Speech by SITI at Ministerial Meeting of 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Ministerial Meeting of the 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Asia-Pacific Summit today (April 13):
Honourable Zhuang Rongwen (Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China), Honourable Wang Jingtao (Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China), Professor Francis Gurry (Vice-Chairman of the WIC), Secretary-General Ren Xianliang (Secretary-General of the WIC), distinguished ministers and guests, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government, it is my honour to welcome you to this Ministerial Meeting in the WIC Asia-Pacific Summit, an exceptional opportunity that brings together technology ministers from around the globe and leaders from international organisations. Your presence reflects our shared commitment to shaping a digital future that is beneficial to all our economies.
The rapid growth of AI is reshaping the technology landscape and economic activities. Recent breakthroughs in agentic AI have vividly demonstrated its transformative power. It cannot be more timely and relevant for today's meeting to explore how AI can empower high-quality economic growth.
For Hong Kong, AI is a strategic future industry that will underpin the next stage of high-quality development. We see AI as a transformative force capable of enhancing productivity, upgrading traditional sectors, and fostering new engines of sustainable growth. Our commitment is reflected in a series of forward-looking initiatives.
On financing support, our Innovation and Technology Fund has approved over HK$2.4 billion (i.e. US$307 million) to support research and development on AI, strengthening of innovation capacity, and AI technology transfer. Under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme, strategic industries may receive up to HK$200 million (i.e. US$26 million) per project to set up smart production facilities in Hong Kong. The HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund to be launched this year is expected to guide market capital investment into emerging and future industries, including AI and robotics, and digitalisation, upgrading and transformation. All these initiatives aim to empower enterprises to integrate AI into their operations, enhance productivity and drive high-quality economic growth.
Infrastructure is equally essential. The Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will begin operations in the second half of the year, further supporting AI innovation, research, industrial applications, and better AI governance in Hong Kong. We are also constructing a world-class international data facility cluster to align with the national "AI+" action.
The Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to the ethical and responsible use of AI. We have instituted robust frameworks that set out ethical principles and personal data protection for responsible AI development and use. With the rapid rise of generative AI, we have also promulgated technical standards and employee guidelines to ensure the safe deployment of AI in various settings. Balancing innovation with a rigorous governance framework, Hong Kong ensures that AI adoption is pursued responsibly and sustainably.
As AI continues to advance, there will be unlimited opportunities and possibilities, and so are the associated risks. AI-empowered high-quality growth requires international co-operation. Hong Kong stands ready to work closely with all economies to advance responsible AI development and promote sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific region. I look forward to the insights that we will share so that together we may shape a better AI future. Thank you.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, Mr Ren Xianliang, cohosted the Ministerial Meeting of the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit today (April 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, Mr Ren Xianliang, cohosted the Ministerial Meeting of the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit today (April 13). Photo shows Professor Sun attending the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LCSD to present classical music lecture series "Paganini 24 Caprices" and "Romantic Piano Concertos"
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present two classical music lecture series from May to July, hosted by seasoned music practitioner Jimmy Shiu. Through appreciating the "24 Caprices" for solo violin by early Romantic period musician and Italian violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, alongside a selection of Romantic piano concertos, the lectures will explore the pursuit of virtuosity among musicians and the musical ingenuity embedded in these works.
The first series, "Paganini 24 Caprices", comprises four lectures. In addition to an overview of Paganini's life and musical style, the series will delve into his virtuosic masterpiece, "24 Caprices" - a work revered as a cornerstone of the violin repertoire and regarded as a precursor to 19th-century Romanticism. Each lecture will examine the technical demands of individual caprices, with violinist Wang Liang to present live demonstrations of the complete set. Excerpts will be performed at varied tempos and with different interpretive approaches, offering audiences deeper insights into the musical imagination contained in the entire work.
The second series, "Romantic Piano Concertos", consists of six lectures. Beyond examining the Romantic musicians' pursuit of virtuosity in piano concertos, the series will guide audiences to appreciate representative works composed between 1810 and 1940. It will also provide an overview of the development of the piano concerto, its general framework and new features introduced during the Romantic period, while also touching upon the development of the piano, orchestra and concert hall in the 19th century, and the rise of piano virtuosi as public figures.
Details of each lecture are as follows:
Classical Music Lecture Series 1: "Paganini 24 Caprices"
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Lecture 1
Date: May 20 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 1 - 6
Lecture 2
Date: May 27 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 7 - 12
Lecture 3
Date: June 3 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 13 - 18
Lecture 4
Date: June 10 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 19 - 24
Classical Music Lecture Series 2: "Romantic Piano Concertos"
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Lecture 1: Introduction and the Early Romantics
Date: June 17 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, 'Emperor'" and Mendelssohn's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor"
Lecture 2: Two Charismatic Pianists
Date: June 24 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Chopin's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor" and Liszt's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat"
Lecture 3: The Two A minor Concertos
Date: July 8 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Schumann's "Piano Concerto in A minor" and Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A minor"
Lecture 4: Two Symphonic Concertos
Date: July 15 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Brahms' "Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor" and "Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat"
Lecture 5: Bravura East and West!
Date: July 22 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor" and Saint-Saens' "Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor"
Lecture 6: Romantic of the 20th Century
Date: July 29 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Rachmaninov's "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor" and "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"
Shiu graduated from the Hong Kong Baptist College, where he majored in Composition. He then pursued further studies at the University of Sheffield, the United Kingdom, where he earned a double Master's degree in Composition and Vocal Performance. He has been invited to give lectures and serve as master of ceremonies at concerts, and is also an arranger and choral conductor. Shiu has published several works related to music appreciation, and recently served as the writer of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's 50th anniversary publication.
Wang is currently the second associate concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He has served as soloist and leader at the Young Musicians European Orchestra's summer festival in Italy and Music in the Summer Air in Shanghai. He currently teaches at both the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Hong Kong Baptist University, and serves as visiting professor at Shenyang Conservatory of Music.
All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese and will start at 7.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Each lecture will run for about one hour and 30 minutes. Tickets of "Paganini 24 Caprices" priced at $120, and "Romantic Piano Concertos" priced at $80 (for each lecture, with free seating), are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1950.html.
Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
