In order to promote the development of the construction industry in the Greater Bay Area, solve the shortage of land and housing supply and employment opportunities in Hong Kong, build a communication bridge between Huizhou and Hong Kong's construction industry, coordinate with each other, solve the supply channels for Huizhou enterprises to Hong Kong, and form an effective release of production capacity. On May 30, 2023, the Huizhou Prefabricated Construction Supply Alliance visited Hong Kong for an exchange visit and was cordially received by Mr. Tam Yaozong and Director Ning Hanhao. Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Restart Alliance, Tam Yiu-chung, Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Development Bureau, Ning Hanhao, Permanent Secretary-General Liu Junjie, Assistant Secretary-General Luo Guoquan, Assistant Secretary-General Zheng Zilong, President of Huizhou Survey and Design Association Li Huidong, Huizhou Prefabricated Construction and Supply Alliance Association Chairman Zhou Yi, Vice President Cai Zhuoyi, Vice President Zhou Zhuoliang, and Director of the Business Development Department Lai Junqi attended this exchange meeting.

At the meeting, Chairman Li Huidong first introduced the specific situation of the Huizhou Prefabricated Construction and Supply Alliance to Mr. Tan, Director Ning and other guests. Among the alliance members are 16 PC component factories, 10 large steel structure factories and nearly 100 steel structure factories. Involving member units such as design supervision, the alliance estimates that the production capacity has met Hong Kong's investment plan in recent years. The goal of the Hong Kong Supply Alliance is to improve the quality and efficiency of the prefabricated construction industry and promote the cross-border development of the industry by improving technical levels and talent exchanges. Regarding the current needs of Hong Kong's assembly and construction industry, Huizhou has unique geographical advantages and mature technological advantages. It has both experience in supplying to Hong Kong and sufficient production capacity. Coupled with excellent transportation conditions, Huizhou can deliver and assemble immediately to avoid stacking problems.

Director Ning Hanhao said: Hong Kong’s construction volume in the first half of the year is expected to increase by 20% compared to previous years. Hong Kong is quite lacking in construction materials, construction technology, and construction talents. Under this opportunity, Huizhou prefabricated construction supply The Hong Kong Alliance can supply materials, technology, and talents to Hong Kong. I believe that the opportunities for cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland will increase a lot.

Subsequently, the two parties participating in the meeting held discussions and exchanges on materials, technology, standards, talent supply to Hong Kong and other issues.

  Chairman Li: The bilateral regulations and standards between the Mainland and Hong Kong are not in line. The Hong Kong construction industry has not yet accepted the mainland standard GB. A large number of building materials that meet the GB standard cannot be directly used in Hong Kong projects. Materials produced specifically for the BS standard are often more than 20% more expensive, but the cost is borne by the Hong Kong purchaser, and their performance is not much difference. It is expected that Hong Kong will accept GB standards, significantly reduce the cost of Hong Kong's construction industry, and use less funds to build more houses for people who urgently need to improve their living environment.

Director Ning: Regarding the issue of the failure to align the bilateral norms and standards between the Mainland and Hong Kong, Hong Kong also hopes to formulate a set of technical standards for modular buildings that belong to the Greater Bay Area. How can we certify the national standard and the British standard to create one that belongs to us? standards, making it more convenient to supply construction in Hong Kong.

  President Li: The mainland and Hong Kong cannot mutually recognize professional qualifications. Hong Kong and the mainland can mutually recognize registered practitioner (AP) qualifications or the qualifications of other disciplines. Promote the engineering industry to be able to open and practice in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area or mainland cities; jointly compile engineering construction group standards applicable to Guangdong and Hong Kong, and promote various forms of exchange activities between construction and related engineering industry groups in the two places.

Director Ning: Regarding the issue of mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the Mainland and Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers is currently taking the lead. Recently, a framework agreement has been signed with the Greater Bay Area. The scope of mutual recognition is expected to gradually expand. The existing machinery category will be expanded in the future. Add more fields, such as civil engineering and other practitioners.

  President Li: Hong Kong is currently facing problems such as labor shortage. A large number of construction projects in Hong Kong in the future will cause a shortage of construction workers in Hong Kong. It is necessary to formulate and publish the "Standards for Mainland Professionals to Work in Hong Kong" as soon as possible. Let the mainland prepare and train personnel in advance to prepare for Hong Kong's construction boom.

Director Ning: In response to the labor shortage problem that Hong Kong is facing, the construction industry has been added to the talent list in Hong Kong and more windows have been opened to construction personnel. In some positions, even if construction personnel are not certified, they can rely on academic qualifications, degrees, and work Experience can be used first.

   President Li: Hong Kong has a superior geographical environment, international reputation and outstanding talents. Invite Hong Kong to take a leading role in the Belt and Road Initiative. If the Hong Kong Supply Alliance can supply Hong Kong, then there is no problem in supplying it abroad.

Director Ning: Hong Kong can take on the role of "super liaison" for the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, give full play to its strengths, lead mainland manufacturers, build a cooperation platform, and jointly explore the international market. In addition, Director Ning is very happy to lead us to visit relevant organizations in Hong Kong, such as the Institution of Engineers, the Construction Industry Association, the Polytechnic, etc. The Hong Kong Supply Alliance will carry out a series of plans and activities in the future to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the construction industries of the two places.

Liu Junjie: I personally am very interested in BIM technology. The participation of BIM units in this alliance is very important, because our contracts will contain BIM. Under normal circumstances, they will be given to consulting companies, and the consulting companies will go according to the contract. Find a BIM consulting service unit. I hope that BIM units can learn from each other and communicate more with our Institute of Construction Engineers, Contractors Association and other associations, so that more people can recognize you, which will be conducive to better services and Hong Kong construction.

Mr. Tam Yiu-chung expressed his appreciation for the development of Huizhou's prefabricated construction industry. He said: Hong Kong's construction industry needs to find breakthroughs in the supply of talents and technology from the Greater Bay Area. He believes that the establishment of the Hong Kong Supply Alliance is of great significance in solving problems such as talent shortage and lack of housing supply in Hong Kong's construction industry.

By strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the Hong Kong construction industry, we will improve the competitiveness of the industry and solve problems such as labor shortages and insufficient technology supply in the Hong Kong construction industry. Through mutual learning and mutual promotion, we will promote the optimization and upgrading of the prefabricated construction industry in the Greater Bay Area and jointly build green, smart, and sustainable urban development. In the future, more companies and institutions will join the Huizhou Prefabricated Construction and Supply Alliance and contribute to the cooperation and development of the construction industry in the Greater Bay Area.

Source: Huizhou Prefabricated Construction and Supply Alliance

Editor: Hong Junyue

Reviewer: Gan Jiping