International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 Kicks Off in Hong Kong, Promoting Clean Energy Development and Collaboration

International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 opens

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026, organised by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and co-organised by the China Hydrogen Alliance, was held today (May 18) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), kicking off a series of activities for Hydrogen Week. The diversified programme includes thematic forums, an industry exhibition, public education activities and technical visits, offering an interactive exchange platform for the trade, and integrating policy, technology, finance and education elements to fully demonstrate Hong Kong's distinctive role and position in aligning with the national hydrogen strategy under the 15th Five-Year Plan.

The opening ceremony was officiated by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying; the Chief Engineer of the National Energy Administration, Mr Liu Deshun; the Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Department (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office) of the State Administration for Market Regulation, Mr Zhu Zhongliang; the Deputy Director-General 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 Ye Shuiqiu; the Second-level Inspector of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Xia Fangming; and the Secretary-General of the China Hydrogen Alliance, Mr Liu Wei.

Delivering a welcoming speech at the symposium, Miss Wong stated that under the country's "dual carbon" goals, Hong Kong is striving to halve its carbon emissions from the 2005 level by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen development helps drive the clean energy transition and plays a key role in achieving carbon neutrality, bringing with it opportunities. Hong Kong will continue to serve as a demonstration base for hydrogen technologies, and provide green financing and professional services to facilitate the export of innovations developed in the country and scale up relevant hydrogen initiatives globally.

In his speech, Mr Poon said that Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages of connecting with the Mainland and the world. It will play a role in regulatory alignment by establishing standards and certification systems to connect domestic and international markets. At the same time, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong can establish smooth financing channels for green capital and the hydrogen industry, and help build a global hub for hydrogen exchanges and co-operation. He thanked over 120 speakers from 16 countries for their contributions, and encouraged participants to learn about the latest hydrogen developments through the industry exhibition.

During the symposium, the EMSD signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation. The MOUs aim to promote the development of hydrogen ecosystems and enhance technical co-operation in gas safety between the two places. In addition, 10 enterprises from the Mainland, Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea also signed an MOU to collaborate on hydrogen business development in Hong Kong, fostering regional integration of the hydrogen supply chain and demonstrating a commitment to decarbonisation.

The three-day symposium, running from today until May 20 at the HKCEC, brings together representatives from government departments, the industry and academia from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. It provides an exchange platform for the latest technological developments, engineering solutions and future trends. The symposium aims to promote global co-operation and innovation in the hydrogen industry. An exhibition area of nearly 4 000 square metres is also set up to enable participating enterprises to showcase their hydrogen products and market solutions.

For public education, various science education activities and competitions will be held during Hydrogen Week to deepen students' understanding of carbon neutrality and hydrogen technology in an entertaining yet educational way. Key events include the "HydroRace Challenge 2026", in which students can incorporate AI and coding elements into assemblies and racing, learning the principles of hydrogen applications through hands-on experience. Students from the Mainland are also invited to Hong Kong to compete alongside local youths, promoting interactions and inspiration on green technologies between the two places. Moreover the "H2Future for Good Challenge" encourages secondary school students to propose innovative solutions on topics related to hydrogen and low-carbon living, using STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) knowledge. The Net Zero Youth Forum will connect young engineering talents from Hong Kong and around the globe to explore practical pathways for Hong Kong to serve as a regional energy transition hub and further deepen cross-regional exchanges.

Following the symposium, the EMSD will lead technical visits to the Yangtze River Delta region from May 21 to 23, including visits to national testing bases, key laboratories and major hydrogen enterprises, to develop on-the-ground understandings of hydrogen application outcomes in various scenarios.

For more details on Hydrogen Week and the symposium, please visit the event website at h2symposium.com.

