Public consultation on Budget launched
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (December 17) officially commenced the public consultation exercise for the 2026-27 Budget.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "In 2025, despite considerable external challenges, Hong Kong's economy has demonstrated strong resilience and is making steady progress. The Government's efforts to reinforce and enhance Hong Kong's status and competitiveness as an international financial centre, along with its comprehensive policies to drive economic and innovation and technology (I&T) development, are beginning to bear fruit. These developments are creating favourable conditions for Hong Kong's continued advancement.
"2026 marks the first year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Key issues for the upcoming Budget will include how Hong Kong can further broaden and deepen its economic development, accelerate the nurturing and application of I&T, expedite the upgrading of industry structures, and better integrate into and contribute to national development. They also include creating more high-quality job opportunities and ensuring that the benefits of economic progress and diversification are widely shared across the community.
"In preparing the new Budget, we aim to gather views from different sectors, engage with the public, and draw on collective wisdom. We welcome all members of the community to actively share their views, so that we can work together to build a better and more vibrant Hong Kong."
Members of the public can share their views through various channels, such as visiting the website www.budget.gov.hk, or by email (budget@fstb.gov.hk), phone (2810 3768), fax (2147 5770) or post (Budget Consultation Support Team, 24/F, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong).
Photo source: budget.gov.hk
Opening remarks by SITI at "CUHK and MicroSigX partner to launch breakthrough test aiding early autism diagnosis"
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the "CUHK and MicroSigX partner to launch breakthrough test aiding early autism diagnosis" today (December 17):
Professor Chan (Choh-Ming Li Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics of thethe Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Francis Chan), Professor Ng (Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Croucher Professor of Medical Sciences, Professor Siew Ng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. I am pleased to join the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong) at the launch of its groundbreaking innovation in early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Congratulations to CUHK Faculty of Medicine and MicroSigX on your achievements, which once again exemplify the fruitful outcomes of our collaborative efforts in innovation and technology (I&T).
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is firmly committed to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. This vision builds on our flourishing life and health technology research, underpinned by the close collaboration among the Government, industry, academia, and research sectors. We have been channeling more funding support into our universities for commercialising their research and development (R&D) outcomes through various initiatives such as the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme launched in 2023. The Scheme has been well received by universities as well as the industry sector. Since its inception, a total of 49 projects were supported in the first two rounds, covering various technological fields including health and medical sciences, new materials and new energy, artificial intelligence and robotics, etc, with the total funding amounting to over $2 billion.
Another major I&T initiative of the Government to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre is the InnoHK Research Clusters. InnoHK leverages Hong Kong's advantages as an international city to promote global I&T co-operation and bring together leading researchers from around the world to conduct R&D in collaboration with local universities. The Government has encouraged the research centres under InnoHK to further increase the adoption rate of R&D projects, promote recognition in the industry and accelerate technology transfer and commercialisation of R&D outcomes. It is worth noting that MicroSigX's technology is in part underpinned by the research conducted at Microbiota I-Center, a research centre established under InnoHK. We are happy to see that our research centres under InnoHK are turning upstream R&D into real application and products in the market.
Today's pilot initiative not only marks a milestone in commercialisation of research and development outcomes, but also benefits the underprivileged local families by providing free tests to those in need with the assistance of non-governmental organisations. This is exactly our ultimate goal in promoting I&T: harnessing technological breakthroughs to benefit our society as a whole. We genuinely hope that advances in technology will bring meaningful benefits for society at large and improve people's quality of life.
The Government will continue to provide robust policy and support to enhance the overall I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong and develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Let us work hand in hand to realise this vision. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
Opening remarks by SITI at "CUHK and MicroSigX partner to launch breakthrough test aiding early autism diagnosis" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
