SITI attends press conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended a press conference for the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan this morning (March 26), together with the Executive Chairman of the BFA ISTIF, Mr Leong Vai-tac, to provide more details on the Hong Kong Conference to be held in June.
The BFA initiated the ISTIF in 2019, with a mission to strengthen global science and technology governance, promote international science and technology innovation and co-operation, lead the direction in rule making of emerging technologies, and contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since then, three editions have been held and the ISTIF has become a premier platform for exchanges, dialogues, and co-operation in the field of science and technology innovation.
The BFA and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will jointly host the ISTIF 2025 Hong Kong Conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 6 and 7. Under the theme of "Transitioning Towards the Future: Powered by Science and Technology Innovation", the Conference is expected to attract around 800 participants from the Mainland and overseas, including top-notch experts, scholars, government and business leaders to exchange views on the latest trends in global innovation and technology (I&T) development, the development and emerging opportunities in frontier technological fields, and to inject new impetus into the I&T development of the country and the world at large.
Mr Leong said that the Conference will highlight the unique characteristics of the BFA, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Hong Kong, promote the transformation of research and development outcomes, foster pragmatic collaboration, and serve as an international platform bridging government, business, academic and research sectors, jointly contributing to Asia's development and addressing global challenges through international exchanges and collaboration in the I&T field.
Professor Sun said that it is a great honour for the HKSAR Government to cohost the Hong Kong Conference with the BFA in Hong Kong. He said, "Hosting the Hong Kong Conference by the HKSAR Government does not only continue the ISTIF's tradition of staging the event in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA cities, but also reaffirms Hong Kong's advantages as a highly internationalised city and its pivotal role of bridging the country and the world as a dual platform.
"Through the Hong Kong Conference, we endeavor to deepen regional and international I&T co-operation, further elevate Hong Kong's profile in the international I&T arena, and accelerate the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Hong Kong will fully leverage its strengths as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', harnessing its advantages to create a high-quality international science and technology mega event."
The Conference will comprise the opening ceremony, a Hong Kong forum, sub-forums, panel discussions and round tables, with internationally renowned speakers who will share their insights on a wide range of topics, including global science and technology governance, sustainable development, innovation clusters, life sciences, future mobility, AI, quantum technology, financial innovation and youth leadership, contributing to the enhancement of international co-operation and global governance in science, technology and innovation.
Professor Sun concluded his visit and returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.
SITI attends press conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI attends press conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos)
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (May 13) led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to commence its visit programme to Kuwait, meeting with local leaders and business representatives, and visiting cultural facilities.
In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Amir of Kuwait, Mr Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is the head of state of Kuwait; the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Mr Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; and the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah, to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait. Mr Lee then attended a roundtable meeting chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, engaging in in-depth discussions with senior officials of the Kuwait Government on areas such as finance, trade, and innovation and technology (I&T). Mr Lee and the Acting Prime Minister witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding by Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority respectively. He and the delegation also participated in a luncheon hosted by the Acting Prime Minister.
Mr Lee noted that Kuwait is the first member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) to sign both an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Hong Kong, establishing a robust framework and foundation for economic and trade co-operation between the two places.
He said that Kuwait has been actively developing a diversified economy in recent years, proposing Kuwait Vision 2035 to promote digital transformation and develop the country into a regional and international financial and trade centre. Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping and trade centre with world-class professional services, has vast opportunities for co-operation with Kuwait in areas such as finance, investment, digital economy, and I&T, and can assist Kuwait in advancing its Vision 2035. Noting that Kuwait is the rotating President of the GCC currently, Mr Lee expressed his anticipation to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait, adding that he looks forward to establishing closer economic, trade and cultural exchanges with more GCC member states.
Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the country with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong will fully leverage its role as a bridge to serve enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, complementing the strengths of Mainland enterprises while deepening international exchanges and co-operation. He welcomed the Kuwaiti Government and enterprises to utilise Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to explore new opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative for mutual benefit.
Later, Mr Lee and the delegation met with representatives of a local corporation, Bukhamseen Group Holding Company, to learn about the latest developments in the company's businesses in construction, real estate, financial services, and culture and tourism. Mr Lee introduced Hong Kong's development opportunities and its highly internationalised and market-oriented business environment with its pool of professional services talent. He welcomed the company to use Hong Kong as a springboard to develop diversified businesses and tap into the Mainland market, better grasping the immense opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Lee then visited the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre to learn about Kuwait's arts and culture projects and developments. The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, which opened in 2018, comprises eight buildings, six of which are museums with different themes, housing a total of 22 display halls.
Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, with the West Kowloon Cultural District as one of the world's largest arts and culture projects. Both Hong Kong and Kuwait place importance on arts and culture development, and he said he looks forward to further deepening connections and co-operation in cultural exchanges between the two places.
The delegation led by Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the State of Kuwait, Mr Zhang Jianwei. Mr Lee expressed gratitude to the Embassy for making meticulous arrangements for this visit and for its continued support to the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Kuwait.
Mr Lee will lead the delegation to continue its visit to Kuwait tomorrow (May 14), meeting with local political and business leaders, and visiting enterprises.
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
