Speech by SITI at Opening Ceremony of InnoEX Forum (English only) (with photos)

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the opening ceremony of InnoEX Forum today (April 12):

尊敬的科技部張廣軍副部長 (Vice Minister of Science and Technology Professor Zhang Guangjun), 方偉副省長 (Vice Governor of Jiangsu Provincial People's Government Mr Fang Wei) 及各省市領導, 林建岳主席 (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr Peter Lam), 中聯辦王偉明部長 (Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Wang Weiming), 立法會梁君彥主席 (President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung), 行政會議召集人葉劉淑儀女士 (Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mrs Regina Ip), distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. Welcome to InnoEX Hong Kong. The Business of Innovation and Technology Week starts today and I am proud to promise you a truly rewarding experience on any day during the week, with InnoEX being one of its key highlights with so many high-powered speakers and attendees from all over the world.

The theme of InnoEX this year is connecting the world with innovations for better living. For your information, the event has attracted more than 400 exhibitors from seven countries and regions, including Canada, France, Korea, the United States, Thailand, apart from the Mainland and Hong Kong. For the next few minutes, please allow me to put the digital spotlight on the innovation and technology (I&T) development in Hong Kong.

The current-term Government is committed to creating a strong impetus for growth and earnestly addressing people's concerns by fostering I&T development. Last year, we published the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint to formulate the I&T strategic planning over the next five to 10 years. We will take forward its key directions including the promotion of the digital economy and smart city development. To echo today's theme, let me share with you some of our key initiatives in spearheading smart city development.

We embarked on the smart city journey in 2017 when we released the first edition of the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong which outlined six smart areas and provided a roadmap for government departments to leverage I&T to improve the quality of life of our citizens, improve the governance of the administration, promote business activities and enhance the city's competitiveness.

The journey continued and in 2020, we renewed our smart city initiatives to keep pace with technological developments as well as the changing needs of society. The solid foundations in I&T that we have laid down in the past few years facilitated the administration to further improve our public services. For instance, we deployed artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to improve our traffic management and provide real-time information to the public to assist in their travel planning.

Hong Kong has been making impressive strides in the smart city journey. Today, Hong Kong ranked 19th in the 2023 Smart City Index conducted by the International Institute for Management Development, up from 33rd in 2021. Nonetheless, we will not be complacent in where we are. To lead by example, as announced in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address, we are now forging ahead with an e-government audit with a view to implementing 100 digital initiatives by various departments leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain and big data analytics by 2025. They will certainly further enhance our livelihood with greater convenience and allow us to experience the benefits of smart city and I&T in our daily lives.

Before I close, I would like to extend my special thanks to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and all the parties involved in ensuring the success of this landmark I&T event.

May I wish you all the most rewarding exchange and meaningful experience at InnoEX. Thank you very much.

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