SITI Hails Opening of BIOHK2026, Vowing to Boost Global Biotech Innovation and Collaboration

Speech by SITI at Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2026

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2026 today (September 9):

Professor Albert Yu (Chairman of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization and President of BIOHK2026), Professor Lo (Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you all at BIOHK2026. As we are riding on the wave of biotechnology transformation, it is crucial for us to exchange ideas, contribute our expertise, and seize boundless opportunities in the biotechnology area. A very warm welcome to those joining us from abroad and I wish you a pleasant stay in Hong Kong.

Let me begin with an achievement worth celebrating for Hong Kong's recent I&T (innovation and technology) development. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) yesterday published the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2026, once again ranking the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster first globally. Reaching the top once is a monumental milestone, but retaining the top spot cements our cluster's world-class capability, resilience, and sustained innovation. The cluster has excelled at channelling capital to support the translation of innovative ideas into practical outcomes, including biotechnology.

This affirms that Hong Kong's efforts in fostering effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors are on the right track. Over the past few years, the Government has deployed targeted policy measures to ensure technology, capital, and talent reinforce one another, as well as expediting co-operation with our Greater Bay Area sister cities. Core to this strategy are three $10 billion funding schemes, namely the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme, the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme, and the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund. Moreover, the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government has been supporting the growth of start-ups. With the $180 million Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme to be launched this year, we aim to attract more experienced incubators to set up accelerator bases in Hong Kong so as to better support the development and needs of start-ups.

As Hong Kong accelerates its development into an international I&T centre, life and health technology stands at the very core of our strategic vision. We are taking every step to strengthen our R&D (research and development) capabilities. Our Health@InnoHK cluster continues to develop itself into a holistic research hub on life sciences, accelerating breakthroughs in biomedicine, genomics and more. In addition, we will set up the Life and Health Technology Research Institute. The Institute will operate on a "1+3" model, with a main institute in the Loop focusing on "AI + life sciences", and three branch institutes established by local universities based on their specific research strengths such as medical diagnostics, advanced therapies, and neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong offers an open ecosystem for innovation to thrive. With our world-class universities, advanced research facilities and a vibrant ecosystem, we provide an integrated platform for life and health technology companies to innovate and grow from R&D to clinical trials and commercialisation. Next week, Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address will be officially announced. As both documents are of paramount importance to our I&T development, I encourage everyone to follow the updates closely so that we can shape the future of I&T together.

Before I close, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to BIOHK and the relevant stakeholders for their significant contributions to promote the development of biotechnology in Hong Kong, the nearby region and the world. I wish BIOHK2026 every success and everyone a fruitful experience throughout the event. Thank you.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, speaks at the Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2026 today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 8) and today (September 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14.3kg of suspected cannabis buds, two suspected alternative smoking products and one duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value over $15 million. Five persons were arrested.

The first case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 29 and 45 respectively, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila, the Philippines yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $2.6 million in their two check-in suitcases. The two men were arrested subsequently.

In the second case, a 36-year-old British female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, the United Kingdom, via Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 30kg of suspected ketamine and two suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $12 million in her two check-in suitcases and carry-on baggage. She was subsequently arrested.

The third case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 24 and 26, arrived in Hong Kong today from Xiamen and Bangkok,Thailand, respectively. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about of 3.3kg of suspected cannabis buds and one duty-not-paid cigarette with a total estimated market value of about $770,000 in the baggage of the 24-year-old man. The 24-year-old man and the 26-year-old man connected to the case were subsequently arrested.

The two arrested men in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 10). Investigations of the second and third cases are ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will also continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities 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).

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases