HKICC 2025: Advancing AI Transformation and Innovation in Hong Kong

Speech by SITI at opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2025

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Computer Conference (HKICC) 2025 today (November 17):

尊敬的萬寧副部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Wan Ning), Mr Dave Chen (President of the Hong Kong Computer Society), Mr Andre Blumberg (Conference Chairperson of the HKICC 2025), Professor Jin Hai (Vice President of the China Computer Federation), Dr Albert Wong (Programme Chairperson of the HKICC 2025), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you all today at the HKICC 2025. The Conference has long served as a vital platform for cross-sector dialogue and technological advancement. This year's theme, "Scaling AI Transformation Beyond Experimentation", captures a timely and important leap in AI development.

AI is evolving from exploratory initiatives to real-world applications, driving productivity, resilience and competitiveness across sectors. In addition to the national proposal of the "AI+" initiative last year, the 15th Five-Year Plan announced last month reaffirms our country's support for Hong Kong to develop as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. With national support and a strategic foundation in place, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is committed to contributing to the country's prosperity by building an AI ecosystem where innovation flourishes, collaboration deepens and impact lasts.

The HKSAR Government took a number of moves to accelerate the conversion of AI concepts into impactful applications. A key milestone is the establishment of Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) in late 2024, which will further be ramped up this year to meet the growing demand for high-performance computing power. We hope that this AISC will provide the necessary infrastructure for R&D (research and development) breakthroughs to be transformed into scalable business solutions for enterprises. We have also put in place the AI Subsidy Scheme to enable easier access for local research institutions and companies to these supercomputing resources.

Furthermore, the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will be established next year to serve as Hong Kong's dedicated AI institution. The Institute will focus on the full development cycle, from upstream research to midstream transformation, as well as downstream industry adoption. We are also going to enhance the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme to assist eligible small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting off-the-shelf AI solutions in their daily operations.

In parallel, the Government is accelerating the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Co-operation Zone (Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone) in the Loop (Hong Kong Park), where AI is positioned as one of the key pillar industries. To facilitate scientific research and AI application testing, we are actively exploring with the relevant Chinese Mainland authorities the expansion of the cross-boundary flow of research data from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong for use by enterprises and organisations in the Hong Kong Park. We believe the establishment of a cross-boundary data flow management mechanism will facilitate safe and convenient flow of data between the two places.

In addition, a 10-hectare site at Sandy Ridge in the Northern Metropolis will be developed into a high-tier data facility cluster, providing advanced computing infrastructure to support data-intensive innovation across AI and data-driven industries. This will further strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional digital infrastructure hub, and advance the development of a digital economy and smart city initiatives.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong's AI journey is entering a new chapter. As we lay the infrastructural foundation and provide the necessary policy support, we call for collective efforts from across sectors to build the future of Hong Kong AI development, and participants of today's Conference are definitely our key partners on this front.

Before I close, may I invite all registered voters to cast your vote on the polling day on December 7. My sincere gratitude goes to the Hong Kong Computer Society for bringing together this impactful event. I wish the HKICC 2025 another year of great success! Thank you.

Photo source: The official website of HKICC

Speech by SITI at opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.

Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.

The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:

(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.

(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.

"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.

To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.

Source: AI-found images