新聞

International Symposium cum Inauguration of the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities

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. 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.

Prof. Bu Siqi expounds upon China’s power-generating kite

Prof. Bu Siqi, member of SKL-CRCC research direction 6 (Climate Change Risk Perception, Early Warning, and Response Policy Management), Associate Head (Research) and Professor at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, gave an interview to RTHK’s radio programme “Backchat”, offering professional perspectives on the potential of China’s power-generating kite and how it fits into the nation’s wider renewable energy strategy. The 5,000 square-metre high-altitude wind power capture kite was deployed in Inner Mongolia last month as part of the country’s first national research and development project for high-altitude wind power.   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/4q6tqMz (28:49 - 43:49)

PolyU Launches Dual Research Platforms to Strengthen Urban Climate Resilience

In response to the increasing threats posed by climate change and extreme weather events, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has established two major research platforms in 2025: the Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities, co-developed with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Led by Prof. Li Xiangdong, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, these platforms aim to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to enhance the climate resilience of Hong Kong’s infrastructure. One of the flagship projects is a long-term climate monitoring system on the Tsing Ma Bridge, which has been collecting data since 1997 using nearly 300 sensors. The data show that the bridge’s surface temperature has risen by an average of 0.05°C annually, while typhoon duration affecting the bridge has increased by approximately 3.6 hours per year. These findings help predict structural deformation and inform maintenance strategies. The technology has since been applied to other major cross-border infrastructure, including the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. Another key initiative is the development of a real-time typhoon risk warning and management system for high-rise buildings in coastal cities. Since 2024, PolyU has installed laser radar wind monitoring systems at six locations across Hong Kong and deployed a mobile “wind-chasing” team equipped with 3D LiDAR to collect real-time wind data during typhoons. The system is expected to support future urban development, including the Northern Metropolis. PolyU is also pioneering nature-based coastal protection solutions, such as underwater breakwater made from recycled oyster shells, which reduce wave impact while preserving marine ecosystems. These innovations are being tested in the university’s hydraulic engineering laboratory. Together, these efforts represent a comprehensive “land-sea-air” strategy to safeguard Hong Kong against the growing risks of climate change, while contributing to regional and global resilience initiatives. Online coverage: TVB - https://polyu.me/4pd1Qgg Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3Y0VTah (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3Kl2VDK (subscription required) Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4alxV0P Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4pcUoBO  Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4iz1uOz HK01 - https://polyu.me/49RVjmu

Professor Xia Yong named SHM Person of the Year, solidifying PolyU’s leadership in structural health monitoring

Professor Xia Yong was recently named the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Person of the Year––making him the third PolyU scholar to receive this esteemed award over the years. PolyU is in fact the only university in Hong Kong to receive this prestigious honour and ties with another university for having the most number of recipients in the world since the award’s establishment over 20 years ago.   The SHM Person of the Year Award (SHM-POY) recognises individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to structural health monitoring that benefit society. It honours excellence in theory, analysis, applications, education, or other advancements within the field, focusing on achievements in the past few years. Sponsored by SAGE Publishing, a leading international academic and professional publisher, the award is selected by the editorial board of the Structural Health Monitoring journal and presented annually at the International Workshop on SHM in Stanford, California, USA.   Distinguished contributions to structural health monitoring This year’s SHM-POY Professor Xia, from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Associate Dean of Graduate School and Director of Joint Research Centre of Marine Infrastructure, is honoured for his transformative contributions to structural health monitoring over the past two decades. His pioneering research includes developing vibration-based damage detection methods, numerical and analytical solutions for bridge responses under thermal loads, and substructuring techniques for monitoring large-scale structures. These advancements have shaped design standards and textbooks, impacting education and engineering globally.   His research has been applied to major local and national projects, including the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Canton Tower and the Shanghai Tower, as well as internationally to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan and the Humber Bridge in the UK. As a leader in the field, he has established several research centres, such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Marine Infrastructure, demonstrating his commitment to collaboration and innovation.   Moreover, he has developed unique educational systems such as the Benchmark Problem for SHM of High-rise Structures and the real-time PolyU Footbridge Digital Twin System, significantly advancing global SHM practices. His award recognition not only honours his personal achievements but also highlights the strength of PolyU’s SHM research team and the University’s vital role in tackling critical infrastructure challenges worldwide.

Plaque Presentation Ceremony honoring State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities (SKL-CRCC)

As one of the 15 SKLs officially commencing operations on July 1, SKL-CRCC is proud to contribute to the nation’s vision of building a scientifically and technologically strong country. Supported by annual funding of up to HK$20 million from the SAR government, our laboratory is committed to advancing pioneering research in rail transit vehicle system integration and health monitoring, alongside other SKLs specializing in medicine, quantum studies, biology, environmental science, and climate. The State Key Laboratories Scheme, managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), has evolved to allow Hong Kong to independently establish national-level laboratories since 2018. In January 2025, MOST approved the restructuring of these labs into SKLs, further empowering Hong Kong’s scientific community. During the ceremony, Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun recognized the operation of the 15 SKLs as a milestone for Hong Kong, highlighting the central government’s high regard for our research potential and the expectations placed upon us. SKL-CRCC is inspired by this recognition and remains dedicated to our mission of achieving original breakthroughs and addressing technological challenges in rail transit and beyond. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasized the importance of maintaining an open and inclusive academic environment, attracting international talent, and fostering collaboration with scientific communities and enterprises in the mainland. SKL-CRCC is committed to strengthening ties with industry partners and research institutions, both locally and globally, to accelerate the transformation and application of technological achievements for the benefit of the Greater Bay Area and the nation. Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR, Zhou Ji, reiterated the central government’s unwavering support for Hong Kong’s technological advancement and pledged continued facilitation of cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland. SKL-CRCC shares the vision of propelling Hong Kong towards becoming a global center for top-tier talent and innovation. We look forward to contributing to the development of the Hong Kong Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and to deepening collaboration across industry, academia, and research. As Hong Kong embarks on this new chapter, SKL-CRCC is excited to play a pivotal role in driving scientific progress and technological innovation for the city, the Greater Bay Area, and the nation.