2025 Future Science Prize to Honour 7 Scientists Hong Kong to host Prize Week in October Awards ceremony to take place at Hong Kong Cultural Centre

At a live-streamed press conference held in chorus in Beijing and Hong Kong today, the Hong Kong Future Science Prize Foundation announced the winners of this year's Future Science Prize (the “Prize”) for Life Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics and Computer Science. A total of 7 outstanding scientists will be honoured, they include Qiang JI, Xing XU, Zhonghe ZHOU for the Life Science Prize, Zhong FANG, Xi DAI, Hong DING for the Physical Science Prize, and Chih-Yuan LU for the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize (Please refer to the attachment for details of the laureates). Since 2016, a total of 46 renowned scientists have been awarded by the Prize.

The Hong Kong Future Science Prize Foundation announces laureates of this year's Future Science Prize in the categories of Life Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics and Computer Science at a press conference broadcasted live in chorus in Beijing and Hong Kong. 7 scientists are to receive the 2025 Future Science Prize. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

Professor Dong SUN, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered a pre-recorded speech.

In his speech, Professor Lian-Tao WANG, Chairman of the 2025 Science Committee of the Future Science Prize, said that the term "Future" in the Future Science Prize represents two of our expectations. First, we aim to recognise groundbreaking scientific achievements that have the potential to change the course of various disciplines, and even shape the future of humanity. Second, we trust that these exceptional scientists will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, offering transformative contributions to the world through their insights and capabilities. Professor Wang added that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Prize, signifying not just a milestone, but also the beginning of a new chapter. The Prize will look to discover and honour those committed to its mission of discovering and honouring scientific achievements that can shape the future and change the world as we know it.

Mr Victor WANG, Rotating Chairman, 2025 Future Science Prize Donor’s Congress, stated that in the last decade, he has witnessed every step of the prize’s journey from its inception. The scientific achievements represented by each laureate have undergone rigorous scrutiny over time and made profound impacts internationally, truly pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and demonstrating outstanding contributions.

Mr Victor WANG, Rotating Chairman, 2025 Future Science Prize Donor’s Congress, stated that the scientific achievements represented by each laureate have undergone rigorous scrutiny over time and made a profound impact internationally. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chair of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week Program Committee and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, congratulated this year’s laureates. He also said this year, being the 10th anniversary of the Future Science Prize as well as the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, marks a "double blessing", the time to not only celebrate past accomplishments, but also to move forward into a brighter future.

Professor Lo expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong Government for its continued support in hosting this mega scientific event in Hong Kong, fostering a strong scientific research atmosphere in the city and igniting public interest in science, and that it has also become an important force driving scientific and technological advancement in China and the world, letting the world appreciate the research strength of the Greater China Region.

Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chairman of the Program Committee of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, describes the event this ear as a "double blessing", being the 10th anniversary of both the Future Science Prize and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

He stressed that this year’s Prize Week activities will focus more on community engagement, bringing science into daily life to inspire everyone. The awards ceremony will be held for the first time at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, in the hope of integrating science, art and culture.

Mr Leon MENG, Member of the 2025 Executive Committee of the Future Forum, said the growth of the Future Science Prize relies on the strong support from all sectors of society. It is through our collective efforts that this esteemed international scientific event has been successfully held in Hong Kong for two consecutive years. Through Hong Kong, a global platform, the Prize would be able to share a 'scientific feast' with peers around the world who are passionate about science. In the future, the Prize hopes to inspire even more people to engage in volunteer efforts that promote scientific progress.

Laureates of the 2025 Future Science Prize are announced in the presence of Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chairman of the Program Committee of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (second left); Mr Victor WANG, Rotating Chairman, 2025 Future Science Prize Donor's Congress (second right), Mr Leon MENG, Member of the 2025 Executive Committee of the Future Forum (first right) and Professor Ming LI, Member, Science Committee of the Future Science Prize (first left) and. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

The Future Science Prize Week 2025 will take place in Hong Kong, featuring a series of events that will liven the scientific atmosphere in the city. Highlights will include Science and Technology Forum and the 2025 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship Annual Conference to be held on 22 and 23 October, respectively, a two-day Science Symposium to be held on 24 and 25 October, the Future Science Prize Laureate Dialogue with the Youth and the 2025 Future Science Prize Awards Ceremony to take place on 26 October. A number of globally renowned scientists have been invited to participate in those events, including the previous laureates of the Future Science Prize, Professor Randy Schekman, 2013 Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Professor Arieh Warshel, 2013 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, Professor Reinhard Genzel and Professor David Gross, 2020 and 2004 Nobel laureates in Physics, and also fellows from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Sciences and the Academia Europaea. There will also be two exhibitions open to the public at the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in late September and October.

The Future Science Prize Week 2025 will be live streamed on its official website
(https://www.futureprize-hk.org) and the social media platforms of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences.

The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK) held its 10th Anniversary Celebration Banquet today (22 January) at the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong. Nearly 200 leaders and representatives from academia, government and industry gathered to reflect on ASHK's accomplishments in advancing local scientific research and fostering innovation over the past decade, while also looking ahead to a new chapter in the development of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) sector.

Mr John LEE, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, delivers a speech at the ASHK 10th Anniversary Celebration Banquet. Photo provided by ASHK

Mr John LEE, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, delivered a speech at the ceremony preceding the banquet. Professor SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Ms. Lillian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr Duncan CHIU and Professor William WONG Kam-fai, Legislative Council members, along with other distinguished guests, were also in attendance.

Established in 2015, ASHK is dedicated to fostering international collaboration, showcasing Hong Kong's excellence in scientific research, strengthening science education, and providing forward-looking recommendations on scientific research and education. It has garnered consistent support from the Hong Kong SAR Government and various sectors of the community. To systematically cultivate scientists committed to serving society, ASHK established the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK) in 2018. Over the past decade, ASHK and YASHK have become vital pillars of Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, having jointly organised more than 660 science outreach events with over 150,000 participants.

Professor Dennis LO, President of ASHK, expresses gratitude for the support from all sectorstowards ASHK and YASHK, and looks forward to continuing as a driving force for Hong Kong’s scientific research achievements in the next decade. Photo provided by ASHK

Professor Dennis LO, President of ASHK, remarked that ASHK's growth has paralleled Hong Kong's I&T development. ASHK has also witnessed the HKSAR Government's dedicated policies and strategic investments, which have laid a robust foundation for technological progress and paved the way for future breakthroughs. He went on to express his sincere gratitude to Mr LEUNG Chun-ying, then Chief Executive of the HKSAR; Mr WAN Gang, then Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC and Minister of Science and Technology; and Professor BAI Chunli, then President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, whose staunch support led to the establishment of ASHK in 2015. He also thanked the HKSAR Government and various sectors for their support over the past decade, and paid special tribute to Founding President Professor Lap-chee TSUI for his dedication and leadership.

The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences held its 10th Anniversary Celebration Banquet , inviting partners from various sectors to attend and jointly witness this milestone. Photo provided by ASHK

Professor LO emphasised that science is not only a lifelong pursuit for scientists but is increasingly recognised as the cornerstone of a modern nation's strength. He urged that, with Hong Kong now in a golden era of technological innovation, the local I&T community should seize this opportunity to strengthen and leverage its advantages to support Hong Kong's development as an international I&T hub. Professor LO stated, “ASHK will continue its commitment to nurturing young scientific talent and, together with all sectors, create an even more brilliant future for advancing I&T in Hong Kong." In addition, during the banquet, Professor LO presented membership certificates to five newly elected ASHK Members and twelve newly elected YASHK Members for 2025.