The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is uniquely positioned to harness its competitive advantages to empower global technological advancement and innovation, as it prepares to host a high-end innovation and technology forum,
Details of the upcoming International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum, scheduled for June 6–7 in Hong Kong, were unveiled on Wednesday during a new conference at the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.
Zafar Uddin Mahmood, policy advisor to the secretary-general of the BFA, described the event as one of the BFA’s important thematic subforums that complements its annual main conference. Mahmood previously served as the special envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
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This year’s subforum, themed “Technology Leads the Future, Innovation Drives Transformation”, is expected to attract around 800 top-notch experts, scholars, officials, and business leaders. It will feature an opening ceremony, a Hong Kong forum, panel discussions and roundtable sessions.
Attendees will engage in in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics, including the global innovation ecosystem, global technology governance, technological innovation, and the upgrading of industrial chains under new quality productive forces. The event will also explore cutting-edge fields such as life sciences, artificial intelligence (AI), future mobility, and quantum technology.
This marks the fourth iteration of the science-and-innovation-focused subevent, following successful editions hosted by other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area — Macao in 2020, Guangzhou in 2022, and Zhuhai in 2023.
Leong Vai-tac, the subforum’s executive chairman, highlighted the subforum’s focus on the latest global technology growth, future trends and opportunities, and the potential risks within.
Leong, who is also former secretary for economy and finance of the Macao SAR government, added that the upcoming event will explore ways to strengthen global governance in science and technology, bridge the digital divide, and enhance international cooperation, paving the way to support the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Sun Dong, secretary for innovation, technology and industry of the Hong Kong SAR government, said that the subforum serves as a high-level international platform for collaboration and exchanges. The Hong Kong event, jointly hosted by the Hong Kong SAR government and the BFA, highlights the event’s Greater Bay Area characteristics while affirming Hong Kong’s strengths as a highly internationalized hub, Sun added.
During the subforum, Hong Kong will fully leverage its roles as a superconnector and super value-adder to create high-quality international synergies, Sun said.
He expected to partner with the BFA to deliver a successful international event, injecting new momentum into innovation and technology development for both the nation and the world.
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Sun added that the SAR government has identified AI as a strategic priority, recognizing its reshaping effect on the global economic landscape. The city has promoted the "AI+" initiative to drive innovation and empower various industries. Notably, the first-phase facilities of the AI super-computing center at Hong Kong's Cyberport became operational late last year, providing enterprises with critical computing power, Sun said.
With unwavering determination to realize Hong Kong's vision of becoming an international innovation and technology hub, and with the strong support of the central government, Hong Kong is actively fostering a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem and developing a new real economy that capitalizes on its unique advantages, Sun said.
Sun also called on global enterprises to come and invest in Hong Kong, and to make use of the city’s unique position as a financial center.
Contact the writer at mikegu@chinadailyhk.com
