Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of 2nd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiangjiang Nobel Forum 2025 today (April 13):
First of all, a very warm welcome to our distinguished guests and friends from aboard, including the Nobel Laureates and Academicians, for joining us at today’s event, which is one of the highlights of the BIT Week (Business of Innovation and Technology Week) 2025.
Science is more than just discovery. In particular in a world of uncertainties and rapid technological shifts, the role of scientists and scholars has become even more critical in providing clarity, unravelling mysteries and fostering global collaboration. Hong Kong, as an international hub for highly skilled professionals and higher education, is blessed with five world’s top 100 universities and many renowned scholars and scientists, providing a solid foundation for our outstanding R&D (research and development) achievements and our ambition to be an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre.
I&T talents and enterprises are the core elements for Hong Kong’s I&T development. Hong Kong has spared no effort to promote international I&T exchanges by fully leveraging its two-way platform role as an important bridge connecting the Mainland and the rest of the world. Today’s World Youth Science Congress best demonstrates Hong Kong’s unique advantages in attracting global talents and enterprises. We will continue to support world-class science and technology exchange events in Hong Kong, such as the WIC (World Internet Conference) Asia Pacific Summit, which our Chief Executive mentioned earlier, and the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong. Thank you again for coming and I wish you all a wonderful experience here in Hong Kong.