Leading technology figures in Hong Kong have called for a fundamental reorientation of the city’s innovation strategy, urging the government to look beyond its existing achievements and concentrate on emerging areas such as clean energy, aerospace, quantum computing, and optical communications. They suggested that artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to accelerate progress in these demanding fields, China Daily reports.
The cautionary remarks follow the Hong Kong innovation sector’s most successful showing to date at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva last week. The city secured nearly 300 awards, including a record-breaking 12 special prizes. The sheer scope of the winnings – spanning universities, research institutes, governmental bodies, and schools – demonstrates the considerable depth of the city’s ecosystem.
This achievement provides a boost of confidence towards the city’s ambitious objectives of becoming a global talent hub, as set out in the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).
But while he expressed his satisfaction with the Geneva results, tech sector lawmaker Duncan Chiu urged government departments and bureaux to study the national blueprint carefully when formulating relevant policies. Chiu also requested more training and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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While acknowledging that public institutions and universities are dedicating increased resources to research, Chiu insisted that the key objective must be to turn inventions into viable products and enterprises, helping Hong Kong technology companies enter international markets. According to China Daily, he also reiterated the potential within high-risk, high-reward deep-tech fields such as aerospace, quantum computing, and optical communications.
To nurture these specialised areas, Chiu stressed that the funding model must evolve, arguing for the encouragement of more ‘patient capital’. Furthermore, he highlighted that providing adequate incentives to ensure global technology talent chooses to remain in the city is a critical and urgent issue.
Wong Kam-fai, a legislator and advisor to the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation, agreed that the Geneva successes are proof of Hong Kong’s advanced capabilities and efficiency. However, he called for greater efforts to commercialise research outcomes, as well as to attract and cultivate top-tier talent. Looking forward, Wong cited global geopolitical pressures, particularly the fuel crises stemming from tensions in the Middle East, and argued that Hong Kong must develop clean and new energy sources to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
