
AECOM to enhance mobility across the Greater Bay Area by delivering the Hong Kong Section of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai)
"We're proud to support Highways Department as it expands its world-class railway network for greater regional mobility," said Mark Southwell, chief executive of AECOM's global Transportation business. "Our teams have delivered some of Hong Kong's most transformative railway projects, and we look forward to applying our expertise as the world's top rail and mass transit firm to realize this complex infrastructure initiative."
HSWRL will contribute to a more sustainable urban environment while fostering economic integration, cultural exchange, improved accessibility across the region, and facilitating Hong Kong's better integration into the national development. A trip from Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai will only take approximately 15 minutes — an improvement that supports the development of a "one-hour living circle" in the Greater Bay Area and facilitates cross-boundary commuting.
"This award reflects the global experience, Mainland-Hong Kong cross-border expertise and deep sector knowledge that our integrated team brings to complex infrastructure projects," said Ian Chung, chief executive of AECOM's Asia region. "Having worked extensively on key projects in the region, we are honored to collaborate with the HKSAR Government on this vital cross-boundary link. By combining our technical excellence with a proven track record, we remain committed to achieving the highest standards of service for our clients."
The consultancy agreement covers investigation, design and construction for the approximately 7.3-kilometer Hong Kong Section of the HSWRL, which will connect Hung Shui Kiu to the boundary with Shenzhen. The full railway will span around 18.1 kilometers, including 10.8 kilometers in Shenzhen, comprehensively integrating metro networks across the western regions of both cities. To maximize efficiency, transparency and quality, the project will adopt a single Common Data Environment (CDE) and a unified Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform across all project stages, supporting collaboration and cost-effective, timely outcomes.
The project is among the strategic transport initiatives highlighted in Hong Kong's 2023 Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint. AECOM contributed to the development of this long-term vision through its involvement in the Strategic Studies on Railways and Major Roads beyond 2030, helping to shape the region's future transport network and advancing greater integration within the Greater Bay Area. In addition to this strategic support, AECOM has delivered numerous high-profile railway projects across Hong Kong, including Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, Shatin to Central Link and Tuen Mun South Extension.
Hashtag: #AECOM #HongKongShenzhenWestRailLink #HSWRL #NorthernMetropolis #Transportation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
AECOM
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of US$16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.
AECOM
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Trump job cuts: US space agency Nasa to lose nearly 4,000 employees, 20% of workforce
The US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) will lose about 3,900 employees under Donald Trump's sweeping effort to trim the federal workforce — at the same time as the president prioritises plans for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. In an emailed statement, Nasa said around 3,000 employees took part in the second round of its deferred resignation programme, which closed late Friday. Combined with the 870 who joined the first round and regular staff departures, the agency's civil servant workforce is set to drop from more than 18,000 before Trump took office in January to roughly 14,000 — a more than 20 per cent decrease. Those leaving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the deferred resignation programme will be placed on administrative leave until an agreed departure date. An agency spokesperson said the figures could shift slightly in the coming weeks. "Safety remains a top priority for our agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and more efficient organization and work to ensure we remain fully capable of pursuing a Golden Era of exploration and innovation, including to the Moon and Mars," the agency said. Earlier this year, the Trump administration's proposed Nasa budget put a return to the Moon and a journey to Mars front and centre, slashing science and climate programs. The White House says it wants to focus on "beating China back to the Moon and putting the first human on Mars." China is aiming for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030, while the US program, called Artemis, has faced repeated delays. Nasa is still run by an acting administrator after the administration's initial pick to lead the agency, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman — endorsed by former Trump advisor Elon Musk — was ultimately rejected by the Republican president.


