Remarks by STL at media session
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (December 7):
Reporter: How can upcoming railway transit systems integrate new technology and provide(services)for citizens? Given that upcoming railways will not adopt heavy rail systems, what is the advantage? Has the contractor been settled yet? And as the Kai Tak Sports Park will undergo a stress test of 12 000 people tomorrow, how confident is the Bureau towards dispersing people smoothly? Thank you.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics: For the second question about the commissioning of the Kai Tak Sports Park, my Bureau andthe relevant departments will participate actively in thevarious stress tests. In fact, there will be one tomorrow, and that will involve a total number of 12 000 people.We will be participating in it. Apart from us,thevarious public transport operators, including MTR, various buses, and also taxis, will also be involved. We hope that throughthevarious stress tests, we will step up our mobilisation, our preparation, and make ourselves better prepared for different scenarios, such that when theSportsPark is commissioned, we will haveabetter and holistic preparation to cater for different scenarios.It is, after all, a very significant milestone in Hong Kong's tourism development. We will give our best in order to make this a success, and also to give the best service for our locals and also for our visitors.
As far as the railway infrastructure is concerned, surely we are engaging and planning for a number of major projects.I think the infrastructure projects did provide a very good opportunity for Hong Kong's local development as well as further development of our economy. We will work very hard and adopt a double innovation approach. That is, we will adopt innovation in technology as well as an innovative mindset in the policy and procedural framework in order to catch up with the time we have lost as well as to conduct the project expeditiously.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Speech by CE at 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit
Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit today (January 16):
Mr John Lee, Photo source: news.gov.hk
Distinguished guests, friends from the world of AI, ladies and gentlemen,
A very warm welcome to Hong Kong. It is a pleasure to join you today, at this year's WAIC UP! Global Summit.
A gathering that brings together top experts, industry pioneers and academic leaders, the WAIC UP! Global Summit is a platform under the renowned World Artificial Intelligence Conference. I'm glad to add that the Summit is held for the very first time in Hong Kong this year. The theme of this Summit, "WAKE UP MORE!", underscores the infinite possibilities of artificial intelligence. 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 (I&T) centre, as well as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
Hong Kong is moving at full steam to develop into an international I&T centre. Central to this vision is our commitment to advancing the development of AI. Our approach is multifaceted, built upon the solid pillars of government investment, world-class research, strategic infrastructure, and a dynamic, open market.
Under the unique "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that converges both the China advantage and the global advantage. We are also the only city that counts as many as five universities in the world's top 100. Our institutions equip Hong Kong's next generation with the versatility and knowledge key for future development. They also bring together a world of academics, researchers and talent to contribute to our ever-growing research and innovation capabilities.
We reached a significant milestone in our innovation journey, just last month, with the official opening of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. We will develop the Hong Kong Park into a world-class hub for technological innovation that connects the Mainland with the international community. It will become an important source for fostering and advancing new quality productive forces for China, our country.
Accelerating the flow of talent, data and capital, the Hong Kong Park will allow AI projects to rapidly progress from fundamental research in Hong Kong, to commercialisation and large-scale application in the broader market.
Last September, we launched the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme to subsidise universities in attracting top-notch scientific researchers from the world in AI, and other fields, to come to Hong Kong to spearhead basic research in frontier technologies.
We have also earmarked HK$1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development (R&D) Institute this year, to facilitate upstream AI R&D, the midstream and downstream R&D outcomes, and the expansion of use cases.
In addition, we have taken a concrete step within the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government by establishing a new AI Efficacy Enhancement Team. More than just showcasing our resolve to AI development, this team has a clear mission - to co-ordinate all government departments in applying AI technology, and to explore process re-engineering and promote technological reform. This will significantly improve government efficacy to better meet public demands, through the important tool of AI.
Ladies and gentlemen, in this era of rapid technological transformation, Hong Kong is in a distinct position. With the robust rule of law, a welcoming business environment, and a vibrant multicultural setting, Hong Kong is the perfect incubator for scientific exploration and technological breakthroughs.
Let us leverage today's summit as a springboard for deeper partnerships. Together, we can pioneer the technologies, establish the standards, and forge the future we wish to see - an AI-empowered future that is equitable, sustainable, and prosperous for all.
I wish you all a most fruitful and inspiring summit. Thank you very much.
The 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit, Photo source: hkstp.org
