The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Vienna, Austria, on September 24 (Vienna time). In his keynote speech at the Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026, he said that Hong Kong has elevated AI into a core industry and is emerging as one of the world's most dynamic innovation and technology (I&T) centres. Like Austria, Hong Kong sees AI as key to economic competitiveness, research excellence and public service modernisation, and pursues "industries for AI" and "AI for industries". Professor Sun invited Austria to partner in shaping AI's next chapter.

     Professor Sun highlighted that this push is backed by a strong research base and basic infrastructure. The InnoHK research clusters connects over 30 leading universities and institutes across 12 economies, including the University of Oxford, Stanford University and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, while the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster will provide computing power of 180 000 PFLOPS by 2032—a 36-fold increase. With a robust legal framework, low tax regime, strong intellectual property protection, ease of capital raising and world-class logistics, Hong Kong offers European enterprises a trusted gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the broader Asia-Pacific.

     He added that Hong Kong is also advancing ambitious I&T infrastructure. The Hetao Hong Kong Park, opened last December, is a world-class I&T hub connecting the Mainland and the world; while the San Tin Technopole is Hong Kong's flagship I&T industries base. Together, they link global technology talent and enterprises with the GBA's market and supply chain. He also stressed that, after the announcement of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, the Government's commitment to accelerating AI adoption, promoting industry upgrade and regulating AI ethics is firmer than ever.

     During the Conference, Professor Sun had a brief exchange with start-ups from the Hong Kong Science Park delegation participating in the Conference to learn about their innovative solutions.

     In addition, Professor Sun met with the Federal Minister of Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure of the Republic of Austria, Mr Peter Hanke, and the President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits, to discuss how Hong Kong and Austria can expand exchanges on start-ups and innovation, strengthen co-operation in the application of AI and industrial digitalisation, and establish new connections between Austrian enterprises and Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem in order to deepen existing innovation partnerships. Professor Sun stated that as two externally oriented economies renowned for their international connections, Hong Kong and Austria have numerous opportunities for further collaboration. Austria is a leading hub for professional engineering, green technology, and industrial innovation in Europe, whilst Hong Kong is a premier gateway to high-growth markets in the Chinese Mainland and Asia. He welcomed Austrian enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's financial platform and market connections to expand into Asian markets, and encouraged enterprises from the Mainland and Hong Kong to invest and explore opportunities in Austria as well.

     Professor Sun met with the Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Mr Wolfgang Hesoun, to brief him on Hong Kong's latest I&T developments and opportunities, and to exchange views on shared priorities and exploring new avenues for co-operation in innovation and trade.

     Professor Sun also visited the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and toured its Technology Experience Lab to learn about the applied research institution's professional research and development capabilities in AI, digital transformation, molecular diagnostics, and industry-oriented applications. The AIT is Austria's largest non-university research and technology organisation.
 
     In the evening, Professor Sun attended the National Day reception hosted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Austria, during which he exchanged views with the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Austria, Mr Wang Tao, and the Permanent Representative and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Vienna and Other International Organizations in Vienna, Mr Li Song, on strengthening I&T collaboration between Hong Kong and Austria.

     Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong on September 25 (Vienna time).

Ends/Friday, September 25, 2026
Issued at HKT 9:00

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