Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 today (November 21):

Professor Paul Lam (Chairman of the Grand Judging Panel of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 and the President of Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Professor Paul Lam), 萬寧副部長 (the Deputy Director-General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Wan Ning), Professor Sun Dong (Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong), ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening. I'm pleased to join you once again for the annual HKICT Awards Presentation Ceremony.

     Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of innovators whose contributions in ICT are making a real difference for us, across the Government, public sectors, businesses and the society at large.

     These pioneers have made public services better and more accessible, enhanced business competitiveness, and driven breakthroughs in various areas ranging from digital entertainment and fintech to smart business and smart mobility. Their efforts are delivering benefits to our community.

     In just a few minutes, we will honour these outstanding achievers. But the significance of the Hong Kong ICT Awards extends far beyond recognition. It sets new benchmarks for excellence, inspires both seasoned professionals and budding talent to expand their imagination, push the boundaries of technology, and create innovative solutions to address society's pain points and challenges.

     This year, once again, a "Best Use of AI Award" is featured across all eight categories, highlighting AI's growing importance in every sector. Indeed, few forces today are as transformative as AI. That's why the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government has made AI a focus of our innovation and technology strategy, to develop it as a core industry, and to promote it as an enabler to upgrade traditional sectors.

     Our approach is built on six key pillars: computing power, algorithms, data, real-world application scenarios, capital and talent. Together, a vibrant and interconnected ecosystem will be formed to enable AI applications to scale and deliver maximum impact.

     Hong Kong, together with the Greater Bay Area, holds a unique strength: it is where high-end manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge AI innovation simultaneously reside. This is an advantage not even possessed by Silicon Valley. It means that AI solutions developed in the GBA can be tested, applied and validated seamlessly in real-world industrial settings. 

     Ladies and gentlemen, our innovation and technology ecosystem is thriving. The Northern Metropolis is fast emerging as a major hub for the I&T sector, and we are expediting its development. Just yesterday, we released the Conceptual Outline for the Innovation and Technology Industry in San Tin Technopole, with specific initiatives to unleash its full potential. Meanwhile, the development of a data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge is also progressing, with tendering for advanced computing power facilities already launched in October.

     To the students and young innovators among us: innovation and technology is a career worth pursuing, not only for the opportunities it offers, but also for the impact you can make. It is a force for good, capable of transforming lives, economies and societies. The most rewarding moments often come when your ideas make a real difference for the world.  

     Now, Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem is more vibrant than ever. We are home to over 4,700 startups, rising by 40 per cent compared to five years ago. Many are residing in Science Park and Cyberport, which provide them with incubation, funding and market development support. From digital entertainment and fintech to smart mobility and smart living, innovators and startups in Hong Kong are thriving not only locally, but are also making their mark across regional and global markets. 

     I'm very pleased that you are part of this exciting journey. The opportunities ahead are boundless for you to seize. 

     Finally, allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to the organisers of the event, and to the distinguished judges who have so generously contributed their time and expertise.

     Congratulations once again to all the award winners. Your achievements inspire us all, and you are at a new starting point to make an even greater impact for the good of humanity. 

     Before I close, allow me to remind everyone of an important upcoming event -December 7, the Legislative Council Election. By casting your vote, we together will help shape a more prosperous future for Hong Kong.

     I wish you good health and continued success, and a most enjoyable evening. Thank you very much.

Ends/Friday, November 21, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:40

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