FS: Highlights AI's Transformative Role at 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit Main Forum

Speech by FS at 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit Main Forum

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit Main Forum today (April 13):

(Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, Mr Wang Jingtao), (Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, Mr Ren Xianliang), Professor Francis Gurry (Vice-Chairman of the World Internet Conference), Honourable Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is both a pleasure and an honour to join you today. Allow me to offer my warmest welcome to everyone here for this important summit.

The era of digital intelligence

We meet at a moment when digitalisation and intelligent empowerment are reshaping every sector of our economies and our societies. In this process, there is no force as pivotal and transformative as artificial intelligence.

Today, we are witnessing a redefinition of connectivity - one that is no longer characterised by digital links, but bydigitalintelligence. The emergence of agentic AI, which has become a hot topic this year, marks a clear leap forward. We now see systems that do not simply execute instructions, but can plan, co-ordinate and act towards a goal.

I believe we are entering an era of digital intelligence, one marked by several defining features.

First, universal connection. The Internet of Things is steadily becoming a reality. With AI, the scale and depth of connectivity will grow, as more data and more devices are drawn into an integrated network. New forms of connection will emerge. For end users, we can expect more seamless and personalised devices, including, in time, direct interfaces between the human brain and the digital world.

Second, convergence of data. New layers of data generated by constant interaction will inspire new products, new services and new patterns of consumption. The ability to integrate data across sectors, interfaces and platforms will become a critical resource and asset for business development and innovation.

Third, interoperable AI. The rapid progress of large language models has shown us that no single model is perfect. Different systems have different strengths - and limitations. We can expect a future in which models compete and collaborate at the same time, with different AI systems working together to combine their best capabilities and applications and, in doing so, to accelerate innovation.

Finally, more intelligent decision-making. AI is already helping us make better and faster decisions in many fields. But it is worth stressing that, no matter how advanced the technology, it is people who must make the final judgment. Human responsibility, values and wisdom must guide how we design, deploy and govern these powerful tools.

Opportunities and challenges

The potential benefits brought by this era are enormous. Agentic AI is enabling new products, services and applications across the economy. It is also lowering barriers of entry to smaller players. One-person companies and small enterprises, with access to advanced analytics and automated operations, can now run lean, high-impact businesses with far lower cost.

At the same time, we are all familiar with the risks, from algorithm bias and cybersecurity threats to misinformation and deepfakes brought by AI. These risks may well be amplified as AI becomes more pervasive, and they remind us that several key issues must be addressed. They include the ultimate human control of AI systems, data security, resilience of digital infrastructure, as well as accountability and governance for agentic AI.

Hong Kong's value proposition

Ladies and gentlemen, against this backdrop, allow me to share how Hong Kong is positioning ourselves, and the value we seek to create in this new era.

First, we are taking forward an "AI+" strategy. AI has tremendous transformative power across industries, and across both public and private sectors. Hong Kong is determined to enable more AI applications to be developed, tested and deployed in real-world settings.

That is why, as announced in this year's Budget, we have set up the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy, which I chair. This Committee brings together leaders from industry and academia to explore how AI can best transform key sectors, such as life and health technology and embodied AI.

Nurturing talent and raising digital literacy are central to this strategy. In the age of digital intelligence, our community must know how to work with AI agents, using them to create value, while remaining alert to their risks.

This is a twin-track effort, focused on both specialist talent and the wider public. On the one hand, Hong Kong is building a strong AI talent pipeline by attracting top minds to our universities, research institutes and technology companies. On the other, we have launched the "AI Training for All" initiative to promote broad-based understanding and application of AI across society, so that students, professionals and the broader community are ready to seize the opportunities of the AI age.

Second, we are advancing a "Finance+" strategy. Hong Kong is an international financial centre, with a comprehensive funding ecosystem that serves companies and projects at every stage of development. The era of digital intelligence will bring forward new and frontier applications that require patient and sophisticated capital. Our task is to put Hong Kong's financial strengths to full use, helping technology enterprises capture this window of opportunity and providing the funding support they need to accelerate innovation.

Third, Hong Kong is developing as a hub for data and innovative applications. We are where Mainland and international data, talent and capital converge. This gives us a unique vantage point to develop new applications that can serve both domestic and global markets.

At the same time, we recognise that innovation often comes with new risks. Here in Hong Kong, sandboxes have become a defining feature of our regulatory approach across sectors. They allow regulators to work side-by-side with innovators, testing new tools in a controlled environment, identifying risks early and providing timely, practical feedback. We believe this approach encourages more responsible innovation, and Hong Kong can be a trusted centre for AI innovation.

Closing

Ladies and gentlemen, looking ahead, the era of digital intelligence will offer vast opportunities - with AI as a force for all, and a force for good. To realise this, we will need imagination, the courage to experiment, and, above all, sound human judgment to guide the way forward.

To capture this moment, we must work together. By sharing experience, developing good practices and building concrete partnerships, we can ensure that technological progress remains sustainable, responsible and inclusive. Hong Kong is ready and willing to deepen its engagement with regional and international partners in this endeavour.

That is why platforms like the Summit today are so important. I wish it every success, and all of you good health and the best of business. Thank you very much.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit Main Forum today (April 13). Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit Main Forum (with photo/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

AMS open day promotes National Security Education Day

To promote the National Security Education Day, the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) held an open day at its headquarters in Ho Man Tin today (April 19). The event aimed to enable members of the public to learn about the work of the AMS in safeguarding national security, to enhance public awareness of national security, and to further deepen their understanding of the daily operations and services provided by the AMS.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said that safeguarding national security is the common responsibility of all. National security is not confined to single area; it is closely linked to finance, public health, and everyday community life. Among the 20 major fields of national security, biosecurity is closely related to the work of the AMS. The AMS provides various services to the public, including non-emergency ambulance transfer services, first aid coverage during large-scale public events, as well as duty at country parks and cycling tracks. The AMS spares no effort in safeguarding the safety and health of the general public. He would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to the members of the AMS for their unwavering dedication and commitment to protecting the public.

The Commissioner of the AMS, Dr Ronald Lam, said that this year marks the beginning of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, and the theme of this year's National Security Education Day is "Proactively Align with the 15th Five-Year PlanFollow a Holistic Approach to Development and Security". The AMS has been strengthening members' and cadet corps' understanding of national security through various channels. In the past year, the AMS organised the "Together, We Set a New Record" event, setting a Guinness World Record for "Most pairs of people applying arm slings simultaneously", to promote the importance of first aid knowledge to the public. He expressed gratitude to all sectors for their support to the AMS, and added that the AMS will spare no effort in safeguarding national security and contribute to building a healthy and safe Hong Kong.

The open day featured a variety of engaging activities, including national security-themed game booths, first aid demonstrations, band foot drills, medical and health seminars, health screenings, as well as displays of ambulances and first aid bicycles. Through these activities, members of the public could gain a deeper understanding of the daily work of the AMS, access more health information, learn about developments in the healthcare sector, and at the same time enhance their awareness of national security.

AMS open day promotes National Security Education Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AMS open day promotes National Security Education Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AMS open day promotes National Security Education Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AMS open day promotes National Security Education Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AMS open day promotes National Security Education Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AMS open day promotes National Security Education Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases