SITI: InnoEX 2026 Launches with Focus on AI and Global Innovation Collaboration

Opening remarks by SITI at InnoEX Opening Ceremony cum Luncheon

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the InnoEX Opening Ceremony cum Luncheon today (April 14):

Dr Gerd Müller (Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization), Sophia (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Sophia Chong), Secretary-General Ren Xianliang (Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to InnoEX 2026. A special warm welcome to our Guest of Honour, Dr Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, for joining us today.

Today, we celebrate the opening of the fourth edition of InnoEX. This year's theme - "Innovate • Automate • Elevate" - is all about technology. The four letters "T-E-C-H" aptly describe why we host the annual exhibition, what we strive to achieve, and how we make the best out of this international forum.

"T" stands for Thriving Participation. This year's InnoEX is buzzing with energy - we have over 550 exhibitors coming from 21 countries and regions, seeing a continuous growth in both number and diversity. As we welcome patrons from Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, we greet new friends from Austria, Germany, Hungary, Israel, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the United States. Our motherland also continues to show a strong presence, with 18 pavilions from 17 provinces and cities from the Chinese Mainland, and they are coming with larger delegations.

"E" stands for Elevation. At the core of InnoEX 2026 is AI+, empowering innovations with AI. The AI force spurs possibilities and elevates the potentials of robotics, smart living, low-altitude economy, property technology and retail applications. Highlights this year include the "RoboPark" zone showcasing over 100 robots from up-and-coming and heavyweight companies, as well as the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, staged by our Digital Policy Office to demonstrate Hong Kong's unwavering commitment to not only having AI for entertainment but also bringing real improvements to people's lives with AI.

"C" stands for Connection and Collaboration. InnoEX is more than an exhibition - it is a vibrant nexus where start-ups meet investors, researchers meet industry, and local enterprises meet global markets. InnoEX 2026 hosts more than 80 exchange and networking sessions. The collaborative spirit of InnoEX is further bolstered by myriad events of the "Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week)".

Last but not least, "H" stands for Hong Kong. We take pride in hosting InnoEX and the BIT Week events as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Hong Kong enjoys the staunch support from our country. With our unique advantages under "one country two systems", Hong Kong is the best place to link businesses and opportunities between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world.

Hong Kong's leading role as a global I&T hub is cemented by two important events this week. The World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit that opened yesterday here in Hong Kong speaks volume of our role as a "super connector". Later today, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau will sign a joint statement on collaboration to advance industrial development, innovation and digital transformation.

On this note, I express gratitude to DrMüller for your visit to Hong Kong, which will lay a solid foundation for international partnerships to help foster inclusive and sustainable industrial solutions to the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, T-E-C-H is not just an acronym - it is our promise for the future. My sincere thanks to you all for being part of this exciting journey, and also to our long-standing partner, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, under the leadership of Sophia, for bringing InnoEX to the next higher level.

May I wish you all a fruitful "InnoEx-perience", and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, speaks at the InnoEX Opening Ceremony cum Luncheon today (April 14). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition on selected paintings and poems by Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) is presenting the exhibition "On Flowers: Selected Paintings and Poems by Chao Shao-an" from tomorrow (April 15). Themed around "emotions anchored in nature", this exhibition features a fine selection of over 30 exquisite paintings of flowers and plants by Professor Chao Shao-an from the HKHM's collection. The works are complemented by the artist's poetic inscriptions, achieving a seamless fusion of poems and paintings.

ProfessorChao (1905-1998), a master painter of the Lingnan School of Painting, is best known for his bird-and-flower paintings, and dedicated his life to the study of nature. As a keen observer, he captured the myriad forms and graceful rhythms of flowers and plants in his nimble brushwork and brilliant composition, producing floral works that exemplify the style of the Lingnan School of Painting.

The exhibition focuses on ProfessorChao's floral paintings with poems, showcasing multiple layers of meaning in his works. In paintings "Bird on Winter Pine", "Weeping Cicada in Chilly Wind", "Plum Blossoms", and "Orchid", ProfessorChao took pine trees, bamboo, plum blossoms, and orchids, and imbued them with noble virtues. By incorporating ancient poems into his portrayals of crab apple blossoms after the rain, magnolia flowers in winter and apricot blossoms blowing in the wind, ProfessorChao fuses natural beauty and literary sentiment on sheets of paper. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to feel as if they are in the splendid world of the master's ink art, and experience the poetic artistry embodied in the works.

Painting demonstration videos with rare footage of ProfessorChao teaching and painting will be shown at the gallery. From demonstrating brushwork and composition skills to colour application, visitors can have a deeper understanding of the master's creative process.

To tie in with the exhibition, the HKHM will organise activities and guided tours with free admission. At the Petals and Ink: Handmade Gift Card Workshop, participants can create their own unique handmade gift cards, write floral blessings, and share their heartfelt messages to friends and family. Moreover, a variety of engaging educational activities and guided tours will be held to enable visitors of all ages to step into the world of Lingnan blossoms, explore the charm of art, and extend their museum journey beyond the exhibition.

The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and organised by the HKHM. It is held at the Chao Shao-an Gallery, 1/F, the HKHM. Admission is free. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.heritage.museum/en/exhibitions/csa_flower.html.

The exhibition is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit ccpo.gov.hk/en.

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition on selected paintings and poems by Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition on selected paintings and poems by Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition on selected paintings and poems by Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition on selected paintings and poems by Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition on selected paintings and poems by Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Heritage Museum to stage exhibition on selected paintings and poems by Lingnan School of Painting master painter Chao Shao-an Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases