Opening remarks by SITI at Hong Kong Science Summit
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, on the Hong Kong Science Summit right now (December 12):
Professor Dennis Lo (President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences), distinguished visitors, girls and gents,
Good morning. It is my nice pleasure to affix you all right now on the Hong Kong Science Summit. This summit gathers distinguished scientists and educational leaders from world wide to alternate views on the newest international scientific developments. Science and expertise are instrumental for scientific progress. I’m glad that we’re right here collectively to construct a greater future for the youthful generations and make Hong Kong, and even this world, a greater place in our pursuit for scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs.
In latest years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been investing vigorously in innovation and expertise (I&T). With three main I&T parks and 5 key analysis and growth establishments because the framework, we’re poised to advertise the co-ordinated growth of, and optimistic interplay amongst, the analysis and growth within the upstream, expertise switch within the midstream and growth of business within the downstream. We hope to leverage Hong Kong’s conventional strengths in analysis and growth to drive industrial innovation and construct a wholesome I&T ecosystem.
Our efforts are progressively bearing fruit. With the staunch help of our nation, in addition to our shut collaboration with neighboring cities, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has ranked first for the primary time within the 2025 Global Innovation Index Ranking of the World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters. Riding on our large potential in expertise growth, Hong Kong additionally rose to rank fourth globally in digital competitiveness within the newest World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025. These achievements are a testomony to our dedication and the progressive spirit of our metropolis, laying a strong basis for high-quality growth.
To sustain the momentum, we’re expediting the event of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park within the Loop, with a view to becoming a member of palms with Shenzhen to create a global expertise hub. Together with Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport, the Hong Kong Park within the Loop would additional propel our I&T growth. The Government has additionally been bolstering its efforts to nurture native abilities and entice abroad and Mainland professionals. The current two InnoHK analysis clusters, specifically AIR@InnoHK and Health@InnoHK, have already pooled over 3000 specialists from across the globe. Building on the success of the 2 clusters, we’re taking ahead the institution of the third InnoHK analysis cluster, specifically SEAM@InnoHK. This new cluster will deal with analysis areas resembling sustainable growth, power, superior manufacturing, and supplies, and is predicted to broaden our high-calibre expertise pool. We have additionally launched the $3billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme in September this 12 months to supply funding help to universities in attracting worldwide top-notch scientific researchers to Hong Kong, in order to spearhead primary analysis in frontier applied sciences. These latest measures signify our dedication to creating Hong Kong as a global I&T centre and expertise hub.
Hong Kong’s growth is underpinned by our distinctive “one country, two systems” precept, which makes us the one world metropolis which enjoys each the China benefit and the worldwide benefit. With the big alternatives arising from the event of the Greater Bay Area, we’re on the daybreak of an unprecedented golden period for Hong Kong’s I&T growth. Nurturing younger abilities is important to bringing Hong Kong’s I&T growth to a complete new stage. The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, together with its Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, has been our shut accomplice in empowering the subsequent technology of scientists. As this 12 months marks an vital milestone of the tenth anniversary of the Academy, allow us to proceed to affix palms in constructing a vibrant I&T ecosystem and nurturing extra abilities who will contribute to the high-quality growth of each Hong Kong and the nation.
In closing, could I want you all a fruitful and inspiring expertise on the summit. Thank you.
Opening remarks by SITI at Hong Kong Science Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR Government strongly disapproves and rejects report of US Congressional-Executive Commission on China
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) yesterday (December 11) strongly disapproved and opposed the so-called “2025 Annual Report” issued by the United States (US) Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which made biased, slandering and smearing remarks in opposition to the state of affairs within the HKSAR.
A HKSAR Government spokesperson mentioned, “The HKSAR Government strongly disapproves and opposes the CECC’s repeated tactics to interfere in the affairs of the HKSAR through the so-called annual report, and make slandering remarks against Hong Kong, where ‘one country, two systems’ is successfully implemented. The US is once again overriding the rule of law with politics and making unfounded and fact-twisting remarks. Such attempt to undermine the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and interfere in Hong Kong’s law-based governance is doomed to fail.”
