Speech by SITI at Inauguration Ceremony of Global University Innovation Network and Grand Kick-off of Hong Kong Techathon+ 10th Anniversary
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Global University Innovation Network (GUIN) and the Grand Kick-off of the Hong Kong Techathon+ 10th Anniversary today (July 11):
Albert (Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Global University Innovation Network (GUIN) and the Grand Kick-off of theHong Kong Techathon+ 10th Anniversary. This event brings together energetic young innovation and technology (I&T) talents at the Hong Kong Science Park, and I am thrilled to be part of it.
This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone - the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong Techathon+. Over the past decade, this platform has transformed into a vibrant and dynamic launch pad for young innovators and entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 2015 as a collaboration between Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Techathon+ has gathered thousands of young talents to transform bold and creative ideas into potential start-ups. Today, we are proud to see the initiative expanded to include 15 higher education institutions in Hong Kong, along with over 30 partnering institutions and organisations from across the Mainland, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and the United States. Notable global partners like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford and NUS (National University of Singapore), have lent their strength to this journey, making Techathon+ not just local, but a truly international event.
Over the years, Hong Kong Techathon+ has welcomed over 7 000 participants and 2 000 start-up projects. It is inspiring to see that some alumni have achieved remarkable success, including recognition in Forbes Asia's 30 Under 30 list. We are excited to have many of them back to celebrate this milestone with us.
Riding on the success of Techathon+, Hong Kong Science Park, together with the 15 local co-organising institutions, has initiated the GUIN to promote Hong Kong's leading position as a hub of research and academic excellence. This powerful network connects local and international universities, fostering multilateral collaborations in talent nurturing, start-up incubation and research translation. It also aligns with the Government's vision to create a vibrant I&T ecosystem and enlarge the I&T talent pool.
Hong Kong enjoys a unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and a close connection with the world, converging global innovation resources, including high-calibre talents. The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Notable progress has been made. Over the past two years, for example, we have attracted over 200 I&T enterprises with high potential and representativeness to set up or expand their businesses here. To all the young talents present today, I encourage you to seize this opportunity to collaborate, innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible.
In closing, I wish Hong Kong Techathon+ 2026 a resounding success. I look forward to seeing your innovative ideas take flight. Thank you very much.
Speech by SITI at Inauguration Ceremony of Global University Innovation Network and Grand Kick-off of Hong Kong Techathon+ 10th Anniversary Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Summer influenza season nears its end and winter influenza season yet to begin Public must remain vigilant despite influenza activity declines
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) reminded the public that seasonal influenza activity has gradually declined over the past two weeks to near baseline levels. This indicated that the summer influenza season, which began in early September last year, might conclude within the next one to two weeks. Nevertheless, the CHP urged the public to remain vigilant and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Those who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), particularly high-risk groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses, should receive SIV promptly to reduce the risk of severe illness and death from infection.
Latest surveillance data
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"Hong Kong entered the summer influenza season in early September last year. The seasonal influenza activity peaked in mid-to-late October last year and has since been gradually declining. The latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (December 21 to 27, 2025) decreased to 4.97 per cent from 7.81 per cent and 6.17 per cent in the previous two weeks (the baseline level is 4.94 per cent). The influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.28 cases per 10 000 population (lower than the 0.49 and 0.37 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous two weeks, with the baseline level of 0.27 cases per 10 000 population). Regarding outbreaks of influenza-like illness in schools, the number rose sharply from 15 outbreaks in the first week of the new school year last September to 170 outbreaks in mid-October, before gradually declining to 43 outbreaks in mid-November. After a slight rebound to 71 outbreaks in early December last year, the number has steadily decreased over the past few weeks, falling from over 30 outbreaks per week to just four outbreaks last week. The CHP will continue to closely monitor local surveillance data. Should relevant indicators persistently fall below the baseline levels, the CHP will assess next week whether this summer influenza season has concluded," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
The predominant virus circulating during this seasonal influenza season is influenza A (H3) virus strain. As in the past, severe or death cases associated with seasonal influenza primarily affect the elderly and children. As of January 1, this summer influenza season has recorded 25 severe paediatric influenza cases, including three fatal cases. The affected children aged between six months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, the case was not protected by the vaccine. Therefore, it is not counted as vaccinated). During the same period, 502 severe influenza cases were recorded among adults, including 339 deaths. Among adult fatalities with available clinical data, over 80 per cent had underlying illnesses.
"Although the summer influenza season shows signs of ending and the winter influenza season has not yet begun, influenza activity may rise again as the weather gradually turns colder in the first quarter of this year. It cannot be ruled out that the circulating virus strains may change. Therefore, I once again urge all individuals aged six months or older, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received SIV to act promptly. Although there are some antigenic differences between the currently circulating influenza A (H3) virus strain and the virus strain contained in the vaccine, SIV can still offer protection against the variant strain of subclade K, as well as the influenza A (H1) and influenza B strains included in the vaccine. Those who contracted influenza during the summer influenza season should still receive the 2025/26 SIV, if they have not yet done so, to guard against other circulating virus strains that may emerge during the forthcoming winter influenza season," Dr Tsui added.
2025/26 SIV Programmes
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Getting vaccinated against influenza is one of the most effective ways to prevent influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection. With the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community (including the medical sector, schools, parents and residential care homes), as of December 28, 2025, over 1.89 million doses of influenza vaccine were administered under various SIV programmes in the year 2025/26, representing an increase of approximately 4.7 per cent compared with the same period in the previous influenza vaccination season. Regarding schools, to boost SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has started earlier since the beginning of June last year. The CHP has also introduced enhancement measures, allowing all schools to choose either the live attenuated influenza vaccines (i.e. nasal LAIV) and the "hybrid mode", which allows schools to choose both the injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and the nasal LAIV during the same or different outreach vaccination activities. Vaccination rates among schoolchildren in different age groups are two per cent to nine per cent higher compared to the same period last year.
"The SIV coverage rate for children aged six months to under two years remains relatively low at about 22 per cent. Although this represents approximate five per cent point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to give consent for their children to receive SIV. The Government has opened all 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged six months to under two years to receive the vaccine; as well as the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP'sVaccination Schemespage. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccination at designated MCHCs via theonline booking system," Dr Tsui said.
He reminded the members of the public to maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Furthermore, high-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Public with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly to lower the risk of spreading the disease to high-risk persons.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza Webpage,COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, adVaccination Schemes Webpage, for the latest information.
Source: AI-found images
