Hong Kong Hosts 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit to Explore Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Innovative Development

2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit explores digital and intelligent empowerment for innovative development

Hosted by the World Internet Conference (WIC), organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the 2026 WIC AsiaPacific Summit officially began today (April 13) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Building on its successful debut last year, Hong Kong is once again organising this international Internet flagship event, further reinforcing the city's role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Themed "Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Innovative Development - Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace", the two-day Summit is expected to gather around 1000 government and business leaders, representatives of international organisations, experts and scholars from over 50 countries and regionsto jointly deepen regional digital collaboration, and create new momentum and advantages towards the development of the Asia-Pacific region.

The WIC once again has designated Hong Kong to host the Asia-Pacific Summit, affirming Hong Kong's pivotal role as an important bridge and two-way platform connecting the country and the world. At the opening ceremony this morning, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Chairman of the WIC, Mr Zhuang Rongwen, delivered their remarks respectively. Distinguished speakers including the Minister of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic, Mr Samuel Migal'; the Chief Executive Officer of GSMA Ltd, Mr John Hoffman; and the Chairman of the International AI Governance Association, Mr John Higgins, were invited to share their insights.

After the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Secretary-General of the WIC, Mr Ren Xianliang, cohosted the Government-Enterprise Dialogue, engaging in a comprehensive exchange on government-enterprise collaboration to empower business development. The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, also attended and delivered a speech.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and Professor Sun delivered their remarks at the Main Forum and Distinguished Contributors Gala in the afternoon, outlining Hong Kong's advantages for digital economy and I&T development. The newly introduced Gala featured international I&T dignitaries, including the Chairman of ZTE Corporation, Ms Fang Rong; the Chairman of Ant Misuan, Mr Wei Tao; Founder, Chairman, and General Manager of MetaX, Mr Chen Weiliang; and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BrainCo from Hangzhou's "Six Little Dragons", Mr Han Bicheng, to share their outstanding contributions to spearheading global Internet development. A Hong Kong Dialogue was also staged to feature emerging technology enterprises to engage in an extensive exchange on frontier I&T trends, jointly envisioning the future directions and opportunities for I&T developments.

A first-ever ministerial meeting was convened and co-hosted by Professor Sun and Mr Ren, providing a premier platform for ministerial officials and representatives of international organisations from across the globe to facilitate high-level exchanges and dialogue. I&T ministers from Samoa, Madagascar, Turkmenistan, Burundi and others conducted rigorous discussions on topics such as how AI promotes high-quality economic growth.

The Summit will feature six sub-forums tomorrow (April 14), with each focusing on the latest developments of "Innovation and Application of AI Agents", "Digital Finance", "AI Security and Governance", "AI for a Better Life", "Digital and Intelligent Health", and "Digital Transformation and Dissemination of Classical Texts". Mr Cheung will deliver a speech at the AI Security and Governance forum. The Summit will also be complemented by a series of affiliated activities, including capacity-building events to be hosted by the WIC Digital Academy and a new technology exhibition zone. Details of the Summit are available on the event website (www.wicinternet.org/2026-04/07/c_1173500.htm).

Alongside the Summit, Hong Kong's annual I&T mega event, the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week), is taking place concurrently in April. The InnoEX, themed "Innovate • Automate • Elevate" this year, brings together I&T enterprises, industry elites and buyers from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas to jointly promote the application of cutting-edge technology solutions in five key areas, namely AI+, robotics, the low-altitude economy, property technology and retail technology, while exploring global collaboration opportunities. The series of exciting I&T activities elevates Hong Kong's I&T atmosphere to new heights and accelerates the city's development into an international I&T centre.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (right), today (April 13) addresses the Government-Enterprise Dialogue of 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit. The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (left), also attends. 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, cohost the Government-Enterprise Dialogue of the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit today (April 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit explores digital and intelligent empowerment for innovative development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the 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

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

Speech by CE at HSBC Global Investment Summit 2026 (with photo/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the HSBC Global Investment Summit 2026 today (April 14):

Mr Brendan Nelson (Group Chairman of HSBC), Mr Georges Elhedery (Group CEO of HSBC), Dr Peter Wong (Chairman, Asia Pacific of HSBC), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. And a very warm welcome to Hong Kong. I am delighted to be here, once again, at the HSBC Global Investment Summit, the third edition.

