Speech by SITI at Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2025 (English only) (with photo)
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Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), Professor Albert Yu (Chairman of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO) and President of BIOHK2025), Professor CM Lo (Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau), Professor Herman Hu (Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Professor Hu Shao-ming), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a true pleasure to see you all again at BIOHK2025. Time flies. This marks the fourth edition of this annual flagship biotechnology convention in Hong Kong. Following the success of past years, I am delighted to witness the continued growth of this event in its scale, diversity and global significance, mirroring the dynamism of Hong Kong's ever-growing innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem.
Let me begin with some exciting updates of Hong Kong's I&T developments. With strong support from our motherland, the Plaque Presentation Ceremony for 15 State Key Laboratories (SKLs) in Hong Kong was held last month, recognising our city's world-class capabilities and outstanding achievements in scientific research. Among all, six of the SKLs focus on life and health technologies, covering various aspects such as digestive disease, emerging infectious diseases, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. These SKLs serve as engines of discovery and magnets for talent, translating R&D (research and development) into real-world applications that benefit society.
Another milestone worth celebrating is the recent announcement by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first globally in its Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025. This is truly a remarkable achievement. The top ranking is not only a recognition of the strong innovative capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), but also a powerful endorsement of the GBA as a fertile ground for I&T investment and entrepreneurship, including biotechnology and other frontier technologies.
For the first time, WIPO has included venture capital investment as a new metric in its GII ranking, highlighting the importance of transforming scientific research into economic value. It also reflects a broader global trend and standard: innovation must be scalable, sustainable and investable. It also affirms that Hong Kong's efforts in fostering effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors are on the right track.
As you may be aware, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has identified life and health technology as a strategic industry, and we are committed to develop Hong Kong into a global leader in this field. Every step requires strategic investment and long-term vision, and Hong Kong is rising to seize these opportunities. I am confident that our world-class R&D infrastructure such as the InnoHK research clusters and the future Life and Health Technology Research Institute, coupled with proactive funding schemes like the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme and the upcoming Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, will empower Hong Kong to navigate its I&T journey with strength and resilience.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is open for innovation. As we gather here at BIOHK2025, we reaffirm our shared commitment to shaping the future of biotechnology. The opportunities ahead are vast, and the momentum is real. Let us seize the moment together for a healthier and smarter future, starting right here in Hong Kong.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the HKBIO and the relevant stakeholders, including our industry leaders and experts, for their continued efforts and significant contributions to promote the development of biotechnology in Hong Kong. May I wish the BIOHK2025 a resounding success. Thank you.
Ends/Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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