Young Hong Kong engineer Peter Chiu Wai was thrilled to see a construction project he worked on put in the public spotlight at an important exhibition in the city.
A miniature model of the project－the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre－is on display inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, along with other major infrastructure and architecture the nation has built over the years. The hospital project, built by the Chinese mainland in four months, is one of the measures to help the city combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chiu joined the China State Mechanical & Electrical Engineering company after he graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Being involved in large projects such as the hospital inspired the new graduate.
"I felt proud to be a Chinese engineer when I saw these grandiose infrastructure projects. Our construction ability is in a leading global position," Chiu said.
He believes growing integration between the special administrative region and the mainland will lead to more mega infrastructure projects, including some cross-boundary ones.
Chiu's hope is that more young people will join the architecture industry and contribute to the construction of the city, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the country.
Hung Cheung-shew, executive director and vice-president of China State Construction International Holdings, one of the event organizers, said the infection control center is an embodiment of the central government's care and support for Hong Kong. Hung's company was responsible for construction of the center, which began operations in February.
He hopes the exhibition will arouse the interest of visitors to the event, especially youngsters. The six-day architectural exhibition, which began on Monday, aims to showcase the history and achievements of Chinese construction.
Models of many famous Chinese buildings, as well as photographs and text, are on display, attracting a variety of visitors ranging from pupils to seniors.
So Lok-ching, a student at Marymount Primary School, said of the all mainland buildings on display, the one that impressed her the mo st was the Water Cube, or, National Aquatics Center.
"After the border fully reopens, I will go to Beijing and see this well-designed Olympic venue in person," the 10-year-old said.
The exhibition also inspired educator Kwan Kam-che, managing director of iStudent Tour (Hong Kong), who not only found it interesting but also came up with some business opportunities during his visit.
Kwan's company organizes visits by Hong Kong students to the mainland. The exhibition inspired him to include more trips to famous buildings in future tours, so Hong Kong students can see the country's construction and engineering prowess. The exhibition demonstrates how Chinese construction skills have developed since ancient times, Kwan said.
"When the COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, I would like to see the majestic Beijing Daxing International Airport right away," he said, adding he plans to visit the exhibition again and take his son.
Leung Kai-wing, 88, who visited the exhibition on Monday, was impressed by the display on Chongqing's public transportation system. He said a transit line that goes through a building is novel and impressive. "I want to go there to see it in person," the retiree said.
Major infrastructure projects including the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge are also featured at the exhibition. Models of skyscrapers in China are on display including two Hong Kong landmarks, the Bank of China Tower and the International Commerce Centre.
Leung Siu-tong, supervisor of the Xianggang Putonghua Yanxishe Primary School of Science and Creativity, said the exhibition is a good way for students to learn about the close ties between Hong Kong and the mainland.
Edward Cheung, general manager of Shenzhen Xiangqing Technology, said he was impressed by the use of advanced interactive technology to make visitors feel like they are seeing the buildings in person. As a young entrepreneur who frequently travels between Hong Kong and the mainland, Cheung said a lot of the infrastructure and buildings on display are familiar to him. He added that he is proud to see the progress made by the country.
Chiu said that as a young stakeholder in the construction industry he is confident more large-scale projects will need the strengths of both Hong Kong and the mainland.
