Speech by PSITI at One Earth Summit
Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, at the One Earth Summit today (October 28):
Poman (Founder of One Earth Initiatives, Professor Poman Lo), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon, it is my honour to speak to you today about "AI for a Low-Carbon Future: Powering Hong Kong's Green and Digital Transition". To our friends and partners from abroad, I extend the warmest and most sincere welcome to Hong Kong. Your presence here today underscores a timeless truth: the ecosystems we share, the climate we depend on, and the digital systems shaping our destiny know no borders.
Today, we stand at the crossroads of two defining revolutions: the rapid rise of AI and the global imperative of decarbonisation. These twin forces must succeed hand-in-hand. We need green technology to mitigate the rising carbon footprint of AI, and we need AI to accelerate green technology and manage our increasingly complex global systems. Together, they will be a powerful alliance driving a resilient, low-carbon future.
For Hong Kong, the test of this alliance is threefold: does AI actually reduce carbon emissions? Does it benefit society at large? Does it protect the world we share? These questions shape the three interconnected pillars that we are building: capability, opportunity, and inclusion. Capability means building infrastructure to drive AI innovation sustainably. Opportunity means turning green technology into real economic and social value for our entrepreneurs and communities. Inclusion means ensuring that this growth is responsible, equitable and leaves no one behind. In the next few minutes, I will share how we are advancing on each of these fronts.
Let us begin with capability. Hong Kong is well positioned to become the data centre and computing power services hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Our total computing capacity has already reached 5 000 PFLOPS (peta-floating point operations per second), actively supporting research and applications in local large language models, advanced materials, synthetic biology and precision medicine. Looking ahead, the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster in the Northern Metropolis will deliver an additional 180 000 PFLOPS by 2032.
At the same time, we have to ensure that our growth will not compromise our netzero goals. We are embedding energy efficiency in law and policy. Data centres must now undergo mandatory energy audits every five years and the relevant technical data on the energy efficiency of their building services installations must be disclosed. Furthermore, all new and retrofitted facilities are required to comply with the energy efficiency standards prescribed in the Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation. Building on this foundation, the Government will explore the Power Usage Effectiveness standards tailored to Hong Kong's data centres. We have commissioned a consultancy study to advise on energy usage efficiency improvement measures and develop industry guidelines by the end of this year, ensuring the healthy, sustainable growth of our computing sector.
To directly empower our scientific community, the Government will inject an additional $1 billion into the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme announced in our 2026 Policy Address. This funding will support the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute in leveraging high-performance computing power to underpin frontier research, thereby accelerating innovative breakthroughs.
Looking ahead, the Government will soon commission a comprehensive computing power study to forecast Hong Kong's long-term demand. Guided by the core principle of "high efficiency computing power, stable electricity supply, low-carbon transition", this study will evaluate the economic impact and GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth driven by computing infrastructure, and offer recommendations to optimise data centre operations and city-wide planning. The study is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2027.
Turning to opportunity, we are leveraging green technology as an engine of economic modernisation, providing structured support to ensure our brightest minds have the resources to succeed.
Our innovation and technology parks are already nurturing the next generation of green entrepreneurs. Since the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation repositioned InnoCentre as the GreenTech Hub in 2025, the green technology ecosystem of the Science Park community has brought together over 250 green technology enterprises and 1 600 professionals. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, which I have the honour to chair, commenced operations last December. Operating under the "one zone, two parks" framework, it bridges AI, data science and new energy developments across the two places. Within this single innovation zone, researchers, capital and data can move seamlessly, allowing green enterprises to draw talent from both sides of the boundary and take climate technology from initial concept to global commercialisation.
A case in point is Archireef Limited, an existing tenant at InnoCentre and a graduate of our Incubation Programme. Archireef collaborates with private sector businesses to restore marine ecosystems, which act as carbon sinks to address climate change. It has co-created the world's first artificial reef structure 3D-printed in terracotta, featuring a biomimicry adaptive design for coral restoration. The Reef Tiles have been proven to be four times more effective in keeping corals alive than conventional methods. Similarly, Open Ocean Engineering exemplifies the fusion of AI and sustainability. Its Clearbot is a swarm of trash-collecting robots that use AI vision to detect and remove waste from water bodies. This demonstrates how AI can directly restore cleaner, healthier aquatic ecosystems.
We are also bridging the gap between research and the market. Through our Innovation and Technology Fund, we have backed 314 environmental technology projects with more than $733 million, helping turn pioneering ideas into real-world climate solutions.
Finally, we must address inclusion because neither the digital nor the green transition can succeed if our people are left behind. For example, this summer, we have launched the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme to promote AI literacy and broader adoption, while cultivating a culture of responsible use. By widening access to these capabilities, we can ensure the benefits of AI can be shared across all segments of society.
