City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Huadong Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University in Shanghai (Huadong Hospital), officially established the “CityUHK – Huadong Hospital Joint Research Institute of Smart Healthcare” (the Joint Research Institute) in Shanghai and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 25 September 2025. By leveraging the medical and academic resources of the two cities, as well as cutting-edge biomedicine, AI and data technologies, this partnership aims to advance the development of digital medicine, talent incubation, and knowledge exchange, and to further enhance the commercialisation of promising digital health solutions that benefit society.
The plaque-unveiling ceremony for the Joint Research Institute was held at Huadong Hospital. It was officiated by Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, CityUHK Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise), Professor Wang Yu, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center, and Professor Bao Zhijun, President of Huadong Hospital. Other representatives were Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin, CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Enterprise), Professor Yu Xinge, Associate Director of the CityUHK Institute of Digital Medicine (IDM), Mr Yang Weiguo, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee at Shanghai Medical College Fudan University and Mr Jin Jianping, Secretary of the Party Committee of Huadong Hospital.
Caption: At the plaque-unveiling ceremony of “CityUHK – Huadong Hospital Joint Research Institute of Smart Healthcare” are (from right) Professor Yu Xinge, Associate Director of CityUHK Institute of the Digital Medicine; Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin, CityUHK Associate Vice President (Enterprise); Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, CityUHK Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise); Professor Bao Zhijun, President of Huadong Hospital; Professor Wang Yu, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center; Mr Yang Weiguo, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee at Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University and Mr Jin Jianping, Secretary of the Party Committee at Huadong Hospital. Photo credit: City University of Hong Kong.
Professor Yang emphasised that life and health technology is a key strategic priority for CityUHK, which aims to leverage its strengths in biomedical engineering, AI, digital medicine, and data science to advance the smart healthcare industry. “The Joint Research Institute represents a significant step in strengthening collaboration between Shanghai and Hong Kong, enabling win-win cooperation in digital medicine, clinical research, and talent incubation, contributing to the promotion of the ‘Healthy China’ initiative,” he stated.
“The future of medicine relies on multidisciplinary collaboration, requiring the joint efforts of universities and medical institutions to advance smart healthcare,” said Professor Wang. “CityUHK excels in AI and life sciences, while Huadong Hospital has a robust foundation in geriatric medicine and smart healthcare. This partnership will combine both resources to leverage cutting-edge technologies, enhance clinical practice, and address real-world challenges.
“This partnership marks a milestone for both parties in exploring AI-powered healthcare solutions,”said Professor Bao. “We will foster collaborations among top-tier experts, facilitate knowledge exchange, and establish a ‘smart outpatient ecosystem’, supported by AI and big data technologies to overcome temporal and spatial limitations in healthcare management, further enhancing the patient experience throughout their healthcare journey.”
The Joint Research Institute will integrate resources and strengths from both Shanghai and Hong Kong, providing clinical resources and cutting-edge technologies for research and start-ups; to enable the transformation of promising solutions. By leveraging biomedicine, AI, and big data technologies, it will focus on areas such as surgical robotics, standardised databases for major diseases, and medical information sharing platforms, to create a smart, human-centred healthcare ecosystem.
The MoU was signed by Professor Ho and Professor Bao; and was witnessed by Professor Yang, Professor Wang, Professor Yu, Mr Yang and Mr Jin.
Caption: The MoU was signed by Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin (right) and Professor Bao Zhijun (left). It was witnessed by (back row, from right) Professor Yu Xinge, Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Professor Wang Yu, Mr Yang Weiguo and Mr Jin Jianping. Photo credit: City University of Hong Kong.
This MoU further enhances collaboration in talent development, academic exchange, and research between the two institutions. Initiatives include mutual appointments of experts, the formation of joint research teams, and the recommendation of biomedical and digital medicine professionals to study at CityUHK. These efforts aim to nurture top talent with international perspectives and innovative capabilities, thereby propelling the transformation of digital medicine solutions.
