Month: May 2026

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President Lai addresses Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2026

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai addresses Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2026
On May 12, at the invitation of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation (AoD), President Lai Ching-te addressed the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2026 via video.
In his remarks, President Lai said that no democracy can afford to stand on the sidelines in the face of expanding authoritarianism and underlined that only when democracies around the world stand together in unity can we build a more resilient line of defense for the free world. He thanked Taiwan’s democratic partners for speaking out with moral clarity, saying that each of these voices is a powerful deterrent to aggressors and that they form a sturdy shield in defense of shared values. He stated that Taiwan will continue enhancing its self-defense capabilities and working to maintain regional peace and stability. At the same time, he added, Taiwan will join other nations in strengthening whole-of-society defense resilience.
President Lai emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation; that the Taiwanese people have every right to engage with the international community, and they are more than capable of contributing to it. He further emphasized that no attempt to isolate Taiwan will alter its determination to participate in the international community. Rather, he noted, Taiwan will continue to be a force for good in the world and shine even brighter on the world stage.
A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows:
First, I would like to thank Mr. Rasmussen once again for his kind invitation to represent the people of Taiwan at this year’s Copenhagen Democracy Summit, where friends who support the values of freedom, human rights, and democracy can stand together.
Today’s world stands at a critical inflection point in the tug-of-war between democracy and authoritarianism. In Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region, authoritarian regimes continue to consolidate. Through military intimidation, economic coercion, cyberattacks, and gray-zone operations, they are posing ever more serious challenges to global peace, stability, and democratic development.
Last month, I had planned to lead a delegation to visit Eswatini. However, we had to temporarily postpone the trip due to China’s coercive act of blocking normal flight routes. These actions let the global democratic community see, in no uncertain terms, that authoritarian regimes are seeking to impose their own rules upon the world. Further, it made clear that these regimes will not hesitate to break established international norms and use global aviation safety and order in civil aviation as leverage for political pressure.
These challenges remind us time and again: No democracy can afford to stand on the sidelines in the face of expanding authoritarianism. Only when democracies around the world stand together in unity, can we build a more resilient line of defense for the free world.
Holding a key position on the first island chain, Taiwan stands on the frontlines in the defense of democracy. And we are willing to share our experience in confronting authoritarian forces with the international community. On the issues of concern to this summit, whether it is strengthening defense resilience, safeguarding global free trade, or developing democracy-supporting technologies, Taiwan has the will and the ability to contribute even more to the world.
We will continue enhancing our self-defense capabilities and working to maintain regional peace and stability. At the same time, we will join other nations in strengthening whole-of-society defense resilience so that democracy, when tested, will become more than a belief. It will become a living force that can stabilize society and protect our way of life.
Taiwan’s world-leading semiconductor and AI industries have been built over decades through deep and enduring trust, forged in close cooperation with the US, Japan, Europe, and many other democratic partners. Going forward, Taiwan will continue to leverage its technological strengths and work with those partners to build trusted and more resilient democratic supply chains, which will contribute greatly to the security and prosperity of the global economy.
I have always believed that a stronger democratic Taiwan is what the people of Taiwan aspire to; and it is what the international community hopes for. So, I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest respect and gratitude to all the democratic partners who have chosen to stand with Taiwan, especially when under pressure.
I would like to thank the United States for helping us strengthen our defense capabilities as part of its unwavering commitment to security, and the EU and European nations for repeatedly reaffirming the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait. I would also like to thank Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and our other Indo-Pacific partners for continuing to speak out with moral clarity in support of regional stability.
Every one of these voices is a powerful deterrent to aggressors, and they form a sturdy shield in defense of our shared values.
Democracy is one of the values that links Taiwan to the world, and it is Taiwan’s most precious asset. The people of Taiwan know very well that democracy is earned, not given. This year is the 30th anniversary of our first direct presidential election. Three decades ago, the people of Taiwan resolutely cast their votes, undaunted by the threat of missiles from China, and completed the first direct presidential election in our history. Ever since, we have continued to deepen democracy, advance transitional justice, and uphold human rights, the rule of law, and a diversity of values, making Taiwan an important beacon of democracy in Asia.
The people of Taiwan have never backed down in the face of mounting external challenges, and they will never bow to pressure. Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation. The Taiwanese people have every right to engage with the international community, and they are more than capable of contributing to it. No attempt to isolate Taiwan will alter our determination to participate in the international community. Taiwan will continue to be a force for good in the world and shine even brighter on the world stage.
While we may encounter headwinds on the path of democracy, I believe that is precisely when democratic nations will grow stronger in solidarity. As long as we stand together, the light of freedom will never be extinguished. Let us defend democracy together. Let us ensure that the next generation can enjoy a world that is free and open; peaceful and prosperous. Thank you.
The host of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, the AoD is an NGO founded in 2017 by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark and former North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secretary general. The AoD held the inaugural Copenhagen Democracy Summit in 2018.
This year’s Copenhagen Democracy Summit, held on May 12 at the Royal Danish Playhouse, focused on the topics of strengthening defense resilience, safeguarding global free trade, developing democracy-supporting technologies, and bolstering support for frontline democratic nations. Attendees included Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, former US National Security Advisor John Bolton, and former Japanese Minister of Digital Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Defense Kono Taro, along with academics, industry representatives, civil society organizations, and democracy advocates from the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Sweden. 

