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Leadership Philosophy
"The path is long and harsh, like climbing mountain after mountain. But professional engineers make significant contributions to social development — the satisfaction from completed projects far exceeds the efforts invested."

Dr Lau Ching-Kwong

Chairman of Civil Engineering

Dr. Lau Ching-Kwong (劉正光教授、工程師) is universally recognised as the "Hong Kong Bridge King" — a civil engineer whose five-decade career has dictated the physical connectivity of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. As Chief Engineer of the Tsing Ma Bridge, he delivered what was then the world's longest road-rail suspension bridge, pioneering a 5-metre-wide ventilation design to secure the 1,377-metre span against typhoon-force winds. His structural authority extends across the Lantau Link, the 1,018-metre Stonecutters Bridge, and the immersed tunnel section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. A recipient of the Mao Yisheng Bridge Construction Grand Award — China's highest honour for bridge engineers — his 36-year government career culminated as Director of the Civil Engineering Department. When Hong Kong's most complex infrastructure falters, Dr. Lau is the authority summoned to intervene, evidenced by his crisis management roles for the MTR Express Rail Link and Shatin to Central Link. At GBAYCIA, he serves as Chairman of the Civil Engineering Committee, applying a lifetime of deep-water and cross-boundary structural expertise to the Greater Bay Area's maritime development agenda.

The Professional Pillars

    • Former Director, Civil Engineering Department, Hong Kong Government (2001–2002)

  • Chief Engineer, Tsing Ma Bridge — world's longest road-rail suspension bridge at completion

  • President, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) (2002–2003)

  • Part-time Professor, Tsinghua University (2004–present)

  • Recipient, Mao Yisheng Bridge Construction Grand Award & Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize

  • Technical Consultant, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Island-Tunnel Project

  • Engineering Consultant, MTR Corporation — Express Rail Link & Shatin to Central Link


Industry Impact

  • The Bridge King: Architected Hong Kong's defining suspension structures, including the Tsing Ma, Kap Shui Mun, and Ting Kau bridges. He is currently advising on the design of a new 1,400-metre main span suspension bridge parallel to the Tsing Ma, integrating unmanned drones and AI technology for structural health monitoring.

  • Cross-Boundary Infrastructure: Served as Technical Consultant for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge immersed tunnel section, providing critical guidance on preventing water leakage at pipeline interfaces — a world-class engineering threshold that physically unified the Pearl River Delta.

  • Crisis Intervention: When high-profile public works encounter severe operational or structural delays, Dr. Lau is the definitive authority. MTR Corporation appointed him to conduct a comprehensive review of the Express Rail Link in 2015 following cost overruns, and again in 2018 to strengthen management for the Shatin to Central Link amid construction controversies.

  • Academic Weight: Completed his Doctorate in Engineering at Tsinghua University while simultaneously building the Tsing Ma Bridge, focusing his thesis on the bridge's health monitoring system. He has spent over two decades as a part-time professor at Tsinghua, transferring his structural pragmatism to the next generation of Chinese civil engineers.

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More Than Just a Résumé

The Bridge King: Engineering Hong Kong’s Icons 
From 1996 to 2002, Dr. Lau Ching-kwong spearheaded a golden era of infrastructure development in Hong Kong. As Chief Engineer of the Tsing Ma Bridge, he oversaw the delivery of a world-record suspension bridge that became an enduring symbol of the city’s engineering prowess. His leadership extended to the Kap Shui Mun Bridge and Ting Kau Bridge, collectively forming the critical Lantau Link. These achievements solidified his reputation as the "Hong Kong Bridge King," fundamentally transforming the city’s connectivity and iconic skyline. 

The Regional Integrator: Connecting the Greater Bay Area 
Dr. Lau’s influence extends significantly beyond Hong Kong, encompassing pivotal roles in major infrastructure initiatives across the Greater Bay Area and Mainland China. As a technical consultant for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge’s island-tunnel project, he provided invaluable expert guidance on one of the world’s most complex sea-crossing systems. His contributions to projects like the Shenzhen Metro, Shanghai’s Yangtze River crossings, and various Guangzhou bridge developments underscore his role as a key architect of regional integration, fostering seamless connections across the dynamic economic zone. 
 
The Crisis Authority: The Expert They Call 
When Hong Kong’s most high-profile infrastructure projects encounter significant challenges, Dr. Lau is the indispensable expert sought by authorities. In 2015, MTR appointed him to conduct a comprehensive review of the Express Rail Link following cost overruns and delays. Subsequently, in 2018, he was brought in to strengthen management for the Shatin to Central Link project amidst construction controversies. His consistent ability to provide calm, technically sound guidance during crises has established him as an unparalleled authority in Hong Kong’s infrastructure discourse, restoring public and stakeholder confidence. 

Dr. Lau’s 36-year career in government service, from 1966 to 2002, exemplifies a profound dedication to public service and technical excellence. Rising through the ranks from Assistant Engineer to Director of the Civil Engineering Department, he has not only overseen monumental projects but also passionately mentored generations of engineers. He remains a fervent advocate for young people pursuing engineering careers, articulating his belief that "Professional engineers make significant contributions to social development – the satisfaction from completed projects far exceeds the efforts invested." His work has spanned four continents, from Hong Kong’s iconic bridges to feasibility studies for cross-sea bridges in Malaysia and Indonesia, earning him international recognition as the "Hong Kong Bridge King."

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