate our National Day. The scene was really touching!

This month is also a good time to revisit the long history and glorious achievements of Chinese constructions, from the past to present. The history of Chinese architecture goes back a long way. Thousands of years ago, Chinese craftsmen invented the tenon-and-mortise joint. Thanks to the seamless and shockproof wood-joining technique, millennium-old temples could still stand on earth, allowing us to marvel at the incredible and brilliant civilization of the Tang and Song dynasties of China.

Unprecedented Technological Achievements of China's Constructions in Recent Years

In recent years, China's construction technology has made great leaps and attained unprecedented achievements. Take the Huoshenshan Hospital in the city of Wuhan as an example, it only took ten days from design to delivery. The skyscraper-construction machine, invented by Chinese engineers, is currently the most intelligent “smart jacking steel platform”. It builds one floor every four days. Its advanced technology leads to high efficiency and better safety. It has been exported to many countries for building iconic skyscrapers.

New infrastructure projects and architectural landmarks in Hong Kong facilitate business activities and commuting. They add an aesthetic and artistic ambience to our daily life. These projects even demonstrate the close knit between Hong Kong and the Mainland in terms of geographic proximity and culture. Well-known examples include the world record-breaking Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

Hong Kong Construction Industry Actively Participating in Development of the Greater Bay Area 

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a major development strategy of our nation. The promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the year 2019 signified a new milestone. It is natural for Hong Kong to integrate into the grand plans of national development and proactively participate in the development of the GBA. As early as 2019, the CIC held the “CIC Greater Bay Area Forum 2019”, inviting industry leaders, stakeholders and industry representatives to discuss the new opportunities and growth capacity of the industry in the GBA.

In addition, the CIC representatives attended events held in other GBA cities, like the “Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area's Construction Robot and Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) New Technology Promotion Forum” organized by the Shenzhen Construction Science & Technology Promotion Center.  Through mutual learning and exchanges between industry practitioners in Hong Kong and peers from the GBA, the brand image and exposure of Hong Kong's construction industry is enhanced.

The CIC plans to set up a “Greater Bay Area Office” in Guangzhou. The new office will establish a common platform that strengthens synergy among industry practitioners in the GBA. The goals include achieving technology self-sufficiency with collaboration, unleashing the power of the construction industry, fostering manufacturing capacity, economic vitality and development potential in the GBA. The office will also promote cutting-edge construction technology to the mainland, and will lay a strong foundation for Hong Kong industry players to develop in the GBA.

The Greater Bay Area Construction Industry Supply Chain Directory compiled by the CIC, will be released soon. It covers information on suppliers of construction technology, building materials, assemble and prefabricated buildings etc.. The Directory could assist our fellow industry practitioners to build a complete, efficient and smooth supply chain in the GBA.

In the long run, the demand for services and professional talents related to the construction industry in the GBA will surge. Training, accreditation and construction management are highly sought-after. The CIC will continue to work hand-in-hand with the industry and to provide assistance in training, professional consultation and digitalization etc. The CIC will make every effort to unite the industry to serve the GBA.

 “Course on National Affairs for Construction Young Persons” for Better Understanding of Our Country’s Rapid Progress

With the strong support of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, the CIC launched the “Course on National Affairs for Construction Young Persons” last month. The course mainly targets young construction leaders. The syllabus covers the following areas:  “National Development in a Macro Perspective”, “National Governance and One Country, Two Systems”, “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” “Hong Kong Economy” and “Professional Development and Ethics”, among others. Lectures will be delivered by scholars from Mainland China, government officials and industry experts to allow participants to have a deeper understanding of Mainland China. The course can help our young leaders to better grasp our country’s future development opportunities, identify their strengths for contributing to the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the GBA and other top tier national strategies. Hong Kong’s middle-level construction management talents will then realize the rapid development of our nation, thus, increasing their sense of belonging and pride to the country.