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SED attends World Digital Education Conference in Zhejiang

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

SED attends World Digital Education Conference in Zhejiang  
     Dr Choi noted that the Education Bureau (EDB) is setting out the direction and strategies for digital education with a view to tying in with the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, as well as the goal of developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre. This is done by the establishment of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education, and supporting the Curriculum Development Council to draw up the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools. The EDB is also formulating an AI literacy framework to comprehensively enhance students’ AI literacy.
 
     She said that the EDB continues to provide tiered and diversified professional development activities and school-based support services on digital education to strengthen schools’ professional capacity in leading change and innovation in teaching. The EDB has also set aside $2 billion under the Quality Education Fund to support digital education in primary and secondary schools. Among this, $500 million is allocated for the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme, providing each publicly funded school a grant of $500,000 to purchase AI tools and organise activities fostering students’ AI literacy.
 
     Dr Choi emphasised, “Educational restructuring in the digital era is a systemic transformation. We will enhance the high-quality development of digital education by the synergistic promotion of learning, teaching, assessment, management, and research.”
 
     Subsequently, Dr Choi attended the closing ceremony of the World Digital Education Conference and, on behalf of the EDB, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on digital education with the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province. The MOU aims to leverage the respective strengths of Hong Kong and Zhejiang in the resources, technology and talent of digital education, and jointly build a community of collaborative innovation in digital education, contributing to the development of digital education worldwide.
 
     Yesterday (May 11), Dr Choi attended the plenary session of the World Digital Education Conference. She also visited a school and an innovation and technology application promotion base in Hangzhou to learn about AI-empowered teaching and how data can drive improvements in teaching and school management, as well as to gain first-hand experience of the applications of AI robots in various scenarios.
 
     In addition, Dr Choi met with education officials and organisation representatives attending the conference during these two days to discuss strengthening educational co-operation and exchanges.
 
     Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 13).
Issued at HKT 18:18

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Office of Licensing Authority of Home Affairs Department steps up enforcement actions against unlicensed hotels/guesthouses and illegal operations of licensed hotels/guesthouses and club-houses in view of Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In view of the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an operation codenamed “Solar Flare” against suspected unlicensed hotels/guesthouses, as well as licensed hotels/guesthouses and club-houses suspected of being in breach of licensing conditions in Central and Western District and Yau Tsim Mong District from April 21 to May 5 to ensure the safety of customers as well as the general public.
           
A spokesman for the OLA said, “During the operation, the OLA carried out surprise inspections on 226 premises based on intelligence received, of which eight premises were suspected of operating unlicensed hotels/guesthouses, while two licensed guesthouses and two licensed club-houses were suspected of being in breach of licensing conditions.”

In view of the recent emergence of new forms of short-term accommodation services in the community, the OLA has also stepped up its inspection efforts since March 2026. In particular, surprise inspections were carried out on 11 Internet Computer Services Centres (commonly known as cyber cafes). Some of the cyber cafes were found to be suspected of providing overnight accommodation services. Evidence of suspected unlicensed guesthouse operations was collected, and the OLA will initiate prosecution against the relevant cases.
      
The spokesman stressed, “Operating unlicensed hotels/guesthouses is a criminal offence, and such an offence leads to a criminal record upon conviction. According to the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, an offender is liable to three years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000. A fine of $20,000 for each day can also be imposed during which the offence continues. A six-month closure order may also be issued for a hotel/guesthouse involved in a repeated offence. Moreover, a licensed hotel/guesthouse which contravenes any licensing conditions (e.g. carrying out alteration and addition works without seeking prior approval) is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. A fine of $10,000 for each day can also be imposed during which the offence continues.”

To enhance deterrence against unlicensed hotels and guesthouses, the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance was amended in 2020 to empower the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Authority to apply to the court, upon the second conviction within 16 months of operating an unlicensed hotel/guesthouse or the new strict liability offence in respect of the same premises, to issue a closure order to close the premises for six months. As at May 5, the OLA has applied for five closure orders under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance from the court, of which three closure orders have been issued by the court.   

Apart from conducting special operations during festive seasons, the OLA also steps up efforts to combat unlicensed guesthouses via online platforms. The OLA has strengthened its intelligence collection by forming a dedicated team to browse webpages, mobile applications, social media, discussion forums, etc, to search for information and intelligence on suspected unlicensed guesthouses. The OLA’s law enforcement officers will initiate follow-up investigations when information on unlicensed guesthouses advertised via online platforms is found. The OLA also conducts publicity work on Internet search engines outside Hong Kong to enable tourists’ access to the information provided by the OLA in the course of planning their trips to Hong Kong.
      
Tourists and members of the public can make use of the search functions on the OLA’s website (www.hadla.gov.hk) to check whether the hotel/guesthouse concerned is licensed or not. Any suspected unlicensed hotel/guesthouse should be reported to the OLA by the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805), or through the mobile application “Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses”. 

  

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Hongkong Post to issue “Road Safety” special stamps

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hongkong Post to issue “Road Safety” special stamps       
     With the vision of “Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong’s Goal”, it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to maintain road safety. All road users, be they pedestrians, drivers, passengers or cyclists, must strictly observe traffic laws and regulations.
      
     To further raise public awareness of road safety, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps, a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Road Safety”, demonstrating the correct behaviours and proper attitudes of road users, with a view to improving road safety in Hong Kong through concerted efforts. For example, pedestrians must follow traffic signals when crossing roads; drivers should stay focused and must not drink and drive; passengers should wear seat belts, while children in private cars are required to use appropriate child restraining devices for safety; and cyclists should wear personal protective equipment, obey traffic rules and refrain from riding on pavements.
      
     Official first day covers for “Road Safety” will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post’s online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk      
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on May 28 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
      
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hkIssued at HKT 14:50

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SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion       
     Before the signing of the MOU, Miss Law and Dr Lam met with the Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Thomas Cazenave; the Vice President of the CIVB, Mr Philippe Tapie; and the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux and President of the Bordeaux Tourism and Conventions Office, Mr Fabien Robert, to exchange views on strengthening cultural and gastronomic promotion ties. They jointly witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Wine and Food Tourism Promotion between the HKTB and the CIVB to facilitate collaboration in the promotion of fine wine and food.
      
     “Following my official visit last year, I am delighted to be back in the world capital of wine to further strengthen the enduring ties between Hong Kong and France,” Miss Law said.
      
     Miss Law also commented that the strong ties built with the CIVB and other key Bordeaux partners, together with the leadership of the Chairman of the HKTB, Dr Lam, and the Executive Director, Mr Anthony Lau, had made the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival held in October last year a resounding success, attracting over 160 000 attendees during the four-day festival.
      
     Miss Law and Dr Lam earlier visited Villa Primrose, home to the BNP Paribas Primrose International Tennis Tournament, which runs from May 11 to 17. Beyond its sporting competitions, the tournament has become a major highlight of Bordeaux’s events, attracting visitors worldwide by offering a wide range of activities at the century-old Villa Primrose during the competition period.
      
     On May 10 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law and Dr Lam visited the Bassins des Lumières. Opened in 2020 in Bordeaux, this world’s largest digital art centre is housed within a vast former World War II submarine base. It features immersive 360-degree digital exhibitions, where art is projected onto concrete walls and reflected in the water of four gigantic basins. Visitors walk across footbridges or sit on the bleachers to watch masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Matisse, Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dalí set to music.
      
     Miss Law will continue her visit to Bordeaux on May 12 (Bordeaux time).
Issued at HKT 12:35

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Dance drama “Lady White Snake” to open Chinese Culture Festival 2026 in June to revive millennial legend with contemporary resonance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Dance drama “Lady White Snake” to open Chinese Culture Festival 2026 in June to revive millennial legend with contemporary resonance       
     While drawing from the beloved legend “The Legend of the White Snake”, the production breaks free from the traditional framework, reimagining the timeless tale through the lens of a psychological drama. The narrative follows a wife who, haunted by recurring dreams of the Green Snake, is taken by her husband to see a psychologist. Under hypnosis, the layers of her dreams are unveiled, embarking on a spiritual journey of pursuing self-determination. The programme constructs two parallel realms: the “contemporary” world – comprising the wife, the husband and the psychologist – mirrors the “ancient” world of Lady White (White Snake), Xu Xian and Fa Hai. Xiao Qing (Green Snake) flits between these two realms, symbolising the “untamed id” of the wife in search of her true self. White Snake and Green Snake exist as two sides of the same coin, with their conflict and eventual synthesis reflecting the struggles, choices and growth of modern souls.
      
     The production retains iconic chapters of the traditional lore, such as “Borrowing the Umbrella on the West Lake”, “Encounter at the Broken Bridge” and “Flooding of Jinshan Temple”, while utilising the interplay of reality and illusion to create a dialogue between contemporary life and the ancient legend. The scenes are named after Solar Terms and traditional festivals, including Awakening the Insects, Grain Rain, Grain in Ear, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. These markers not only drive the narrative but also mirror the emotional arcs of the characters, demonstrating a refined application of traditional culture.
      
     “Lady White Snake” blends Western ballet with Chinese classical dance, while infusing elements of modern dance and martial arts to create a unique multidisciplinary style. This fusion enriches the choreographic vocabulary, heightening the emotional expression of the characters and the overall narrative tension. The iconic scene “Encounter at the Broken Bridge” is presented through a ballet pas de deux depicting the encounter between the White Snake and Xu Xian, where the tossing and catching of an oil-paper umbrella conveys the subtle sentiments of oriental charm. The duet of Fa Hai and Xiao Qing features fluttering water sleeves and soaring leaps, showcasing the power and agility inherent in Chinese classical dance. Ensemble sequences – ranging from the modern supermarket shopping scene to the underwater world beneath the lake – utilise delicate and fluid body language to create unique tableaus steeped in oriental aesthetic resonance.
      
     “Lady White Snake” brings together a “dream team” of top-tier artists from various disciplines and celebrated dancers. Tan YuanYuan serves as artistic director, with Zhou Ke, associate professor of the Directing Department at Shanghai Theatre Academy, takes on the role of director, and Luo Zhou, a national first-class scriptwriter and director of the Jiangsu Provincial Drama and Literature Creation Institute, acts as playwright – forming a female-led creative trio. The choreographer is Wang Peixian, a young dancer and faculty member of the Department of Musical Theater at Beijing Dance Academy. Music is composed by Xu Zhong, Artistic Director of Shanghai Opera House and a renowned conductor and pianist. The set design is the work of Gao Guangjian, Stage Design Director of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, together with Xiao Lihe, lighting designer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony, and renowned new media artist Feng Jiangzhou, who jointly create a stage space that seamlessly transitions between modern and classical aesthetics. Adding further brilliance to the production is costume design by Viola Zhang, an emerging post-90s designer.
      
     In terms of casting, the “Moon” cast will take the stage on June 12, comprising principal dancer of the Suzhou Ballet, Ao Dingwen (as wife/Lady White); first principal dancer of the Shanghai Ballet, Wu Husheng (as husband/Xu Xian); as well as principal dancers of the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble, Tan Yimei (as Xiao Qing) and Song Yu (as psychologist/Fa Hai). The “Luck” cast will then perform in the second performance on June 13, featuring principal dancer of Cincinnati Ballet from the United States, Liu Sirui (as wife/Lady White); former principal dancer of the Béjart Ballet Lausanne from the Switzerland, Sun Jiayong (as husband/Xu Xian); as well as national first-class actors Wang Nianci (as Xiao Qing) and Su Hailu (as psychologist/Fa Hai) from the Youth Dance Company of Beijing Dance Academy. Dancers from the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble will participate in both performances.

     The Shanghai Grand Theatre, the first world-class international theatre on the Chinese Mainland, opened in 1998. In 2022, it established the Shanghai Grand Theatre Creative Centre, which produces original works of “Oriental Stage Aesthetics Series” and commercial musicals, integrating Chinese aesthetics into contemporary expression and international narratives. The Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble is a long-renowned professional dance company on the Chinese Mainland. Its national dance drama “Dagger Society” is regarded as one of the foundation works of Chinese national dance drama. Over the years, the ensemble has nurtured numerous distinguished choreographers and performing artists.
            
     “Dance Drama ‘Lady White Snake’ by Shanghai Grand Theatre” will be held at 7.30pm on June 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Tickets priced at $220, $300, $400, $520 and $620 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk      
     A number of extension activities will be organised for this programme. A pre-performance talk will be held at 7.30pm on June 10 (Wednesday) at AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, HKCC. Tan YuanYuan and main casts/creative team will share their creative journey of this dance drama. In addition, a dance masterclass will be co-organised by the LCSD and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), in which Tan YuanYuan will explain how to apply modern sensibility to a classic legend through leading a masterclass for students from the School of Dance of the HKAPA. It will be held at 2.30pm on June 11 (Thursday) at Dance Studio 1 of the HKAPA. Observers are welcome. The above-mentioned two extension activities will be conducted in Putonghua. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/programs_1943.html#tab_8_0      
     The programme will also feature a session under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series”, with an open rehearsal to be held at 2.15pm on June 12 at the Grand Theatre of the HKCC. Admission is free for local primary and secondary school students to encourage them to participate in cultural activities and experience the wonders of Chinese culture and arts. Interested schools can call 2268 7323 for details.
      
     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit www.ccf.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:31

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Protecting lives with love, carrying forward the spirit of nursing professionalism

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

​Today (May 12) marks the annual International Nurses Day. Public hospitals of the Hospital Authority (HA) have recently organised various celebration activities to recognise and pay tribute to nursing colleagues for their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the public health. The HA also encourages colleagues to uphold and carry forward the spirit of Nightingale to provide high-quality and holistic care through professionalism and compassion.

The International Council of Nurses has designated May 12 as International Nurses Day every year, a day when nursing organisations around the world come together to discuss the future direction of the nursing profession. The HA has always placed great importance on the development of nursing profession. In addition to continually refining career pathways for the nursing staff, the HA also provides nursing colleagues with diverse training opportunities. The HA also attaches great importance to the well-being of nurses, and is committed to creating a supportive environment for their professional development.

           

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SITI commences visit to Sweden

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). The visit aims to further deepen exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Sweden in innovation and technology (I&T), and to gain a deeper understanding of Sweden’s experience and achievements in a high degree of integration of education, technology and industry.

In the morning, Professor Sun visited KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and met with the Vice President of Global Relations, Professor Stefan Östlund, to exchange views on deepening international collaboration. KTH is the largest technical education and research university there. Professor Sun received a briefing on the Institute’s latest developments in innovation ecosystem and biotechnology research and development. Both sides also explored new collaboration opportunities in frontier fields such as life sciences.

Professor Sun pointed out that the National 15th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong developing into an international I&T centre, accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, and supporting Hong Kong to build an international hub for high-calibre talent. Sweden possesses world-class research capabilities and an innovation ecosystem that emphasises on both scientific research and industry application. He said he hoped to learn from Sweden’s successful experience in the development of industry-academia-research integration, so as to transform the Northern Metropolis into an international hub of I&T and education, and promote the co-ordinated development of education and technology in the Northern Metropolis University Town.

Professor Sun then attended a roundtable luncheon hosted by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. The Academy is the world’s oldest engineering sciences academy, dedicated to promoting engineering sciences and the advancement of industry for the benefit of society. At the luncheon, Professor Sun shared that Hong Kong is making every effort to develop into an international I&T centre by continuously improving its I&T ecosystem, converging global research talent, capital and technology, and promoting the deep integration of industry, academic and research sectors. He emphasised that with the unique advantage of enjoying strong support from the Motherland and close connection to the world, Hong Kong could act as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in facilitating I&T co-operation between the Chinese Mainland, Sweden and other European countries, as well as serve as a gateway for overseas enterprises to develop their businesses in the Mainland. 

