Remarks by SITI at concluding session of Global I&T Summit (English only) (with photo)
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Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good day. I would like to start by expressing my deepest gratitude to you all for your presence and participation in our Global I&T Summit, the first-of-its-kind in gathering 30 distinguished scholars and scientists from North America, Europe and Asia in Hong Kong together.
Today's Summit is one of the signature events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Over the past two decades, science and technology have grown by leaps and bounds, so as the innovation and technology (I&T) development in Hong Kong. We are sparing no effort to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, and capitalise on our unique advantages under "one country, two systems" as well as our solid science and technology foundation to integrate into the overall national development and seize the golden opportunities ahead.
Just now I noticed several speakers shared their views on what innovation is. In my view, innovation, at its core, is about solving problems for creating a better world. Many great inventions were born from small problems. Innovation is the process that people keep questioning and reasoning, and then work on solutions to tackle the problem with repeated failures and countless attempts. That makes transfer of knowledge and experience particularly important in accelerating technology advancement and achieving scientific breakthroughs. We are most grateful to have the top-tier and renowned speakers, moderators and other guests, especially those travelling from afar, for their generous sharing of knowledge, which has made this Summit highly insightful and inspiring. Let me have a quick recap with you the highlights of today.
The COVID-19 pandemic is indeed an unprecedented wake-up call to all of us to think deeply how we can deal with a pandemic more swiftly and effectively. We are deeply honoured to have Professor David Ho (Director, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University) to kick-start the Summit by delivering a keynote speech on using new technologies in combating emerging and new viruses. Amidst the global public health crisis, we have never seen so closely how biomedicine and health science help protect us as discussed in Professor Lau Chak-sing (Dean of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong)'s panel session.
On next generation technology, we cannot be more excited to learn from Professor Pan Jian-wei (Executive Vice President, University of Science and Technology of China) who enlightened us on how quantum communication can reshape the world in an accelerating speed. Meanwhile, Professor Roland Chin (Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer Science, Hong Kong Baptist University)'s panel session focusing on AI and Humanness gave us a meaningful lesson on the balancing the benefit and impact brought by AI advancement.
Hong Kong possesses world's top universities and talents with strong research capabilities and originality. Followed by the InnoHK Session featuring Hong Kong's Role as the Global Hub for R&D in Science and Technology earlier, our Presidents of top universities in Hong Kong shared with us their foresights on the various challenges and opportunities in R&D ahead this afternoon. Last but not least, the "Dialogue with the Younger Generation" concluded just now encouraged our younger generations to continue embarking on the road to innovation. Actually I am personally very impressed by their sharing.
I&T development has always been the top priority of the Hong Kong SAR Government. As set out in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, our country has demonstrated her acknowledgement in Hong Kong's I&T development and the high hopes of Hong Kong devoting to the country's development in science and technology. Our Chief Executive has also highlighted in his opening remarks this morning a series of I&T initiatives to propel Hong Kong's I&T development.
The coming five to ten years is the golden era of Hong Kong's I&T development. We will soon launch the "Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint" to outline the broad development direction and key strategies for Hong Kong's future I&T development, and to provide a clear development path and systematic strategic planning for realising Hong Kong's vision of developing into an international I&T centre.
Of course, the Government's effort alone is not enough. Industry, academic and research sectors are also playing an indispensable and irreplaceable role in promoting I&T development. Today's summit is the best example to demonstrate cross-sector collaboration. Through the joint efforts among different stakeholders in recent years, the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong has become increasingly vibrant. I hope our I&T community remains true to the original aspiration for the benefits of Hong Kong, Mainland and beyond.
Isaac Newton once said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." I am sure that today's speakers had provided us with much food for thought, and their ongoing commitment and contribution to promote intellectual exchange are invaluable and essential to the growth of Hong Kong's I&T development. While Hong Kong is back onstage, we stand ready to seize the golden opportunities at a time when I&T is a key engine of global economic growth. Ladies and gentlemen, may I sincerely invite you to join us in our I&T journey, to innovate for a better Hong Kong, and a better world.
Lastly, I must thank my team in Innovation and Technology Commission led by Rebecca for organising this wonderful Summit. Thank you all very much. Have a nice evening.
Ends/Thursday, December 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:17
Issued at HKT 20:17
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