SITI Commences Visit to Hungary to Boost Tech Collaboration and Partnerships

SITI commences visit to Hungary

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Budapest, Hungary, on September 21 (Budapest time). The visit aims to further deepen exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Hungary in innovation and technology (I&T).

In the morning, Professor Sun met with the Minister of Science and Technology of Hungary, Mr Zoltán Tanács, and the State Secretary for Science Policy and Innovation, Dr Péter Horváth, in Budapest. He reaffirmed Hong Kong's commitment to developing into an international I&T centre, noting that tangible progress is already underway, including efforts in industry development, start-up nurturing, commercialisation of research and development (R&D) outcomes, as well as attracting enterprises and talent. He expressed a view to deepening collaboration with Hungary in these fields.

Professor Sun proceeded to Szeged to visit the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting (CMF) in the afternoon. Accompanied by Dr Horváth, Professor Sun received a briefing from the founder of the CMF and a Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Ferenc Krausz, on H4H Program - a longitudinal health monitoring study spearheaded by the CMF to promote personalised preventive healthcare. The CMF is an interdisciplinary non-profit research institute dedicated to developing infrared electric-field molecular fingerprinting technology for the early detection of diseases. Professor Krausz also introduced the launch of a global initiative "protecting.health", which will continue to promote scientific collaboration among the CMF, the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich and the University of Hong Kong, and will carry out research projects in Hong Kong. Professor Sun also toured the laser laboratory and biobank of the Extreme Light Infrastructure Attosecond Light Pulse Source Research Institute at the CMF.

In the evening, Professor Sun called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Hungary, Mr Gong Tao, and briefed him on the newly released First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030), which reaffirms Hong Kong's strategic positioning as an international I&T centre, as well as I&T initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. He pointed out that under the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will actively expand co-operation opportunities with international I&T partners, including Hungary, to continuously enhance its innovation capabilities and international competitiveness.

On September 22 (Budapest time), Professor Sun visited the Corvinus University of Budapest in the morning and met with the President and Rector of the University, Professor Bruno van Pottelsberghe, to learn about the latest development of the University. He is particularly interested in the University's teaching approach in incorporating business strategy, AI, data science and digital transformation. He understood that the University and the Shenzhen Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) had jointly established a research and innovation platform "Academic & Innovation Matrix". The University signed a co-operation agreement with the InnoHK Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence of the CUHK in March this year to launch a bilateral research project. Funded by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office, the project seeks to enhance the safety and trustworthiness of AI architecture to cope with real-world applications.

Professor Sun also visited BrainVisionCenter to learn about its latest developments and R&D achievements, and toured its laboratory. The Center focuses on research and product development in neurophotonics and functional neuroimaging. Professor Sun welcomed the Center to further strengthen co-operation with the academic and research institutions in Hong Kong to advance translational medicine therapies.

Professor Sun concluded his visit to Budapest at noon on September 22 (Budapest time) and proceeded to Bratislava, Slovakia, in the afternoon to begin his programme.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third right), visited Corvinus University of Budapest to learn about the latest development of the University on September 22 (Budapest time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (centre), visited Corvinus University of Budapest and met with the President and Rector of the University, Professor Bruno van Pottelsberghe (right), and the Founder of the innovation platform "Academic & Innovation Matrix", Mr Peter Barany (left), to learn about the latest development of the University on September 22 (Budapest time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (first left), visited the laboratory of BrainVisionCenter on September 22 (Budapest time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (centre), visited BrainVisionCenter to learn about its latest developments and research and development achievements. He also toured its laboratory on September 22 (Budapest time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Hungary, Mr Gong Tao (right), on September 21 (Budapest time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (second left), toured the laser laboratory of the Extreme Light Infrastructure Attosecond Light Pulse Source at the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting in Szeged on September 21 (Budapest time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third right), visited the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting (CMF) in Szeged on September 21 (Budapest time) and received a briefing from the founder of the CMF and a Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Ferenc Krausz (second left), on "h4h.hu" - a longitudinal health monitoring study spearheaded by the CMF to promote personalised preventive healthcare. The State Secretary for Science Policy and Innovation of Hungary, Dr Péter Horváth (first left), also attended. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (first row, second right), visited the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting (CMF) in Szeged on September 21 (Budapest time) and met with the founder of the CMF and a Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Ferenc Krausz (first row, second left). The State Secretary for Science Policy and Innovation of Hungary, Dr Péter Horváth (first row, first left), also attended. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third left), met with the Minister of Science and Technology of Hungary, Mr Zoltán Tanács (third right), on September 21 (Budapest time). The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Hungary, Mr Gong Tao (fourth left); and the State Secretary for Science Policy and Innovation of Hungary, Dr Péter Horváth (second right), also attended. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), met with the Minister of Science and Technology of Hungary, Mr Zoltán Tanács (right), on September 21 (Budapest time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SCST at Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra "Welcome Tarmo Reception"

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) "Welcome Tarmo Reception" today (November 7):

David (Chairman of Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Mr David Cogman), Tarmo (Music Director of the HK Phil, Mr Tarmo Peltokoski), Vincent (Chairman of the Chow Sang Sang Group, Mr Vincent Chow), ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I have the greatest pleasure to join you at this reception to officially welcome our new Music Director, Tarmo Peltokoski. I say welcome, but of course, Tarmo is already a familiar and highly respected figure among our musicians and audiences. Tonight's reception is a formal introduction, but really, it should feel even more like a homecoming party.

First, let me propose that once again we give a good round of applause to Tarmo and all the talented instrumentalists, vocalists and choristers, from Hong Kong and overseas for the stunning performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 just now. The performance was a magnificent close to the HK Phil's complete Mahler cycle; but it was also a splendid fanfare for the new era under Maestro Tarmo's baton.

Great artistic synergy takes time to build, yet today it felt entirely natural. Tarmo first sparked this chemistry as the HK Phil's Guest Conductor in 2023, strengthened it as Music Director Designate last season, and he now finally steps into his new role with deep familiarity and well-honed artistry. Tonight's concert is a brilliant showcase of Tarmo's assured stage performance, exceptional conducting prowess, and seamless teamwork with the HK Phil's talented musicians. Just now I told Winnie (Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Ms Winnie Tam), if I were a choir member, I would also be very, very happy to work with a conductor like Tarmo.

I am fully confident that this strong partnership will elevate the HK Phil to new heights and enrich Hong Kong's vibrant cultural scene. The Hong Kong SAR Government proudly supports the HK Phil in its further effort to solidify its role as a cultural flagship of our city. Together, we will project Hong Kong's artistic brilliance on the global stage, reinforcing our position as an East-meets-West cultural exchange centre.

As a music lover myself, please allow me to express my warmest thanks to Tarmo and all the musicians for an unforgettable orchestral feast. Here is to a new era for the HK Phil - one filled abundantly with breathtaking music, rewarding projects, and exciting milestones ahead. Tonight is just a remarkable beginning, and the best is yet to come.

Let us all enjoy the rest of this delightful evening. Do keep your eyes and ears open. I'm told there will be surprise bonus encore performances during the reception, and I, for one, definitely won't want to miss them. Thank you very much.

Source: AI-found images