More than 1,500 Teachers Honored at Teachers' Day Ceremony for Dedication and Impact on Education

More than 1 500 teachers commended at Teachers' Day ceremony

The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign:

Organised by the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign (CROTC), the Salute to Teachers 2026 - Teachers' Day Ceremony was held today (September 12). The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, officiated at the ceremony and paid tribute to teachers for their selfless dedication in nurturing talent. More than 1 500 teachers have been commended this year.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the CROTC, Dr Chiu Cheung-ki, expressed his appreciation to the teachers for embodying the warmth and power of education. The unwavering passion and commitment of the teachers to the cause of education deserves the highest tribute from everyone. The CROTC will steadfastly uphold its mission and continue to promote the traditional culture of respect for teachers.

Dr Choi said that in a fast-changing technological era with the rapid development of AI, the role of teachers is more important than ever. While technology no doubt can reform teaching methods, it can never replace the noble mission of teachers in nurturing students. Only teachers can discern the unique potential of every student. With the wisdom to enlighten minds and cater for learners' diversity, teachers can offer guidance when students feel confused, offer encouragement when they face setbacks, and provide affirmation on their personal growth.

The Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools announced by the Government emphasises the pivotal role of teachers in driving digital education, and equips them with the capability to apply AI. Dr Choi expressed her hope that while advancing AI-empowered learning and teaching, teachers would always bear in mind the core mission of "cultivating values and nurturing people" when fostering students' capabilities in innovation, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking, such that students can put "technology for good" into practice with reasonable and responsible use of AI tools.

Dr Choi expressed her gratitude to the CROTC for its work and contribution over the years in actively promoting the spirit of respect for teachers and love for students, and fostering a culture of respect for teachers. She encouraged all parties to continue to join hands, uphold the original aspiration of nurturing students, and work together for nurturing more outstanding individuals with both virtues and talents.

The CROTC has been organising the Teachers' Commendation Scheme annually since 1995. With this year marking its 31st session, the scheme aims to foster a culture of respect for teachers. Under the scheme, secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools may each nominate two teachers who have demonstrated commitment and excellence in teaching. Over 41 200 teachers have been commended in previous years.

Other officiating guests at the ceremony today included Second-level Inspector of the Education and Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Dr He Jinhui and the Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals, Professor Tam Kar-yan.

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the Salute to Teachers 2026 - Teachers' Day Ceremony today (September 12). Photo shows (from left) the Chairman of the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign, Dr Chiu Cheung-ki; Second-level Inspector of the Education and Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Dr He Jinhui; Dr Choi; and the Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals, Professor Tam Kar-yan, officiating at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, speaks at the Salute to Teachers 2026 - Teachers' Day Ceremony today (September 12). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner today (November 8):

Professor Dennis Lo (President of Hong Kong Academy of Sciences), Mr Zhang Yichen (Rotating Chairman of the Council of the Future Forum 2026), Future Science Prize Laureates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It is a great pleasure to join you tonight, at the Future Science Prize Gala Dinner, celebrating the 10th anniversary edition of the Future Science Prize and this year's Laureates.

I am honoured to welcome to Hong Kong some of the world's finest scientists, many of whom have devoted decades to solving science's most complex theoretical questions and its most challenging practical problems.

There is a classic observation in business: great companies often lose their lead not because they are poorly run, but because they focus too closely on what already works. They serve their biggest customers and improve their best products, while new and innovative technologies quietly take root elsewhere.

Consider the smaller hard-disk drives that emerged in the 1980s. They stored less and seemed to hold little appeal for consumers. Yet they improved, found new markets and eventually transformed the industry. The incumbents saw the technology, but underestimated its promise. By the time its value became clear, it was already too late.

The same challenge confronts science. The most disruptive discoveries may initially offer little hint of their significance. If basic research has a customer, it is the future. And the future takes time to fully reveal itself. What seems obscure today may become the accepted starting point for the next generation.

The Future Science Prize understands that scientific and societal evolution. In 2016, a group of scientists and entrepreneurs committed their own resources to establish the first privately funded science prize in China. Ten years on, it has honoured 49 scientists and become a highly anticipated event on the international scientific calendar.

Tonight, we pay tribute to three outstanding laureates. Professor Zhang Hong has uncovered how autophagy works in multicellular organisms. Professor Zhao Dongyuan has pioneered mesoporous materials. Professor Yuan Xinyi has made foundational contributions to arithmetic geometry. Their trailblazing research is a reminder that the full significance of a discovery often takes time to emerge. And this is more the rule than the exception.

That is why the Future Science Prize matters. It celebrates groundbreaking research that has yet to fully unfold and reveal itself. It reflects the wisdom of science, the openness of society, determined to pursue what it cannot yet understand or foresee.

Hong Kong has deep ties to the Prize. The Future Science Awards Foundation is registered here in this city, and we are proud to host the four-day Prize Week. Over the past decade, six Hong Kong scientists have been named laureates of the Prize. We are part of this scientific community. And we will continue to develop Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre, where even the most modest beginnings can be recognised, nurtured and given room, and time, to flourish.

Tonight, we celebrate both remarkable discoveries and the possibilities that lie ahead. Let us salute our Laureates, the spirit of science and a future rich with promise.

I know you will enjoy this memorable evening. And the rest of Future Science Prize Week, right here in Hong Kong, Asia's world city.

Thank you.

Source: AI-found images

Speech by FS at Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images