The Engineers Who Built Hong Kong: Celebrating 50 Years of the HKIE

Hong Kong – As the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s a moment to look at the city itself—the skyline, the bridges, the airport—and recognize the minds that brought it all to life. For half a century, the HKIE has been the quiet force behind Hong Kong’s transformation into a global metropolis. This golden jubilee is not just a celebration of an institution, but a tribute to the generations of engineers who have shaped the city’s very foundations.

This year, the anniversary is marked by a significant milestone: the appointment of Ir Alice Chow as the HKIE’s 51st President, and the first woman to hold the title in its 50-year history. Her story, along with the legendary career of Past President and “King of Bridges” Ir Prof Dr. Lau Ching-Kwong, captures the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines Hong Kong engineering.

IR Alice Chow is annointed as the 51st president of HKIE, IR Dr. Lau Ching Kwong presenting Alice with her award.

A New Era: The Rise of Alice Chow

Alice Chow’s journey to the presidency is a story of unexpected turns and unwavering determination. She originally planned to study nursing in the UK, but an age restriction forced a change of plans. Pivoting to physics and mathematics, she found a new calling. “I remembered always telling my mom that, someday, I would build a house for her,” she recalled. That childhood promise led her to a degree in civil engineering.

With over 30 years at the global engineering firm Arup, Chow has been instrumental in major projects like the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. She remembers the logistical challenges of reaching the construction site on reclaimed land, battling seasickness on the boat ride over. “No matter how hard it seems, you overcome the obstacles and make your project ready for public use,” she says. “It is immensely satisfying.”

Her work extends far beyond Hong Kong, with contributions to airports in Beijing and South India. But perhaps most telling is her volunteer work with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Afghanistan and Ethiopia, where she used her engineering skills to build facilities and manage supply chains in conflict zones. As she takes the helm of the HKIE, her presidential theme, “Together we RISE” (Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Equity), is a direct reflection of a career spent solving problems, both at home and abroad.

Alice Chow, the first female President in the HKIE's 50-year history, is leading the institution with her theme, "Together we RISE."

The Bridge Master: The Legacy of Dr. Lau Ching-Kwong

If you’ve driven across the Tsing Ma, Kap Shui Mun, or Ting Kau bridges, you’ve experienced the work of Ir Prof Dr. Lau Ching-Kwong. Known as “Hong Kong’s King of Bridges,” Dr. Lau’s career is synonymous with the city’s most iconic infrastructure. As a Past President of the HKIE (2002/2003) and a newly minted Honorary Fellow, his legacy is cast in steel and concrete.

Dr. Lau served as the Chief Engineer during the construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge in the 1990s, a project that had never been attempted before in a typhoon-prone area. “The biggest challenge in building a cross-harbour bridge in Hong Kong is how to resist the wind,” he explained. His team’s success not only connected Lantau Island to the city but also earned global acclaim, including the prestigious “Mao Yisheng Bridge Construction Grand Award.”

He fondly refers to Hong Kong as “a museum of modern bridges,” with Tsing Yi Island as its main gallery, surrounded by engineering marvels he helped bring to life. After retiring from a distinguished career in the civil service, he joined AECOM, exporting Hong Kong’s engineering expertise to major projects in Mainland China and Southeast Asia.

The Tsing Ma Bridge, one of Dr. Lau Ching-Kwong’s most notable achievements and a symbol of Hong Kong's engineering prowess.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The careers of Alice Chow and Dr. Lau Ching-Kwong, though from different generations, tell a single story: that of Hong Kong’s engineering prowess. They represent the thousands of HKIE members who have quietly and diligently built one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

As members of the Greater Bay Area Yacht & Cruise Industry Association (GBAYCIA), both Chow and Dr. Lau continue to contribute their expertise to shaping the region’s future. Their work within the HKIE and their commitment to the broader community ensure that the next 50 years of Hong Kong engineering will be as transformative as the last.

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To learn more about the engineers shaping our city and to support their work, visit the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers at www.hkie.org.hk.