Speech by CS at Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025 (English only) (with photos/video)
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Professor Timothy Tong (Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum), Dr Colin Lam (Vice Chairman of Henderson Land Group and Director of Lee Shau Kee Foundation), Dr Raymond Chan (Chair of The Shaw Prize Foundation), Shaw Laureates, young scientists, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you today for the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum, the second edition.
I'm delighted and honoured to welcome the distinguished Shaw Laureates, together with 200 exceptional young scientists from Hong Kong and around the world.
As Professor Tong noted, this Forum was created to support science, globally and locally, and to fast-track Hong Kong's rise as an innovation and technology hub. Today's venue, the Hong Kong Science Park, our flagship I&T centre, perfectly reflects that ambition.
Hong Kong is fast emerging as an international I&T centre. In September, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster topped the Global Innovation Index ranking of the world's top 100 innovation clusters.
Talent drives technology. Hong Kong recognises the important role young scientists play in advancing science and technology, which is why we invited some 200 of you here for this year's four-day Forum.
It's also why our Government has developed a series of policies to attract strategic talent to Hong Kong.
The results are encouraging. Hong Kong ranked first in Asia, and fourth in the world, in this year's World Talent Ranking. And we topped the world in the "graduates in sciences" category.
In September, we launched HK$3 billion, approximately US$386 million, the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme. It's designed to help our eight publicly funded universities recruit top scientists and researchers to Hong Kong, and to build the facilities they need to conduct breakthrough research.
Hong Kong is home to five universities that rank among the global top 100. They are producing cutting-edge researches and training the next generation scientists and innovators.
We are also establishing an advanced I&T system, integrating three major I&T parks and five key research and development institutes.
We're doing so under the principle of promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology and attracting talent with industries. The goal is to grow our talent pool, boost innovation, and support our country's science and technology development.
This Forum has a packed schedule. Our young scientists can look forward to panel discussions, a public forum and, for some, a day trip to Shenzhen. Shaw Laureates will be speaking at many of these events.
And, of course, the many chances to meet and exchange ideas will be equally rewarding. I have no doubt that the Forum, and all those taking part in it, will spark fresh insights and new collaborations.
For that, I am grateful to the organiser, the Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum. My thanks also go to the principal sponsor, the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, and to the Forum's major partner, the Shaw Prize Foundation.
Science needs brilliant minds, and our society needs engaged citizens. For those of you from Hong Kong, I encourage you to vote at the December 7 Legislative Council election, to bring your dedication from the laboratory to the ballot box.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all the best in your scientific work, and a memorable week here in Hong Kong.
Our city is also a rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. From the West Kowloon Cultural District, one of the world's largest arts and culture developments, to our beautiful country parks, our famous food and our vibrant night life, the good life is all around you. Enjoy it all.
Thank you.
Ends/Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Issued at HKT 10:28
Issued at HKT 10:28
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