Speech by PSITI at opening ceremony of Asia-Pacific Regional International Astronomical Union Meeting 2026
Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, at the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Regional International Astronomical Union (IAU) Meeting 2026 today (May 4):
Distinguished guests, esteemed scientists and astronomers, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a distinct honour to join you today for the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Regional International Astronomical Union Meeting. To our friends who have travelled from across the region and around the globe, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong. And to local scientists and astronomers, I am sure that you are as thrilled as I am to join this star-studded conference here.
When people speak of Hong Kong, they often envision our iconic skyline, our bustling Victoria Harbour, and our status as a premier hub for finance and trade. But today, I have to invite you to look beyond our skyscrapers - all the way to the stars. Hong Kong is not just a spectator in the cosmos. We are determined, well equipped and well positioned to carving out a unique niche in space technology.
Our nation China has set a visionary strategic direction, and it is accelerating the journey towards becoming a global aerospace powerhouse. Under the unique "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong stands as the only city in the world that seamlessly integrates the "China advantage" with a distinct "global advantage". In fact, the National 15th Five-Year Plan shows unwavering support for Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. This makes us the ideal host for this prestigious IAU gathering, among other prominent international scientific conferences.
Our confidence to be the international I&T centre, alongside aerospace developer, is rooted in a bedrock of world-class excellence. Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the world's top 100, creating an open and vibrant research ecosystem. The Government is steadfast in its commitment to supporting our scientists in participating in national space mission projects, leveraging our strengths in basic research to solve the mysteries of the universe.
In terms of concrete investment, our Innovation and Technology Support Programme supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission, has launched the Special Call on Aerospace Technology, allocating over $100 million to support six flagship R&D (research and development) projects. This includes pioneering work led by our hosts today, the University of Hong Kong (HKU). We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the academic sector to foster a sustainable and thriving aerospace research environment.
We are also proud of the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre (HKSREC), established under the InnoHK research clusters. In collaboration with local universities including HKU and other esteemed partners, the HKSREC is currently developing a multifunctional lunar surface operation robot. This is not a mere academic exercise; this technology will be directly applied to the Chang'e-8 () lunar exploration programme, enabling scientific exploration, instrument deployment, and collaborative operations in the moon's challenging environment. Imagine Hong Kong is now on the moon's surface.
Building on this momentum, I am also pleased to share that the newly established SEAM@InnoHK - our third InnoHK research cluster focusing on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials - has admitted eight cutting-edge R&D laboratories. Among them there is the Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology, which will further strengthen Hong Kong's role in advancing aerospace innovation and contribute to the long-term vision of sustainable space exploration, which is one of the key topics of this conference too.
Equally exciting is the participation of an HKU research team in the country's Tianwen-3 () planetary mission. The Short-Wavelength Infrared Spectrometer, developed right here at HKU, has been officially selected as a payload for the mission. This instrument will be vital for forecasting Martian dust storms and searching for biosignatures. These achievements underscore the Hong Kong Government's strategic initiative to cultivate a local aerospace industry by leveraging our special, unique geographical and institutional advantages.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong may be small in landmass, but our scientific ambition is boundless. With robust government backing, world-class talent, and deep cross-boundary synergy, we are not just witnessing the nation's and the world’s space journey - we are helping to engineer its future.
Lastly, may I wish the IAU Asia-Pacific Meeting every success and hope you all have a rewarding exchange of ideas over these few days.
Thank you very much.
Speech by PSITI at opening ceremony of Asia-Pacific Regional International Astronomical Union Meeting 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Global Fast Track 2026 opens for applications expanded eight-vertical line-up and new online market readiness programme to support global startup expansion into Asia via Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (May 4) announced that applications are now open for the ninth edition of the Global Fast Track (GFT) 2026 until September 25. For the first time, the flagship initiative will cover eight major verticals and introduce a new Online Market Readiness Programme, alongside an upgraded pitching competition. These enhancements provide a platform for innovative technology companies to showcase their solutions, while offering more diverse and flexible pathways to leverage Hong Kong as a launchpad for expansion into Asian and international markets.
