Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Shaw Prize Award Ceremony 2020 held online this evening (May 20):
 
Raymond (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Shaw Prize Foundation, Mr Raymond Chan), Professor Shu (Chairman of the Board of Adjudicators of the Shaw Prize, Professor Frank Shu), Shaw Laureates, past and present, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     I'm honoured to have this opportunity to congratulate the six Shaw Laureates of 2020.
 
     COVID-19 may have delayed the presentation of the 2020 Shaw Prize. It has not, however, dimmed our delight in honouring the year's Laureates and their profound achievements in Life Science and Medicine, Mathematical Sciences and Astronomy.
 
     If anything, the pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of groundbreaking research and innovation in science and its numerous applications. It emphasised just how much we count on scientists' continuing pursuit of excellence. A case in point is the rapid development of effective COVID-19 vaccines, giving people all around the world hope for finally overcoming the pandemic.
 
     In the 14th Five-Year Plan of the nation recently released, we are delighted by the inclusion of the Central Government's support for Hong Kong to develop an international innovation and technology hub. I believe this is a strong recognition of Hong Kong's strengths, particularly in basic research conducted in our universities, and the synergy in innovation and technology that is evident in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We will spare no effort in seizing these opportunities and one of the key initiatives is the Global STEM Professorship Scheme that will be launched later this year. By offering well-funded professorship and research support, the Scheme aims to recruit overseas and Mainland scientists to come to work in Hong Kong. Another initiative with planning under way is the Hong Kong Laureate Forum organised with the full support of the Shaw Prize Foundation which will take place towards the end of this year.
 
     Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to this year's Shaw Prize Laureates for your remarkable efforts to create a better world through science. My gratitude, as well, to the Shaw Prize Foundation for its global vision and painstaking dedication in bringing that vision to life, year after year.
 
     I look forward to seeing you all in person at the 2021 presentation. Thank you.

Ends/Thursday, May 20, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:13

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