Speech by SITI at International Society for Stem Cell Research 2025 Annual Meeting
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting today (June 11):
Professor Greco (President of the ISSCR, Professor Valentina Greco), Mr Alm (Chief Executive Officer of the ISSCR, Mr Keith Alm), Professor Kathryn Cheah (2025 Annual Meeting Program Committee Co-Chair of the ISSCR), Professor Rocky Tuan (Lee Quo Wei and Lee Yick Hoi Lun Professor of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong), Professor Nancy Ip (President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It gives me great honour to stand before you today as we kick off the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting here in Hong Kong, a city where East meets West, tradition meets innovation, and today, science meets the future.
I still remember the pivotal moment in September 2022 when Kathryn, Nancy and Rocky approached me with a bold vision, that is, to bring this prestigious conference to Hong Kong. Without hesitation, I said, "Let’s make it happen!" And here we are, thanks to the relentless effort of the Bid Committee, the unwavering support of our three co-sponsoring universities, and of course the confidence that the ISSCR placed in us.
I would like to thank the ISSCR for choosing Hong Kong as the host city for this very important meeting. Your decision speaks volumes. It is not just about our city's thriving biomedical ecosystem, but about its growing role as a global hub for scientific collaboration.
Hong Kong is more than a skyline. It is a skyline of possibilities. We are moving full steam ahead to develop Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre and a leading hub for life and health sciences. Hong Kong has a solid foundation in biomedical research with a good number of world-acclaimed award-winning scientists, well-accredited research outputs, an excellent clinical research track record and the state-of-art research infrastructure.
Our flagship R&D (research and development) initiative, InnoHK, exemplifies this commitment - bringing together over 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, and setting up a total of 30 top-tier research labs. Sixteen of them are life science and health-related with many involving stem cell research in various dimensions, which are pushing boundaries every day.
Stem cell research is not just a field, it is a frontier. It holds the promise of rewriting medicine, healing the incurable, and unlocking the deepest mysteries of human biology. Over the next four days, this gathering will allow ideas to be shared, partnerships to be forged and inspiration to be ignited. The discoveries made here will not only make an impact in Hong Kong, but will also ripple across the globe.
As we stand at the forefront of stem cell research, a field that bridges the impossible and the inevitable, may I leave you with the words of Marie Curie, a pioneer who reshaped science: "Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Ladies and gentlemen, let this conference be a testament to that understanding. Together, we are not just studying stem cells, but unlocking the future of medicine. May I wish the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting a resounding success, and everyone a wonderful stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.
Speech by SITI at International Society for Stem Cell Research 2025 Annual Meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI visits Guangxi
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, visited Nanning in Guangxi today (January 14).
This morning, Professor Sun called on the Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional People's Congress, Mr Chen Gang, and learned that Guangxi is accelerating the high-quality development of artificial intelligence and building an industrial co-operation highland for the AI industry facing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They also had exchanges and in-depth discussions on further strengthening the co-operation and synergistic development between Hong Kong and Guangxi in various areas including AI, innovation and technology (I&T) parks, data infrastructure, data governance, and nurturing talent. Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee and Vice Chairman of the People's Government of the Autonomous Region Ms Lu Xinning also attended the meeting.
Professor Sun said Hong Kong will fully leverage its distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and a close connection with the world. Through complementary co-operation and synergistic development, Hong Kong and Guangxi will explore co-operation between the two places and with ASEAN countries in industries such as AI and the digital economy.
Professor Sun then met with Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee and the Secretary of the CPC Nanning Municipal Committee, Mr Xu Yongguo, to exchange views on I&T co-operation between Hong Kong and Nanning.
Professor Sun visited the Display Center of the China-ASEAN Countries Artificial Intelligence Application Cooperation Center and toured its display hall. The Center is an AI co-operation platform, jointly established by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and ASEAN countries, which aims to promote regional co-operation in AI technologies and the digital transformation of industries. The center is also an industrial highland facing ASEAN.
He was briefed on the Center's construction and operation, as well as its co-operation with ASEAN countries. He also observed the AI+ industries and application scenarios, including industrialisation and social governance, and exchanged views on the co-operation model of research and development, integration in Guangxi, and applications in ASEAN.
Professor Sun also visited the exhibition centre of the China-ASEAN Information Harbor and the Beibu Gulf Big Data Exchange Center and studied the collaboration in AI between Guangxi and ASEAN countries, as well as the development and transaction of data products. He also learned about the cross-boundary data flow channels and industrial Internet platforms, the construction of the Digital Silk Road, and co-operation with the ASEAN market.
Professor Sun then visited the China-ASEAN Geographic Information Town to study the industrial applications of technologies, such as satellite navigation and geographic information, in the fields of smart city, cross-boundary logistics, and so on.
Meanwhile, Professor Sun visited the China-ASEAN Mercantile Exchange (China-Singapore Nanning International Logistics Park) to learn about the operation of the large-scale cross-boundary integrated logistics park and one-stop trade platform that integrates functions including production, warehousing, logistics, exhibition, commerce and finance. He also studied the international co-operation between ASEAN countries and Guangxi through the Western New Land-Sea Corridor.
Upon his arrival in Nanning, Guangxi yesterday, Professor Sun immediately met with Deputy Secretary-General of the People's Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Party Secretary and Director of the Guangxi Big Data Development Bureau Mr Zhao Zhigang, to have an in-depth exchange on issues including the promotion of data sharing, smart city development, and co-operation in digital industry.
The Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Dr Rocky Cheng, also joined the visit.
Professor Sun will continue his visit tomorrow. He will visit a digital intelligent operations and maintenance service provider and its intelligent computing centre to learn about the service provider's latest achievements in AI and computing power, digital intelligence technology and products. He will also visit the China Mobile Group Guangxi Company to conduct studies on the planning of its infrastructure in computing power and its AI industry large models.
Professor Sun will conclude his visit before noon and return to Hong Kong.
SITI visits Guangxi Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI visits Guangxi Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI visits Guangxi Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