Gulf Today
6 hours ago
- Gulf Today
India's Modi announces credit worth $565 million to Maldives
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a $565-million line of credit to the Maldives during a visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago, as the two countries launched formal talks for a free-trade agreement. Modi is visiting the Maldives, known for its upmarket tourist resorts, to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence and diplomatic relations between the two countries. The announcement came during Modi's joint media statement with Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu. The two-day visit is crucial to India's ambition to control the seas and shipping routes of the Indian Ocean in a race with its regional rival China. It also marks the further easing of diplomatic tensions between the two nations that followed the election of pro-China Muizzu in 2023. Regional powers India and China compete for influence in the archipelago nation, which is strategically located in the Indian Ocean. On Friday, Modi witnessed the exchange of agreements to cooperate in sectors such as fisheries, health, tourism and digital development. He also formally handed dozens of heavy vehicles to the Maldives' defense forces. 'India is Maldives' closest neighbor. Maldives holds an important place in both India's neighborhood- first policy and ocean vision,' Modi said. 'India is also proud to be Maldives' most trusted friend.' The line of credit will be used for 'infrastructure and development projects in line with the priorities of the people of the Maldives,' he said. 'India will continue to support Maldives in developing its defence capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal,' he added. During Muizzu's visit to India last October, India announced financial support to the cash-strapped Maldives in the form of a $100-million treasury bills rollover and the countries signed a $400-million currency swap agreement. Tensions between India and the Maldives grew since Muizzu, who favored closer ties with China, was elected in 2023 after defeating India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Leading up to the election, Muizzu had promised to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives to help with humanitarian assistance. Last year New Delhi replaced dozens of its soldiers in the Maldives with civilian experts. Measure by Modi to promote tourism in India's Lakshadweep archipelago, off the southwestern coast of the Indian mainland, also sparked anger from Maldivians, who saw it as a move to lure Indian tourists away from their country. Indian celebrities then called for a tourism boycott to the Maldives. The dispute deepened when Muizzu visited China ahead of India in January last year, a move seen by New Delhi as a snub. On his return, Muizzu spelled out plans to rid his tiny nation of dependence on India for health facilities, medicines and import of staples. Relations started to improve after Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony for a third five-year term. Muizzu has toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric, and official contacts with New Delhi have intensified as concerns grew about Maldives' economy. India has long been a critical provider of development assistance to the Maldives. Meanwhile, the Maldives joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 to build ports and highways and expand trade as well as China's influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Modi will attend the Maldives' 60th independence anniversary from being a British protectorate on Saturday. Separately, the Reserve Bank of India has 'won the battle against inflation' but the war is ongoing as price stability remains the central goal, Governor Sanjay Malhotra said during a fireside chat at a Financial Express event on Friday. The RBI delivered a larger-than-expected 50 basis point rate cut at its June policy review but shifted its stance to 'neutral,' suggesting limited room for further easing. However, with retail inflation falling to a six-year low and likely to hit a record low in July, calls have grown for at least one more rate cut this year. Many analysts argue the sharp disinflation also points to weakening demand in the economy. Malhotra said monetary policy being forward looking, will place greater focus on the outlook for growth and inflation, rather than current levels when the policy panel meets on Aug. 6. The change in stance to 'neutral' did not mean a reversal from the easing of policy, he said. 'We have the flexibility to move up, down or pause. Yes, it does mean, the bar for further easing is higher than it would have been if it (stance) was accommodative,' he added. Monetary policy transmission has quickened due to rate cuts and will help in supporting economic growth as overall flow of funds to the industry and economy is improving, Malhotra said. Further monetary policy measures would depend on the requirement but the central bank has enough ammunition in its armory to use as and when required, he added. Agencies


The National
6 hours ago
- The National
China proposes global AI co-operation organisation
China proposed a new global artificial intelligence co-operation organisation amid a patchwork of regulations among countries, as Beijing's competition with the US over the critical technology heats up. Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday called for an international framework to regulate AI as its governance is fragmented, he said at the opening of the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. 'Global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences, particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts, institutional rules,' Mr Li said. 'We should strengthen co-ordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible.' China's proposal comes just days after US President Donald Trump unveiled a three-pillar strategy that his administration refers to as America's AI Action Plan, after much anticipation from US technology companies. Accelerating artificial intelligence innovation, building AI infrastructure in the US and leading in AI diplomacy are the strategy's three main planks. The plan to export US AI technologies, for example through international data centre initiatives, may help the US to gain influence as other countries seek to join the race to provide computational power for AI. Hypothetically, it could also give the US a competitive edge over China, which also aims to be a dominant AI player. Beijing and Washington are locked in a rivalry with AI shaping up as a key battleground between the world's two biggest economies. An 'exclusive game' During the three-day World Artificial Intelligence Conference on Saturday, Mr Li said that AI could become an 'exclusive game' for a few nations and companies. 'Currently, key resources and capabilities are concentrated in a few countries and a few enterprises. If we engage in technological monopoly, controls and restrictions, AI will become an exclusive game for a small number of countries and enterprises,' Mr Li said. Going forward, China will seek to propel AI development in the Global South, Mr Li said, according to a Bloomberg report. China said it is considering Shanghai as the headquarters of the proposed global AI co-operation centre. Ma Zhaoxu, China's Vice Foreign Minister, told a gathering of representatives from more than 30 countries, including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea and Germany, that China wanted the organisation to promote pragmatic co-operation in AI and was considering putting its headquarters in Shanghai, Reuters reported. China's AI and semi-conductor sectors are showing strong growth, despite US export controls, according to a June report by Jefferies, an investment banking and capital market firm based in New York. Huawei debuts AI computing system At the same conference on Saturday, China's Huawei Technologies showed off an AI computing system, as the technology giant aims to capture market share in the country's growing AI sector. The CloudMatrix 384 system made its first public debut at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Semiconductor research group SemiAnalysis in April called it "China's Answer to Nvidia GB200 NVL72", the US chipmaker's most advanced system-level product currently available in the market. "This solution competes directly with the GB200 NVL72, and in some metrics is more advanced than Nvidia's rack scale solution. The engineering advantage is at the system level, not just at the chip level, with innovation at the networking, optics, and software layers," SemiAnalysis said in its April report.