Longqian ZHU / Research Centre Manager, Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology:

When we first came to Nansha, we sowed the seeds of Hong Kong’s scientific research in Nansha’s soil. After years of growth, what was once a tree, has now flourished into a sprawling forest.

I am Longqian ZHU from the Fok Ying Tung Research Institute of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

New energy air conditioning essentially defines the scope of our work. We use alternative forms of energy such as thermal and solar in place of electricity for our cooling solutions.

It is something incredibly exciting and something we are very proud of.  As scientific researchers, participating in the National Games is more than just about the athletes, it’s also about supporting the volunteers behind them.

This project focuses on cooling retrofits for the surfaces of volunteer service stations at the National Games. Through specialised cooling coating, we are able to reduce the average surface temperature by around 15 degrees. Areas like these brown sections have all been coated.

National Games Volunteer:

Since the work was completed, we use the air conditioning far less often, and it no longer feels stuffy or hot inside.

Longqian ZHU:

I have been in Nansha for a long time. When I was studying at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, my supervisor moved our experiment equipment to the Fok Ying Tung Research Institute in Nansha. From 2011 onwards, I travelled frequently between the two places. 

In the beginning, Nansha did not have proper road infrastructure. Later on, roads were built, but traffic remained sparse. Today, the roads are wide and well-constructed, with many more people using them.

This group of HKUST colleagues can be considered pioneers of scientific research in Nansha. That is why we feel such a deep connection here. We are not just people enjoying the shade, we are also the ones planting the trees.

This is our factory warehouse and where we work. All of the coating production for the National Games project was completed here. We needed a location close to Hong Kong. At this stage, a large portion of our R&D work is still carried out at Hong Kong universities.

The factory has to be somewhere that allows for easy communication and logistics. That is why Nansha is an excellent choice. It enables us to bring our technology to market much faster.

VO:

Established in Nansha in 2007, the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute is dedicated to fostering deep integration between Hong Kong’s scientific research and industrial development on the mainland.

By the end of 2025, it had secured a total of 1,131 research projects across various fields and disciplines, attracted more than 1.8 billion yuan in investment, and provided critical technological breakthrough support as well as optimisation and upgrading services to over 350 domestic and international enterprises, universities, and research institutions.

Longqian ZHU:

Let’s check the pollutant levels…

Researcher He / Member of Longqian ZHU’s R&D Team:

He is extremely responsible. When it comes to details, he personally sees everything through.

Longqian ZHU:

For us, the National Games project is the best possible showcase. We rely on the platform provided by the Fok Ying Tung Research Institute to collaborate with the National Games. Through this event, there may be opportunities to expand into many more projects.

These new applications could emerge very soon. Nansha has already become a major hub for Hong Kong researchers and innovators. Here, you can access diverse resources and form valuable connections. It is therefore an ideal place to start a business or pursue long-term development.

Having spent my time in Nansha, I will continue to grow and move forward, shaping the future together with Nansha.