And what a global gathering this is. Joining this summit are more than 4 000 financial leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers from some 1 500 institutions. Over half of you are here from outside of Hong Kong – from some 50 countries and regions.

That's surely a statement of confidence in Hong Kong, and in HSBC's commitment to "opening up a world of opportunity". It's also a telling statement of your support for Hong Kong as an international financial centre. A position that's been made possible with the significant contributions of HSBC, among that of many others.

HSBC was born here in Hong Kong, in 1865. To many of us, HSBC is simply the ''Hong Kong Bank'', a global institution that's been with Hong Kong, in good times and bad, for 161 years – and counting.

That speaks eloquently of our long-standing partnership, something increasingly rare in this 21st century world of formidable uncertainties.

Given today's geopolitical roller-coaster, the global outlook runs from daunting to dire, fragmenting and hindering trade, supply chains and investment flows. And I don't have to tell you that stability and certainty are what businesses and investors – banks decidedly included – value most.

These exact values are Hong Kong's professional calling cards. Stability, certainty and trust are our natural resources – essential to Hong Kong's economy, society and flourishing future.

Like all global cities, Hong Kong has known its share of crises. But we have always bounced back, and emerged stronger than before. Because you can always bank on the resilience, and perseverance, of the people of Hong Kong, and the ''one country, two systems'' principle that guides us.

Under ''one country, two systems'', Hong Kong has developed an internationally respected common law legal system, with a judiciary that exercises its judicial power independently. The free flow of capital, information, goods and talent, plus a low and simple tax regime, enable Hong Kong to play a unique role connecting the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world.

In today's global landscape fraught with uncertainties and dark clouds, such attributes have never been more vital.

Let me share with you some numbers that underline Hong Kong's advantages.

In the latest Global Financial Centres Index, published last month, Hong Kong continued to rank third, globally, and with a higher overall rating. We placed first, globally, in ''fintech offerings'', ''banking'', ''finance'' and ''insurance'', while rising to second place in ''investment management''.

That reaffirms Hong Kong's leadership, and our wide-ranging strengths as an international financial centre.

Many of you may share my view that Hong Kong's market delivered a magnificent performance in 2025. Our Hang Seng Index rose 28 per cent, with average daily turnover soaring some 90 per cent, to over 32 billion US Dollars.

In initial public offerings, our 119 new listings last year raised over 36 billion US Dollars, taking Hong Kong to the top of the global IPO league table.

In asset and wealth management, Hong Kong-domiciled and authorised funds recorded net inflows of about 46 billion US Dollars last year – a ringing affirmation of the confidence international investors place in Hong Kong.

Our family office business remains robust. The number of single family offices now exceeds 3 380, up more than 25 per cent over the past two years.

These, and other figures, are clear and compelling proof of trust – in Hong Kong's financial infrastructure, regulatory framework and buoyant connectivity with the Mainland and the world.

We're now into the second quarter of the year, and global affairs remain complex and volatile, with the large and looming shadow of conflict in the Middle East continuing to weigh on market sentiment.

This year to date, our financial markets continue to perform well, becoming even more active entering March. The average daily turnover of Hong Kong stocks reached nearly 39 billion US Dollars in March, rising eight per cent over the same period last year.

Our IPO market remains in wonderful shape. As of end-March, fundraising had exceeded 14 billion US Dollars, ranking first globally.

Such spirited activity spotlights Hong Kong's dynamic role in global financial markets, especially in times of uncertainty.

