SITI's Visit to Sweden Enhances Hong Kong-Sweden Innovation and Technology Collaboration

SITI commences visit to Sweden

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). The visit aims to further deepen exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Sweden in innovation and technology (I&T), and to gain a deeper understanding of Sweden's experience and achievements in a high degree of integration of education, technology and industry.

In the morning, Professor Sun visited KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and met with the Vice President of Global Relations, Professor Stefan Östlund, to exchange views on deepening international collaboration. KTH is the largest technical education and research university there. Professor Sun received a briefing on the Institute's latest developments in innovation ecosystem and biotechnology research and development. Both sides also explored new collaboration opportunities in frontier fields such as life sciences.

Professor Sun pointed out that the National 15th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong developing into an international I&T centre, accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, and supporting Hong Kong to build an international hub for high-calibre talent. Sweden possesses world-class research capabilities and an innovation ecosystem that emphasises on both scientific research and industry application. He said he hoped to learn from Sweden's successful experience in the development of industry-academia-research integration, so as to transform the Northern Metropolis into an international hub of I&T and education, and promote the co-ordinated development of education and technology in the Northern Metropolis University Town.

Professor Sun then attended a roundtable luncheon hosted by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. The Academy is the world's oldest engineering sciences academy, dedicated to promoting engineering sciences and the advancement of industry for the benefit of society. At the luncheon, Professor Sun shared that Hong Kong is making every effort to develop into an international I&T centre by continuously improving its I&T ecosystem, converging global research talent, capital and technology, and promoting the deep integration of industry, academic and research sectors. He emphasised that with the unique advantage of enjoying strong support from the Motherland and close connection to the world, Hong Kong could act as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" in facilitating I&T co-operation between the Chinese Mainland, Sweden and other European countries, as well as serve as a gateway for overseas enterprises to develop their businesses in the Mainland.

In the afternoon, Professor Sun visited the Karolinska Institutet and met with the Vice President, Professor Martin Bergö. They had an in-depth exchange on topics including the syngergistic innovation of industry-academia-research and attracting talent, and explored opportunities to further enhance collaboration between research institutes and higher education institutions in both places. The Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical schools, renowned for its life science research. Professor Sun was also briefed about the Institutet's innovation and research outcomes transformation ecosystem, and he also learned about the Flemingsberg Science Foundation's work in building a local life science cluster, as well as showcases of advanced therapies by local enterprises.

Professor Sun also visited the renowned SciLifeLab, a national life science laboratory to advance molecular biosciences. Jointly established by four universities including the Karolinska Institutet, KTH, the Stockholm University and the Uppsala University, the laboratory has fostered numerous Nobel Prize-winning R&D(research and development) achievements.

In the evening, Professor Sun attended a dinner reception co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden. He stated in a keynote speech that Hong Kong is committed to promoting innovation and facilitating global collaboration, pointing out that Hong Kong and Sweden are both open and innovation-driven economies with highly compatible development directions. With I&T as the core of its economic strategy, Hong Kong is actively advancing key industries such as life and health technologies, AI and robotics, as well as advanced manufacturing and new energy, and establishing partnerships with leading global research institutions through platforms like InnoHK.

Professor Sun pointed out that Hong Kong is advancing a number of crucial I&T development projects, including the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, new initiatives in AI and life and health technology, continuously expanding digital infrastructures, and the forthcoming HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund. These initiatives will further strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international I&T centre. He sincerely invited Swedish enterprises, research talent and investors to deepen co-operation with Hong Kong.

Professor Sun also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Sweden, Mr Zhou Limin, to introduce Hong Kong's strategic positioning as an international I&T centre, and point out that under the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will actively expand co-operation with international I&T partners, including Sweden, to continuously enhance its innovation capabilities and international competitiveness.

Upon his arrival in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10, Professor Sun immediately visited Tekniska Museet, which is the city's largest museum of science and technology. The museum is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage related to science and industrial history and showcasing to the public how technology drives social, cultural and economic development. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will make good use of the two science-related museums in Hong Kong and relevant educational facilities to organise more diverse science popularisation activities to further enhance the public's technology literacy.

Professor Sun will continue his visit to Sweden on May 12 (Stockholm time), and proceed to visit Helsinki, Finland later on the same day.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), visited Tekniska museet in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10 (Stockholm time), which is the city's largest museum of science and technology, to learn about the cultural heritage related to science and industrial history there. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (centre), visited Tekniska museet in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10 (Stockholm time), which is the city's largest museum of science and technology. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Sweden, Mr Zhou Limin (right), in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended a dinner reception co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Photo shows Professor Sun delivering a keynote speech at the dinner reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (first right), visited the SciLifeLab in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (centre), visited the SciLifeLab in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (second row, centre), visited the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), visited the Karolinska Institutet and held a meeting with the Vice President, Professor Martin Bergö (right), in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (fourth right), attended a roundtable luncheon hosted by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and gave a sharing at the luncheon in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (eighth right), visited KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and met with the Vice President of Global Relations, Professor Stefan Östlund (seventh left), to exchange views on deepening international collaboration in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third right), visited KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and met with the Vice President of Global Relations, Professor Stefan Östlund (second left), to exchange views on deepening international collaboration in Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, accompanied by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Dr Peter Lam, yesterday (May 11, Bordeaux time) witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wine and Food Tourism Promotion between the HKTB and the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB).

Before the signing of the MOU, Miss Law and Dr Lam met with the Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Thomas Cazenave; the Vice President of the CIVB, Mr Philippe Tapie; and the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux and President of the Bordeaux Tourism and Conventions Office, Mr Fabien Robert, to exchange views on strengthening cultural and gastronomic promotion ties. They jointly witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Wine and Food Tourism Promotion between the HKTB and the CIVB to facilitate collaboration in the promotion of fine wine and food.

"Following my official visit last year, I am delighted to be back in the world capital of wine to further strengthen the enduring ties between Hong Kong and France," Miss Law said.

Miss Law also commented that the strong ties built with the CIVB and other key Bordeaux partners, together with the leadership of the Chairman of the HKTB, Dr Lam, and the Executive Director, Mr Anthony Lau, had made the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival held in October last year a resounding success, attracting over 160 000 attendees during the four-day festival.

Miss Law and Dr Lam earlier visited Villa Primrose, home to the BNP Paribas Primrose International Tennis Tournament, which runs from May 11 to 17. Beyond its sporting competitions, the tournament has become a major highlight of Bordeaux's events, attracting visitors worldwide by offering a wide range of activities at the century-old Villa Primrose during the competition period.

On May 10 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law and Dr Lam visited the Bassins des Lumières. Opened in 2020 in Bordeaux, this world's largest digital art centre is housed within a vast former World War II submarine base. It features immersive 360-degree digital exhibitions, where art is projected onto concrete walls and reflected in the water of four gigantic basins. Visitors walk across footbridges or sit on the bleachers to watch masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Matisse, Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dalí set to music.

Miss Law will continue her visit to Bordeaux on May 12 (Bordeaux time).

SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases