Establishment of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was approved by the State Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), People’s Republic of China on 12th October 2015. Through applied engineering research on steel construction, the CNERC aims to capitalize huge potentials offered by construction professionals in Hong Kong to further enhance socio-economic development through technological advancement in sustainable infrastructure development. The CNERC receives strong support from the Development Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong SAR and also from the Construction Industry Council.
On 6th December 2015, Mr. Wan Gang, Head of Ministry of Science and Technology, the People’s Republic of China presented the Official Plague of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, supported and congratulated by Mr. Nicholas Yang Wei-Hsiung, Secretary for Innovation and Technology Bureau, and Ms Annie Choi, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administration Region.
For many years, the Government of Hong Kong SAR attaches great importance to development of Innovation and Technology. Since 2005, a total of 16 Partner State Key Laboratories (PSKLs) have been established in various universities in Hong Kong with approval from the State Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2019, all the PSKLs are upgraded as State Key Laboratories (SKLs).
In order to further develop technological collaboration between Hong Kong and China, the then Vice-Premier of the State Council, Mr Li Keqiang, announced establishment of Hong Kong Branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centres (CNERC) during his visit to Hong Kong in 2011. Through the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee, formation of Hong Kong Branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centres were formulated in 2013. They would be established in universities in Hong Kong to enhance their research and development capabilities as well as collaboration with the Mainland. A funding up to HK$5 million each year will be provided to each Hong Kong Branch of CNERCs under administration of the Innovation and Technology Commissioner.
As a result, five Hong Kong Branches of CNERCs were established in October 2015 with approval from the State Ministry of Science and Technology. The CNERC for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) is the only designated CNERC to promote research and development as well as engineering applications in construction in Hong Kong. A full list of SKLs and CNERC-HK is downloadable here (PDF).