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (11th left), the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying (12th left), and other symposium guests who toured the industry exhibition to learn about hydrogen products and market solutions from the industry. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026, organised by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and co-organised by the China Hydrogen Alliance, was held today (May 18) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (first row, ninth left); the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying (first row, seventh left); Legislative Council Members Ms Elizabeth Quat (first row, second left), Dr Hoey Simon Lee (second row, fourth left), Mr Chan Siu-hung (second row, eighth left), Mr Aaron Bok (second row, ninth left), Dr Chan Han-pan (first row, fourth right), Mr Chan Pok-chi (second row, sixth left), Mr Jonathan Stuart Lamport (second row, seventh left), Mr Lothair Lam (second row, eighth right) and other symposium guests at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows representatives of 10 Mainland, Hong Kong and Korean enterprises signing a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on hydrogen business development in Hong Kong and foster regional integration of the hydrogen supply chain, witnessed by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (back row, second left); the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying (back row, first left); the Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau (back row, first right); and the Deputy Minister for Territorial and Urban Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea, Mr Jeong Eui-kyung (back row, second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying (right) and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, Dr Bahk Gyurnggoog (left) signing a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance technical co-operation in gas safety between the two places, witnessed by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying (right), and the Deputy Minister for Territorial and Urban Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea, Mr Jeong Eui-kyung (left), signing a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the development of hydrogen ecosystems between the two places, witnessed by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, addressing the symposium. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, delivering a welcoming speech at the symposium. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 18). Photo shows (from left) the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying; the Deputy Director-General 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 Ye Shuiqiu; the Chief Engineer of the National Energy Administration, Mr Liu Deshun; the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Department (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office) of the State Administration for Market Regulation, Mr Zhu Zhongliang; the Second-level Inspector of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Xia Fangming; and the Secretary-General of the China Hydrogen Alliance, Mr Liu Wei, officiating at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with video)

Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (May 19):

Reporter: Good morning, Mr Lee. A few questions. President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, agreed to build a constructive relationship of strategic stability during talks last week. What's the significance of that to Hong Kong, and how will that impact the SAR? And on the number of ride-hailing licences the Government is going to issue, how would the Government determine that number amid concerns over not enough vehicles for ride-hailing, and the impact on the taxi trade? Thank you.

Chief Executive: The visit to China by the US President is a historic and landmark one. The two heads of government have agreed to set up a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability and reached important consensus to keep economic and trade ties stable, expand practical co-operation in various fields, and properly address each other's concerns. This is of great significance.

A constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability means stability with co-operation as the mainstay, competition within proper limits, appropriate management of differences, and prospects of peace. China and the US have also achieved positive outcomes in economic and trade discussions, covering areas such as tariff arrangements, trade and investment co-operation, market access, and purchase of items.

The consensus reached by the two heads of government injects more certainty and stability into China-US economic and trade relationship and the global economy. Such certainty and stability is beneficial to Hong Kong's economic and trade development, beneficial to Hong Kong-US trade, and also beneficial to the world trade.

Hong Kong is an externally oriented economy susceptible to the influence of the main market. More certainty and stability in the market will greatly reduce the impact of external turbulence on Hong Kong, allowing Hong Kong to focus more on building a vibrant economy, pursuing development and construction, and improving people's livelihood. The positive outcomes of this summit meeting between the two heads of government have given me even greater confidence in Hong Kong's positive future development.

Regarding ride hailing, over the past decade or so, ride-hailing services have operated without a proper legal framework. Through sustained efforts, the current Government has changed the situation and filled the regulatory gap. The Government put in place the legal framework for regulating ride-hailing services in October last year and enacted the principal legislation. On the number of ride-hailing vehicles, the principal legislation has already stipulated that overall control on the number will be implemented. Different sectors of society, including online car-hailing platform operators, the taxi trade, and the community, have expressed different views. The Transport and Logistics Bureau is gathering views from the community and the trade and will use the actual data and situation to carefully formulate an appropriate proposal.

At the first stage of implementing overall control, I think we need to strike a balance among the following factors: First, address the public's travel needs, so that their riding experience remains more or less the same. Second, take into account Hong Kong's unique circumstances, including road capacity, and the fact that nearly 90 per cent of daily passenger trips are made using public transport services. Third, establish a mechanism to monitor actual market operations and data and conduct dynamic assessments and reviews.

The Government's objective in setting up the regulatory regime for ride-hailing services is to ensure that ride-hailing services operate within a lawful, appropriate, and safe framework while fostering healthy competition and complementarity between taxi and ride-hailing services, thus enhancing the overall quality of point-to-point transport services and providing the public with more convenience and options. While putting the regulatory regime in place, the Government will introduce enhanced penalties and tighten vehicle impoundment arrangements to combat unlicensed vehicle operations and to protect lawful operators and compliant operators as well as passengers. The Government will consider views from all parties and relevant data and aim to submit the subsidiary legislation to the Legislative Council within the first half of this year. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, Photo source: reference image