Professor Sun Dong Celebrates Engineering Heritage and Future Innovations at Canadian Conference in Hong Kong

Speech by SITI at Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference - A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellence

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference -A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellencetoday (January 24):

Chairman Kan (Chairman of the Iron Ring 100 Organising Committee, Mr Fred Kan), Charles (Consul General of Canada to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Charles Edwin Reeves), deans, distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join all of you here at the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference.

Today, we mark a milestone of profound significance as we celebrate the centennial of the Iron Ring, a symbol that has guided generations of Canadian engineers in their commitment to integrity, humility and service to society. As a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, today's gathering in Hong Kong bears especial meaning to me. Like many of you, my studies and work experience in Canada have shaped my teaching and research journey in Hong Kong, and continue to inspire my work until this day.

For one hundred years, the Iron Ring has not only reminded engineers of their professional obligations, but also borne witness to the passage of time and the progress of civilisation. As we honour this century-long legacy, we must also look ahead and recognise that engineering is undergoing unprecedented transformation. The next hundred years of engineering, like the whole world, will be defined, and redefined, by innovation and technology (I&T).

Hong Kong is embracing this transformation with ambition and determination. Guided by the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint promulgated in 2022, the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionGovernment is investing heavily to build a fast-growing, globally-connected I&T ecosystem powered by solid R&D (research and development) capability, world-class talents, and an increasingly vibrant startup community.

Home to five of the world's top 100 universities, Hong Kong has a rich pool of top-tier scientists, engineers, and tech talents, and possesses exceptional strengths in scientific research. Our flagship global research collaboration initiative, the InnoHK Clusters, which hosts 31 research centres, pools together over 30 world-renowned non-local universities and research institutes from 12 economies to collaborate with our local universities. The University of Waterloo and the University Health Network stand among our most valued partners, contributing Canadian excellence to Hong Kong's research landscape. To welcome more top-notch talent to Hong Kong, we have launched the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme.

In recent years, Hong Kong has also taken decisive steps to strengthen its position in frontier technologies. Notably, we have established the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute in 2024 to drive third-generation semiconductor research and accelerate the transformation of R&D outcomes into industry applications. And we will also set up the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute within this year.

Furthermore, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone formally commenced operation last month, housing more than 60 enterprises at the moment. The Park signals our commitment to building world-class innovative platform and deepening cross-boundary collaboration. We welcome I&T talent and enterprises from around the world to join us in our I&T journey.

Over the years, Hong Kong and Canadashare many similarities and a wide range of common interests. We both thrive on engineering ingenuity, education aspiration, and a bold vision for I&T development. As we navigate an era defined by AI, robotics, and rapid technological transformation, the I&T partnership between the two economies will become ever more vital.

The presence of eight distinguished Canadian engineering deans at this conference speaks to the strength of our academic ties and the shared vision we hold for the future. Let us further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and Canada, between engineering, innovation, and beyond.

Finally, I congratulate the organising committee on this remarkable milestone and wish you all a rewarding conference. Thank you.

Speech by SITI at Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference - A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised Chinese New Year receptions in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time), and Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time), bringing together over 220 guests from local business, public and community sectors in the two countries.

Jointly organised by Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), with the support of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, the reception in Barcelona was held to coincide with the Mobile World Congress (MWC), and was well attended by guests including the Hong Kong innovation and technology (I&T) delegation attending the MWC, as well as local start-ups, enterprises and related institutions.

In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted that I&T had become a new growth engine for Hong Kong. "We are building a more complete innovation value chain, one that integrates basic research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing," she said.

Ms Yung also mentioned that Hong Kong achieved a new milestone of having over 5 200 start-ups last year, representing an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. She encouraged European companies, talent and students to come to Hong Kong to leverage the opportunities arising from the rapid development of the I&T sector and related infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis.

Hong Kong's wine and liquor trade as well as related business opportunities were the special focus of the reception in Dublin. Together with the HKTDC and InvestHK, with the support of the Dublin Chamber, Brussels ETO held a business seminar before the reception with the local liquor trade to promote the business opportunities that Hong Kong offers as a leading hub for wine and liquor trading and auctions, following Hong Kong's reduction of duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent in 2024.

Ms Yung also highlighted Hong Kong's premier role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and Asia, with the city strategically located at the heart of the region with world-class transport connectivity. She encouraged Irish wine and liquor traders to leverage Hong Kong as a regional hub for trading, distribution, and auctions to expand their market share on the Chinese Mainland and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases