2024 Shanghai-Hong Kong-Ningbo Transportation Technology Forum for "Inter-connectivity and Intelligent Transportation" Successfully Held

ZHUHAI, China, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 Shanghai-Hong Kong-Ningbo Transportation Technology Forum, co-organised by the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation (HKIHT), Shanghai Highway and Transportation Society (SHTS) and Ningbo Highway Society (NHS), with assistance from the China Highway and Transportation Society (CHTS) and Guangdong Province Highway Society (GPHS), was successfully held in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province last week. With this year's theme being "Inter-connectivity and Intelligent Transportation", the event attracted over a hundred industry experts specialising in highways, roads, bridges, transportation, technology design/application and general construction, as well as academics and professionals in relevant sectors, from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ningbo and Guangdong Province, where they discussed, shared and exchanged ideas, as well as took part in an on-site inspection tour.

Mr. John WONG, Honorary Treasurer of HKIHT, who was the host for the forum this year, kick-started the event by welcoming officiating guests and representatives from organising institutions. Mr. Tony YAU, Director of the Highways Department of the HKSAR, delivered a speech during the opening ceremony as the event's designated Guest of Honour. Other esteemed guests who also presented congratulatory remarks included Mr. Ian CHUNG, President of HKIHT, Mr. HUANG Guobin, Vice Chairman of SHTS, Mr. FAN Xianpeng, Chairman of NHS, Mr. ZHANG Jinquan, Vice Chairman of CHTS, and Mr. BAO Gang, Deputy Secretary General of GPHS.

Mr. Ian CHUNG, President of HKIHT, spoke positively about China's plans to build a modern and comprehensive transportation system that aims to provide low-carbon, eco-friendly and human-centric intelligent transportation for the country. Under both the direction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the strategic framework of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, HKIHT will take a leading role by leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages in technological innovation, high-quality development, international relationships and professional services to encourage enhanced cross-regional cooperation and development. "We know that transportation is a top priority of Chinese national policy", stated Mr. CHUNG.

As the event's Guest of Honour, Mr. Tony YAU, Director of the Highways Department of the HKSAR, warmly welcomed the participants in his opening speech. Addressing the event's theme, "Inter-connectivity and Intelligent Transportation", Mr. YAU pointed out that Hong Kong is actively working towards establishing a transportation network that is smart, safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly through various initiatives, including technological innovation, intelligent management, data transparency and green logistics, that facilitate the efficient mobility of people and resources in the Greater Bay Area, with the ultimate goal being to build a more intelligent, livable and sustainable city. This ambitious vision requires concerted efforts from all parties, including mutual exchange, intensive learning and close cooperation with counterparts on the mainland, in order to pave the way towards a new era of multilateral cross-regional cooperation.

Also, during the opening ceremony, representatives from the forum's organising institutions, Mr. HUANG Guobin, Vice Chairman of SHTS, and Mr. FAN Xianpeng, Chairman of NHTS, as well as co-organiser representative Mr. ZHANG Jinquan, Vice Chairman of CHTS, delivered speeches emphasising the underlying significance of the forum's central theme.

A total of 11 industry experts and academics were invited to the forum to share their unique insights on the latest technological applications and their significance, as well as comment on research methodology and theories. Their informed analyses covered various aspects including digital transformation, intelligent transportation design and development, and the innovation and implementation of new technologies, echoing the forum's theme of "Inter-connectivity and Intelligent Transportation".

Mr. Alex TSANG, Chief Engineer at the Major Works Project Management Office of the Highways Department of the HKSAR, spoke about how the development and implementation of a number of innovative technologies in the large-scale infrastructure project for the Central Kowloon Route are resolving numerous problems and helping promote the sustainable development and long-term growth of Hong Kong.

Mr. FAN Xianpeng, Deputy Director and Party Member of the Ningbo Municipal Transportation Bureau and Chairman of NHS, shared the successes Ningbo has achieved in promoting the transformation and evolution of traffic engineering thanks to new productive forces. Revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, materials and equipment are making the city's traffic design smarter, greener and more efficient.

