Chief Executive John Lee on Monday reaffirmed the government's commitment to accelerating innovation and technology (I&T) development in the city, saying that it also reinforces its integration into national development strategies.

His remarks came as more than 1,000 political and business leaders from some 50 countries and regions gathered in Hong Kong for the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.

Speaking at the event’s opening at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Lee said hosting the annual event for a second consecutive year underscores the SAR’s growing prominence as an international I&T hub.

The CE pointed to the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which aims to promote Hong Kong as an international I&T hub, and stressed the importance of integrating the SAR’s development into the Greater Bay Area.

“A prime example of that is the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone,” he said.

“Straddling Hong Kong's boundary with the mainland’s technology hub of Shenzhen, the co-operation zone provides more than the much needed land resources for I&T development.

“It presents vast opportunities for innovative synergy between the two places and great potential for co-operation that radiates beyond boundaries.”

On artificial intelligence (AI), Lee noted that Hong Kong is among the world’s leading economies in AI preparedness and ranked only behind New York and London in the Global AI Competitiveness Index.

Boosting computing power — a key driver of AI development — is a priority, he added, noting that Hong Kong’s computing power will be 36 times stronger by 2032.

Lee also said Hong Kong looks forward to working with partners around the region and the world to help shape a digital future built on openness, innovation, and inclusivity.

Themed “Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Innovative Development-Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace,” aside from the main forum and sub-forums on topics such as AI security and governance and digital finance, the two-day event will also feature a ministerial-level meeting for the first time on Monday.

Attendees include 27 ministerial representatives and 11 foreign envoys to China, alongside delegates from industry and international organisations.


Edited by Tony Sabine