Brussels ETO Supports Hong Kong Tech Start-ups Showcase Innovations at VivaTech 2026 under Economic and Trade Express Initiative

Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 under Economic and Trade Express Initiative

As a flagship initiative under the Economic and Trade Express (ETE), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) joins hands with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) to host a series of events to support Hong Kong tech start-ups in exploring the business opportunities in Europe during VivaTech 2026, the largest startup and technology event in Europe, which takes place in Paris, France from June 17 to 20 (Paris time).

As announced by the Chief Executive in the 2025 Policy Address, the new functional ETE platform is launched to enable overseas Economic and Trade Offices, HKTDC, and InvestHK to enhance their work on trade and investment promotion with greater synergy. One key highlight under ETE is to provide one-stop support services by Hong Kong's overseas trade and investment promotion network to facilitate business exchanges between Hong Kong and overseas markets.

Speaking at a thematic seminar and networking reception titled "Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems: Powering the Next Wave of International Tech Leadership from Hong Kong" on June 19, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, welcomed the Hong Kong partners and start-ups participating in the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 as a flagship initiative enabled by ETE, and highlighted Hong Kong's strategy to leverage its unique strengths to build a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

"Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem brings together four powerful advantages: top-tier research and talent, deep pools of global capital, unparalleled access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area innovation cluster, and strong connectivity to global markets, providing businesses with a comprehensive platform to innovate, scale up and expand into the Asian and global markets." Ms Yung said.

Ms Yung also shared with the audiences from both Hong Kong and Europe, the latest development of the Northern Metropolis, the innovation frontier of Hong Kong, including the vast opportunities that the development of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop and the adjacent San Tin Technopole would bring about.

In addition to the event on June 19, Ms Yung also addressed the audiences at a networking reception on June 18, namely "Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity". Leveraging the ETE initiative, Brussels ETO, HKTDC and InvestHK also jointly organised a series of other promotional and networking events to provide targeted support to the participating Hong Kong tech start-ups in exploring the local market, including pitching sessions, thematic seminars, and other networking activities.

This year, the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion features 24 Hong Kong startups, showcasing innovations in artificial intelligence and robotics, health technology, sustainability, and climate technology. Key supporting and participating organisations include Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Cyberport.

As Europe's largest event dedicated to startups and technology, VivaTech 2026 celebrates its 10th edition this year. The event is expected to attract over 180 000 visitors, 14 000 startups, and 3 600 investors from around the world. Brussels ETO has been supporting the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion of VivaTech since 2024 to promote the opportunities of Hong Kong's innovation and technology sectors.

Photo shows representatives of Hong Kong start-ups in front of the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, delivers remarks at a thematic seminar titled "Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems: Powering the Next Wave of International Tech Leadership from Hong Kong" in Paris, France on June 19 (Paris time) during VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows (from left to right) the Lead Consultant (Paris) of InvestHK, Mr Laurent Sansoucy; the Director of Laputa Eco-Construction Material Co., Ltd, Mr Dixon Chan; the Head of Electronics and AI, Office of Knowledge Transfer, HKUST, Dr Jacob Mok; the Senior Vice President, Research and Innovation of PolyU, Professor Christopher Chao; the Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, Mr Terry Wong; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director, France, Iberia and Benelux of HKTDC, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chief Innovation Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Yong-hai Du; Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels Mr Kasper Ng; the CEO of Robocore Technology, Mr Roy Lim, and the Founder and CEO of Formwork IO, Mr Antonio Ng, at the seminar "Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems: Powering the Next Wave of International Tech Leadership from Hong Kong" during Vivatech 2026 in Paris, France on June 19 (Paris time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows (from left to right) the Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Christopher Chao; the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director, France, Iberia and Benelux of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chairman of La French Tech Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Mr Emmanuel Carcassonne, and the Partner of LPA Law LLP, Mr Nicolas Vanderchmitt, at the networking reception "Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity" in Paris, France on June 18 (Paris time) during VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 showcases innovations by 24 Hong Kong start-ups in artificial intelligence and robotics, health technology, sustainability, and climate technology. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, delivers remarks at a networking reception "Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity" in Paris, France on June 18 (Paris time) during VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police National Security Department conducts arrest operation

Police noticed that on the evening of August 31, some people were standing outside MTR Prince Edward Station holding bouquets and shouting seditious slogans. The persons concerned were suspected of spreading false information and attacking the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government with lies, as well as smearing the Police Force, with the intention of inciting hatred against the HKSAR Government and law enforcement agencies.

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force (NSD) attaches great importance to the incident, and swiftly took enforcement actions in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on September 3 and arrested two local men and one local woman, aged between 33 and 79, for the offence of "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention" under Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The three arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigations.

After follow-up investigations, the NSD took further enforcement actions in Kowloon and the New Territories on September 27 and 28, and arrested a local man and two local women, aged between 46 and 65, for the same offence. The three arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigations.

The NSD yesterday (September 30) further arrested a 37-year-old local man and a 58-year-old local woman for the same offence in Kowloon and the New Territories. Prior to the operation, Police obtained court search warrants to search the residences of the arrested persons and seize relevant exhibits. The two arrestees are being detained for further enquiries, while the Police arrest operation is still ongoing.

Police stressed that the so-called "831 incident" has been proven without factual basis. It is a lie manipulated by persons with ulterior motives to spread lies, attack the HKSAR Government and smear the Police Force, attempting to achieve their political objectives by endangering public peace. The acts concerned are suspected of breaching "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention", which is a serious crime. Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction.

Police will continue to ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security.

Source: AI-found images