ABU Robocon 2026 Kicks Off in Hong Kong with 16 University Teams Competing in Robotics Innovation

Hong Kong Hosts ABU Robocon

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robot Contest 2026 (ABU Robocon 2026) commenced today (August 23) in Hong Kong. Jointly organised by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), this year's competition sees 16 university teams from 15 countries and regions worldwide compete in the largest university-level robotics competition in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the opening ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, the Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan, the Chairman of HKSTP, Ms Cordelia Chung, and the Secretary-General of ABU, Mr Ahmed Nadeem, officiated at the event. Hong Kong martial artist Samuel Hui, a children's martial arts troupe, and Chinese percussionists joined robots, which had performed at CCTV's Spring Festival Gala, to deliver a spectacular showcase of human-robot collaboration.

ABU Robocon 2026 adopted the theme "Kung Fu Quest," inspired by the spirit of Chinese martial arts. Each team's two robots were required to cooperate in forging traditional Chinese weapons, collecting martial arts manuals, and engaging in strategic duels that demonstrated precision and tactics, combining martial arts philosophy with advanced robotics and automation technology.

The 16 participating teams came from 15 countries and regions, including: Chinese Mainland, Cambodia, Egypt, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Macao and Hong Kong. The teams competed for 18 awards, including the Champion, First Runner-up, Second Runner-up, and the ABU Robocon Award. The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Prof Sun Dong, and the President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Ir Prof Frank Chan, serve as award presenters. Prior to the award presentation ceremony, Ms Kwan and the Chief Executive Ocer of HKSTP, Mr Terry Wong, took part in a handover ceremony alongside Indonesia's representative, Ihwan Susila, marking Indonesia as the host of the next ABU Robocon.

ABU Robocon is the largest university-level robotics competition in the Asia-Pacific region. Hong Kong hosted the global event once again, following its first time as host in 2012. The event successfully demonstrated the city's strength as an international innovation and technology hub and a center for nurturing young talent. Through student collaboration and friendly competition, it also strengthened regional ties and promoted exchanges across technology, academia, media, youth, and culture in the Asia-Pacific, in support of the Government's alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The Contest attracted about 2,000 spectators, including more than 650 participants, supporters, and media representatives from Mainland and overseas. The competition was broadcast live on RTHK TV31 and RTHK's YouTube channel, while ABU member organisations also broadcast or will air the event to audiences across the globe, reaching hundreds of millions of viewers and showcasing Hong Kong's innovation and technology strength to the international community.

Beyond the competition, the teams will explore Hong Kong's tourist attractions and visit Hong Kong Science Park and local enterprises to experience the city's unique charm as an East-meets-West cultural centre. Nearly 100 young participants will also travel to Qianhai, Shenzhen, to gain firsthand insight into the nation's achievements in innovation and technology, with the hope of inspiring them to pursue future opportunities and development in the region.

Hong Kong martial artist Samuel Hui (middle), a children's martial arts troupe, and Chinese percussionists joined robots, which had performed at CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala, to deliver a spectacular showcase of human-robot collaboration. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The officiating guests joined the 16 participating teams for a group photo. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robot Contest 2026 commenced today (August 23) in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan rallied support for the participating teams. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (second left), the Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan (first left), the Chairman of HKSTP, Ms Cordelia Chung (first right), and the Secretary-General of ABU, Mr Ahmed Nadeem (second right), officiated at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robot Contest 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SITI at Award Presentation Ceremony of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Asia-Pacific Robot Contest 2026

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Award Presentation Ceremony of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Asia-Pacific Robot Contest (ABU Robocon) 2026 today (August 23):

Mr Ahmed Nadeem (Secretary General of the ABU), Angelina (Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan), Cordelia (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Ms Cordelia Chung), esteemed judges, brilliant young innovators, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It is my honour to join you today at the ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest 2026 as Hong Kong proudly hosts this flagship competition again after 14 years.

This year's theme, "Kung Fu Quest", perfectly blended traditional martial arts with cutting-edge technologies in robotics. Thank you and congratulations to all participants, for letting us witness agility, precision, and strategy reimagined through your brilliant engineering. The robots you built showhow technological innovation can bridge culture and modernity, while your passion and teamwork embody perseverance that defines both martial arts and scientific discovery.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is fully committed to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T (innovation and technology) centre. We are enhancing the I&T ecosystem across the full spectrum, from upstream basic research, to midstream and downstream industry development. Seeing your incredible creations today reinforces our confidence in the future. Bright young talents like you would provide impetus to I&T development, and we spare no effort in providing support to turn your boldest ideas into reality. Through innovation hubs like the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, we offer comprehensive incubation, mentorship and business-matching support. Wherever you come from, Hong Kong is an ideal place to unlock your potentials, to groom your passions and to realise your aspirations.

To all our participants tonight, you are all champions in my eyes. Carry this "Kung Fu" spirit of discipline and continuous self-improvement into your future journeys. Keep questioning the impossible, and never stop innovating!

Finally, I wish you all a memorable evening and all overseas participants an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.

Source: AI-found images

Speech by SITI at Award Presentation Ceremony of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Asia-Pacific Robot Contest 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images