Professor Sun Dong Celebrates 25 Winners at Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2026 Ceremony

Speech by SITI at Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2026 Award Presentation Ceremony

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2026 Award Presentation Ceremony today (June 2):

Bernard (Chairman of the Awardee Selection Committee of the Innovation and Technology Scholarship, Mr Bernard Chan), Mr Liu Maozhou (First-level Inspector 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), Helen (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Ms Helen Hsu), Marina (Chief Operating Officer, Hong Kong, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Ms Marina Tong), Joseph (Chairman of the Innovation and Technology Scholarship Administration Committee, Dr Joseph Lee), my good colleagues Kevin (Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi) and Ivan (Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee), distinguished guests, parents, students, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to join you today at the Innovation and Technology (I&T) Scholarship 2026 Award Presentation Ceremony.

This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Scholarship. Over the past decade and a half, the programme has nurtured a total of 400 promising young talents, forming a distinguished network of multidisciplinary pioneers. May I extend my warmest congratulations to the 25 bright winners this year for joining this talent club. This Scholarship is not only a recognition of your academic excellence, but also a testament to your passion and potential in the ever-evolving I&T landscape. I am particularly encouraged to see more of our awardees applying their expertise to address social challenges and create a positive impact through their initiatives.

With the rapid development of frontier technologies in recent years, we are fortunate enough to live and breathe in a transformative era of humankind. Hong Kong is blessed to have the staunch support of our motherland in our pursuit of becoming an international I&T centre. Bolstered by world-class academic credentials, a vibrant financial ecosystem, and the immense I&T driving forces available in our country, Hong Kong is well positioned to emerge as a pivotal hub for global I&T development.

Over the past few years, we have invested heavily in strengthening our I&T infrastructure. The Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone officially opened last December. We are poised to capitalise on the robust synergy and deepening collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen brought by this world-class I&T platform. Other major initiatives are also taking shape, including the San Tin Technopole, the Life and Health Technology Research Institute as well as the third InnoHK cluster which focuses on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials. Together, they provide fertile ground for top-notch scientists and young innovators to pursue new discoveries and breakthroughs.

Infrastructure alone does not create innovation. Talent does. With the concerted efforts of the government, industry, academia, R&D (research and development) and investment sectors, the Hong Kong I&T ecosystem is now more vibrant than ever, offering ample opportunities for young people like you to make your dreams come true. Just last week, Hong Kong's I&T story reached a new milestone. The remarkable accomplishment of Dr Lai Ka-ying, a payload expert from Hong Kong joining the national manned spaceflight mission for the first time, reminds us that I&T is not a distant concept, but attainable pathways for Hong Kong talent. I hope that Dr Lai's journey can inspire more young people to pursue I&T and to believe that their aspirations can take them as far as space. I trust that this Scholarship will serve as a launchpad for your future contributions to the I&T development of both Hong Kong and our nation. Through overseas exchanges, mentorship programmes, or local internships, the Scholarship empowers you to see further, think deeper, and dream bigger.

Before I close, I would like to thank the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups for hosting the Scholarship, and the generous funding support of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and the Innovation and Technology Commission. My special thanks to members of the two Scholarship Selection Committees, for their unwavering dedication and commitment to ensure robust screening procedures of the Scholarship; and to our Scholarship mentors for generously sharing their wisdom and experience with our young winners.

I wish all of you good health, good luck and every success in all your endeavours. Thank you!

Source: AI-found images

Speech by SITI at Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2026 Award Presentation Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote construction standardisation to enhance competitiveness of GBA's construction industry

The Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province (DHURDGP) today (June 2) signed the Cooperation Agreement on Guangdong-Hong Kong Construction Standardisation (Agreement) to establish a collaborative mechanism for construction standardisation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, co-ordinating and leading the formulation ofthe Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) construction standards.

The Agreement was signed by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the DirectorGeneral of the DHURDGP, Mr Guo Haoyu. Deputy Director of the Department of Standards and Norms of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Mr Fan Hongzhu, and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, also attended the signing ceremony.

Under the mechanism, the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments will jointly set up a working group and a technical committee, and invite experts from relevant sectors to form expert committees. The Building Technology Research Institute and the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research Group Co, Ltd will serve as the secretariats for Hong Kong and Guangdong respectively. Both sides will jointly coordinate and steer the formulation of construction standards in designated areas, with a view to enhancing the competitiveness of the GBA's construction industry.

Ms Linn said that the DEVB is grateful to the Ministry of Housing and UrbanRural Development and the DHURDGP for supporting the work on Guangdong-Hong Kong construction standardisation. She noted that the outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in leveraging its strengths in professional services to help enterprises go global. The signing of the Agreement signifies a major milestone for Guangdong and Hong Kong in deepening institutional alignment and promoting the overall upgrading and mutual recognition of construction standards. Reflecting the national policy directions, it capitalises on Hong Kong’s international advantages to bridge national and international standards, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of the country's construction industry.

Mr Guo said that the signing of the Agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening institutional alignment between the two sides. The DHURDGP and the DEVB have achieved fruitful results in co-operation in various construction areas. Going forward, both sides will continue to strengthen coordination on construction standards, jointly develop standards, progressively promote alignment of existing standards, and advance mutual recognition, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of the construction industry of the GBA.

Mr Fan said that the signing of the Agreement is of significant importance to expanding institutional openness in construction standards. It supports the collaborative work on Guangdong-Hong Kong construction standardisation, aligns with national standards, promotes mutual recognition, and leverages Hong Kong's connection to international standards. Through standardisation, the two places can achieve deep integration in construction technologies, standards, and industries, thereby contributing to the national strategies on regional coordinated development and highlevel opening up.

Before the signing ceremony, Ms Linn, Mr Guo, Mr Fan and Mr Lau exchanged views on the latest developments of the construction industry in Guangdong and Hong Kong, as well as deepening cooperation between the two places and promoting high-quality development of the construction industry in the GBA. They also explored how construction standardisation could drive the collaborative development of the construction industry and advanced construction technologies, including optimising the application and collaboration of the Modular Integrated Construction method, with a view to jointly leading the GBA's construction industry onto the international stage.

Source: AI-found images