2024-9-10

Graft-fighters from around the world completed the nine-day Professional Anti-corruption Training in Major Infrastructure Projects for Belt and Road (B&R) Countries hosted by the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption of the ICAC. Drawing from the experience of Hong Kong and the Mainland, course participants studied how to take forward infrastructure megaprojects with integrity through innovative technology to co-build a “Clean Silk Road”.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the programme today (September 10), ICAC Commissioner Mr Woo Ying-ming remarked that corruption in infrastructure megaprojects had long been a global concern as they involved large amount of public money, people’s livelihoods, national economy and international economic co-operation. The B&R Initiative, proposed by the Country and supported by over 150 countries, emphasised the importance of building a “Clean Silk Road” to prevent corruption in infrastructure development and other collaborations.

“The course is tailored to address the specific needs of B&R countries. By sharing the experience of Hong Kong and the Mainland, the ICAC exemplified how innovative technology would be used throughout various stages of infrastructure megaprojects, from planning to building and operation, to safeguard integrity,” Woo added.

The programme attracted 27 participants from anti-corruption agencies of 13 B&R jurisdictions worldwide, as well as the Macao Commission Against Corruption and the Hong Kong ICAC. Amongst them were 21 representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Congo, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Portugal, Thailand and Zambia.

Course participant Miss Virginia Tembo from the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zambia said, “The course is very insightful as it covers legal framework, technology and procedures, which are essential to the successful implementation of mega construction projects. Course participants had the opportunity to visit construction projects in Hong Kong and the Mainland to learn first-hand how to minimise corruption loopholes by utilising technology. I would share my fruitful experience with my colleagues when I return to my home country.”

Apart from illustrating law enforcement and preventive strategies for large-scale construction projects through case studies presented by ICAC officers, the nine-day course themed “Leveraging on Innovation and Technology”, also featured various key speakers including Senior Integrity Specialist of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Mr Andrew Mendoza, Assistant Secretary of the Development Bureau Mr Adrian Cheung, and Professor Alfred Ho from the Department of Public and International Affairs of the City University of Hong Kong, who shed lights on reducing corruption loopholes and strengthening works supervision and anti-corruption capabilities.

With the support of the National Commission of Supervision, arrangements were made for course participants to visit Zhongshan and Jiangmen to study the successful experience in launching major infrastructure projects with integrity. During the three-day visit, participants toured the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link Management Center and the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage. They also took the opportunity to exchange with Mainland anti-corruption officials the use of technology to ensure integrity in infrastructure planning, building and operation.

In Hong Kong, participants visited the Central Kowloon Route and the Relocation of the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works Project to learn about anti-corruption and supervisory measures in public works in the city.