Next, Ms. HAO Weiwei, Deputy Director of the Digital Transformation Promotion Office of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission and Deputy Secretary General of SHTS, introduced how Shanghai is upgrading its core transportation structure under the background of strategic initiatives to promote digital transformation via big data analysis, sharing and forecasting, with the aim of building an interconnected digital-based transportation network powered by data.

Mr. KAN Jun, Former Chairman of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (Hong Kong), gave details about the smart green construction project for the Cross Bay Link of Tseung Kwan O in Hong Kong, elaborating on its bridge lifting technology, full prefabrication and assembly, and utilisation of high-strength steel. His comments shed light on the sustainable engineering and usability of Hong Kong's largest and heaviest single-piece steel arch bridge project.

Further presentations followed, with esteemed speakers including Mr. WANG Junbin, Director of the Institute of Mechatronic and Intelligent Transportation of Guangdong Communication Planning & Design Institute Group Co., Ltd., Prof. LENG Zhen, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr. CAI Yang, Chief Engineer of the Road and Bridge Design and Research Institute of Shanghai Urban Construction Design and Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Mr. JIANG Qiang, Director and Deputy Commander in Chief of the Construction Command Centre of Zhejiang Ningbo Hangyong Multi-Line Phase 3 Expressway Co., Ltd, Mr. LUO Bin, Associate Director of Transportation of AECOM Hong Kong, Mr. ZHANG Xiaoming, Chairman and General Manager of Shanghai Tonglu Cloud Transportation Technology Co., Ltd., and Dr. LIN Yangzi, Director of Cable Bridge Technology Co., Limited. Their presentations covered important topics, such as digital intelligent systems for high-speed roads, urban smart and green transportation networks, innovative pavement materials, and digital detection and management technology. They also highlighted the impact of intelligent transportation as a key driver in accelerating the enhancement of the urban transportation industry, as well as its crucial role in helping to promote integrated development and inter-connectivity between different regions and cities.

An on-site inspection tour to Zhuhai Tunnel and the Shizimen Tunnel Operation Centre was also organised during the forum so that the guests could engage in in-depth exchanges with the projects' technical experts. They shared experiences regarding construction progress and technological applications, as well as how big data analysis is empowering the design and development of smart and efficient transportation systems.

As an essential event for joint industry exchanges between the Greater Bay Area and the Yangtze River Delta, the Shanghai-Hong Kong-Ningbo Transportation Technology Forum shoulders a vital role in empowering the development of the intelligent transportation by helping to promote cutting-edge technological advancements. Participating organisations will continue to share and exchange their insights on new productive forces, applications to the latest technologies and innovations, establishment and upgrading of intelligent transportation and other key topics to help facilitate the continued connectivity, development and prosperity of the transportation and construction industries.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

2024 Shanghai-Hong Kong-Ningbo Transportation Technology Forum for "Inter-connectivity and Intelligent Transportation" Successfully Held

MACAU, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sands China recognised some of its most outstanding suppliers at the Sands Supplier Excellence Awards Tuesday at The Parisian^® Macao. The awards were part of a joint event where Sands China also honoured the 15th and 16th cohorts of local SMEs graduating from its Sands Procurement Academy training programme, highlighted some of the success stories of Sands China's ongoing partnerships with its local SME suppliers, and held a cocktail and business networking session to connect local SME suppliers with representatives from various Sands China departments, including the procurement and supply chain team.

Sands Supplier Excellence Awards
An annual initiative of Las Vegas Sands Corp., the Sands Supplier Excellence Awards acknowledges the cooperation and services of some of Sands' most noteworthy suppliers worldwide. A judging committee composed of Sands China executive management selects Macao's award winners each year.

At Tuesday's ceremony at The Parisian Theatre, Sands China awarded seven winners:

Sands Procurement Academy Graduation
Sands China recognised 73 local SMEs for completing the Sands Procurement Academy training programme. Since the academy was founded in 2017, a total of 602 suppliers have enrolled and 559 have graduated, including Tuesday's group.

