Science and Technology + New Quality Productive Forces Summit 2025 is Unveiled, Attracting over 300 Entrepreneurs and Scientific Researchers to Discuss the Knowledge Revolution in the AI Era Together

The "Science and Technology + New Quality Productive Forces Summit 2025" was held on December 16th. Over 300 renowned entrepreneurs, scientists, and scholars from research institutions and universities from nearly 20 countries and regions gathered together to have in-depth discussions over the topics, including the knowledge revolution in the AI era, etc.

The Science and Technology + New Quality Productive Forces Summit 2025, Photo by Bastille Post

The Science and Technology + New Quality Productive Forces Summit 2025, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chan Kwok-ki, the Acting Chief Executive of the Government, stated that since China's 15th Five-Year Plan has supported Hong Kong in building an international innovation and technology center, the government will fully leverage Hong Kong's role as a bridge connecting both internally and externally to attract enterprises with cutting-edge technologies and high-level research capabilities to set up in Hong Kong, expanding the local innovation and technology ecosystem. As of the end of October this year, nearly 500 potential or leading innovation and technology enterprises have planned to settle in Hong Kong or expand their related business here. He believed that more enterprises would join hands with Hong Kong to cultivate new quality productivity in the future.

Mr. Chan Kwok-ki, Photo by Bastille Post

He also pointed out that, focusing on cutting-edge technology fields, Hong Kong established the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute (MRDI) last year to promote the cooperation between university R&D centers and the industry in the aspect of research and development of key technologies such as third-generation semiconductors and their related industrialization. Meanwhile, the establishment of the Life and Health Technology Research Institute has also been promoted to facilitate cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary scientific research cooperation. Moreover, the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will be established in 2026 to guide and support the technological innovation and application of artificial intelligence. He also mentioned that as of the end of October this year, nearly 500 potential or leading innovation and technology enterprises have planned to develop in Hong Kong, enhancing his belief that more enterprises will join hands to cultivate new quality productivity in Hong Kong in the future.

Mr. Luo Yonggang, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Luo Yonggang, the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, said that the development of new quality productive forces is the key to promoting high-quality development. Since Hong Kong is a bridge connecting the Mainland and the world with strong basic scientific research strength and obvious advantages in the fields of artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing industry, and FinTech, all the sectors in Hong Kong should seize the opportunity to contribute to the development of the city.

Prof. Sun Dong, Photo by Bastille Post

Prof. Sun Dong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the government of Hong Kong, stated that the government has supported nearly 500 innovation and technology enterprises and promoted the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology center based on the development framework of three science and technology parks and five R&D institutions. Among them, some buildings of the first phase of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park have been established, with nearly 60 enterprises signing up to settle in. Currently, the government is carrying out negotiations with the Mainland to facilitate the cross-boundary and convenient flow of innovative elements.

Prof. Sun pointed out that the first three buildings of the first phase of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, including two "wet laboratory" buildings and one talent apartment, have been established. The construction of the remaining five buildings is being advanced under the development mode of "simultaneous building construction and enterprises' entry", which is expected to be gradually completed from 2027. He also said that Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park is about to open after the preparation of more than a year. Currently, nearly 60 enterprises have signed contracts with the park and have started to settle in. The government is actively carrying out negotiations with relevant departments in the Mainland to formulate plans for the promotion of the cross-boundary flow of innovative elements, such as people flow, logistics, capital flow, and data flow, etc. between the park's binary sides of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Prof. Frederick Ma Si-hang, Photo by Bastille Post

Prof. Frederick Ma Si-hang, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, stated that HKTDC will cooperate with the government to give scope to Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and build a world-class business platform to assist enterprises in realizing digital transformation, expanding e-commerce, and international markets. Meanwhile, a series of activities will be launched to promote the commercialization of research and development achievements. Moreover, projects will also be utilized to popularize start-up technologies, contributing to the development of China.

Ms. Cheng Cheung Ling, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Cheng Cheung Ling, the President of the Hong Kong China Friendship Association, said that a cross-industry win-win cooperation is expected to be achieved via the summit to promote the implementation of future cooperative projects in Hong Kong. At the same time, she also announced that the "International Medical Investment Transformation Association" would be established to focus on the development of cutting-edge medical technologies and improve the global medical standards.

The Science and Technology + New Quality Productive Forces Summit 2025, Photo by Bastille Post

The Science and Technology + New Quality Productive Forces Summit 2025, Photo by Bastille Post

FSD steps up inspections and encourages industry to inspect fire service installations and equipment

The Fire Services Department (FSD) said today (December 16) that in response to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the department has maintained close collaboration with relevant property management organisations and stepped up inspections of fire service installations and equipment (FSIs) in buildings since December 4, with a view to enhancing building fire safety.

The FSD has redeployed manpower internally to enhance inspections of FSIs in buildings, particularly those undergoing major maintenance, and has proactively inspected the functional status of fire alarms. Should any non-compliance be identified, the department will conduct thorough investigations and decisively take enforcement actions. At the same time, the department has redeployed personnel to promptly follow up on reports of abnormal operation of FSIs in buildings and will take appropriate enforcement actions accordingly.

In addition, the FSD has earlier engaged in in-depth exchanges with the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA), the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies Limited (HKAPSA), the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS), and the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong (REDA). The FSD emphasises that, apart from ensuring that annual inspections of FSIs are conducted in their premises in accordance with the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations (Cap. 95B), property management bodies must also proactively discharge their management duties and assist property owners in properly maintaining the FSIs in common areas to ensure their continuous and effective operation. The FSD also reminds property management personnel to inspect the FSIs regularly during daily work and assist owners and their organisations to handle any damage or malfunctions of the FSIs in a timely manner.

To address public concerns regarding the performance of building fire alarms, stakeholders have agreed to promote voluntary fire alarm testing to safeguard public safety. The scope of the testing includes:

Checking that manual call points are intact and capable of activating the fire alarm system;

Ensuring stable power supply to FSIs and reliable operation of standby power supply; and

Verifying that signals transmitted from fire control panels are normal with no false alarms or failures.

The HA and the HS have arranged to conduct fire alarm tests progressively in all public rental housing estates and residential projects under their management. The PMSA and the HKAPSA have issued letters reminding the industry practitioners to fulfil their responsibilities by strengthening daily management and preventive measures, and enhancing fire safety awareness and response capabilities among staff and residents. In addition, the REDA will urge its members to actively respond to this call. The Association of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors has also expressed full support by encouraging the industry to proactively contact owners' organisations and property management companies to implement voluntary fire alarm tests.

The FSD will continue to lead the Inter-departmental Fire Investigation Task Force to investigate the cause of the fire at Wang Fuk Court, including investigation of the FSIs. As the investigation has revealed that the condition of the buildings' FSIs may involve criminal elements, the case is being followed up by the Police.