Hong Kong's AI Initiatives Highlighted During Professor Sun Dong's Visit to Austria

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Vienna, Austria, on September 24 (Vienna time). In his keynote speech at the Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026, he said that Hong Kong has elevated AI into a core industry and is emerging as one of the world's most dynamic innovation and technology (I&T) centres. Like Austria, Hong Kong sees AI as key to economic competitiveness, research excellence and public service modernisation, and pursues "industries for AI" and "AI for industries". Professor Sun invited Austria to partner in shaping AI's next chapter.

Professor Sun highlighted that this push is backed by a strong research base and basic infrastructure. The InnoHK research clusters connects over 30 leading universities and institutes across 12 economies, including the University of Oxford, Stanford University and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, while the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster will provide computing power of 180 000 PFLOPS by 2032—a 36-fold increase. With a robust legal framework, low tax regime, strong intellectual property protection, ease of capital raising and world-class logistics, Hong Kong offers European enterprises a trusted gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the broader Asia-Pacific.

He added that Hong Kong is also advancing ambitious I&T infrastructure. The Hetao Hong Kong Park, opened last December, is a world-class I&T hub connecting the Mainland and the world; while the San Tin Technopole is Hong Kong's flagship I&T industries base. Together, they link global technology talent and enterprises with the GBA's market and supply chain. He also stressed that, after the announcement of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, the Government's commitment to accelerating AI adoption, promoting industry upgrade and regulating AI ethics is firmer than ever.

During the Conference, Professor Sun had a brief exchange with start-ups from the Hong Kong Science Park delegation participating in the Conference to learn about their innovative solutions.

In addition, Professor Sun met with the Federal Minister of Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructureof the Republic of Austria, Mr Peter Hanke, and the President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits, to discuss how Hong Kong and Austria can expand exchanges on start-ups and innovation, strengthen co-operation in the application of AI and industrial digitalisation, and establish new connections between Austrian enterprises and Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem in order to deepen existing innovation partnerships. Professor Sun stated that as two externally oriented economies renowned for their international connections, Hong Kong and Austria have numerous opportunities for further collaboration. Austria is a leading hub for professional engineering, green technology, and industrial innovation in Europe, whilst Hong Kong is a premier gateway to high-growth markets in the Chinese Mainland and Asia. He welcomed Austrian enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's financial platform and market connections to expand into Asian markets, and encouraged enterprises from the Mainland and Hong Kong to invest and explore opportunities in Austria as well.

Professor Sun met with the Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Mr Wolfgang Hesoun, to brief him on Hong Kong's latest I&T developments and opportunities, and to exchange views on shared priorities and exploring new avenues for co-operation in innovation and trade.

Professor Sun also visited the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and toured its Technology Experience Lab to learn about the applied research institution's professional research and development capabilities in AI, digital transformation, molecular diagnostics, and industry-oriented applications. The AIT is Austria's largest non-university research and technology organisation.

In the evening, Professor Sun attended the National Day reception hosted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Austria, during which he exchanged views with the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Austria, Mr Wang Tao, and the Permanent Representative and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Vienna and Other International Organizations in Vienna, Mr Li Song, on strengthening I&T collaboration between Hong Kong and Austria.

Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong on September 25 (Vienna time).

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Austria Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CEDB promotes new mega exhibition "The Festival of Connoisseurs" at Monaco Yacht Show

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) promoted "The Festival of Connoisseurs" (TFOC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 held in Monaco on September 23 (Monaco time). The TFOC is the first exhibition supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's $100 million funding initiative and will be held for the first time in Hong Kong from November 4 to 6 this year.

Representing the HKSAR Government at the Monaco Yacht Show and speaking at the Hong Kong Reception held on September 23 (Monaco time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), Ms Shirley Yung, introduced to the audience theTFOC, a new international flagship exhibition showcasing superyachts and premium lifestyles, and invited them to come to the inaugural edition in Hong Kong this November to discover the exceptional products and Hong Kong's unique strengths and charm as a global city.

"The TFOC marks a significant milestone not only for Hong Kong's convention and exhibition industry but also for the city's emergence as a premier destination for celebrating the art of fine living." Ms Yung said. "It will bring together some of the world's most prestigious brands and experiences, spanning superyachts, supercars, fine jewellery and watches, private aviation, fine art and other exquisite lifestyle offerings, all of which will be meticulously curated to create an unparalleled experiential journey for visitors."

Organised by Informa Markets, the TFOC is the first exhibition to receive support from the new funding of $100 million earmarked for the CEDB by the Government to attract large-scale international exhibitions featuring new and distinctive elements to Hong Kong. Adopting an innovative "city-as-your-showroom" concept, the TFOC will unfold across multiple iconic locations in Hong Kong, transforming the city's landmarks into immersive backdrops for luxury and lifestyle.

Ms Yung also took the opportunity to update the audience on Hong Kong's efforts to promote the development of the yacht economy and its strategic position as a leading yacht hub in Asia. She highlighted a series of initiatives rolled out by the HKSAR Government to attract yachts from around the world to choose Hong Kong as their destination, including the implementation of cross-boundary facilitation measures to streamline the procedures for yachts visiting Hong Kong.

Hosted by the Hong Kong delegation which comprised Brussels ETO, Invest Hong Kong, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and organised by Informa Markets, the organiser of TFOC, the Hong Kong Reception was well attended by key stakeholders in the maritime and yacht sectors in Europe and other parts of the world. Established in 1991, the Monaco Yacht Show is a world-renowned annual exhibition dedicated to the superyacht industry which brings together exhibitors as well as highly qualified professionals and companies specialising in luxury products and services for yachting.

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau promoted "The Festival of Connoisseurs" (TFOC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 held in Monaco on September 23 (Monaco time). Photo shows the Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Kasper Ng (front row, first left); the Chief Strategy Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Enid Low (front row, second left); the General Manager, Mega Events, MICE & Cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Ms Marilyn Tham (front row, fourth left); the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Anthony Lau (front row, fifth left); the Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam (front row, sixth left); the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (front row, seventh left); the Executive Chair of Informa Prestige, Mr John Paton (front row, eighth left); the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Irene Chan (front row, ninth left); the Chief Financial Officer of Informa Markets Asia, Ms Suzanne Wang (front row, tenth left); the Executive Director, Commercial of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Ms Cissy Chan (front row, eleventh left); and the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives of Informa Markets Asia, Mr Dan Ye (front row, twelfth left) at the Hong Kong booth at the Monaco Yacht Show on September 23 (Monaco time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau promoted "The Festival of Connoisseurs" (TFOC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 held in Monaco on September 23 (Monaco time). Photo shows (from left) the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives of Informa Markets Asia, Mr Dan Ye; the Chief Strategy Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Enid Low; the Executive Director, Commercial of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Ms Cissy Chan; the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Irene Chan; the Chief Executive Officer of Informa PLC, Mr Stephen Carter; the Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Anthony Lau; the Consultant (Milan), Invest Hong Kong, Mr Stefano De Paoli; the General Manager, Mega Events, MICE & Cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Ms Marilyn Tham; the Chief Financial Officer of Informa Markets Asia, Ms Suzanne Wang; and the Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Kasper Ng, at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases