The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) will organise the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) in April, which includes the government-funded innovation and technology (I&T) signature events, the Digital Economy Summit and the InnoEX, as well as the much celebrated inaugural Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "We look forward to an array of I&T mega events in April in Hong Kong. The BIT Week brings together local talent and those outside Hong Kong covering some 20 regions and over 3 000 exhibitors to showcase to the world Hong Kong's unique edge and strong I&T capabilities through a series of seminars, exhibitions, business networking, talent matching and industry events. It is a key policy of the country to develop 'new quality productive forces' driven by technological innovation. The series of events under the BIT Week aims to promote the upstream, midstream and downstream development of the local I&T ecosystem chain, accelerating the formation of 'new quality productive forces' and scaling new heights for our I&T sector, thereby propelling Hong Kong's advancement into an international I&T centre."
Organised by the ITIB and Cyberport, the Digital Economy Summit (DES) will be held on April 12 and 13 with the theme "Smarter Technovation for All: Forging a Sustainable Future". The two-day Summit will feature over 100 renowned speakers from Hong Kong, the Mainland and a number of overseas countries including the United States and Germany, as well as those from the Middle East and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Summit will cover eight thematic forums on topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), business innovation, smart industrialisation and supply chain, smart mobility, new energy, smart finance, Web3.0, smart living and inclusion.
The second InnoEX co-organised by the ITIB and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) that immediately follows the DES will be held from April 13 to 16. Themed "Innovations for A Smarter World", the exhibition will bring together exhibitors from more than 10 regions and different technology sectors, including organisations from Hong Kong, 16 Mainland provinces and cities, and countries such as France, Canada, India, Singapore and the United Kingdom. By showcasing cutting-edge technology solutions and promoting dialogue at various seminars and exchanges, the exhibition seeks to promote cross-sectoral and cross-territory I&T development and collaboration. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer will also set up the "Smart Hong Kong Pavilion" to showcase over 100 I&T solutions closely related to people's day-to-day life, and winning entries from local innovators and students, to demonstrate the latest progress in promoting I&T and smart city development by the Government and various sectors in Hong Kong. An ASEAN Roundtable will also be organised during the exhibition whereby government representatives from ASEAN countries will share experiences related to smart city development and ways to achieve sustainable development through multi-sectoral collaboration.
In addition, the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities will organise the inaugural Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and the Xianjiang Nobel Forum 2024 on April 13 and 14 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the full support of the ITIB. The event will gather top-notch I&T talent and renowned scientists including laureates of the Nobel Prize and Turing Award to tap into global wisdom on critical issues in the areas of Big Data, AI, quantum computing, biology and new materials, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's status in the international scientific arena. The organiser will also arrange a memoranda of understanding signing ceremony at the event signifying the intention of I&T enterprises from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Xiongan area to land in Hong Kong, as well as the launching ceremony of the Hong Kong Joint Development Fund for Innovation and Technology to promote quality development of Hong Kong via investment in I&T enterprises.
Other major industry events during the BIT Week include HKTDC's Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Smart Lighting Expo, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s Elevator Pitching Competition, and the Hong Kong Web3 Festival co-hosted by Wanxiang Blockchain Labs and HashKey Group and organised by W3ME, all contributing to the prosperous development of Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem and greater synergies.
Details of the BIT Week events can be found at bitweek.hktdc.com/en.
Speech by FS at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner this evening (September 15):
Guy (Chair of Cathay Group, Mr Guy Bradley), Deputy Director Zhang Yong (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Ronald (Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Group, Mr Ronald Lam), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.
It is a great pleasure to celebrate Cathay Pacific's 80th anniversary with you. Tonight, we celebrate not only an airline, but a journey that belongs, in a very special way, to Hong Kong.
From Betsy, your pioneering DC-3, to today's global network, Cathay has grown together with Hong Kong. Even your name speaks of ambition: "Pacific" expressed the dream of crossing that vast ocean, long before the airline could do so. That spirit - starting modestly, thinking boldly and looking outwards - is unmistakably Hong Kong.
For generations, Cathay has been part of life's most meaningful journeys: the first trip abroad, departure for university, a business venture and a long-awaited reunion. And for returning travellers, that familiar welcome on board brings a comforting feeling: home is already a little closer.
Of course, your journey had difficult chapters. During the pandemic, the Government's support reflected our determination to safeguard Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub and our confidence in Cathay's role within it. That was an investment in our shared future. And it was your people - their professionalism, perseverance and dedication - who helped turn confidence into recovery.
Your work matters far beyond air connections. For Hong Kong, every new route is another opening for trade, investment and opportunity. This is our "super connector" role in practice: bringing businesses to markets, and people to one another.
Looking ahead, the National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing our status as an international aviation hub. We are determined to translate that support into greater capacity, wider reach and lasting economic benefits.
Our Three-Runway System and newly opened Terminal 2 facilities provide more room for growth. The Airport Authority's expanded Airport City development, SKYTOPIA, will further strengthen our airport's appeal - as both a gateway and a destination.
With these developments, the Government is pursuing new air services agreements and expanded traffic rights, particularly with partners in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and South America. These efforts will give airlines more opportunities to expand their networks through Hong Kong and strengthen our Belt and Road connections.
Cathay's plan to launch direct flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in January 2027 is a welcome example. It will open a new gateway to Central Asia, creating opportunities for business, tourism, cultural exchanges and deeper friendship between our communities.
As the Government opens the way for wider air links, I encourage Cathay to seize these opportunities and add new destinations to your network.
In an uncertain world, we must pursue these opportunities with prudence as well as confidence. The case for bringing people together and opening up new markets is stronger, not weaker.
Cathay's commitment of around HK$150 billion to aircraft, cabins, lounges and digital innovation is a welcome vote of confidence in Hong Kong's future. I look forward to seeing that investment deliver better journeys for passengers, rewarding careers for local talent, and fresh possibilities for our city.
As Hong Kong's home carrier, you are an ambassador for the city. For many visitors, their first impression of Hong Kong begins with your welcome, before they ever see our skyline. Safety without compromise, service with care and respect, onboard dining experience worthy of Hong Kong's reputation, and professionalism in every detail: these are the qualities that earn trust and make Hong Kong proud.
And, ladies and gentlemen, I am sure passengers would be delighted to see one more thing: your excellent service accompanied by equally attractive fares. Guy and Ronald, I shall leave that in your capable hands.
Happy 80th anniversary, Cathay Pacific. May you continue to bring the world closer to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong closer to the world - and wherever you fly, carry the warmth, ambition and spirit of this city with you. Thank you very much.
Speech by FS at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by FS at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
