Speech by SITI at Third InnoHK Research Cluster Launch Ceremony (English only)

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the third InnoHK research cluster launch ceremony on 1 September: 

呂峰副部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Economic and Financial Department II of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Mr Lyu Feng), Cordelia (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Ms Cordelia Chung), Kevin (Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the launch ceremony of the third InnoHK research cluster.

     InnoHK is the HKSAR Government's flagship platform for global research collaboration. Over the past several years, two Inno (InnoHK) research clusters have been established, namely Health@InnoHK focusing on healthcare technology, and AIR@InnoHK on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies. The initiative has connected over 30 leading universities and research institutions from 12 economies, bringing together some 3 000 local and international researchers and collaborators. Riding on the success of the first two clusters, we are now building the third one, namely SEAM@InnoHK, which expands our reach to four main areas, namely sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials.  

     With Government funding of around $2.5 billion under this new cluster, we are proud to set up eight R&D (research and development) centres and partner with about 30 collaborators from the Chinese Mainland and overseas, with research spanning next-generation semiconductors, sustainable energy and innovative materials, space manufacturing and advanced manufacturing technologies, as well as smart energy management. This initiative echoes the call to drive high-end manufacturing, accelerate growth of strategic emerging industries and deepen the green transition under the national 15th Five-Year Plan.

     Hong Kong's unique advantages provide fertile soil for the launch of the SEAM@InnoHK new cluster. We are home to five of the world's top 100 universities and lead globally in several areas, such as engineering, material sciences, and environmental sciences. Hong Kong serves as the "super connector" and "super value-adder" between our nation and the world, attracting global technology enterprises, capital, and world-class talent. By integrating advanced technologies into our local industries, the third research cluster demonstrates our unwavering commitment to promoting cutting-edge research and real-world application of our excellent research outcomes, with a view to accelerating Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology centre.
      
     I am confident that SEAM@InnoHK will generate tangible economic and social benefits, cultivate a new generation of research talent, and contribute to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, our nation, and the world. Thank you.