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Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 (English only)(with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Opening Ceremony of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 today (August 21):

Duncan (President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Duncan Chiu), 錦輝 (Honorary President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and Member of the Legislative Council, Professor William Wong), Tony (Chair of the Organising Committee of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion 2025, Mr Tony Hau), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you all today at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion. Let me first extend my sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry for organising this important flagship event. To all our distinguished guests who have travelled from near and far, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.

     As we speak about the Belt and Road, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the enduring spirit of the Initiative. Since it was first proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative has been guided by the core principles of connectivity, openness, mutual respect and shared prosperity. Over the years, its breadth and depth of co-operation have been continuously expanding. Beyond physical infrastructure development across continents, technological collaboration has become an increasingly vital dimension.

     Recent studies show that China's technology-related investments in Belt and Road countries have grown significantly, from US$24 billion in 2023 to over US$30 billion in 2024. In just the first half of this year, such investments have already reached US$23 billion, more than doubling year on year. 

     We take pride in China's emergence as a global leader in innovation - particularly in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and green tech. Chinese innovators and start-ups are making their mark on the global stage by offering solutions that not only rival the best in the world, but are also open, cost-effective and inclusive. These advancements are creating real impact, improving lives, and enabling sustainable growth in Belt and Road economies.   

     In today's interconnected world, digital transformation is reshaping industries, governments and communities. At the same time, it has also brought about daunting challenges - from widening digital divide and rising cybersecurity risks, to increased technological fragmentation. These challenges cannot be addressed by any single economy alone. They demand open dialogue, deeper collaboration and cross-border partnerships. 

     That is why I am pleased to see events like today's to take place in Hong Kong. The Pavilion this year brings together over 120 innovation and technology enterprises from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and beyond. From fintech and smart healthcare, to cloud computing, 5G technology and city management, this place showcases a broad spectrum of digital solutions. It is a vivid demonstration of how we can work together to harness the power of innovation and technology to uplift communities and improve lives across regions. 
      
     Today's event also highlights two key value propositions of Hong Kong. First, under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong remains a free and open economy with the free flow of capital, data, talent and goods. We serve as a "super connector", a platform that welcomes and facilitates technological exchanges, collaboration and investment. For users and partners from Belt and Road countries and the Global South, Hong Kong offers access not only to world-class technologies and expertise from across the globe, but also a full range of funding support. For solution developers and tech providers, Hong Kong offers internationally acknowledged testing grounds, professional services, and seamless access to global markets and capital. 

     Second, Hong Kong - together with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area - is fast emerging as the world's leading centre for I&T. I am confident that many of our homegrown innovations, which are showcased here today, will attract international interest. Indeed, many of our start-ups have already found success in overseas markets. Over the past few years, we have launched a comprehensive strategy to accelerate I&T development in four key areas: AI, biotech, fintech, and new energy and new materials. We have made substantial investments to build a vibrant eco-system. From supporting basic translational research and commercialisation, to incubating start-ups and attracting enterprises and talent, we are scaling up Hong Kong's tech ecosystem from upstream to downstream.  

     In terms of digital policy, over the past two years, we have put in place an action plan, covering such areas as digital infrastructure and governance, digital transformation, cross-boundary flows of data and talent development. Our vision is to unlock the full value of data, and enhance economic inclusiveness through digitalisation. In particular, Hong Kong's unique position as a convergence point for both Mainland and international data gives us a distinct advantage in developing data-driven industries such as AI and biotech. 

     As of last year, Hong Kong was home to around 4 700 start-ups, representing a 40 per cent increase since 2020. Notably, about 30 per cent of these start-ups were founded by entrepreneurs from outside Hong Kong, reflecting our city's global connectivity and appeal. Our tech ecosystem is open and welcoming, and we look forward to more talent from around the world to join us and thrive together. 

     Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot better conclude by reiterating the spirit of openness, mutual respect, collaboration and shared progress that lies at the heart of the Belt and Road Initiative. This is what this event echoes. I am confident that the event today will once again be a dynamic platform for experience sharing, knowledge exchanges and partnership-building. I wish you all a fruitful, rewarding and inspiring event, and the best of health and business for the time to come. 

     Thank you.
 
Ends/Thursday, August 21, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:12
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Photo

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 today (August 21).
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Opening Ceremony of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 today (August 21). Photo shows Mr Chan (front row, centre); the Chairman of the China Association of Communication Enterprises, Mr Guo Hao (front row, fourth right); the President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Duncan Chiu (front row, sixth right); Honorary President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and Member of the Legislative Council, Professor William Wong (front row, sixth left); and the Chair of Organising Committee of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion 2025, Mr Tony Hau (front row, fifth left), at the ceremony.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Opening Ceremony of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 today (August 21). Photo shows Mr Chan (third left) touring the Pavillion.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Opening Ceremony of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 today (August 21). Photo shows Mr Chan (front) touring the Pavillion.

Audio / Video

Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025