appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Vincent Chow

Hong Kong took another big step in its journey to become an international tech hub on Friday, as the city basked in its inaugural turn as host of a summit under the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).
In his video address to the conference held in the Hong Kong Science Park, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said: “We must harness the power of AI, not just to innovate, but to build – to build more inclusive economies, more resilient communities and a more sustainable future for all.”
“The Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for formulating the 15th five-year plan for National Economic and Social Development supports Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology centre, as well as an international hub for high-calibre talent.”
“Central to this vision is our commitment to advancing the development of AI,” Lee said, as he pointed out the city’s world-class research, strategic infrastructure and dynamic open market.
Hong Kong’s turn to host an event under WAIC, the main conference held annually in Shanghai since 2018, reflected Beijing’s confidence in the city’s strategic development goals.
“Today’s conference is not only a milestone, but also a new starting point,” said Hendrick Sin, a Hong Kong deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress. He said at the event that the WAIC organisers had committed to hold the summit annually in Hong Kong.

The city’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong, noted that all economies around the world recognised AI’s strategic importance.
“Under the unique advantages of ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong was also seizing this AI moment,” he said. “With a focus on ‘strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach’, Hong Kong is steadily advancing a series of AI initiatives.”
He said the Hong Kong government had funded the establishment of 16 research and development laboratories focused on AI and robotics.
The city last month inaugurated its side of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, which Lee described at the event as a “world-class hub for technological innovation that connects the mainland with the international community”.
That development would enable “AI projects to rapidly progress from fundamental research in Hong Kong, to commercialisation and large-scale application in the broader market”, Lee said.
The audience at Friday’s WAIC event also heard remarks from Piero Scaruffi, director of the Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, and Steve Hoffman, CEO of Silicon Valley incubator Founders Space, as well as top local academics including Guo Yike, provost of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
At the main WAIC conference in July last year, keynote speeches were delivered by Chinese premier Li Qiang as well as Geoffrey Hinton, widely known as the “Godfather of AI”, in his first visit to the mainland.


World leaders meet at UN as planet grapples with climate change, wars, runaway AI

Foreign chambers back Hong Kong 5-year plan, urge progress on Northern Metropolis

As AI safety fears mount, can a US-China hotline prevent a global crisis?

Success of Trump-Xi summit lies in what happens afterwards

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Hong Kong’s pivot to hi-tech development gets boost as city hosts global AI summit

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong (fourth from left), joins other  dignitaries on Friday, during the city’s inaugural turn as host of a summit under the World Artificial Intelligence Conference at the Hong Kong Science Park. Photo: AFP

Photographers are seen snapping pictures of guests at a summit under the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, held at the Hong Kong Science Park on Friday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong, Shenzhen push secure data corridor to unlock AI and fintech opportunities

A white list ensures trust between parties sending and receiving data, says Ada Chung, Hong Kong’s privacy commissioner for personal data. Photo: SCMP

More than 300,000 Hong Kong residents are expected to seek medical care in Shenzhen this year, says Qu Hongbin, chief economic adviser to the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, who is seen with Tammy Tam, publisher of the Post. Photo: SCMP

Hong Kong, Shenzhen ‘to deepen’ ties in finance and AI to build world-class fintech hub

Joseph Chan, undersecretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, says Hong Kong can leverage its strength in financial services to support Shenzhen. Photo: SCMP

AI and finance can empower each other, says Xiao Ting, chairman and executive director at the Bank of Communications (Hong Kong). Photo: SCMP

The Post staged its China conference in Qianhai for the first time. Photo: SCMP

Around 400 delegates attended the Post’s China Conference: Greater Bay Area. Photo: SCMP

With Hetao tech hub, Hong Kong is reimagining its economic future

An aerial view of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park which, together with the Shenzhen park on the other side of the river, forms the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, seen on December 22. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (centre right) and other Hong Kong and mainland officials attend the opening ceremony for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park on December 22. Photo: Eugene Lee

Representatives from enterprises display their memorandums of understanding for partnership with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park on April 18, 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong to boost tech, financial services integration during AI boom: Paul Chan

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (second from right) attends the listing ceremony for Biren Technology with the firm’s CEO Zhang Wen (second from left). Photo: Jonathan Wong

Paul Chan has said the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone will strengthen innovation ties within the Greater Bay Area. Photo: Eugene Lee

Tech

Policy

Tech Trends

Business

China Business

News

China Future Tech

Robotics

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong’s turn to host a summit under WAIC reflects Beijing’s confidence in the city’s strategic development goals


Hong Kong’s turn to host a summit under WAIC reflects Beijing’s confidence in the city’s strategic development goals.


Hong Kong economy

China technology

John Lee

Hong Kong Science & Technology Park

Hong Kong’s pivot to hi-tech development gets boost as city hosts global AI summit

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong’s turn to host a summit under WAIC reflects Beijing’s confidence in the city’s strategic development goals

Hong Kong’s turn to host a summit under WAIC reflects Beijing’s confidence in the city’s strategic development goals