Outcome is more important than output for Belt and Road development

“People tend to look at output… but actually, we should look at the outcome. What does this piece of infrastructure have to do with the social and economic development of that location?” points out Arup’s East Asia Region Chair, Michael Kwok.

“That is why Belt and Road makes so much sense – not only in terms of supporting the development of a country, but actually in supporting the ambitions of shaping a better world.”

Speaking in a video for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Michael described the BRI – an ambitious, large-scale programme to connect Asia, Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks – as a very important initiative not just for China, but for the world.

He believes that Hong Kong is playing a vital role in helping to shape the Belt and Road Initiative due to its internationalism, openness and pragmatism.

Pioneering digital transformation work in Hong Kong, particularly around 3D printing, automation and artificial intelligence, should be seen as a benchmark for other BRI projects in the Region, said Michael.

“The expertise in Hong Kong needs to be exported, because the Hong Kong expertise is so relevant for many Asian countries now. A lot of people look at Hong Kong as a role model,” he said.

Arup has been operating in Hong Kong for over 40 years, and our office serves as our headquarters in the East Asia Region. Our major work in the East Asia Region as part of the BRI includes the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, which opened in 2018 and is the longest sea crossing in the world, and development work in the growing economic area of Shenzhen.

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