The two parties exchanged appointment letters for their respective experts. Professors from Huadong Hospital engaged with representatives from CityUHK’s IDM, College of Biomedicine, and College of Computing, sharing valuable insights on digital health, AI and big data during the on-site academic forum. The CityUHK delegation also visited Huadong Hospital to explore their latest medical developments.
CityUHK established its IDM in April 2024. In collaboration with renowned universities, medical schools, clinical and industry partners, and health tech investors around the world, the IDM utilises CityUHK’s strengths in engineering, data science, and life science to develop innovative technologies that explore digital health solutions for the long-term benefit of doctors and patients.
Founded in 1951, Huadong Hospital is a Grade 3A hospital specialising in geriatric medicine. It integrates medical care, academia, research and prevention, serving Shanghai, the East China region and beyond. Its Department of Geriatrics is a national key clinical speciality, as well as a key clinical speciality in Shanghai. Additionally, the Department of Geriatrics of Traditional Chinese Medicine is designated as a key speciality of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Huadong Hospital is affiliated with Fudan University and is responsible for training undergraduate and graduate students. It also serves as a training base for specialists at both the national and Shanghai level.
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) held the HK Tech 300 National Start-up Competition (National Competition) 3rd Awards Ceremony and Launch of the 4th Competition today (16 July). Ten outstanding start-ups earned top honours among over 500 entries from Hong Kong and 12 Chinese Mainland cities for their innovations in new materials, digital health, semiconductors, AI and robotics. The 4th Competition will expand its footprint, raising the total number of competition clusters nationwide from 12 to 16.
Joining the Chinese Mainland cities’ representatives to kick off the 4th National Competition are Ms Lillian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (front, 3rd from left); Professor Wang Weiming, Director-General of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (front, 2nd from left); Professor Chun-sing Lee, CityUHK Acting President (front, 2nd from right); Dr Raymond Leung, Board Chairman of CityU Enterprises Limited (front, 1st from right); Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, CityUHK Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) (front, 1st from left).(City University of Hong Kong)
In conjunction with the Ceremony, about 40 start-ups from HK Tech 300, spin-offs of RAISe+ awardees and the winners from the National Competition showcased their innovative solutions, demonstrating how CityUHK’s world-class R&D translates into real-world applications. Strategic Partners and co-investors from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas attended the Ceremony and engaged with the start-ups during the event.
Ms Lilian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (2nd from right), and Professor Wang Weiming, Director-General of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (2nd from left) visits the start-ups’ exhibition during the event.(City University of Hong Kong)
The winning start-ups in this year’s National Competition will receive extensive support from the HK Tech 300 ecosystem, including professional training, business networking and investment matching, as well as up to HK$1 million in angel funding. The Gold Award went to Shenzhen CardioACC Ltd., which focuses on the research and development of cardiovascular interventional imaging system and advanced diagnostic technologies. The judges also unveiled the awards of Silver, Bronze, “Technology Innovation” and “Best Social Impact” (see the winners’ list below).
Presiding over the ceremony was Ms Lilian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Professor Wang Weiming, Director-General of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Professor Chun-sing Lee, Acting President of CityUHK; and Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) of CityUHK. Guests from 16 Chinese Mainland cities joined the ceremony, including Mr Tong Laisheng, Deputy Mayor of the Changsha Municipal People's Government, and representatives from governments and partner organisations.
