Opening Remarks by the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, JP, at the "Symposium on Innovation & Technology 2026" (with photos)

Alvin (Chairman, Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association, Mr Alvin Lee), Silas (Associate Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Silas Chu), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great honour to join you at the Symposium on Innovation and Technology 2026.

The DPO has long valued our close collaboration with the Hong Kong Electronics and Technologies Association (HKETA). I would like to express my gratitude to both HKETA and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for once again convening this vital platform to shape our collective digital future.

This year’s theme, “AI‑Driven Security & The Next‑Gen Infrastructure”, captures an essential truth. In an era of rapid technological breakthroughs, innovation and security are not competing priorities and they must advance hand in hand.

This conviction is firmly embedded in the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026–2030). Both blueprints affirm that high-level security is the indispensable foundation of high-quality digital development, calling for robust cyber-governance and fortified defence for critical information infrastructure.

Guided by concrete roadmaps, we are turning AI technologies into practical solutions across different government departments and expanding automated public services. Enabling this transformation behind the scenes is our commitment to secure infrastructure with proactive resilience at the core of government operations, governed by a robust AI framework that enforces rigorous security and ethical standards at every stage.

Recognizing that emerging digital threats require proactive and city-wide safeguards, the Government announces a Cybersecurity Defence Programme in the 2026 Policy Address, which aims at establishing a comprehensive cyber‑defence framework to bolster societal digital security resilience. This robust security framework will provide the stable foundation necessary for massive technological growth.

Moreover, technology alone cannot secure our systems. Talent remains the cornerstone of long‑term cybersecurity. The Government nurtures local expertise through a suite of cybersecurity programmes and competitions, encourages tertiary institutions to offer relevant courses, and supports professional development across the industry. To face challenges in the AI-era, we held the first “AI x Cybersecurity Challenge” with industry partners, a competition that invited participants to harness AI for automated vulnerability analysis and explore AI‑vs‑AI defence strategies, cultivating a new generation proficient in both AI and cybersecurity.

Securing infrastructure is an ongoing journey. Today’s symposium provides an invaluable opportunity for us to forge trusted partnerships, co‑create solutions, and build a next‑generation infrastructure that is powerful, intelligent and secure, establishing Hong Kong as a leading global innovation hub.

Lastly, I wish you all an inspiring and highly fruitful symposium.

Thank you very much.

- ENDS -