The Sands Procurement Academy is a component of Sands China's Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Programme – part of the company's longstanding support of Macao's SMEs.

With Sands China holding the academy's graduation ceremony together at one event with the Sands Supplier Excellence Awards, the graduating SMEs are able to gain encouragement and inspiration by seeing local SMEs among those getting awarded by Sands China as outstanding suppliers.

Co-organised with the Macao Chamber of Commerce and the Macau Productivity and Technology Centre (CPTTM), the Sands Procurement Academy helps local SME suppliers gain experience and capacity for working with large-scale international corporations by sharing practical business knowledge and skills to promote the development of their businesses. It is a first-of-its-kind industry training and is one of eight sub-academies under the Sands China Academy professional development programme.

The academy has been open to all local SMEs in Macao since 2019, after initially targeting a few key categories of local suppliers. This has allowed a broader range of SMEs to benefit from the skills and knowledge offered by the academy's professionals.

Local SME Success Stories
Sands China also used the opportunity presented by Tuesday's event to highlight the success stories of some of its local SME suppliers. Since 2016, Sands China has collaborated with local newspapers to publish a series of inspiring stories about SMEs who have forged partnerships and grown together with Sands China.

The 138 stories that have been published reveal how, in the quest for success and self-improvement, local SMEs have elevated their capabilities by working with a large international corporation like Sands China. Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd. and Wong Cho Wai, assistant chief editor of Macao Daily News, presented framed copies of the stories that were published in 2024 to the SMEs as souvenirs, congratulating them on their successes.

Dr. Wong said: "On behalf of Sands China, we would like to congratulate all award winners and graduates of the Sands Procurement Academy. For more than two decades, Sands China, as a pillar of Macao's economy, has been growing together with the community. The Sands Supplier Excellence Awards is not only a recognition of Macao's suppliers, but also a testimony of our joint efforts and growth. SMEs account for more than 90 percent of Macao's registered enterprises and occupy a pivotal position in Macao's economy. Therefore, our company has always remained unwavering in our commitment to support the growth of SMEs, and adhered to purchasing products and services from them. In addition, through the Sands Procurement Academy training programme, we comprehensively assist SMEs to continuously equip themselves and enhance their competitiveness in the ever-changing business environment. We are pleased to see the enthusiastic response to the programme over the past eight years. Many graduates have expressed how they have benefited a lot and the results are encouraging."

Tuesday's event concluded with the graduates of the Sands Procurement Academy attending a cocktail and business networking session, where they met representatives from various Sands China departments, including procurement and supply chain.

Guests of honour at the joint event were Sun Yaohua, director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Pong Kai Fu, deputy director of the Macao Economic and Technological Development Bureau; Jack Chang, deputy director-general of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center; Sanna Leong, acting senior manager of the Investment Promotion and Commerce Development Affairs Department of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute; Mok Chi Wai, vice president of the Standing Committee of Directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce; Wong Cho Wai, assistant chief editor of Macao Daily News; Dr. Wong; Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd.; various Sands China executives; and representatives of local suppliers.

As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, Sands China has remained committed to procuring locally and helping Macao's SMEs grow. Sands China has had a total procurement spend of MOP 10.3 billion in 2024 to date, with 29 percent going to local SMEs.

About Sands China Ltd. 
Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEX: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company's integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian^® Macao, The Plaza^® Macao, The Parisian^® Macao and The Londoner^® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands^® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company's portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, the Londoner Theatre and the Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company's Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao's transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).

For more information, please visit www.sandschina.com.

Media contacts:
Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd.
Mabel Wu
Tel: +853 8118 2268
Email: mabel.wu@sands.com.mo 

Jesse Chiang
Tel: +853 8118 2054
Email: jesse.chiang@sands.com.mo

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Suppliers and Local SMEs Honoured at Sands Supplier Excellence Awards and Sands Procurement Academy Graduation

Suppliers and Local SMEs Honoured at Sands Supplier Excellence Awards and Sands Procurement Academy Graduation

Suppliers and Local SMEs Honoured at Sands Supplier Excellence Awards and Sands Procurement Academy Graduation