The spokesperson reiterated, “The HKSAR Government steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the highest principle of ‘one country, two systems’. It will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst maintaining the common law system, adhering to the principle of the rule of law and upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’. The HKSAR Government strongly demands the US to immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in China’s internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs.”
Regarding the slandering remarks within the US’ so-called report and the related assertion concerning the HKSAR, the Government solemnly rejects them within the ensuing paragraphs.
Safeguarding National Security
The HKSAR Government spokesperson mentioned, “The HKSAR Government strongly opposes the absurd and untrue content regarding legislation safeguarding national security in the HKSAR contained in the US’ so-called report. In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation and implemented measures to safeguard national security.”
“As the HKSAR Government has emphasised time and once more that the legal guidelines safeguarding nationwide safety within the HKSAR are exactly for safeguarding nationwide sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; and guaranteeing the complete and devoted implementation of the precept of ‘one nation, two programs’ beneath which the folks of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a excessive diploma of autonomy. It additionally higher safeguards the basic rights and freedoms of the residents of the HKSAR and different folks within the metropolis.
“Extraterritorial impact for the offences endangering nationwide safety beneath the HKNSL and the SNSO totally aligns with the rules of worldwide regulation, worldwide apply and frequent apply adopted in varied nations and areas. It is each obligatory and reliable, and can be in keeping with these of different nations and areas world wide (together with the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and member states of the European Union). The Police have the duty to pursue those that are suspected of committing offences endangering nationwide safety outdoors Hong Kong.
“As regards the offenses associated to seditious intention, the courts of the HKSAR have dominated in several circumstances that the provisions referring to sedition are in line with the related provisions of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights on the safety of human rights, and {that a} proportionate and cheap stability has been struck between safeguarding nationwide safety and safety of the liberty of speech. The offence is just not meant to silence the expression of any opinion that’s solely real criticisms in opposition to the Government primarily based on goal details.
“The so-called US report mentioning the custodial arrangements for Jimmy Chee-ying is completely baseless. The HKSAR Government has also publicly stated on numerous occasions that the medical services received by Lai Chee-ying in custody are adequate and comprehensive. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) attaches great importance to the safety and health of persons-in-custody (PICs). Regardless of the identities, ages and nationalities of PICs, the CSD is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, as well as timely medical support. During an earlier public court hearing, senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying clearly presented to the court that the correctional institutions had been arranging daily medical checkups for Lai Chee-ying and that there had been no complaints at all regarding the medical services he was receiving, and the Court commended the CSD. As for the arrangement for Lai Chee-ying’s removal from association from other PICs (i.e. the so-called ‘solitary confinement’), it has all along been made at his own request and approved by the CSD after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law.”
Safeguarding Due Administration of Justice and Rule of Law
The HKSAR Government emphasised that each one judicial circumstances are dealt with strictly on the idea of proof and in accordance with the regulation. All defendants will obtain a good trial strictly in accordance with legal guidelines relevant to Hong Kong (together with the HKNSL and the SNSO) and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The so-called report particularly talked about circumstances on offences endangering nationwide safety involving Lai Chee-ying, wantonly smearing the regulation enforcement, prosecution and judicial organs of the HKSAR relating to the dealing with of the related circumstances. Their ulterior motives are apparent, specifically, to intrude with the judicial proceedings within the HKSAR by way of political energy to be able to procure a defendant’s evasion of the legal justice course of. The HKSAR Government strongly condemned these blatant making an attempt to undermine the rule of regulation of the HKSAR.
The HKSAR Government spokesman identified, “The Department of Justice, by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law, controls criminal prosecutions, makes independent prosecutorial decisions in accordance with the law, free from any interference. Prosecutions would be instituted by the Department of Justice only if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction, and if it is in the public interest to do so.”
