Hong Kong possesses rich expertise and operational experience in public transportation projects that can be leveraged to bolster infrastructure development and connectivity among Belt and Road countries, experts told a Friday forum.

Aiming to explore the role of public transport in community development and connectivity, the Belt and Road Railway Forum included about 280 government officials, railway professionals, and industry leaders from countries and regions involved in the initiative.

Addressing a keynote speech, Undersecretary for Transport and Logistics Liu Chun-san called for the city keep striving to be a “superconnector” and “super value-adder” for the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting its public transportation system as a key area in which the city can significantly contribute.

Liu said that Hong Kong has an efficient and well-integrated public transportation system with the railway as its backbone. As one of the world’s busiest railway systems, the MTR system serves an average of about 5 million passengers per day, boasting the highest passenger volume among all public transport services.

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The city’s high-speed rail services are also rapidly developing. Since the services’ commissioning in 2018, the number of destinations directly connected to the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link has progressively increased from 44 to 78, with at least 200 train trips running every day.

He said that Hong Kong has a rich pool of talented professionals equipped with the necessary expertise, which not only allow the city to promote the development of its own transport infrastructure but also to export professional skills and knowledge to the broader BRI community.

The expert also expressed the hope for BRI participants to further strengthen exchanges and promote collaborations in this area, which will help unleash the initiative’s vast potential, foster economic integration and enrich interpersonal connections.

MTR Chairman Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen said that since the introduction of the BRI in 2013, one of its focuses has been creating more efficient connectivity across nations and regions, with the railway system playing a pivotal role.

Citing Hong Kong's railway system, Auyeung said that a comprehensive rail network brings benefits that reach beyond transportaion and will also boost tourism and stimulate economic development and attract investment. He invited industry leaders from the city and overseas to create a brighter, more connected and sustainable future for the rail industry.

MTR Corp CEO Jacob Kam Chak-pui said that MTR will keep sharing its experiences with countries and regions involved in the BRI, such as in railway operation, talent development, and community building.

He said that the MTR Academy has offered many training courses as well as related programs launched with Chinese mainland universities. So far, hundreds of individuals from countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia have undergone the training.

Kam said that railway development in countries involved in the BRI is at different stages, emphasizing the importance of exchanges and talent development. After enhancing mutual understanding, both sides will explore further possibilities for cooperation, he said.

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MTR Operations and Innovation Director Tony Lee Kar-yun talked about the city’s experience in driving smart railway innovation in areas like customer service, maintenance, intelligent safety and environmental protection. He said that Hong Kong’s solutions for smart cities and its industry standards have the potential to provide insights and capabilities for its global counterparts.

Other participants also shared insights on various aspects of transport industry, such as green technology research and innovation, with some speakers sharing the story of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail project, which was jointly built by China and Indonesia and serves as a signature infrastructure project under BRI framework. The attendants also shared their insights of the challenges and opportunities for future rail transportation.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com