Fang Qiuchen, chairman of the China International Contractors Association delivers the opening remarks at the session "Opportunities in Hong Kong Infrastructure to Boost High-quality Belt and Road Development" at the Belt and Road Summit held in Hong Kong on Sept 13. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

The current global political and economic situation is complex and changeable, instability and uncertainties are increasing, and geopolitical conflicts are rising, so it is an urgent task to find new engines, new momentum and new paths for sustainable development, said Fang Qiuchen, president of the China International Contractors Association.

“Planning and building model future cities that are green, livable, smart and harmonious, and that benefit people through innovation and technology is a common issue facing the world at present. It will become a new engine and new driving force for the recovery and development of the regional economy and the global economy,” he said.

New development opportunities have emerged in new infrastructure fields such as low-carbon cities and smart cities

Fang, along with Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director Hong Kong Trade Development Council, made the opening remarks at the forum "Opportunities in Hong Kong Infrastructure to Boost High-quality Belt and Road Development" at this year’s 8th Belt and Road Summit held in Hong Kong.

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Over the past decade, many achievements have been made in the field of infrastructure investment and construction and in the field of infrastructure connectivity, effectively promoting policy communication, facilities connectivity, smooth trade, financial integration and people-to-people ties among the BRI countries, Fang noted.

Flagship projects such as the China-Laos Railway, China-Belarus Industrial Park, Hungary-Serbia Railway, and Jakarta-Bandung high-speed line have been completed and put into operation, each becoming a shining pearl on the BRI.

“Of course, this year also comes at a critical time for the acceleration of Hong Kong's new development plan,” he added.

Fang noted that the high-standard and forward-looking planning of landmark projects such as Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis and the Kau Yi Chau artificial islands have depicted Hong Kong's new development space in future, displayed the bright prospects for Hong Kong's long-term development, and opened new opportunities in the city's infrastructure building sector, which has attracted widespread attention.

The regional economic integration and development trend is evident, and urban agglomerations, metropolitan areas and bay areas’ demand for green, innovative and sustainable development models, experiences and solutions is increasing

”In this context, the theme of this year’s forum accurately echoes the development theme of the times and the expectations of the industry,” the insider added.

He said that this year's forum had invited infrastructure authorities such as the Development Bureau of the HKSAR government, China's leading enterprises in the BRI on behalf of the "China Construction" branding, and internationally renowned design consulting leaders such as AECOM and ARUP.

“It is hoped that industry elites will jointly explore how to make full use of the new opportunity phase of Hong Kong's infrastructure development, better play the advantages of the ‘China Construction’ brand and capabilities, make good use of Hong Kong's advantages in internationalization, professional services and rich experience in franchising business models over the years, and build it into a new model metropolis for sustainable development of BRI cities and contribute to the high-quality development of the BRI,” Fang said.

He mentioned that, apart from geopolitical conflicts in the world, the spread of anti-globalization has led to a rise of protectionism, inflation and debt risks in some countries have accumulated prominently, and global economic growth is relatively weak.

Modern cities, however, can act as the gathering place of regional populations, industries and resources, and serve as the "locomotive" of economic and social development, which can have radiating and leading effects, he said.

Fang noted that, on the one hand, acceleration of global urbanization and the new round of technological revolution bring new growth opportunities to the area of traditional infrastructure building and urban renewal. New development opportunities have emerged in new infrastructure fields such as low-carbon cities and smart cities. The "digital intelligence" industry is accelerating its integration with traditional infrastructure building and its integration with urban green and sustainable development. 

On the other hand, the regional economic integration and development trend is evident, and urban agglomerations, metropolitan areas and bay areas’ demand for green, innovative and sustainable development models, experiences and solutions is increasing.

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“Therefore, I believe that the successful implementation of Hong Kong's new infrastructure development plan project is of great significance, which will make Hong Kong a truly new hub for interaction between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a new node for the integration of China and the world, a model city for the harmonious development of scientific and technological innovation and green human settlements along the BRI,” said Fang.

“It will also provide more inspiration and experience for the sustainable development of the BRI cities in the future.”

Hong Kong's Commissioner for Belt and Road, Nicholas Ho (first from left) acts as panel chair for the session "Opportunities in Hong Kong Infrastructure to Boost High-quality Belt and Road Development" at the Belt and Road Summit held in Hong Kong on Sept 13. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Bernadette LINN Hon-ho, Secretary for Development, Development Bureau HKSAR, delivered the opening remarks at the forum. The other speakers included Morgan Yang, vice president of Transport Infrastructure, Greater China, AECOM, James Sze, East Asia Region COO of Arup, Du Feng, general manager of Beijing Urban Construction International, Ye Haoliang, assistant president of POWERCHINA International Group Limited and vice president of POWERCHINA Asia Pacific.

Contact the writer at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com