On September 9, 2026, history was made at Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing Two at The University of Hong Kong. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with government policymakers, visionary scholars, and industrial leaders, Digauto had the immense privilege and distinct honour of participating in the landmark launch of the Physical AI Safety Lab (PAIS-Lab) 5-Year Plan Proposal and signing the multi-party Strategic MOU.

Embracing the Civil Aviation Vision: "Near-Zero Defect" Engineering

We were deeply inspired by the opening address delivered by Mr. Dominic Chow, JP (Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, CAD). Mr. Chow eloquently highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic inflection point:

Hong Kong must not remain merely a "follower" or "connector"—we must become a "Global Standard-Setter" in the low-altitude economy. With our unique "urban canyon" typography serving as an authentic real-world pressure test bed, technologies verified under Hong Kong's rigorous ICAO-aligned framework can seamlessly access international markets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe without massive redesign.

Mr. Chow underscored the transformative momentum of the HKSAR Government’s "Regulatory Sandbox" (with over 38 cross-sector projects, 140 regular operational approvals by July 2026, and the launch of "Sandbox X" covering 100+ projects including cross-border flights and UTM systems). Most importantly, he commended HKU Faculty of Engineering for uniting decades of automotive and automated driving safety standards with aviation rigor to pursue "near-zero defect" physical safety—the exact ethos underpinning PAIS-Lab.

Expressing Our Deepest Gratitude

Digauto extends our utmost respect and appreciation to the esteemed leaders whose guidance made this symposium a resounding triumph:

Officiating Leadership:

• Mr. Dominic Chow, JP (Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, CAD), for setting an ambitious standard-setting agenda for Hong Kong's low-altitude aviation.

• Mr. Gary Yeung, MH (President, Smart City Consortium; Secretary General, GBA Low-Altitude Economy Alliance), for his stellar coordination across the GBA tech ecosystem.

• Prof. Huang Lixi (Executive Director, HKU LAE), for his exceptional academic leadership and gracious stewardship as symposium co-organiser.

Visionary Policy & Academic Co-Authors of the 5-Year Plan Proposal:

We pay tribute to our co-authors of the HKSAR First 5-Year Plan (2026–2030) Policy Submission delivered to the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB):

• Hon. Elizabeth Quat, SBS, JP (Member of the Legislative Council; Honorary President, SCC; Founding President, GBA Low-Altitude Economy Alliance)

• Dr. Winnie Tang, MH, JP (Founder & Chairman, Esri China (Hong Kong); Founder & Honorary President, SCC)

• Prof. Yuguo Li (Chair Professor of Building Environment, HKU; Fellow, Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences)

• Prof. Liping Xu (Honorary Professor, HKU Department of Mechanical Engineering)

• Prof. Kim-Fung Tsang (Technology R&D Advisor, SCC; IEEE Fellow)

• Dr. Alex Zhicheng Huang (Research Assistant Professor, HKU Faculty of Law; Director, LAE Research Project)

• Prof. Xintao Yan (Assistant Professor, HKU Department of Civil Engineering)

• Dr. Silvia Qiujun Xing (Researcher, HKU LAE & Event MC)

• Dr. Danting Luo (Postdoctoral Fellow, HKU)

• Dr. Jin Peng (TÜV Rheinland / DEKRA Certified SOTIF & Functional Safety Expert)

Our Strategic Consortium Partners:

• The University of Hong Kong (HKU LAE) — Academic & Environmental Wind Tunnel (EWT) Research Lead

• Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited — Spatial GIS, GeoAI & Digital Twin Partner

• China Merchants Testing Vehicle Technology Research Institute (CMVR) — Executive Operator & Authoritative Testing Service Provider

• eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre — Simultaneous interpretation sponsor and dispute resolution pioneer

Digauto’s Enduring Commitment

Represented by our CEO Li Xiaoying, Chief Strategic Officer Rainer Hoffmann, and Hong Kong Chief Representative & CFO Dr. Amanda Lim, Digauto is deeply humbled to execute its dual mandate as:

• Master Lab Architect & Land Application Lead

• HIL Technology & Data Provider

We are fully mobilized to help turn the Hung Shui Kiu Northern Metropolis facility into reality—delivering an ESG-considered, 11-DOF Vehicle-Traffic-Environment HIL (VTEHIL) testbed, advancing the SOTIF Index testing methodology, and building the standardized GBA Schema.

As Hong Kong steps forward to become the world’s trusted safety benchmark for physical AI, Digauto is proud to stand alongside our partners on this historic journey.

"Riding on the GBA and Going Global!"