In the afternoon, Professor Sun visited the Karolinska Institutet and met with the Vice President, Professor Martin Bergö. They had an in-depth exchange on topics including the syngergistic innovation of industry-academia-research and attracting talent, and explored opportunities to further enhance collaboration between research institutes and higher education institutions in both places. The Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical schools, renowned for its life science research. Professor Sun was also briefed about the Institutet’s innovation and research outcomes transformation ecosystem, and he also learned about the Flemingsberg Science Foundation’s work in building a local life science cluster, as well as showcases of advanced therapies by local enterprises.

Professor Sun also visited the renowned SciLifeLab, a national life science laboratory to advance molecular biosciences. Jointly established by four universities including the Karolinska Institutet, KTH, the Stockholm University and the Uppsala University, the laboratory has fostered numerous Nobel Prize-winning R&D (research and development) achievements.

In the evening, Professor Sun attended a dinner reception co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden. He stated in a keynote speech that Hong Kong is committed to promoting innovation and facilitating global collaboration, pointing out that Hong Kong and Sweden are both open and innovation-driven economies with highly compatible development directions. With I&T as the core of its economic strategy, Hong Kong is actively advancing key industries such as life and health technologies, AI and robotics, as well as advanced manufacturing and new energy, and establishing partnerships with leading global research institutions through platforms like InnoHK.

Professor Sun pointed out that Hong Kong is advancing a number of crucial I&T development projects, including the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, new initiatives in AI and life and health technology, continuously expanding digital infrastructures, and the forthcoming HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund. These initiatives will further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international I&T centre. He sincerely invited Swedish enterprises, research talent and investors to deepen co-operation with Hong Kong.

Professor Sun also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Sweden, Mr Zhou Limin, to introduce Hong Kong’s strategic positioning as an international I&T centre, and point out that under the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will actively expand co-operation with international I&T partners, including Sweden, to continuously enhance its innovation capabilities and international competitiveness.

Upon his arrival in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10, Professor Sun immediately visited Tekniska Museet, which is the city’s largest museum of science and technology. The museum is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage related to science and industrial history and showcasing to the public how technology drives social, cultural and economic development. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will make good use of the two science-related museums in Hong Kong and relevant educational facilities to organise more diverse science popularisation activities to further enhance the public’s technology literacy.

Professor Sun will continue his visit to Sweden on May 12 (Stockholm time), and proceed to visit Helsinki, Finland later on the same day.

                                

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Women Empowerment Fund invites 2026-27 first-round applications

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Women Empowerment Fund invites 2026-27 first-round applications              
     Set up in June 2023, the Fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation and background, to unlock their full potential in their respective roles, thereby promoting women’s development in Hong Kong. From this year onwards, the annual funding for the Fund is increased to $30 million to strengthen support for women’s development. 
      
     The Fund is divided into general and thematic projects. The funding cap for each one-year and two-year general project is $400,000 and $800,000 respectively. The two current thematic projects under the Fund include the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programme and the Programme on Women’s Participation in Community Services. The exchange programme will enable women to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of national affairs, and interact with local residents, thereby promoting women’s development. Each exchange project shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $120,000. In addition, the community services programme aims to encourage women to make use of their own strengths to plan and launch community service projects, thereby promoting care and inclusion. Each community services project shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $400,000.
      
     This year, a new thematic project, the Programme on Women’s Career Development, will be launched. It focuses on providing employment-related support to women and empowering them to re-enter the workforce, make a career transition, and pursue their own careers. The funding cap for each one-year and two-year career development project is $500,000 and $1,000,000 respectively. 
              
     The Fund accepts two rounds of applications each year. The Guide to Application and the application form have been uploaded to the Fund’s website (www.wef.gov.hk/en/index.htmlIssued at HKT 16:00

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Speech by SITI at dinner reception co-hosted by London ETO and Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden in Stockholm, Sweden (English only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at a dinner reception co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden in Stockholm, Sweden today (May 11, Stockholm time):
 
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. It is a pleasure to join you here in Stockholm. Home to more than 40 unicorns, from global music icons like Spotify, to the creators of mobile games like Candy Crush Saga, Sweden has shown to the world how innovation has been a story of connection. Hong Kong believes in the same.
 
     Hong Kong and Sweden are both open economies with a global outlook. We invest in people, education and scientific excellence. In today’s world, we are witnessing the convergence of major trends such as the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and digitalisation, and the reshaping of global supply chain. Hong Kong is determined to seize the opportunities these trends bring.
 
