HONG KONG - The first phase of the Central Government-Aided Emergency Hospital in Lok Ma Chau started integrated commissioning and testing on Tuesday, marking a step closer to its completion.

The hospital, which will be built in two phases, will provide 1,000 negative-pressure isolation wards. Another mobile-cabin isolation facility will also be built with assistance from the central government next to the hospital to help Hong Kong battle its worst-ever wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The construction of the first phase, providing 500 beds, began on March 6 and is expected to be finished on April 5, marking a milestone for constructing a mega project in a short period of time.

Construction of the hospital, built on land near a fish pond, has met with great difficulties as it is like "building a house on tofu".

A temporary bridge connecting the bordering land with Shenzhen was built in advance to help facilitate the logistics related to construction equipment, materials and personnel. At the peak of construction, over 14,000 people involved in the construction project had to stay in makeshift tents erected at the site at the same time in order to finish on time.