Ladies and gentlemen, extreme weather, public health crises, and uneven development are challenges that demand we act together. AI should be a tool for solving our shared challenges, not a wall that divides us. By embracing open co-operation and shared benefit, we can move towards a future in which the smartest systems we build help our planet and people everywhere flourish together.
I wish today's event every success, and I hope you all enjoy a highly rewarding, productive and transformative exchange of ideas. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
Speech by PSITI at One Earth Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
CS chairs interdepartmental working group meeting on Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (October 28) chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group on the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area to holistically co-ordinate and steer the preparatory work of various government departments in addressing the peak in cross-boundary passenger and vehicular traffic at the Huanggang Port during the Halloween period this weekend (i.e. from October 30 to November 1). The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; and representatives from other relevant government departments attended the meeting.
Mr Chan said, "With Halloween falling on this weekend, coupled with a number of events taking place in Hong Kong including the 'Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival' and mega concerts, the number of visitor arrivals and late-night cross-boundary trips is expected to increase significantly. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region attaches great importance to the operation of boundary control points (BCPs) and transport support, and has instructed all relevant departments to make advance deployment, and to accord priority to securing the smooth passage of public transport vehicles during peak clearance hours. Relevant departments have been instructed to effectively manage passenger and vehicular traffic as well as information dissemination, with a view to ensuring the safe and orderly operation of the port and surrounding roads, and providing a good travel experience for members of the public and visitors."
"We anticipate that the Huanggang Port will be very busy during the late-night hours over the Halloween weekend. During peak hours, the Government will adopt the principle of 'giving priority to public transport' and accord priority to the passage of public transport vehicles. I appeal to members of the public and visitors to plan their journeys in advance, take note of the operating hours of various land and rail BCPs, and avoid converging on the Huanggang Port during late-night hours. Travellers who need to cross the boundary during late-night hours are advised to take public transport. Travellers must note that under the principle of 'giving priority to public transport', those choosing to travel by cross-boundary private cars during peak hours may have to wait for a prolonged period on the roads and in the vehicle holding areas. We also encourage visitors to adjust their itineraries to stay overnight in Hong Kong and make good use of the 'ticket stub offers' launched by various events to make their overall journey more comfortable and enjoyable."
Forecast of late-night clearance peaks
Among the land BCPs between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, currently only the Huanggang Port provides 24-hour clearance services for passengers and passenger vehicles. Cross-boundary private cars holding Closed Road Permits (CRPs) for other land BCPs (Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Heung Yuen Wai) are permitted to use the Huanggang Port between midnight and 6.30am daily. Consequently, there will be an increase in cross-boundary vehicles crossing the boundary via the Huanggang Port after midnight.
As multiple mega events this weekend are expected to conclude around midnight, the Government anticipates that the late-night hours over the three consecutive nights from October 30 (Friday) to November 1 (Sunday) (i.e. from about 11pm each night to 2am the following day) will be the busiest period for northbound passenger and vehicular flows at the Huanggang Port, and traffic at the port and in the vicinity of San Tin Highway will be very busy. Given the capacity limits of the connecting roads to the port and the port's handling capacity for cross-boundary private cars, in order to maximise the dispersal efficiency during peak hours, the authorities will accord priority to securing the passage of high-capacity franchised buses, green minibuses (GMBs) and cross-boundary coaches (CBCs). Under the arrangement of giving priority to the passage of public transport vehicles, passengers choosing to cross the boundary by cross-boundary private cars during late-night peak hours will experience longer waiting times, which may reach an hour or more in the vehicle holding areas and vehicle clearance channels. The authorities appeal to motorists and passengers to remain patient and tolerant, and follow the instructions of police officers on-site to queue up in order.
Interdepartmental collaboration and preparatory work at the port
Regarding port operations, the interdepartmental Joint Command Post at the Huanggang Port will be activated early in the afternoon of October 30 (Friday) and operate throughout the weekend to closely monitor passenger and vehicular flows in real time, and maintain close liaison with the Shenzhen port authorities to make swift responses and deployments when necessary, ensuring safe and orderly clearance for both passengers and vehicles. The Security Bureau (SB) will also concurrently activate the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre to closely monitor and co-ordinate public order at the port, and co-ordinate interdepartmental follow-up actions where necessary to respond promptly to various kinds of emergencies. The Immigration Department and relevant port departments have minimised leave for frontline officers to enable flexible deployment of manpower, and will open all vehicle lanes, automated channels and manual counters as early as possible before the arrival of clearance peaks, including the clearance facilities at the passenger departure hall on L5, the vehicle departure level on L1 and the departure immigration clearance hall for on-board passengers on L1M. The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Government Property Agency will also deploy additional police manpower and service ambassadors at L1 and L1M to assist in crowd and traffic dispersal, ensuring efficient and smooth clearance for vehicles and on-board passengers.
