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
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica
Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS)today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health (DH), which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture.
Equipped with advanced technologies and state-of-the-art equipment, the permanent GCMTI building will further enhance capabilities in developing CMs testing methods and standards, fostering comprehensive, high-quality, and high-level development of CM in Hong Kong. The GCMTI will leverage frontier testing technology and indicators, explore the feasibility of further developing HKCMMS into an international quality evaluation standard for Chinese materia medica (CMM), thereby fostering cross-regional and international trade development for CMM, bringing benefits to related CMs enterprises and the testing and certification industry.
The IAB members commended the GCMTI for conducting numerous rigorous research projects on CM based on the technical foundation of the HKCMMS project. These efforts have made a significant contribution to the scientific identification of CM, and have led to the development of several innovative testing methods. Furthermore, through technology transfer, the GCMTI has strengthened the capabilities of CM and testing industries in quality control and identification.
To date the GCMTI has completed multiple globally leading thematic projects utilising cutting-edge technologies, such as versatile testing methods for chemical markers in proprietary CM, micro-morphological identifications of CM, and the establishment of a three-dimensional image database for traceable CMM through photogrammetry, etc. The results of GCMTI projects have been uploaded to the website of Chinese Medicines Regulatory Office for reference by the CM industry and the public.
Meanwhile, the 14th Meeting of the IAB on HKCMMS, organised by the DH, concluded successfully today. Experts from various countries completed a review of the safety and quality standards for 16 types ofCMM, as well as an examination of the safety testing requirements for CMM.
During the two-day meeting, the IAB reviewed the standards for a total of 16 CMM, namely Bambusae Caulis in Taenias, Pyrolae Herba, Natrii Sulfas, Dichroae Radix, Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma, Cynanchi Atrati Radix et Rhizoma, Jasmini Flos, Tinosporae Caulis, Inulae Flos, Haematitum, Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia, Vespae Nidus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Aconiti Kusnezoffii Folium, Meliae Cortex and Tripterygii Wilfordii Radix. Following deliberations, the IAB selected 32 CMM as targets for the next phase of standard development.
At the meeting, the experts also reviewed the safety testing requirements for CMM, covering the maximum residue limits for heavy metals, pesticide residues, aflatoxins and sulphur dioxide. The experts are from the Chinese Mainland, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States, etc.
The GCMTI will continue to integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, promote the internationalisation and standardisation of CM through the HKCMMS, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international CM testing and quality control centre.
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
