Hong Kong Launches First Low-Altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Projects for Aerial Innovation

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development (with photos/video)

The Government announced today (March 20) the list of the first batch of low-altitude economy (LAE) Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects, which will be rolled out progressively, to enable members of the public to "see and feel" the tangible benefits of the LAE. These projects will also allow the Government and relevant sectors to simulate diversified scenarios, multiple air routes and overarching low-altitude airspace management matters, while accumulating data and experience to guide the work on multiple fronts including regulations, infrastructure, and applications.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu; the Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Ms Elizabeth Quat; the Deputy Chairman of the LegCo Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Duncan Chiu; LegCo Member Mr Frankie Yick; and the CouncilChairman of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Professor Harry Shum, officiated at the LAE Regulatory Sandbox - Launch Event, marking the official start of the pilot projects. They also unveiled the logo specifically designed for the LAE Regulatory Sandbox (see Annex).

"The LAE is one of our nation's strategic emerging industries, as well as the example in exploring new quality productive forces," Mr Lee said. He pointed out that the LAE not only gives rise to a series of industries, but also brings along a very wide scope of application scenarios with a tremendous potential for development. It is set to strengthen city management and business efficiency, and create a whole new experience of smart living for the public, making it an important growth engine for the economy. Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong is dedicated to develop into an international innovation and technology centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent. The Government will unleash the potential of the LAE by bringing together research and development outcomes and corporate efforts, taking forward the LAE in a safe and healthy manner to make Hong Kong a pioneer in the emerging new quality productive forces industry of the LAE, creating a new era of a "smart sky".

The CouncilChairman of HKUST - the Sandbox's supporting organisation - Professor Shum, said in his welcome remarks, "HKUST is honored to be the venue host for this landmark occasion that marks a significant step in transforming aerial innovation into tangible societal impact in Hong Kong. I deeply appreciate the Government's visionary leadership in driving the city's LAE development, and I am excited that HKUST has been among the first batch of the Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects. By harnessing our interdisciplinary strengths, we will help create a robust framework that fosters a vibrant LAE ecosystem. In collaboration with the Government and other stakeholders, we are poised for a historic 'take-off' together for the rise of a trillion-dollar LAE market."

The Government received Regulatory Sandbox pilot project proposals from 72 applicants, and after review by the Working Group on Developing LAE, 38 of them are among the first batch of pilot projects to be rolled out with applicant backgrounds from enterprises, universities/research institutes, public utilities and government departments. The project list has been uploaded to the website of the Transport and Logistics Bureau (www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/highlights/transport/low-altitude.html). The projects cover a wide range of fields and application scenarios, including emergency and rescue, logistics and distribution, inspection and safety maintenance, surveillance and low-altitude infrastructure. The Project Facilitation Task Force under the Working Group, along with government-appointed technical partners and venue partners, will actively assist the implementation of the selected projects to expedite the research and development of the industry, as well as enhance work efficiency, citizen's quality of life and consumer experience through innovation and technology.

A number of organisations of the pilot projects with various application areas set up booths at the Launch Event to introduce the application scenarios and features of their projects. Some of the Sandbox applicants also make use of drones for demonstrations.

The Working Group will closely monitor the implementation of the first batch of pilot projects to better prepare for and decide on the timing and details for the second batch of applications. The Working Group will also organise different activities with technical and venue partners to progressively expand and enrich the scope of low-altitude flying applications, providing new impetus to Hong Kong's economy.

The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address to establish the Working Group to boost the development of LAE from various perspectives, with promoting Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects as one of its major tasks.

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Regulatory sandbox pilot projects officially launched to foster low-altitude economy and innovative industry development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SCST at inauguration of Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion and Harold and Christina Lee Gallery of Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong and opening of "Transcending Transience: Art and Culture of Late Ming Jiangnan" exhibition

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the inauguration of the Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion and the Harold and Christina Lee Gallery of Art Museum, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and opening of "Transcending Transience: Art and Culture of Late Ming Jiangnan" exhibition today (March 21):

Vice-Chancellor and President of the CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Professor Dennis Lo, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is both a privilege and an honour for me to officiate at the inauguration ceremony of the Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion of the Art Museum of my alma mater. When I studied at the CUHK, I remembered that the Museum was a relatively small gallery entered through a beautiful courtyard with a pond and many koi fish in the centre of the campus. The phenomenal growth and expansion of the university's Art Museum mirrors the extraordinary development of our city's vibrant art scene.

It is wonderful indeed to see many friends in the media with us today. Media attention has often centred on large cultural institutions, but boutique museums such as the CUHK Art Museum have also contributed significantly to the local art ecosystem by offering unique and thematic exhibitions and facilitating dialogues with museum professionals worldwide. On that note, I would like to acknowledge that the CUHK Art Museum will serve as a strategic partner for the Museum Summit to be held next week. I look forward to more fruitful and inspirational discussions on the development of museums at the upcoming Summit.

For the benefit of our media here, I should also say a few words in Cantonese. So here it goes:

多年來，我們非常樂見（香港）中文大學文物館的持續發展，同時見證着香港躍動成為中外文化藝術交流中心的歷程。今日，作為校友，非常榮幸出席中大文物館羅桂祥閣及利孝和陸雁群伉儷展覽廳的啓用典禮。中大文物館的成長，離不開中大同仁的持續努力，也離不開社會各界，特別今日在座各位的支持和厚愛。在此，我向香港中文大學為推動文化藝術發展作出的貢獻表示由衷敬意，同時向在座各位以及社會各界的大力支持表示衷心感謝。

在國家《十四五規劃綱要》的明確支持下，政府致力發展香港成為中外文化藝術交流中心。政府會在資源情況許可之下持續改善文化設施，為舉辦多元化的文化藝術活動提供支持。舉例而言，東九文化中心預計將於今年內全面啓用，為市民和業界提供一個全新的表演場地。同樣地，我相信日益完善的中大文物館亦將成為香港的獨特魅力所在，吸引更多香港市民和訪港旅客參觀，為大家提供富有特色的文化藝術體驗。

I hope that any students here - not only current students but also overseas exchange students and prospective college students - will cherish all the wonderful exhibitions and cultural artifacts that this Museum has to offer. I look forward to working more closely with the CUHK community to cultivate our art hub. I wish the CUHK Art Museum a bright future and the "Transcending Transience: Art and Culture of Late Ming Jiangnan" exhibition a resounding success. Thank you.