Enhancing traffic management and public transport contingency arrangements
The HKPF and the Transport Department (TD) have reviewed the operational experience from last weekend to further optimise road traffic management and public transport support in the vicinity of the port. Since the commissioning of the new port, the TD has set up a dedicated public transport lane leading directly to San Sham Road (i.e. the "bus/goods vehicle" slip road) for use by franchised buses, CBCs and GMBs to enter San Sham Road directly for the Huanggang Port. To strengthen the effective management of the dedicated public transport lane and enhance its effectiveness, the TD will enhance the road markings and extend the dedicated lane. The TD specifically reminds drivers of all light vehicles and taxis that they must not occupy the dedicated public transport lane, and must follow the instructions of police officers on-site. Meanwhile, during the peak hours of Huanggang Port-bound vehicular traffic on the nights of Friday to Sunday this week, the TD and the HKPF will arrange for four franchised bus routes passing through the San Tin Public Transport Interchange (PTI) to enter the PTI directly from Castle Peak Road. Depending on real-time vehicular flow, the HKPF will implement traffic control measures and activate vehicle holding areas in the vicinity of San Tin Highway in a timely manner for traffic diversion, properly separating the traffic streams of buses and cross-boundary private cars. The Transport and Logistics Bureau and the TD will also continue to co-ordinate closely with various public transport operators (PTOs) and steer them in reserving sufficient vehicles and manpower to flexibly step up service frequencies according to passenger demand; during peak hours, the service frequencies of franchised buses can be increased to every two to three minutes, while those of GMBs and CBCs can be increased to every five minutes. The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate 24 hours a day to closely monitor the traffic conditions at the Huanggang Port and across various districts, and implement contingency measures in a timely manner.
On-site traffic enforcement and combating illegal carriage of passengers
The HKPF will step up traffic control during peak traffic hours, swiftly handle traffic accidents and broken-down vehicles, and take stringent enforcement actions against traffic-obstructing offences such as illegal parking and the illegal use of dedicated public transport lanes by cross-boundary private cars. Furthermore, the Government has all along been very concerned about the use of motor vehicles for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward (commonly known as "white licence cars"). Legitimate cross-boundary hire cars must hold regular quotas for cross-boundary hire cars, CRPs and relevant Hire Car Permits. The HKPF has been gathering intelligence through various channels and taking targeted enforcement actions to severely combat the offences of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward by cross-boundary private cars. Apart from prosecuting offending drivers in accordance with the law, upon conviction, the drivers involved will be disqualified from driving and the vehicles involved will also be impounded. The TD will also revoke the CRP of the subject vehicle on the ground of breaching CRP conditions to enhance the deterrent effect. The Government will continue to strengthen law enforcement across all districts to combat illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, and will step up publicity on the relevant penalties to remind drivers not to defy the law, while alerting passengers to the potential risks of using illegal hire car services as the third party liability insurance for the vehicle providing illegal services may become invalid in the event of a traffic accident.
"Ticket stub offers" to encourage visitors to stay in Hong Kong
To encourage visitors to stay in Hong Kong for spending and accommodation after attending mega events while easing late-night cross-boundary passenger and vehicular flows, driven by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, relevant event organisers, catering outlets and merchants will launch a number of promotional offers this weekend, whereby visitors can enjoy various spending privileges upon presenting concert or event tickets.
Information dissemination
To facilitate early journey planning by members of the public and visitors, the SB, the TD, the HKPF and other departments will step up the dissemination of real-time information. Through the one-stop information platform on immigration clearance "Easy Boundary", the "HKeMobility" mobile application and social media platforms, the latest waiting times for passengers and private cars at various land BCPs will be announced, while the locations of traffic queues, estimated waiting times, utilisation of vehicle holding areas and special traffic arrangements will be announced in a timely manner during peak vehicular flow periods, alongside the provision of real-time traffic snapshots of roads to assist members of the public and visitors in grasping traffic situation and adjusting their itineraries. The working group appeals to members of the public and visitors planning to travel northbound across the boundary after evening events to make use of other land and rail BCPs before their closure as far as possible, and avoid converging on the Huanggang Port during late-night hours. Those who need to cross the boundary via the Huanggang Port during late-night hours should take public transport. The TD has steered PTOs to strengthen services from the Central District area on Hong Kong Island to Huanggang. Visitors may also stay overnight in Hong Kong after participating in nighttime festive events to avoid the clearance and vehicular traffic peaks, making their journey more comfortable and enjoyable.
Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the personnel of various relevant departments and PTOs for standing fast at their posts and working in concert to maintain smooth and orderly clearance and traffic at the port. He again appealed to members of the public and visitors to plan their journeys in advance, pay attention to the information disseminated by various government departments, and follow the instructions of police officers on-site.
CS chairs interdepartmental working group meeting on Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS chairs interdepartmental working group meeting on Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