At the awards ceremony are Ms Lillian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (front, 3rd from left); Professor Wang Weiming, Director-General of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (front, 2nd from left); Professor Chun-sing Lee, CityUHK Acting President (front, 3rd from right); Dr Raymond Leung, Board Chairman of CityU Enterprises Limited (front, 2nd from right); Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, CityUHK Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) (front, 1st from left); Professor Johnny Ho, CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Enterprise) (front, 1st from right); along with distinguished guests and representatives from the winning start-ups. (City University of Hong Kong)
In her speech, Ms Cheong said that the National Competition inspires innovative ideas and promotes collaborations and exchanges across regions, injecting momentum into the I&T ecosystem. She stated, “Driving I&T development cannot rely on the effort of a single party; the Government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors must work together. CityUHK and HK Tech 300 play an important bridging role in this regard, strengthening the linkage among interdisciplinary, cross‑sector, and cross‑boundary collaborations, and have fostered many promising start-ups. In the future, we will continue to rally forces from all sides, providing resources, platforms, and opportunities for young entrepreneurs, supporting them in turning innovative ideas into solutions with market value and social benefits, further advancing the overall I&T development of the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area, and consolidating Hong Kong’s strategic position as an international I&T hub and a high‑end talent hub.”
Ms Lilian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry. (City University of Hong Kong)
In his welcome remarks, Professor Lee stated that the National Competition served as a two-way springboard, attracting extensive capital, resources and networks for start-ups to shine. “CityUHK, recognised as one of the most international universities in the world, is dedicated to promoting knowledge transformation and incubating deep-tech talent and start-ups to connect with global markets, in alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan,” he said. “With the unwavering support from our Motherland and strong ties to the international stage, we will continue to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international I&T hub, and reinforce the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to attract and retain talent.”
Professor Chun-sing Lee, CityUHK Acting President. (City University of Hong Kong)
In his vote of thanks, Professor Yang extended his gratitude to all partners and supporting organisations of HK Tech 300. “Through strong collaboration among government, industry, academia, research and investors, our robust HK Tech 300 ecosystem will continue to thrive and grow, further transforming the University’s intellectual property into innovative solutions with real-world impact,” he said. As the Chairman of the HK Tech 300 Executive Committee, Professor Yang conveyed his congratulations to all the winning start-ups and welcomed them into the ecosystem.
Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, CityUHK Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise). (City University of Hong Kong)
Since its launch in 2022, the National Competition has received an enthusiastic response, attracting hundreds of high-calibre start-ups each year. The 3rd Competition covered 12 clusters across the Chinese Mainland: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Changsha, Suzhou, Dongguan and Wuxi. The 4th edition will expand to include Guangzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen and Changzhou. The competition is also open to start-ups from Hong Kong.
Mr Tong Laisheng, Deputy Mayor of the Changsha Municipal People's Government. (City University of Hong Kong)
During today’s event, CityUHK also co-hosted an Appreciation Ceremony to welcome 11 new co-investment partners to the HK Tech 300 programme. The programme has established a robust network of over 110 strategic partners and supporting organisations, including co-investment partnerships with 23 venture capital funds in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Since its launch in 2021, HK Tech 300 has incubated more than 1,000 start-ups, over 220 of which have been awarded angel funding of up to HK$1 million each.
As a continuation of the National Competition, a seminar titled “Empowering Mainland Innovative and Tech Enterprises to Go Global with Hong Kong as Launchpad” was co-organised with Deloitte China on the day following the ceremony. The seminar aimed to help innovation and technology enterprises understand Hong Kong’s capital markets and listing requirements, thereby supporting their international expansion and fostering a thriving and robust ecosystem.
The 10 Winning Start-Ups:
Gold Award: Shenzhen CardioACC Ltd.
Silver Award: Inspro Science Limited
Bronze Award & Technology Innovation Award:
Shaanxi Gexin Guowei Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd.
Best Social Impact Award:
Sharpsight LimitedA Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Other winning start-ups (in alphabetical order):
Beijing Junqing Zhouyuan Technology Co., Ltd.
Centaurs Technologies Co., Ltd.
ComNergy Tech Limited
Cre8Dream Catalytic Technology (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Wanwu Sensing Technology Co., Ltd.
Wheeled-Legged Robots and Robotic Power Modules
Visit here to learn more about the winning start-ups’ innovative solutions.
