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Exclusive | Hong Kong sees Zhaoqing as key partner in efforts to modernise local construction industry

  • Zhaoqing is one of the manufacturing bases for MIC module suppliers in Hong Kong, Financial Secretary Chan Mo-po says
  • Hong Kong construction professionals can also work in the Greater Bay Area city in a new registration system announced in July

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The Science Park in Sha Tin was built using modular integrated construction technology. Photo: Winson Wong
Enoch Yiu
Zhaoqing, the largest Greater Bay Area city by land area, will be an important player to support Hong Kong’s efforts to modernise its construction industry, Hong Kong’s finance chief said.
The mainland city located in the western part of Guangdong province is a key provider of prefabricated building parts, an important role in view of the current labour crunch in the local industry, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in a written interview with the Post.

Under the city’s 2019 budget, the government set aside HK$1 billion (US$129 million) of funds to promote the use of new technology in the industry, with modular integrated construction, or MIC module, becoming a major part of the focus.

“Zhaoqing is one of the manufacturing bases for our MIC suppliers,” Chan said. “In this connection, we see Zhaoqing has a good opportunity of becoming a key and reliable player in the supply chain of MIC modules, or other precast components, to support Hong Kong‘s construction industry in the years to come.”

Zhaoqing can support Hong Kong’s efforts to modernise its construction industry, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po says. Photo: Nora Tam
Zhaoqing can support Hong Kong’s efforts to modernise its construction industry, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po says. Photo: Nora Tam

The industry views the MIC modules as an answer to its predicament in terms of labour shortage. The shortfall is about 10,000 workers, according to industry estimates.

Modular integrated construction involves casting or prefabricating building blocks in factories, and having them assembled and installed on site. The concept has already gained popularity over the years in Britain, Singapore and Australia.

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