SITI: Highlights Innovation and Collaboration in Technology and Health at 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum

Speech by SITI at 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum today (April 14):

Professor Nancy Ip (Chair of the International Alliance of Academicians (IAA) and President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), Mr Liu (the First-level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Maozhou), Professor Tu (Secretary General of the IAA and President of the Hong Kong Association of Overseas-Returned Scholars, Professor Tu Wenwei), Professor Yau (Director of Yau Mathematical Sciences Center and Qiuzhen College and Chair Professor at Tsinghua University, Professor Yau Shing-Tung), Professor Warshel (Nobel Laureate 2013, Professor Arieh Warshel), distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you today at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum.

As an international academic organisation rooted in Hong Kong, the Alliance of International Academicians, IAA, has demonstrated remarkable foresight in fostering deep interdisciplinary collaboration. By building a distinguished platform for high-level academic exchange, IAA has capitalised on Hong Kong's connectivity and academic strength to enhance academic excellence, accelerate knowledge transfer, spark innovation partnerships, and reinforce Hong Kong's role as a nexus for global scientific excellence.

Today's forum exemplifies this vision, bringing together leading minds to explore two themes of profound global relevance, namely "Ageing and Chronic Disease Management: Challenges and Innovations" and "AI and Innovation in Higher Education". The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government has introduced a series of forwardlooking initiatives in recent years to strengthen our innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem - particularly in AI and life and health technologies. We are investing strategically in research funding, talent development, and worldclass infrastructure.

At present, there are 30 research centres under the two InnoHK research clusters, focusing on health technologies, and AI and robotics, bringing together 3,000 top-notch researchers from more than 12 jurisdictions. Eight more centres on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials will be established within this year. We also are pressing ahead with the development of the Hong KongShenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, as well as the construction of the San Tin Technopole and the Sandy Ridge data facility cluster. Through funding schemes such as the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme and the forthcoming Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, we are building robust crosssector collaboration platforms that connect the Government, the industry, academic, research and investment sectors to create an ideal I&T environment where scientific discovery can translate swiftly into real-world impact.

Hong Kong's solid R&D (research and development) capability and unique role as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" place us in a pivotal position to foster international I&T collaboration. This week's events offer a vivid demonstration of Hong Kong's role. Alongside this forum, Hong Kong is hosting two flagship I&T events - the World Internet Conference Asia- Pacific Summit and the InnoEX. Their presence here underscores Hong Kong's capability to gather global talent, capital, and enterprises, and to bring together scientific leaders, industry pioneers, and policymakers within a single week. It is a powerful reminder that Hong Kong is a place where the world comes together to chart the future of innovation.

As we look ahead, I encourage all participating experts to make full use of Hong Kong as a platform for deeper collaboration with both Chinese Mainland and international partners. Whether in healthy ageing, chronic disease management, AIenabled education, or frontier technologies yet to emerge, Hong Kong offers a fertile ground where ideas flourish and global challenges are addressed. May I also take this opportunity to invite you to visit our InnoEX, which is taking place next door at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, to experience Hong Kong's robust I&T ecosystem.

In closing, I wish you all an inspiring, impactful, and visionary day ahead. Thank you.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, addresses the 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum today (April 14). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks

Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation yesterday (October 15) in Tuen Mun to combat processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks, and seized about 6 800 items of suspected counterfeit hard disks with a total estimated market value of about $50 million. Six persons were arrested.

After an in-depth investigation by Customs officers and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs took special operation yesterday and raided five industrial units in Tuen Mun. Five men and one woman were arrested, including five Mainland persons and one local person aged between 31 and 59. Large batches of suspected counterfeit hard disks, packaging materials and tools were seized.

In addition, Customs seized approximately 20 000 second-hand hard disks suspected of awaiting processing in the industrial units. It is believed that the arrested persons first purchased large quantities of second-hand hard disks and used items such as adhesive removers to remove the original labels from the second-hand hard disks. They then used specialised hard disk electronic equipment to format the hard disks, and affixed labels of various major brands, sealed them in anti-static bags, and offered them for sale.

The arrested persons have been detained for investigation. The investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.

Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who forges a trademark, sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases