Speech by CE at Opening Ceremony of 3rd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiangjiang Nobel Forum 2026 (English only) (with photos/video)
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Deputy Director Zhang Yong of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Director Chen Wei of Bureau IV of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ms Li Ran, President of the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you, today, at the opening of the 3rd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiangjiang Nobel Forum.
There are more than 1 000 innovation-inspired individuals - from over 30 countries and regions - here for the Science Conference, the Nobel Forum and the relevant events, taking place from today to this Thursday.
This week is therefore a week of gathering for extraordinarily talented people. Today is a gathering of winners of the Nobel Prize and Turing Award, and more than 100 academics from China and overseas, as well as representatives from over 20 international institutions and organisations. And that's not the half of it. More than 300 outstanding innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises from the Mainland and Macao are here, together with leading entrepreneurs and representatives from tech innovation companies and students from all over the world.
This series of events are held under the overarching theme of "Innovating the Future Globally". Beyond today's Science Conference and Nobel Forum, you're taking in forums ranging from quantum information technology, biomedicine and artificial intelligence, to an innovation achievement exhibition, visits to institutes and more.
And what better place to come together, to help shape an innovative and inclusive future for us all, than Hong Kong. Thanks to the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong has long served as the world's "super connector" and "super value-adder". We are the only city in the world that counts as many as five universities in the global top 100. Our business environment is open and transparent. We enjoy a long tradition of the rule of law, and our common law legal system is similar to most global financial hubs. We make it easy for companies and investors from China, our country, and from around the world, to do business together here.
Fundamental to Hong Kong's thriving development is that we enjoy the unwavering support of our motherland, China. Last month, China launched its 15th Five-Year Plan, which continues to champion Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology centre.
InnoHK, our flagship R&D (research and development) initiative, is a good example to showcase how our city is rapidly rising as a hub for global research collaboration.
Our two existing InnoHK research clusters focus on healthcare technology, and on AI and robotics. They're built on collaboration with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, bridging together some 3 000 researchers, locally and globally, to conduct ground-breaking research.
A third InnoHK research cluster, focusing on sustainable development, energy and advanced manufacturing and materials, is in the works. I'm pleased to inform you that, like the original two, it will serve as a centre for international research collaboration, linking local research institutions with prominent universities and research institutes around the world.
Eight proposals have already been approved, and the R&D centres under this cluster will be set up, in phases, beginning in the coming couple of months.
InnoHK is just one of many tangible illustrations of Hong Kong's commitment to I&T, and collaboration, on a global scale. We welcome strategic technology companies, professionals and talented graduates to come to Hong Kong for their innovative future. In short, we welcome you.
The Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference, the Xiangjiang Nobel Forum and the related events are all part of this year's Business of Innovation and Technology Week.
Running until April 16, the Business of Innovation and Technology Week includes InnoEx, showcasing technology in five key areas: AI+, the low-altitude economy, property technology, retail technology and robotics.
Our very own Digital Policy Office has set up a Smart Hong Kong Pavilion at InnoEx, which will open its doors tomorrow. Themed "AI+ Hong Kong", the pavilion will showcase over 100 I&T solutions, including those developed by the HKSAR Government, as well as award-winning I&T projects by businesses and students. You're all invited to take part in the interactive experiences and innovative demonstrations there, and see for yourselves Hong Kong's achievements in I&T and developing into a smart city.
My thanks to the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities for its organisation of this year's Conference and associated forums.
I wish you all a rewarding week, and a most enjoyable stay in Hong Kong, the world's fast-rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
That includes the famous Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, this year celebrating its 50th anniversary in unforgettable style at world-class Kai Tak Stadium. It all kicks off on Friday.
Enjoy all that Hong Kong has to offer! Thank you.
Ends/Sunday, April 12, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:01
Issued at HKT 11:01
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CE attends Opening Ceremony of 3rd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiangjiang Nobel Forum 2026