Year 2023, the beginning of the post-pandemic era, marked the first anniversary of the reopening of the Shenzhen Futian to Hong Kong West Kowloon section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail. According to statistics, the total number of local railway passengers in Hong Kong in 2023 has recovered to over 90% of pre-pandemic levels, while the operation of cross-border high-speed rail is gradually transforming towards a “public transportation” mode. Looking back at the past year, the Hong Kong Branch of the National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre (hereinafter referred to as “CNERC-Rail (HK Branch)”) has achieved fruitful results through the dedicated efforts of all staff members. We continued to promote technological innovation, advancement in railway safety, operation and intelligent maintenance, thereby driving industrial upgrading in the field of rail transportation.
In 2023, CNERC-Rail (HK Branch) actively established collaboration with various universities, research institutions, and enterprises. Such collaboration included signing a research cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co. Ltd., and a memorandum of cooperation with its subsidiary, the Intelligent Transportation Research Company, to establish a partnership. We also signed a research cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Provincial Rail Transit Operation and Management Group Co., Ltd., adopting a new model of integrated collaboration among academia, industry, and research institutions to facilitate the sharing of talent, technology, and information resources. Additionally, we signed a research project cooperation agreement with Wuyi University and CRRC Guangdong Co., Ltd. in the field of “intelligent robots and high-end equipment manufacturing,” focusing on key technologies for developing the intelligent lifecycle of intercity rolling stock driven by the Industrial Internet of Things. Furthermore, we signed a cooperation agreement with the Shenzhen Academy of Disaster Prevention and Reduction to establish a joint Laboratory, aiming at promoting scientific research and advanced technology development in the field of disaster prevention and mitigation. To address subway line noise issues, we established a joint noise laboratory with the Hong Kong MTR Corporation at Tai Wai Depot, focusing on the development of vibration and noise control products. To promote academic exchange among universities, faculties, and students across the Taiwan Strait and the Hong Kong-Macao region, CNERC-Rail (HK Branch), in collaboration with the Chinese Society for Vibration Engineering, co-hosted the 11th CSW-MCCE 2023.
In the past year, our talented staff at CNERC-Rail (HK Branch) demonstrated resilience and team spirit in conducting advanced research work with support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the Innovation and Technology Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Looking ahead, we will enhance research capability, promote technological applications, and elevate railway engineering standards. We aim to strengthen CNERC-Rail (HK Branch) and to prioritize talent development, making contributions to the sustainable growth of the national railway industry.
