SITI: HK's Vision for Promoting Ethical AI Development at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation High-Level Forum on AI in Chengdu

Keynote speech by SITI at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation High-Level Forum on AI in Chengdu

Following is the keynote speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation High-Level Forum on AI in Chengdu today (July 24):

Your Excellency Director Zhuang Rongwen (Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China), Secretary Wang Xiaohui (Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my privilege to join this forum today to participate in the shared dialogue on the "Asia-Pacific Pathway to AI Development for Good and for All", an aspiration we uphold and a responsibility we must shoulder together.

As AI accelerates economic and social transformation worldwide, our common task is not simply to pursue technological breakthroughs, but to ensure that such progress is ethical, equitable and inclusive. This vision requires the support of a sustainable and future-ready AI ecosystem, and that is exactly what Hong Kong, China (HKC), is building.

HKC is determined to advance AI development in a sustainable and responsible manner. On the infrastructure front, our overall computing power has now reached 5 000 PFLOPS (peta-floating point operations per second). With our upcoming Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, an additional 180 000 PFLOPS will be available around 2030, significantly strengthening our high-performance computing capacity. This will lay a solid foundation for a sustainable AI future and reinforce HKC's role as a leading regional digital infrastructure hub.

Moreover, through our InnoHK Research Cluster, we have established 16 R&D (research and development) laboratories that bring together top talent from around the world to drive advancements in AI and robotics technologies. Our Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute, which will commence operation soon, is tasked with promoting the integration of AI technology in key industries, accelerating the transformation of research outcomes, and serving as a bridge between academic excellence and industrial needs. Together, these efforts are fostering a vibrant ecosystem in which AI innovation can thrive.

For AI to realise its full potential for the public good, it must be integrated across industries and throughout the economy. To this end, we are pressing ahead with the "AI+" strategy, building bridges between AI and different industries. We have recently formed the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy to formulate strategies and establish favourable conditions for AI-driven industrial transformations.

Equally important is the establishment of clear and trusted guardrails for AI. HKC has promulgated the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Framework and the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Technical and Application Guideline to provide practical guidance for responsible AI development and deployment.

While these guidance documents provide a strong ethical compass, our legal frameworks must also keep pace with technological change. HKC has therefore established the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI. We are committed to modernising our laws and ensuring that our regulatory environment remains facilitative and responsive to emerging developments, while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.

With ethical and legal foundations in place, HKC is putting the "AI for All" vision into practice. Through our "AI for All" Inclusive Programme, we are equipping our general community to navigate and benefit from the AI era by a variety of courses, competitions and activities tailored to the needs of different target groups, such as students, the youth and the general public.

The pathway to AI development for good and for all is one we must walk together. HKC stands ready to share our knowledge and experience. We look forward to further strengthening international exchanges and collaborations in AI across the Asia-Pacific. Thank you.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, delivers a keynote speech on the "Asia-Pacific Pathway to AI Development for Good and for All" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation High-Level Forum on AI in Chengdu today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs alerts public to one model of unsafe collagen cream

Hong Kong Customs today (July 24) alerted members of the public to a model of unsafe collagen cream as test results indicated that it contains prohibited ingredient Sudan Red. For safety's sake, people should stop using the product. Customs appeals to traders to remove the collagen cream from their shelves.

Customs followed up on earlier media reports and discovered that a model of suspected unsafe collagen cream was being supplied on the market. Customs officers immediately conducted inspections in different districts and purchased the product concerned for safety testing. Results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the product concerned contained Sudan Red, which is a prohibited ingredient as stipulated in the relevant safety and technical standards for cosmetics. The product was suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).

Moreover, Customs also found that the concerned product only bore warnings or cautions in English and Korean, without any Chinese warnings or cautions, suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation (CGSR), a subsidiary legislation of the CGSO.

Customs officers later conducted an operation and searched the premises of the retailer involved in the case. No other suspected unsafe collagen cream was found.

Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using beauty products:

• Do not buy or use beauty products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources;
• Stop using the beauty products and consider seeking medical advice if feeling unwell after use; and
• Purchase beauty products at reputable retail shops.

Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. Under the CGSR, where consumer goods or their packages are marked with warnings or cautions with respect to their safe keeping, use, consumption or disposal, such warnings or cautions shall be in both English and Chinese languages. Moreover, the warning or caution phrases must be legibly and conspicuously shown on the goods, any package of the goods, a label securely affixed to the package or a document enclosed in the package. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the CGSO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).