Yes, when geopolitical tensions send shockwaves through supply chains, energy markets and investor confidence, this part of the world remains remarkably composed. This, however, is not a passive composure. It's the result of vigilance, proactive engagement and, above all, the commitment to excel in this intricate and inter-connected world.

After all, Hong Kong's ''one country, two systems'' excellence comes not only from the connectivity of the ''two systems''. It lies, more crucially, in ''one country''.

China, our country, is the world's second-largest economy. More than a manufacturing powerhouse, it is fast rising as an innovation hub and hotspot for entrepreneurs. It values multilateralism, and pursues peaceful resolution to problems that beset humanity.

These give Hong Kong all the more reason to integrate into national development strategies. The National 15th Five-Year Plan, approved last month in Beijing, continues to champion Hong Kong's development as an international financial, shipping and trade centre.

The staunch backing of such economic superpower as our country ensures Hong Kong's strengths. It ensures that amid the global chaos, Hong Kong offers what few other international hubs can: uninterrupted business, a stable and secure environment, and a community that understands the hard value of order.

Investors are increasing their asset allocation here. They view Hong Kong as a safe haven for funds. No less important, the stable growth of the Chinese Mainland economy and the large number of high-quality companies listing in Hong Kong offer them – offer you – ample investment opportunities.

More and more of our listings are from fast-emerging technology industries artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics, autonomous driving, biotechnology and other strategic areas. Right now we have more than 500 applications queuing up for a Hong Kong listing.

More companies now see Hong Kong as a critical centre for going global. And we're bringing together Hong Kong's professional services providers from a wide variety of fields, including legal and financial services, marketing and testing and certification, to help companies, in the Mainland and elsewhere, go global. In turn, we help to connect a world of investors to the vast opportunities of the vibrant Chinese market.

We are also capitalising on finance to power high-quality development and sustainable growth, particularly in innovation and technology.

We call it Finance+ using our world-class financial system to fast-track innovation and industry. Two priorities stand out. First, patient capital: the Hong Kong Investment Corporation has invested in some 190 projects, with one Hong Kong Dollar in public money attracting more than eight Hong Kong Dollars in long-term private capital. That eight-fold growth effectively means every one Hong Kong Dollar of public funding we invest – attracts over one US Dollar of capital.

Second, new professional services: the AI wave will create demand for valuation and financing of intangible assets, and we're ready to develop the needed expertise.

We are also extending our financial value chain and diversifying our offerings.

That includes building an international gold trading market. We plan to begin trial operations of our central clearing system for gold this year. We're exploring tax incentives for gold trading and settlement, as well.

We are also building a comprehensive framework to establish Hong Kong as a digital asset hub. We now have 12 licensed digital asset trading platforms, and we continue to expand our key digital asset areas.

Later this year, we plan to introduce a legislative bill for licensing digital asset dealing, custodian, advisory and management services.

Our regulators, let me add, promote digital asset products and services, while working to safeguard investor interests.

Ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to the future of finance, Hong Kong is not, and never will be, a spectator. We are actively building it.

And I invite you to join us in realising the thriving future we all want. Right here in Hong Kong. Where the action is.

For example, there will be no end of action beginning Friday, on and off the pitch, at our world-class Kai Tak Sports Park. Even as a spectator. Yes, it's the annual Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, this year celebrating its proud 50th anniversary.

The riveting tournament is certainly no stranger to you – as HSBC has long been a sponsor of the event. Over the coming few days, you'll see that nobody does rugby like Hong Kong – for half a century, this supercharged spectacle is where the world comes to play. To party. To cheer on the South Stand. And to chug some beers along the way. We're all ready for the revelry!

My thanks to HSBC for this welcome opportunity to talk to you. I wish you all a rewarding Summit, the best of business and investment in this year of risk and reward. Have a memorable stay in Hong Kong, a world city for opportunities, and growth.

Thank you.

Speech by CE at HSBC Global Investment Summit 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases