Ir Prof Alfred SIT

April 2026 represents a significant moment for the nation and for the engineering profession in Hong Kong. The National People’s Congress has adopted the Outline of the 15th Five- Year Plan, establishing the strategic framework for highquality development and Chinese modernisation over the next five years. The Plan is comprehensive in scope, encompassing innovation, industrial upgrading, green transition, regional coordination and high-level opening up. For Hong Kong, it provides a clearer articulation of our role within the national development agenda and calls for corresponding professional dedication and contribution from the engineering sector.

The 15th Five-Year Plan places strong emphasis on accelerating new quality productive forces, strengthening scientific and technological self-reliance, and advancing new industrialisation. Engineering expertise is fundamental to achieving these objectives. From infrastructure and advanced manufacturing to digital transformation, clean energy and resilient urban systems, engineering capability underpins sustainable economic development and longterm competitiveness. In this evolving environment, engineers must continue to serve not only as builders of physical infrastructure, but also as system integrators, innovation enablers and guardians of safety and quality.

Hong Kong, under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems,” continues to benefit from its international connectivity, well-established common law framework, globally recognised professional standards and mature services economy. The 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in deepening participation in the country’s opening-up strategy and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, while consolidating its status as an international centre for professional services. These national directions align closely with the strengths of Hong Kong’s engineering profession and provide meaningful opportunities for expanded collaboration at regional, national and international levels.

As the statutory professional body representing the engineering profession in Hong Kong, we remain steadfast in upholding rigorous accreditation and professional standards, advancing structured continuous professional development, and deepening collaboration with Mainland and international counterparts. Through sustained institutional engagement and professional dialogue, we will continue to support our members in contributing effectively to national initiatives while maintaining globally recognised standards of excellence.

The nation’s commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 further underscores the strategic importance of engineering. The transition towards a low-carbon economy will reshape infrastructure planning, building design, transport systems and energy networks. Engineers must integrate sustainability considerations throughout the entire project lifecycle—from conceptual planning and design to construction, operation and long-term asset management. Enhancing professional capacity in renewable energy integration, smart grids, green buildings and climate-resilient infrastructure will be essential to meeting both national objectives and global expectations.

Locally, Hong Kong is preparing its first five-year development plan, as announced by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR. This initiative represents an important step towards strengthening strategic governance and aligning Hong Kong’s development priorities more closely with national goals. The engineering profession stands ready to provide evidence-based analysis, technical expertise and implementation strategies to support this process. By bridging policy vision with professional execution, engineers can help ensure that strategic objectives are translated into safe, sustainable and high-quality outcomes for society.

In light of the Tai Po fire incident, which clearly demonstrates there is plenty of room for improvement in residential building maintenance, contract management and statutory oversight, the Institution established the Tai Po Task Force: Review of HK Construction Problems in November last year. From a professional engineering perspective, the Task Force conducted a holistic review of the prevailing system, drawing reference from local legislation, industry practices and relevant international experience. It examined the entire project delivery process—from tendering and procurement to construction supervision, completion and statutory regulatory control—with particular attention to risk management, professional accountability and resident safety in large-scale residential renovation work. The report sets out safety-centred, profession-based recommendations to strengthen governance, enhance coordination among stakeholders, clarify responsibilities, and reduce systemic
risks in highimpact maintenance projects, with a view to preventing similar incidents in future.

This year also carries special significance for the Institution as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of HKIE. Over the past five decades, engineering has played a central role in Hong Kong’s transformation—from a manufacturingoriented economy to a modern, globally connected metropolis. Major transport networks, housing programmes, port developments, telecommunications systems and environmental infrastructure have collectively shaped the city’s growth and enhanced the quality of life for its citizens. The 50th Anniversary is therefore not only a celebration of past achievements, but also a reaffirmation of our professional responsibilities in this new era of national development.

In March, the “Together we RISE” Carnival held at the West Kowloon Cultural District demonstrated the engineering profession’s strong engagement with the wider community. With more than 40 interactive booths, live demonstrations and STEM-related activities, the event showcased the breadth and relevance of engineering disciplines. The enthusiastic participation of approximately 40,000 visitors over two days reflected strong public support and underscored the importance of nurturing future engineering talent. Sustained public engagement remains vital to fostering understanding, trust and inspiration among younger generations.

Extending our outreach beyond Hong Kong, we launched the “Engineering Legacy @Capital” Exhibition in early April at the National Communication Center for Science and Technology in Beijing. This month-long exhibition marks a meaningful milestone in cross-boundary professional exchange. By showcasing award-winning projects across transport infrastructure, high-rise construction, tunnelling innovation, environmental engineering and smart technologies, the Exhibition highlights how Hong Kong engineers have addressed complex urban challenges with innovation, efficiency and foresight.

The Exhibition also advances important institutional objectives. It demonstrates how Hong Kong integrates international standards with local innovation in support of national modernisation. It strengthens professional dialogue between Hong Kong and Mainland engineering communities through seminars, technical exchanges and guided tours. Furthermore, it reinforces Hong Kong’s bridging role in facilitating two-way professional engagement between the Mainland and the international community.

To facilitate member participation in this national-level initiative, our Secretariat stands ready to assist with visit registration for the Beijing Exhibition, encouraging broader professional engagement and cross-boundary collaboration.

Looking ahead, the engineering profession will continue to evolve amid rapid technological advancement. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies are transforming project delivery and infrastructure management. Continuous professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration remain essential to sustaining excellence. Guided by the 15th Five-Year Plan, and as Hong Kong deepens its integration into national development, we will uphold professionalism, integrity and innovation, contributing to high-quality development for both Hong Kong and the nation.