Written by publisher• August 4, 2025• 2:30 pm• Tech • Views: 0

Hong Kong’s Commitment to Tech Advancement: A Pathway to Innovation and Talent Development

HKSAR Committed to Advancing Technology and Innovation

By William Xu in Hong Kong

Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, has reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s technological independence. Speaking at the “Enterprise Going Global Conference” held alongside “The Cradle” Inauguration Ceremony in Kowloon’s HKPC Building on April 11, 2025, Sun outlined the city’s focused efforts on cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, emphasizing the establishment of a resilient technology talent pool.

Hong Kong: An Indispensable Force in National Innovation

In a recent interview with China Daily, Sun described Hong Kong as “an indispensable force” within China’s broader innovation ecosystem. He highlighted the city’s rapid transformation into a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting high-quality talent through roles designated by key national strategies.

Since taking office in 2022, Sun has been pivotal in steering Hong Kong’s innovation landscape. Early in his tenure, he led the publication of the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, a strategic framework that clarifies pathways for local industries and promotes societal consensus on the critical role technology plays in fostering high-quality development.

Central to this vision, Sun stressed, is the need to ensure that Hong Kong’s initiatives are “closely integrated with the overall strategy of the country,” reflecting the aligned priorities between the SAR and Beijing.

Strategic Focus on AI and Semiconductors

Hong Kong has made significant strides in AI, underpinned by strong policy support, financial investment, infrastructure enhancement, and talent cultivation. A landmark project is the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, supported by an initial allocation of HK$1 billion (approximately US$127.4 million), positioning it as one of five key pillars for public research and development.

These initiatives complement the central government’s focus on AI, as reaffirmed in this year’s Government Work Report, which called AI essential for fostering new, high-quality productive forces.

“AI development in Hong Kong has actually made significant strides,” Sun stated, highlighting advances in research and development and computational capabilities. Five Hong Kong universities rank within the top 50 worldwide for AI and data science disciplines, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025—the highest in Asia and second only to the United States globally.

By the end of 2025, Hong Kong’s data centers are projected to provide up to 5,000 petaflops of computational power, sufficient to support the local AI industry’s growth in the coming years. Building on the February launch of the locally developed HKGAI V1, the city plans to release HKChat, an AI-powered chat robot based on this large language model, later this year. Trained on data from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and overseas, HKChat is designed to assist residents with tasks such as transcribing meeting notes and answering government-related inquiries, positioning it as a practical tool for everyday life and work.

Advancing Semiconductor Self-Reliance

Amid China’s intensified push for technological self-reliance, Hong Kong is contributing through its specialized strengths. The Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, established in 2024, concentrates on third-generation semiconductor technologies vital for new energy vehicles and power electronics, notable for their superior power density and high-temperature operation capabilities.

This R&D effort benefits from close regional collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), where Hong Kong’s research and pilot production capabilities complement the mature industrial chains of neighboring mainland cities. Such synergy enhances the GBA’s competitiveness and ability to complete independent research-to-production cycles.

Reflecting this cooperation’s success, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster has maintained its position as the world’s second-most innovative region for five consecutive years, according to the 2024 Global Innovation Index.

Balancing International Connectivity with Core Strengths

Sun emphasized Hong Kong’s open economy and international networks as key advantages, providing diverse procurement and partnership opportunities that reduce reliance on any single economic partner. “We need to fortify our international advantages while enhancing our own strengths. A dual strategy will help us deal with challenges that arise from geopolitical tensions,” he stated.

Talent development remains a cornerstone of the government’s agenda. Sun confirmed ongoing efforts to attract technology professionals globally through favorable policies, alongside increased investment in fundamental and higher education to nurture homegrown talent.

Northern Metropolis: The Next Innovation Engine

Looking ahead, the Northern Metropolis — currently under construction — is slated to become Hong Kong’s next powerhouse for science and technology innovation. The project is expected to generate numerous high-tech jobs for young professionals and further enrich the city’s research and development ecosystem.

Through these deliberate, multifaceted strategies, Hong Kong aims to solidify its role as a vital contributor to China’s technological progress while sustaining its global innovation stature.

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