Hong Kong’s Innovation Chief Visits New Zealand to Strengthen Collaboration in Technology and Research

2026-06-26 16:56 Last Updated At：17:13

SITI continues visit to Auckland, New Zealand

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, continued his visit to Auckland, New Zealand, today (June 26, Auckland time).

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SITI continues visit to Auckland, New Zealand Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SITI continues visit to Auckland, New Zealand Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

In the morning, Professor Sun met with the Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland, Professor Frank Bloomfield, to understand the entrepreneurship ecosystem of the university in areas such as artificial intelligence, life and health technology, biomaterials, aerospace technology, and sustainable energy. Professor Sun briefed them on Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. Both sides also shared experiences in the development of industry-academia-research integration, and exchanged views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and New Zealand in areas such as innovative research and development (R&D) and talent exchanges.

Professor Sun also visited the University's Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES) and the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) where he received introductory briefings on both centres. CARES is an interdisciplinary robotics research hub specialising in advanced robotics, automation, and sensing technology. It provides innovative solutions in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, and education, with a commitment to improving societal well-being and propelling the University to the global frontier of robotics research. Meanwhile, CIE fosters an entrepreneurial culture in the University and builds an innovation ecosystem to nurture start-ups through initiatives such as Velocity.

In the afternoon, Professor Sun had an exchange with Alpha Group, a biotech health supplement manufacturer, and learned about the group's latest business developments, as well as the feasibility of setting up a base for R&D, pilot production and transformation in Hong Kong. He also toured the group's fermentation plant and production facility.

In the evening, Professor Sun attended a Hong Kong dinner cohosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney and the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association. In his speech, Professor Sun drew a parallel between New Zealand's agricultural roots and Hong Kong's vertical, fast-paced growth, emphasising a shared belief in nurturing small ideas into remarkable impact. He highlighted that Hong Kong has transformed into an international I&T centre, backed by major I&T parks, strong R&D capabilities, targeted funding, and a competitive business environment with a robust Intellectual Property protection regime and access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Association of Southeast Asian Nations markets. Pointing out that Hong Kong is positioned as a gateway for New Zealand innovators - particularly in food tech, AI-driven agriculture, and sustainable production, Professor Sun called for deeper collaboration to grow the next chapter of the partnership.

Professor Sun also called on the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland, Mr Chen Shijie, and introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's active alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and formulation of Hong Kong's own First Five-Year Plan. They also exchanged views on actively expanding I&T collaboration between Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Professor Sun yesterday (June 25), met with representatives and corporate members from KiwiSaaS and NZTech, as well as Icehouse Ventures. During these meetings, Professor Sun elaborated on Hong Kong's thriving start-up ecosystem and its advantages as a premier investment destination for overseas enterprises. He also introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's relevant policies and initiatives in supporting overseas start-ups to tap the Hong Kong market. The KiwiSaaS community platform focuses on building an ecosystem for New Zealand's Software-as-a-Service industry, while NZTech is a national industry association connecting New Zealand's technology ecosystem. Meanwhile, Icehouse Ventures is a leading venture capital firm in New Zealand with an active network comprising over 3 000 co-investors and a diverse range of funds.

Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (June 27, Auckland time).

Paul Chan Advocates Closer Cooperation Between Shaanxi and Hong Kong During Xi'an Visit

FS continues visit to Xi'an

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (June 26) continued his visit programme in Xi'an.

Mr Chan today called on the Secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, Mr Zhao Yide, and had an in-depth exchange of views on further strengthening co-operation between Shaanxi and Hong Kong. Mr Chan said that Shaanxi has gathered innovative resources, possesses strong research capabilities, and has complete and thriving industrial chains in areas such as national hard technology research and development, aerospace and aviation, and major equipment manufacturing. Hong Kong, with its advantages as an international financial centre and in high-end professional services under "one country, two systems", together with its common law system and free port status, is an important hub connecting the Mainland and international markets.

He said that the two places can deepen co-operation in areas such as innovation and research and development, commercialisation of research outcomes, cultivation of innovative enterprises and listing financing, as well as talent exchanges and higher education. This would better connect Shaanxi's research and industrial strengths with Hong Kong's financial and internationalisation advantages, achieve resource sharing and mutual empowerment, enable each other's success, and jointly serve the country's development of new quality productive forces and high-quality development. He invited Xi’an enterprises to form delegations to visit Hong Kong, exchange and connect with Hong Kong enterprises and the investment community, and explore further co-operation.

In the morning, Mr Chan visited Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), where he met with the President of NPU, Professor Song Baowei, and held a discussion session with innovation and technology enterprises. He then delivered a speech to more than 200 teachers, students and alumni, engaging in in-depth exchanges on promoting hard technology innovation, commercialisation of research outcomes, and deepening co-operation between Xi'an and Hong Kong in scientific research and industrial development.

In his speech, Mr Chan pointed out that NPU students have demonstrated, in different ways, a spirit of craftsmanship in perfecting technologies and products. However, for technology to move from the laboratory to the world, it no longer depends only on whether the product is advanced, but also on whether it can withstand the tests of supply chain restructuring and alignment with international standards.

He said that globalisation is shifting from the previous "efficiency first" model to one that places equal emphasis on "efficiency and resilience", with supply chain security, self-reliance in core technologies, and cross-boundary regulation becoming key considerations. Against this backdrop, the country is strengthening basic research and original innovation, supporting breakthroughs with long-term accumulated "slow variables". At the same time, areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials and quantum technology are crossing the threshold of industrialisation, forming synergistic development among "technology clusters" and driving the development of new industries, new models and new growth drivers.

Mr Chan pointed out that Xi'an has a profound foundation in hard technology and is an important fertile ground for the accumulation of related technologies, with its achievements being accelerated for civilian application. Hong Kong, with its common law system, free port advantages and international platform, brings together capital, talent and professional services, to help connect technological achievements with international markets, and promote "Xi'an R&D, Hong Kong empowerment, global application".

He encouraged young people to be professionally strong and broad-minded, and to actively enter the intersection of "finance + technology". He also encouraged them to base themselves in the country and look to the world, seize opportunities amid changes, enhance their sustainable competitiveness, and grasp the broad opportunities brought about by technological development.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited the Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone (Xi'an High-tech Zone). As a national-level high-tech industries development zone, the Xi'an High-tech Zone focuses on strategic emerging industries such as electronic information, high-end equipment, new energy and new materials. The Director-General of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), Mr Peter Yan, and representatives of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) and Invest Hong Kong also joined the visit.

Mr Chan and his delegation visited enterprises engaged respectively in advanced energy storage, optoelectronic integration, metal additive manufacturing, and high-end equipment inspection and testing, to learn about their latest progress in frontier technology research and development and industrialisation. Mr Chan then held a discussion session with representatives of 25 enterprises in the Xi'an High-tech Zone, exchanging views on promoting hard technology innovation, facilitating deeper integration among industry, academia, research and application, and expanding co-operation between Hong Kong and Shaanxi in areas such as technology and innovation, finance and professional services.

During the discussion session, a number of enterprises expressed strong interest and willingness to access international capital through Hong Kong and further expand into overseas markets. Mr Chan welcomed them to come to Hong Kong for fundraising and financing, global expansion, and technology research and development and advanced manufacturing. He asked the OASES, the HKIC, HKEX and others to fully connect with them and provide support.

Mr Chan will continue his itinerary in Xi'an tomorrow (June 27) and attend the inaugural Western Commercial Aerospace Conference.

Hong Kong’s Innovation Chief Visits New Zealand to Strengthen Collaboration in Technology and Research

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