“The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. All cases concerning offence endangering national security will be handled by the prosecution and judicial authorities of the HKSAR in a fair and timely manner in strict compliance with Article 42(1) of the HKNSL, with the procedural rights of defendants exercised in accordance with the law fully respected throughout the process. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws, and cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or background of the persons involved. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court.”
Safeguarding Rights and Freedoms
The HKSAR Government spokesman mentioned, “The HKSAR Government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms loved by Hong Kong folks as protected beneath the regulation. Since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, human rights within the metropolis have at all times been robustly assured constitutionally by each the Constitution and the Basic Law. The HKNSL and the SNSO additionally clearly stipulate that human rights shall be revered and protected in safeguarding nationwide safety within the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms, together with the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of affiliation, of meeting, of procession and of demonstration, that Hong Kong residents take pleasure in beneath the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as utilized to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the regulation. Nonetheless, simply because the case with different locations on this planet, such rights and freedoms usually are not absolute. The ICCPR additionally expressly states that a few of them could also be topic to restrictions as prescribed by regulation which might be obligatory for the safety of nationwide safety, public security, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, and so forth. Indeed, Article 19 of the ICCPR particularly requires that journalists should observe and discharge ‘particular duties and tasks’ together with safety of nationwide safety or public order.
“In fact, since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, the media landscape in Hong Kong has remained vibrant. However, the so-called ‘2025 Annual Report’ deliberately fabricated facts about freedom of the press and speech in Hong Kong. Like all other places in the world, freedom of the press and speech are not absolute. The media, like everyone else, has an obligation to abide by all the laws. The media continue to enjoy the freedom to comment on and criticise government policies without any restriction, as long as this is not in violation of the law. The court further cited precedents from the European Court of Human Rights regarding press freedom in the reasons for verdict of a relevant case, pointing out that the European Convention on Human Rights does not guarantee a wholly unrestricted freedom of speech even with respect to press coverage on matters of serious public concern. The most crucial point is that journalists must act in good faith and on accurate factual basis and provide reliable and precise information in accordance with the tenets of ‘responsible journalism’ in order to enjoy the protection of their rights to freedom of speech and press freedom. The US Government does not hesitate to take action against misleading and biased news reporting. Recently, it has set up a webpage to list such misleading and biased reporting of the media, and even described some of such media reports as ‘subversive’. The US CECC’s smearing of the HKSAR with double-standard is purely a shameful political maneuver.”
As for the so-called annual report’s declare that girls in Hong Kong confronted discrimination and harassment within the office, that is an absurd accusation. The Sex Discrimination Ordinance protects girls from discrimination, sexual harassment, and victimization within the prescribed space of employment.”
Maintaining long-term prosperity and stability
Under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has the distinctive benefit of having fun with sturdy help of the motherland whereas being intently linked to the world. With such unparalleled connectivity, Hong Kong will proceed to play its twin position as “super-connector” and “super value-adder”. Hong Kong can even proceed to leverage its strengths to reinforce its position as worldwide monetary, maritime and commerce centres, amongst others, while proactively integrating into the general growth of our nation, together with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area growth, the high-quality growth of the Belt and Road Initiative, and so forth.. The HKSAR Government will proceed to determine new areas for financial growth and proactively compete for enterprises and abilities with a view to selling the sustainable growth and enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong. As a matter of reality, Hong Kong has as soon as once more been ranked because the world’s freest financial system by the Fraser Institute. On the opposite hand, the US enjoys vital financial advantages in Hong Kong and has realised a commerce surplus of greater than US$270 billion with Hong Kong over the previous 10 years, the most important amongst US international buying and selling companions. There are about 1 390 US firms with their companies in Hong Kong. All these exhibit the shut and long-standing financial ties between Hong Kong and the US, in addition to the huge enterprise pursuits of the US in Hong Kong. A steady and affluent Hong Kong is definitely of mutual advantages to Hong Kong and the US.