2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held
The 2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter (MiCHK) Final was held successfully at Cyberport today (October 22). "Industrialization of Flexible, Ultrathin Diamond Wafers" by DiamNEX Limited won the Champion prize, while "NeuroHarbor-AI diagnosis and treatment platform for brain diseases" by NeuroHarbor Limited and "Embodied AI Neurorehabilitation Platform" by Sharpsight Limited won the First Runner-up and Second Runner-up prizes respectively. The three winning teams will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to compete in the Global Final Contest of the Maker in China to be held in Guangzhou at the end of this year.
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2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Addressing the event, the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, said that the MiCHK serves as an important platform for local start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their innovation and technology (I&T) achievements and expand into the Mainland markets. It enables investors and enterprises from the Mainland to gain an understanding of Hong Kong's quality I&T outcomes, helping these enterprises tap into the Mainland market. He noted that in recent years, multiple shortlisted teams have successfully connected with enterprises. Among them, some teams have entered into co-operation agreements with Mainland governments, while others have attracted attention from investment funds. This has helped accelerate the commercialisation of technological outcomes, enhance brand influence, and further expand into both Mainland and overseas markets.
Mr Cheung congratulated all award-winning teams and encouraged all participating teams to leverage the various government start-up support schemes. He also urged them to focus on the Mainland marketas a key development direction, seize the opportunities presented by the nation's development of new quality productive forces, and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.
This year's competition attracted a total of 170 local innovation projects, setting an all-time high for entries. Following a preliminary screening and a semi-final held earlier, the top 10 projects advanced to the Final today. The shortlisted project teams delivered live pitches to a panel of judges from various I&T fields, competing for the Champion, First Runner-up, and Second Runner-up honours. The organiser also arranged one-on-one meetings between the 10 shortlisted project teams and investors and corporate representatives from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, facilitating matchmaking discussions on financing and project co-operation.
In addition, the shortlisted teams will have the opportunity to participate in start-up incubation programmes and exhibition events, connect with Mainland investors, establish a presence in the Mainland start-up parks, and receive professional guidance to support the commercialisation of their project outcomes and market expansion. Please refer to makerinchina.hk/ for details about the entries.
With the support of the Guangzhou Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality and the Guangzhou Municipal Huangpu District Industry and Information Technology Bureau, this is the eighth time the regional chapter has taken place in Hong Kong. The 2026 MiCHK is organised by the Digital Policy Office of the HKSAR Government, together with the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China, and the China International Cooperation Association of SMEs. It is formulated by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and the Angel Investment Foundation.
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns and resolutely opposes UK's six-monthly report on Hong Kong
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
A spokesperson for the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (October 23) expressed resolute opposition and issued a strong condemnation regarding the untruthful allegations, slanders and smears targeting various aspects of the HKSAR in the so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong (January to June 2026) published by the United Kingdom (UK) Government. LegCo firmly supports the solemn statement issued by the HKSAR Government to refute the UK's disregard for facts.
The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. The core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It is not an "international treaty" that confers upon the UK any continuous right of supervision over the HKSAR after its return to the motherland. With China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, all rights and obligations concerning the UK under the Joint Declaration have been completely fulfilled. Following Hong Kong's return, the constitutional and legal basis for the Chinese Government to govern Hong Kong is the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over the HKSAR, and has no right whatsoever to interfere in the affairs of the Region.
The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance are institutional foundations for Hong Kong to restore order, safeguard freedom and development. The UK report portrays Hong Kong's improvement of national security legislation and law enforcement as an erosion of rights and freedoms, while deliberately evading a fundamental fact: prior to the implementation of the HKNSL, Hong Kong experienced severe violent turmoil, public order was severely impacted, and the personal safety and normal lives of citizens were directly threatened. Following the implementation of the HKNSL, Hong Kong society has restored peace and order, providing a solid foundation for developments in Hong Kong's economy, people's livelihood and other aspects. The UK ignores the actual situation of Hong Kong society returning to stability and safety, and its so-called report is purely a pretext to stir up trouble.
In fact, the UK itself possesses at least 14 pieces of legislation safeguarding national security. A country that relies on such an intensive system of national security laws to safeguard its own security stigmatises the law enforcement and judicial measures taken by Hong Kong against a tiny minority of acts endangering national security as undermining rights and freedoms. Such hypocritical double standards precisely expose the political manipulation essence of the report, rather than a genuine concern for the rule of law and human rights.
The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that Hong Kong's judicial independence is fully protected by the Basic Law. Courts independently adjudicate cases strictly based on evidence and the law, and all reasons for verdicts and sentencing judgments are fully public and free from political interference. The World Justice Project recently released the Rule of Law Index 2026, showing that Hong Kong's ranking remains high and unchanged, maintaining sixth place in East Asia and the Pacific region and ranking 24th among 143 countries and regions globally. Hong Kong's scores in most areas remain comparable to last year, with rankings continuing to lead individual Western countries that unceasingly and unreasonably criticise Hong Kong's rule of law and human rights situation.
The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable. Courts in Hong Kong strictly follow the law to adjudicate cases concerning offences endangering national security, including the "Lai Chee-ying case", in a fair and impartial manner, and openly explain the reasons for verdicts and sentencing; conviction decisions are all reasoned and well-founded. The UK Government's so-called report groundlessly attacks Hong Kong's judicial system and trials, and even unreasonably demands the release of convicted persons, which is overtly placing politics above court judgments. This is a blatant trampling on the rule of law and a gross interference in Hong Kong's judicial independence.
Hong Kong has entered a new stage of advancing from stability to prosperity, where security and legal systems are effectively safeguarded, governance efficacy is enhanced, social order is stable, the business environment is continuously optimised, and residents' rights and freedoms are fully protected in accordance with the law. If the UK is genuinely concerned about Hong Kong, it should face these facts and establish a pragmatic and constructive relationship with Hong Kong. The LegCo spokesperson strongly urged the UK Government to stop publishing untruthful and highly misleading so-called reports regarding Hong Kong affairs, and to stop interfering in the HKSAR affairs which are purely China's internal affairs. The spokesperson reiterated that LegCo will, as always, under the executive-led system, firmly support the HKSAR Government in administering in accordance with the law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
Source: AI-found images
