HONG KONG, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Jointly organized by the International Alliance of Academicians (IAA) and the Hong Kong Association of Overseas-Returned Scholars (HKAORS), the 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum will take place on 14 April at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The Forum has received strong support from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as well as the local innovation, technology, and education sectors. As a major annual event of the IAA, the Forum is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and has been included as a key programme of Hong Kong's Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) 2026.
The Forum aims to establish an international academic dialogue platform that transcends disciplines and borders, bringing together the world's foremost research minds to focus on the innovative application of artificial intelligence in health and higher education. It also seeks to attract high-calibre academic resources and collaboration opportunities to Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector, contributing forward-looking "Hong Kong Solutions" to global challenges such as population aging and educational transformation.
With the rapid global technological and industrial transformation, Hong Kong has reached a new level of integration into and support for the nation's overall development. The city is now fully advancing its inaugural five-year development plan, with "AI+" designated as one of its core strategic directions. Closely aligned with the evolving technological, economic, and social landscape, this year's Forum takes AI empowerment as its central theme, featuring multiple cutting-edge topics that address pressing issues such as ageing societies, chronic disease management, and innovation in higher education transformation. Through in-depth international exchange, the Forum seeks to explore new possibilities for integrating technology with society.
The Forum is honoured to receive significant recognition from the HKSAR Government. Mr. John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, will deliver the opening address via video message, and Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, will grace the occasion with his presence and share remarks. This high-level engagement underscores the HKSAR Government's steadfast support for the advancement of artificial intelligence and international academic exchange, and highlights the important role of this Forum in driving Hong Kong's innovation and technology development.
Focusing on Two Key AI Themes, Gathering Global Academic Authorities
The Forum boasts an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, including Fields Medalist Professor Shing-Tung Yau, alongside over a dozen globally renowned academicians and experts from the fields of medicine, artificial intelligence, and higher education. Presidents, vice-presidents, and leading scholars from local universities will also join the dialogue, contributing to discussions at cutting-edge development.
Centred on two critical domains concerning "human freedom and development" in the age of AI—health and education, the Forum features two core sessions: "Ageing and Chronic Disease Management: Challenges and Innovations" and "AI and Innovation in Higher Education." These sessions will be chaired by Professor Chak-sing LAU, Dean of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong; Professor Yike GUO, Provost of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Professor Peng GONG, Vice-President (Academic Development) of The University of Hong Kong. Together, they will lead participants in exploring future directions and practical pathways.
Promoting Academic Exchange and Facilitating the Translation of Research Outcomes
Through plenary lectures, roundtable discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive dialogues, the Forum aims to foster an open and in-depth atmosphere for exchange. As part of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) 2026, the Forum aspires to facilitate discussions that not only spark intellectual collisions but also drive the translation of academic achievements from research into application, thereby injecting sustained momentum into Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem.
As a flagship annual event of the IAA, this Forum will further strengthen Hong Kong's role as a bridge connecting the global scientific community, consolidate its status as an international academic hub, and provide powerful impetus for the development of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre.
About the International Alliance of Academicians (IAA)
The International Alliance of Academicians was initiated by leading figures in Hong Kong's scientific community. Its Founding Chair is Professor Nancy Y. IP, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The Co-Chairs include Professor Pierre-Louis LIONS, Fields Medalist (1994); Professor Xiang ZHANG, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong; and Sir Christopher PISSARIDES, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences (2010). The Alliance is dedicated to connecting top-tier transdisciplinary and cross-regional scientists and innovation talents, promoting international research collaboration, academic exchange, and knowledge transfer. Through high-level forums and events, it fosters deep partnerships between local research and educational institutions and the global innovation and technology network.
We cordially invite professionals and enthusiasts from all sectors to join this distinguished gathering, engage with academicians and leading scholars from around the world, and explore the frontiers of knowledge and innovation together.
For details, please visit the official website: https://iaaforum.com/2026-forum-2/
Disclaimer:
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material/event (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Innovation and Technology Commission or the General Support Programme Vetting Committee of the Innovation and Technology Fund.
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2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum to be Held on April 14: Gathering Global Wisdom to Chart a New Blueprint for AI-Empowered Health and Higher Education
ANSHUN, China, May 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 21, at the Guizhou Anshun Tourism Development Conference, Mafengwo Travel Group officially launched three flagship "New Mountain Play" benchmark projects — Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge — while jointly releasing the 2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook with the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism. By redefining mountain outdoor travel experiences through "new play," the initiative injects fresh momentum into Anshun's positioning as an international mountain tourism destination.
"Personalized travel is rising rapidly. Tourism is transitioning from a 'sightseeing economy' to an 'experience economy.' More than just 'having been there,' travelers today seek emotional value from scenic spots and related projects," said Chen Gang, Founder and CEO of Mafengwo, in a speech titled *Co-creating the Super Play Era of Mountain Tourism*. He noted that leveraging benchmark new-play projects such as Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge, Mafengwo will work with Anshun to integrate "new play, new formats, new marketing, and new consumption" into a holistic innovation ecosystem for destination-wide play. Together, they aim to revitalize natural resources, energize industrial momentum, link rural revitalization, and jointly build Anshun into a national hub for new mountain play.
At a time when travelers are increasingly weary of "man-made check-in spots" and homogenized internet-famous projects, the newly launched projects abandon the old path of large-scale construction. Instead, they return to the wild itself, adopting a "light development, heavy experience" approach to create mountain plays that are "wild on the outside, refined on the inside." Huangheying Water Cave focuses on "natural wonders + interactive adventure," using its original "water-cave" karst features to create a genuine sense of "underground exploration." Lotus Ancient Cave, based on a massive natural cave, integrates "light ultimate" activities such as via ferrata, rappelling, and cave drop towers, allowing ordinary visitors to feel adrenaline-pumping "heart-racing moments" in a natural setting. Luoyang Glasswater Gorge follows the original river course, using natural elevation differences to design trails for hiking, canyoning, and waterfall rappelling, with minimal artificial construction, emphasizing the pristine "glass water" and an eco-harmonious, back-to-nature mountain experience.
At the "2026 Anshun Mountain Tourism New Play" sharing session, Mafengwo Travel Group and the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism jointly released the *2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook*. Ten selected plays in non-traditional mountain settings were featured, including "Night Tour of Dupo Tang — Immersive Journey into the World of Journey to the West," "Watch Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Spider-Man' Climb Cliffs for Bird's Nests," and "370-Meter Free Fall at Balinghe Bridge." These showcase how Anshun creatively uses its karst landscapes as a natural "amusement park" for mountain experiences.
He Weihong, Vice Mayor of Anshun, stated in his address: "In Anshun, the 'City of 21°C,' mountains are no longer just scenery to be viewed. They are living fields to be climbed, immersed in, jumped over, and breathed in. Anshun will take this conference as an opportunity to accelerate the internationalization of its mountain tourism and build a first-class mountain outdoor sports destination." During the event, Anshun Tourism Group also promoted its mountain outdoor travel routes.
By early 2026, the number of outdoor sports participants in China had exceeded 400 million, with participation in mountain hiking, trail running, rock climbing, and canyoning rising year by year. Driven by the dual trends of "nationwide fitness" and "pan-outdoor" activities, mountain play is moving from niche circles to the general public. Unlike the high barriers of traditional outdoor activities, Anshun's new plays target the blue ocean market of "light ultimate + strong experience + high shareability." Whether it's a "bridge bungee jump," checking out the natural wonder "Eye of the Great Sage," or experiencing a "Journey to the West fantasy" at night by Dupo Tang Waterfall — these activities are novel, beginner-friendly, and serve as natural content and social currency.
Anshun's mountain play innovation has also attracted international attention. Anouar, Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourism Office in China, noted in his speech that Anshun's innovation in integrating mountain tourism and sports is worth learning from for many international peers. He noted that Tunisia has diverse mountain resources across the country, with history embedded in the mountains and culture in the scenery — this is the unique charm of Tunisia's mountains. He looks forward to China-Tunisia cooperation to explore more mountain tourism opportunities and co-create new partnership models.
An international dialogue session brought together representatives from the Norwegian National Tourist Board, Visit Flanders (Belgium), and the Saudi Tourism Authority to discuss mountain outdoor tourism upgrade from a global perspective. The guests agreed that they were delighted to see that Anshun is not simply replicating a "Switzerland of the East" but is creating an entirely new "universal language of mountain tourism." The internationalization of mountain tourism is not about imitation but about excavating the unique narratives of local landscapes — with its green mountains and clear waters as the canvas and play innovation as the brush, Anshun is painting a vibrant new picture for the world.
A domestic dialogue session brought together frontier explorers, practitioners, and experts in mountain sports tourism to discuss the future development of mountain sports tourism from the perspectives of communities, products, and operations. Qin Chuan, Founder of Wanan Youth Travel, noted that with technological advancements and equipment iteration, more and more "outdoor novices" without professional training can enjoy the pleasures of the wild. Currently, Wanan Youth Travel is selecting and developing "super single products" and continuously improving service quality to deliver ultimate outdoor experiences to visitors.
After the conference, industry guests conducted on-site inspections of new play projects, including Lotus Ancient Cave, Dupo Tang Night Tour, Anshun Ancient Town, and Getu River. Wang Yu, Chief Representative of the Norwegian National Tourist Board in Greater China, remarked: "Anshun and Norway share many similarities. Anshun's new mountain plays emphasize 'light development, heavy experience.' Take Lotus Ancient Cave — it doesn't feel like a 'designed' scenic spot, but rather an extension of Anshun's natural mountain charm itself, an experiential field you can fully immerse yourself in. The scale of this 'light ultimate' experience is just right — thrilling enough, yet truly authentic."
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Light Ultimate, High Experience, Original Ecology, Personalization -- Mafengwo and Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism Co-create New Forms of Mountain Tourism
Light Ultimate, High Experience, Original Ecology, Personalization -- Mafengwo and Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism Co-create New Forms of Mountain Tourism
