CIBSE has reaffirmed its global influence and commitment to sustainable building practices with a landmark visit to China recently. Led by CEO Ruth Carter, President Elect Vince Arnold, and Director of Membership Richard Goldsbrough, the CIBSE delegation participated in a series of impactful meetings, conferences, and events in Hong Kong and Shanghai, engaging with industry leaders, government representatives and valued collaborators.
The delegation’s journey began in Hong Kong, where they explored the future of building services with leading government departments and industry stakeholders. At the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), discussions centered on the transformative potential of technology and artificial intelligence in shaping innovation. During a visit to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the delegation witnessed groundbreaking initiatives in the EMSD Innovation Zone, including the Government Wide IoT Network (GWIN) and BIM-AM (Building Information Modeling for Asset Management), which are revolutionising public service delivery and building sustainability.
Collaboration was further strengthened during a meeting with the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA). Joined by CIBSE Trustee Vincent Ma, Hong Kong Region Chair Hyvan Wong, and Past Chair Gary Chiang, the team engaged with PMSA’s CEO on strategies to enhance collaboration and drive innovation in building services.
The delegation also played an active role in the Hong Kong Joint Symposium, a collaborative event co-hosted with HKIE (The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and ASHRAE. This platform facilitated meaningful discussions with Winnie Ho, Secretary for Housing in Hong Kong, and senior government officials, highlighting shared priorities in advancing smart, sustainable, and safe practices in the built environment.
A pivotal moment of the visit was the signing of a historic Mutual Recognition Agreement between CIBSE and HKIE. Signed by CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter and President Elect Vince Arnold, alongside HKIE’s Senior Vice President Ir Alice Chow and Chief Executive Ir Professor Alfred Sit, this agreement enables the mutual recognition of professional engineers in the Building Services Discipline across the UK and Hong Kong. The agreement signifies a shared commitment to fostering global collaboration and advancing professional excellence in engineering.
In Shanghai, the delegation and members of the CIBSE HK committee had the opportunity to meet with the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology (SAST). CIBSE and SAST have enjoyed a strong partnership for many years, and this meeting provided a valuable chance to reconnect and discuss key topics such as carbon reduction, big data and IoT.
This landmark visit underscores CIBSE’s dedication to driving innovation, climate resilience, and sustainable building practices worldwide. By forging strong international partnerships and engaging with global stakeholders, CIBSE continues to empower the engineering community and champion a sustainable future for the built environment.