Celebrating Innovation: Future Science Prize Honors Groundbreaking Achievements in Hong Kong's Scientific Community

Speech by FS at Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner today (October 26):

Professor Dennis Lo (President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences), Future Science Prize Laureates, Mr Victor Wang (Rotating Chairman of 2021 & 2025 Future Science Prize Donor's Congress), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great honour to join you this evening to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the seven Future Science Prize Laureates this year: Professor Ji Qiang, Professor Xu Xing, Professor Zhou Zhonghe, Professor Fang Zhong, Professor Dai Xi, Professor Ding Hong, and Professor Lu Chih-Yuan. Please accept my heartiest congratulations.

Their groundbreaking discoveries, exceptional passion and unwavering dedication have not only pushed the boundaries of human knowledge but also inspired generations to pursue excellence in science. Their work reminds us of how scientific endeavour drives progress for humanity.

Tonight, we also mark the 10th anniversary of the Future Science Prize — a decade of recognising brilliance in science. Over the years, this prestigious prize has grown into a beacon of innovation, celebrating the most brilliant minds whose work has deepened our understanding of the world and opened up new possibilities for the future.

More than a prize, what is most heartening is your strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientific talent. Beyond honouring established scientists, the Future Science Prize Foundation also puts a bright spotlight on emerging researchers, while actively engaging the public through exhibitions, dialogues between scientists and youth, and other outreach initiatives. These efforts bring science into the heart of the society. They not only ignite enthusiasm in science and foster collaboration, but also help to cultivate a rich scientific culture — one that inspires more people to participate in research and innovation, and contribute to global scientific advancement.

On this note, my sincere gratitude to the Future Science Prize Foundation, the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, and all the partners for the work well done.

Here in Hong Kong, our vision is to emerge as a leading international innovation and technology hub. It will be a key engine of our economic growth and an important source of career opportunities. Central to this vision is the seamless integration of upstream basic research with downstream industrial application. Basic science is the foundation of all technological innovation, and Hong Kong is well-positioned with our world-class universities and research institutions. And together with Shenzhen and Guangzhou, we have been ranked the world's most innovative cluster by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

At the same time, we are actively advancing the commercialisation of research outcomes and building a stronger innovation and technology ecosystem. This is driven by a multi-pronged strategy: first, directing market capital into strategic and emerging sectors such as AI and biotech — that is why we set up the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, which is patient capital willing to invest in small, early-stage companies with cutting-edge technologies, even though their eventual success may be uncertain.

Second, establish a dedicated office, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, to attract leading tech leading enterprises. Third, we also modified our various talent admission schemes to expand our talent pool.

And finally, deepening collaboration with cities across the Greater Bay Area and other areas to enable synergistic collaboration and development.

This is a collective endeavour that calls for strong cross-sector partnerships. I invite all of you to join us in speedily turning this vision into reality.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we bring this memorable Future Science Prize Week to a close, let us remember that science is humanity's guiding light — a universal force for good that recognises no borders. In that spirit, Hong Kong will always welcome global scientific talent and remain open to international collaboration and exchange.

Together, we can build a future of shared prosperity and boundless opportunity for humanity.

And finally, please mark your diary for another important event: December 7, our Legislative Council election day. It is important for our future.

Source: AI-found images

Speech by FS at Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

FSD and BD conduct joint inspection and enforcement operation against industrial buildings

In response to earlier media reports on fire safety issues in certain industrial buildings, the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Buildings Department (BD) are highly concerned about the situation and conducted a joint inspection and enforcement operation targeting industrial buildings from December 29 to 31, 2025, with a view to ensuring public safety.

An industrial building in Kwun Tong, Photo by Bastille Post

The FSD and the BD inspected a total of nine industrial buildings located in various districts in Kowloon and the New Territories during the joint operation. The fire personnel identified a total of 261 irregularities related to various fire hazards, such as obstruction or locking of means of escape, defective or wedged-open smoke stop doors, as well as fire service installations or equipment (FSIs) that were defective or not in efficient working order. The FSD took immediate enforcement action against the persons concerned.

An industrial building in Kwun Tong, Photo by Bastille Post

Among the cases related to obstruction of means of escape, the FSD instituted three prosecutions and issued 22 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices (FHANs), requiring the persons concerned to abate the fire hazards within a specified period. Should they fail to comply with the requirements of the FHANs within the period, the FSD will institute resolute prosecution. In addition, inspections revealed that some buildings had defective smoke stop doors and FSIs. The FSD will issue FHANs to the persons concerned and continue to take follow-up action.

The Buildings Department (BD), Photo source: reference image

The BD identified 13 subdivided flats suspected of being used illegally for domestic purposes. Further investigations are now under way, and letters have been sent to the relevant owners and occupiers asking them to contact the BD as soon as possible to arrange an inspection of their flats. Otherwise, the BD will consider applying for a court warrant to enter the premises for inspection. If it is confirmed that the flats in question have been used for illegal domestic purposes, the BD will take enforcement action in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance, including ordering the cessation of illegal domestic use and rectify the dangerous situations. The BD also identified in the operation that there was dilapidation in the exit staircases of one of the industrial buildings, but no obvious danger to the overall building structure was noted. The BD has issued a repair order to the owners' corporation for conducting the necessary repair work.

The Fire Services Department (FSD), Photo source: reference image

Apart from inspection and enforcement, the FSD also carried out fire prevention education and publicity at the same time during the operation to enhance fire safety awareness among owners and occupiers of industrial buildings, thereby mitigating fire risk from the source. The BD has also long been promoting building safety and the proper use of buildings through various channels, including distributing themed posters to management offices of industrial buildings for displaying in prominent places to serve as a reminder to owners and occupiers that industrial buildings must not be used illegally for domestic purposes.