     I&T (innovation and technology) are at the heart of Hong Kong’s economic future. Our I&T Blueprint, promulgated in 2022, sets out a coherent and forward-looking strategy to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, with a focus on life and health technologies, AI and robotics, as well as advanced manufacturing and new energy.
 
     In recent years, Hong Kong has established an I&T ecosystem anchored by three major I&T Parks and five key research and development (R&D) institutions. Through this framework, we hope to promote the positive interaction of research and development in the upstream, technology transfer in the midstream, as well as application and development of industries in the downstream.
 
     Hong Kong is home to five of the world’s top 100 universities. Our academic excellence and research capability are among our greatest assets. To leverage our strengths and foster global I&T collaboration, our flagship R&D initiative, InnoHK, has built collaboration with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, including Sweden. Together, we have set up a total of 38 research centres under three clusters focusing on the research on health technologies, AI and robotics, and sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials, pooling together more than 3 000 international research talents. We are proud to have Karolinska Institutet as a key collaborating partner in two of these centres, demonstrating the synergy between Swedish scientific excellence and Hong Kong’s research strengths.
 
     We are also making bold and strategic investment in I&T infrastructure. The most exciting development is the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park).
 
     Opened last December, the Hong Kong Park will become a world‑class hub for frontier research, technology translation, and pilot production. What makes it unique is its cross-boundary model combining Hong Kong’s robust R&D capabilities and international openness with Shenzhen’s industrial depth and manufacturing power. This is a perfect destination for Swedish companies that hope to tab into the vast Mainland market while at the same time enjoying the various convenience of doing business in Hong Kong – our low and simply tax system, free flow of capital, our common law system – to name but a few.
 
     Here in Sweden which is a global leader in life sciences and health technology, let me share with you all that Hong Kong is establishing the Life and Health Research Institute with a focus on “AI and Life Sciences” in the Hong Kong Park. This Institute will leverage Hong Kong’s R&D strengths in life and health technology supplemented by artificial intelligence, attract leading global innovation and technology talents and research teams to Hong Kong. We hope to achieve more original results and pioneering breakthroughs, and accelerate the transformation of research outcomes, so as to allow Hong Kong to contribute to the health and well-being of humanity worldwide. On this, we very much welcome Swedish researchers, start-ups and enterprises to join this new Institute for more regional and global I&T collaboration.
 
     AI is reshaping industries worldwide. Sweden has developed its national AI Strategy, and so has Hong Kong. Putting forward our national AI+ initiative, Hong Kong is focusing on “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach” to drive AI across multiple dimensions. The Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will commence operation later this year. The Institute welcomes international collaboration including joint labs, researcher exchanges, and co‑development of AI governance frameworks, an area where Nordic countries are global leaders.
 
     Our digital infrastructure is also expanding rapidly. The Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, now under construction, will provide 180 000 PFLOPS (peta-floating point operations per second) of computing power by 2032. It will serve as a secure, efficient international data hub that supports digital innovation and AI-related industries.
 
     Hong Kong is also making use of market forces to develop our strategic technology industries. For example, we will soon launch a HK$10 billion funds-of-funds called the I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, approximately 11.9 billion Swedish kronor, to encourage market capital to invest in strategic industries. By selecting eligible professional fund managers to set up sub-funds, we hope to channel more market capital to invest in I&T industries and support the development of emerging and future industries of strategic importance to Hong Kong. We very much welcome capital from Sweden to join us on this exciting venture.
 
     We are happy to see that our dedication to I&T has come to fruition. In the Global Innovation Index 2025 Ranking of World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters by World Intellectual Property Organisation, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster ranked first globally for the first time. In the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong ranked fourth globally. We also witnessed a record high of 5 200 start-ups in Hong Kong—an increase of around 40 per cent compared with five years ago. Over the past few years, we have also facilitated more than 600 leading I&T or high potential enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, including international names like AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
 
     Ladies and Gentlemen, Hong Kong is always open to global talent and ideas and will continue to play our role as a “super connector” and “super value‑adder” at an international level. As we look ahead, I am confident that the ties between Hong Kong and Sweden will continue to deepen and I look forward to the many possibilities we will create together.
 
     May I thank the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London for organising this reception. I wish everyone an enjoyable evening. Thank you.