Cultivating Talents for Hong Kong's Future Blueprint

At the celebration ceremony of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification to the motherland, President Xi reminded the Hong Kong society to pay extra care to young people. “Hong Kong will prosper only when its young people thrive; Hong Kong will develop only when its young people achieve well-rounded development; and Hong Kong will have a bright future only when its young people have good career prospects”.  The Hong Kong Institute of Construction, a member organization of the CIC, will spare no effort to provide the younger generation with personal growth and employment opportunities.

In the next few years, the Hong Kong SAR Government will kick-start a number of infrastructure projects. Together with the launch of mega projects such as the development of Northern Metropolis, the industry has an excessive thirst for local talents.

The CIC will uphold the principles of Construction 2.0 - “Innovation”, “Professionalisation” and “Revitalisation”, and strive to nurture a new generation of talents for the industry.

• “Innovation”: The Construction Industry Innovation and Technology Application Centre under the CIC continuously boosts innovation. It shares latest local and overseas construction technology knowledge with the industry and promotes the implementation of innovative construction methods. This year, the CIC has launched projects like the “CONTECH Accelerator”, “Hong Kong Construction Common Data Environment Award”, “Celebration of BIM Achievement 2022”, and a Master Class Series, in order to promote a wider adoption of innovative technologies, improve current technological level and accelerate digital transformation of the industry.
• “Professionalisation”: The Hong Kong Institute of Construction currently has 29 programmes recognized by the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. Four Advanced Diploma programmes were being recognized as Level 4 in the framework. Graduates of the Advanced Diploma programmes can enroll for top-up degree programmes offered by three local tertiary institutions, hence, broadening their pathways for further study and career development.
• "Revitalisation” : The CIC takes the initiative to attract new talents through conveying practical information to youngsters. Details of career prospects, job positions and vacancies, career ladders, and professional development in the industry are shared with young people. Dialogues between industry leaders and young people will be arranged later this year, in a bid to draw more young people into our industry.
  
  

15^th Anniversary and Large-scale Promotion Activities Coming Soon

Time flies, the Construction Industry Council has entered its 15th anniversary. The theme of celebration activities for this year is "Inno Builder, Future Pioneer". For the first time, the CIC is mobilising major stakeholders in the industry for a year round large-scale publicity campaign. The campaign aims at engaging people from all walks of life via ongoing communications and interactions, allowing different communities to understand the industry's contributions and close ties to the Hong Kong society. Young people will also see the bright prospects of the industry in our activities. The forms of activities are diverse and fit for audiences from various backgrounds. Apart from disseminating our messages through mainstream media and online social media, the CIC organizes a number of educational and outdoor activities to serve the community with our strength. For example, campus tours, STEAM education website, Master Class series, hoarding art, and social services by the construction industry volunteers.

The CIC will hold more major events this year. The annual event “Construction Month” will be held in November to connect the industry and the community. Industry practitioners and the public are welcome to participate.

"Construction Innovation Expo" Cultivating Overseas Partnership and Business Opportunities

In mid-December 2022, our triennial flagship event -  “Construction Innovation Expo” will be held at the HKCEC. The Expo has two signature sessions -  “Global Construction Summit” and “Greater Bay Area Construction Summit.” The event brings together global industry leaders to discuss future trends of our industry. Smart construction, digitalization, sustainable construction and MiC construction method are selected as conference themes. The Expo will showcase state-of-the-art construction technologies from all over the world to Hong Kong, providing a world-class platform for attendants to explore new solutions and share experience. The event will link up the local and overseas construction industry for potential business opportunities. The themes of the Expo activities are highly relevant to the needs of our industry, I am confident that participants will benefit from the exhibition and demonstration of innovative technology. It is an event that should not be missed.

Since its establishment in 2007, the CIC has been a reliable supporter for the construction industry. Looking ahead, the CIC will pioneer in promoting our industry in the GBA and generate new impetus for Hong Kong. The CIC's vision is to drive for unity and excellence of the construction industry of Hong Kong. The CIC and the industry will definitely uphold this spirit for the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and for the service of our country.