Professor Sun Promotes Hong Kong's Innovation Potential in Bangkok to Foster Tech Collaboration with Thailand

2026-01-28 22:42 Last Updated At：01-29 11:47

SITI visits Thailand

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, visited Bangkok in Thailand today (January 28) to promote Hong Kong's edges and vast potential to the local innovation and technology (I&T) sector with a view to strengthening collaboration in I&T between the two places.

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SITI visits Thailand Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SITI visits Thailand Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Professor Sun attended a dinner seminar, themed "Building growth and resilience for the future: Hong Kong as the strategic hub for technology, innovation and investment", co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong and the Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association during which he delivered a keynote speech to the local I&T community. Professor Sun said that Hong Kong is currently moving full speed ahead in building a world-class I&T ecosystem. Thailand has made significant strides in recent years in terms of strengthening its digital infrastructure, nurturing start-ups, advancing smart manufacturing, and promoting specific sectors such as healthtech, agritech and greentech. These developments align closely with Hong Kong's strengths and lay fertile ground for deeper collaboration between the two economies.

"Hong Kong's I&T landscape is characterised by 'three major I&T parks' and 'five key R&D (research and development) institutions'. This ecosystem is designed to accelerate technological advancement, attract global talent, and strengthen the city's position as a rising international I&T hub. While embracing international co-operation through our InnoHK Platform, we welcome universities and research institutes in Thailand to join the venture."

Professor Sun stressed that Hong Kong is the perfect destination for Thai companies that wish to connect with the Mainland Chinese market, with the official opening of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone last December.

The Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, Mr Vincent Ma, who also joined the visit, introduced to the guests at a panel discussion the latest developments of their respective parks.

This morning, Professor Sun visited the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) of Thailand under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand to understand the DEPA's strategies in promoting digital economy and innovation development, which cover digital transformation for industries and small and medium-sized enterprises, digital platform building, and supporting measures for development of digital-related industries as well as Thailand Digital Valley project. Both sides had an exchange on collaboration between the DEPA, and the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hetao Hong Kong Park.

Professor Sun also visited Charoen Pokphand Group, a Thailand-based conglomerate with a highly diversified business portfolio. He had a discussion with the Group's management to learn about its latest development and investment plans in advanced manufacturing, as well as those of the Group's telecommunication enterprise, True Corporation, in digital infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, and retail businesses.

Professor Sun then visited the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management, Mahidol University and toured its frontier research facility. As a key innovation hub in Thailand, the institute specialises in supporting technology transformation, innovation management and research commercialisation. Both sides explored collaboration opportunities in areas including joint research, technology transfer and start-up incubation between Hong Kong and the institute.

In addition, Professor Sun met with the Federation of Thai Industries and exchanged views with the local industrial and manufacturing sectors on co-operation in new industrialisation and industrial upgrading and transformation. During the meeting, he invited Thai enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform to jointly develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international markets.

Upon his arrival in Bangkok yesterday afternoon (January 27), Professor Sun immediately met with the Thai Health Tech Association, to learn about the association's work in promoting digital health innovation. He was briefed by leading local health tech enterprises and start-ups as well as representatives of hospital organisations on their technology, product development and market planning.

Professor Sun then visited the True Digital Park of the True Corporation to learn about the Park's operation in fostering the growth of I&T enterprises and facilitating the application of technologies. The Park features modern offices, co-working spaces, innovation laboratories and event venues, offering an I&T ecosystem that brings together international and local technology enterprises, start-ups and venture capitalists.

Professor Sun also called on the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Mr Zhang Jianwei, to introduce the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's plans in promoting I&T, emerging industries, digital economy and more, and to exchange views on further I&T co-operation between Hong Kong and Thailand.

Professor Sun will depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tomorrow (January 29) to continue the visit.

Secretary Sun Confident in Smooth Launch of $2 Flat Rate Transport Discount for Elderly

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video)

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (April 3), after observing the implementation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" on the first day at Tiu Keng Leng Station Public Transport Interchange. Following are Mr Sun's remarks at the media session:

Reporter: How do you evaluate the first-day roll-out of the scheme, and how do you address the fact that some elderly are not comprehensively understanding the whole implementation?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Today, 3rd of April, is the date when the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" is officially launched. For minibuses and for buses, the launch time was midnight today. For the MTR, it started from its first train which departed the terminal at 5.30am this morning.

So far, based on our territory-wide promotion, and also my own personal contact with the elderly through my visit to Wong Tai Sin including a public market and a restaurant, most of them are familiar with the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". They know the operation is very straightforward, for any fare that is at $10 or below, they still just need to pay $2. For fare that is over $10, the elderly just bare 20 per cent of the cost, and the rest of the fare will be borne by the Government. I gave them an example, for a bus fare that charges an adult for $15, the elderly people with JoyYou card would only have to pay $3, i.e. 20 per cent of the fare.

So, apart from today, we are also going to step up our promotion through television, radio and posters which have been posted all around Hong Kong. Also, as you can see, in 75 spots in Hong Kong, we are stationing the ambassadors for a total of three weeks. They are in the spots to help answer questions about the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". Apart from that, we have had the support of district councillors, Care Team members, and also staff of our welfare NGOs (non-governmental organisations). They are using their own ways to explain the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". We are pretty confident that the scheme is now being launched smoothly, and for those who will be using the new arrangement, they know about the operation.

Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)