PolyU and HKUST inaugurate State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities and gather global experts for Symposium to tackle challenges of climate change

Approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People’s Republic of China, the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities (SKL-CRCC) – jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) – was officially inaugurated today. Dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, the Laboratory aims to enhance infrastructure resilience in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and coastal cities worldwide. Its core missions include strengthening climate-risk early-warning systems and emergency response capabilities, and promoting sustainable development to address challenges posed by climate change. Concurrently, a two-day international symposium is being held, bringing together world-leading experts and scholars to discuss how climate resilience in coastal cities can be strengthened globally.

The inauguration was held at PolyU’s Hotel ICON and officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Xiangdong LI, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of SKL-CRCC and Director of the Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI) of PolyU; Prof. Charles NG Wang-Wai, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of HKUST, Director of SKL-CRCC, and CLP Holdings Professor of Sustainability; and Prof. Qingrui YUE, Chairman of the Academic Committee of SKL-CRCC.

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng emphasised, “The establishment of SKL-CRCC not only closely aligns with the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035, but also supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s focus on climate-resilient urban development. Its significance is far-reaching: it reflects the nation’s commitment to technological self-reliance, scientific excellence and sustainable development, and exemplifies the synergy of Hong Kong’s world-class universities. By leveraging our complementary advantages, this strategic collaboration will drive national innovation and global scientific progress. PolyU sincerely thanks the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their foresight and support. We will continue translating research into impactful solutions and make the laboratory a ‘core engine’ for resilient urban development, strengthening public safety, urban resilience and sustainable development.”

Prof. Nancy Ip said, “We extend our profound gratitude to the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their steadfast and visionary support in establishing this inaugural State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities. This endeavour powerfully demonstrates Hong Kong’s capacity to unite world-class research expertise from leading institutions in a strategic collaboration to address one of our generation’s most urgent challenges. By pioneering solutions for urban disaster mitigation and infrastructure resilience, this laboratory represents a strategic national initiative. It will serve to enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub, contributing steady and meaningful momentum to our nation’s scientific advancement and long-term sustainable development.”

Prof. Xiangdong Li and Prof. Charles Ng Wang-Wai, Directors of SKL-CRCC, stated that PolyU and HKUST teams leverage the advanced facilities of both universities to conduct research in multiple areas: Climate Change and Extreme Weather, Urban Infrastructure and Resilience, Urban Compound Disasters and Evolution, Extreme Rainstorm Disasters and Nature-based Solutions, Coastal Engineering and Technology, and Climate Change Risk Perception, Early Warning, and Response Policy Management. They pointed out that data collected through various research initiatives will significantly improve coastal cities’ future forecasting accuracy and response capabilities under severe weather conditions.

Group photo of the officiating party and distinguished dignitaries.

Group photo of the officiating party and key members of SKL-CRCC.

The two-day international symposium features approximately 30 keynotes by experts from renowned universities in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, other parts of Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia. Topics include marine heatwaves, earthquakes, urban water management and artificial intelligence applications. Through academic exchange and in-depth discussion, the Symposium aims to advance world-class knowledge to strengthen climate resilience in coastal cities globally.

SKL-CRCC was officially accredited as the status of a State Key Laboratory by MOST in August 2025. To address climate change and disaster risks, it aims to deeply integrate its work into the national strategic frameworks and global development initiatives, focusing on resilience construction and disaster mitigation. It is committed to enhancing the resilience of coastal urban infrastructure to address the compound challenges posed by climate change.

The Symposium brings together world-leading global experts and scholars to discuss how climate resilience in coastal cities can be strengthened globally.

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