Anchored around Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026, the programme offers participating companies tailored business matching, one-on-one meetings with corporates, investors and community partners, live pitching opportunities, mentorship and market-entry support to scale their innovations.
The Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech and Sustainability at InvestHK, Mr King Leung, shared, "Every year, the Global Fast Track continues to impress with the quality and diversity in innovative global solutions spanning fintech and a wide spectrum of cutting-edge technologies. As Hong Kong continues to strengthen its role as an international financial and technology hub, GFT 2026 reflects our long-standing commitment to facilitating cross-border collaboration and sustainable growth. By bringing together global, Chinese Mainland and local innovators with investors, corporates, and service and community partners, GFT has proven to be a powerful platform for validating solutions, forging commercial partnerships and supporting companies as they expand into Asia and beyond."
The Head of Startups at InvestHK, Ms Jayne Chan, added, "With the expansion into more verticals and the introduction of new programme features, GFT 2026 opens up even more opportunities for startups and scaleups to bring bold ideas to life. We are excited to see innovations from a wider spectrum of technology sectors, and to provide founders with a clear and comprehensive pathway to market readiness, visibility and meaningful engagement with decision-makers. Hong Kong offers a unique environment for ambitious companies to test, refine and scale their innovation for international growth."
Eight Verticals Powering the Next Wave of Cross-Industry Innovation
GFT 2026 features its largest and most diverse lineup of verticals to date, reflecting the growing convergence of innovation across industries:
FinTech & InsurTech
Applied AI for Financial Services
Green FinTech, Sustainability & GreenTech
Blockchain & Digital Assets
HealthTech & Life Sciences
AI & Robotics
PropTech & Transport
Consumer, HospitalityTech & Creative Industries
New Features Strengthen Market Readiness and Global Exposure
GFT 2026 introduces several new programmes designed to enhance market readiness and maximise exposure for participating companies:
Online Market Readiness Programme
New to Global Fast Track 2026, the Online Market Readiness Programme is a virtual initiative designed to better prepare participants for market entry and engagement through Hong Kong. Conducted ahead of the in-person programme in Hong Kong, it equips startups and scaleups with practical insights on investor engagement, corporate collaboration, the Hong Kong market landscape, regulatory and licensing considerations, and pitch refinement. Delivered through closed-door discovery sessions, roundtable discussion, and expert-led coaching, and supported by experienced ecosystem partners including Accenture FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific, Felix Strategic Investments, Orange Juice Ventures, AFG Partners, Forms Syntron Information (HK) Limitedand MilestoneThree, the programme provides participants with early exposure to Hong Kong's innovation, investment and corporate landscape, and the commercial readiness needed to maximise opportunities during the programme and beyond.
Enhanced Pitching Competition Platform
The GFT Pitching Competition 2026 has been further enhanced to offer more pitching opportunities and more flexible pathways to the grand finale. The new virtual qualifier rounds, held between April and September, allow companies to pitch online to potential investors and customers in Hong Kong without the need to travel, expanding their early visibility and access to the ecosystem. In addition, companies securing a start-up exhibition booth at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 will be eligible to take part in quick-fire pitches in the main conference, providing another route to reach the semi-finals. From these quick-fire sessions, the top-scoring companies will advance to a mixed-vertical semi-final, and participate in live semi-finals and grand finale during the main conference, offering innovators high-visibility exposure to senior decision-makers.
Beyond the pitching competition itself, all shortlisted companies will have the opportunity to run live product demonstrations on site in front of global audiences, corporates and investors during Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026.
Through these enhancements, GFT 2026 provides a more flexible and accessible pathway for companies at different stages of international growth to engage with Hong Kong's vibrant innovation ecosystem. Since its inception, GFT has supported over 1 000 companies from more than 70 economies, providing meaningful exposure to a regional network of corporates, investors, professional service providers and community partners. Leveraging Hong Kong's strong connectivity with the Chinese Mainland and global markets, the programme further reinforces the city's role as a two-way hub for investment and innovation—helping global startups enter Asian markets via Hong Kong, while supporting Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland companies in expanding internationally.
For details of GFT 2026 and the application process, please visit here.
Source: AI-found images
