At the recent Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2025, CK Lau, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development, Government of Hong Kong shared his views on the current state of Hong Kong’s infrastructure, challenges in construction, collaboration with global markets and the city’s unique role as a super-connector in Asia. Excerpts
Give us a sense of the infrastructure and real estate sector in Hong Kong right now. What’s currently happening in that space?
Hong Kong has been investing in infrastructure for decades and that has helped make it one of the most developed metropolises in the world. Infrastructure is crucial, it drives economic growth, improves living standards and supports long-term sustainable development. We are working on a diverse portfolio of projects including roads, bridges, railways, drainage, hospitals, airports and schools.
One of our most ambitious efforts is creating a new metropolis designed to house 2.5 million people and generate 650,000 jobs, including 150,000 high-end IT roles. This is part of a broader development engine that ties into our advanced logistics, professional services and tech hubs, especially in close synergy with Shenzhen under the "one country, two systems" framework.
What are the biggest challenges facing the construction and infrastructure sector today?
Time and workforce are the two major challenges. Construction has traditionally been labor-intensive and it’s often not an attractive environment for younger talent. The industry is perceived as old-fashioned, which makes it hard to recruit fresh minds.
That’s why the Hong Kong government is taking a proactive approach. We are piloting new construction technologies, materials and procurement methods in public works projects. We provide financial incentives to private firms to adopt innovative methods. It’s a triangle strategy, pilot, incentivize and standardize. If something works, we integrate it into our official specifications so it becomes the industry norm.
Are Hong Kong-based construction and infrastructure companies being encouraged to go global? What opportunities do you see for them?
Absolutely. Hong Kong is uniquely positioned under the "one country, two systems" model. We act as a super-connector between mainland China and the world. The construction capability in China is extraordinary, some even call them the masters of infrastructure and Hong Kong can bridge their strengths with international markets.
We are actively encouraging our consulting and contracting firms to collaborate globally, especially with mainland Chinese partners. When these two forces combine, their capabilities become even more significant. This is a win-win for Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world.
What has enabled Chinese infrastructure and construction efforts to become so iconic and advanced in such a short time?
Infrastructure success comes from scale, innovation and collaboration. They build everything, from high-speed rail to world-class tunnels and bridges. That scale gives them opportunities to trial new technologies, improve rapidly and solve problems in real time.
Also, the collaboration between government, industry and academia is extremely strong in China. That tight integration accelerates advancement and allows for rapid innovation in construction technology.
What are your impressions from this summit in Abu Dhabi? What stood out for you here?
This summit is both important and timely. It reminds me of the international summit we hosted in Hong Kong last year that brought in over 300 global experts from 20 countries. Here too, I see similar energy and intent.
Both Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi face comparable challenges and opportunities in infrastructure. Events like this are critical because they gather people with insights, technologies and global experiences that can improve project delivery. As I always say, “one plus one can be more than two.” The synergy from such collaborations is invaluable.
Lastly, are there any infrastructure-related collaborations happening between Hong Kong and India currently?
I would say there’s definitely potential, but we haven’t yet had direct engagement with the Indian government. There should be more communication and collaboration. It would benefit not only both regions but also the global infrastructure landscape. After all, what we build today is for the next generation and for the future of the world.
