Hong Kong construction workers have urged the special administrative region government to help the sector “seize the historic opportunities” as it adopts new technologies — such as drones, artificial intelligence, and robots — by providing incentives and training, a move aligning with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) to sharpen the industry’s competitiveness.

At a news conference on Wednesday, the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union said it supports the SAR government’s formulation of the city’s first five-year plan, adding that it will help promote the long-term development of Hong Kong’s construction industry, elevate it to a higher level, and better align it with the nation’s overall development agenda.

READ MORE: Robots enhance efficiency, safety in construction

Central to the union’s appeal is the belief that Hong Kong’s construction sector must “seize the historic opportunities presented by the latest technological revolution”.

Citing the national push to accelerate high-level technological development and cultivate new quality productive forces, as outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan, the union urged the SAR government to improve the industry’s innovation system.

A key area of focus is the low-altitude economy, a sector the central government has been actively promoting. The union called on authorities to remove regulatory barriers and support the industry in adopting technologies such as drones, and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for surveying, monitoring, transport, and low-altitude sensing systems.

It urged the SAR government to take a leading role — not only in facilitating the introduction of these technologies but also in making them more accessible through expanded training programs, enabling frontline workers to master them.

The union also highlighted the need to extend the use of AI-powered tools — such as building information modeling, multi-trade integrated mechanical, electrical and plumbing, and modular integrated construction — from professional ranks to frontline workers to improve efficiency, and recommended greater investment in training frontline workers to operate construction robots.

ALSO READ: CE stresses tech use to boost construction work safety

The union also called for the accelerated development of new quality productive forces and expanding the application of AI across different trades. It urged the SAR government to step up training and job-matching efforts to help more workers transition into new roles or gain familiarity with AI technologies.

On industrial planning, the union stressed the need to leverage the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone — both highlighted in the 15th Five-Year Plan — as core engines to coordinate land, housing, technology and industrial development.

“This would facilitate the factor flow with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promote mutual professional recognition and market connectivity, and help break through current development bottlenecks,” the union said.

Contact the writers at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com