Speech by PSITI at opening event of Asia-Pacific Regional International Astronomical Union Meeting 2026 (English just) (with picture)
******************************************************************************************
Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, at the opening event of the Asia-Pacific Regional International Astronomical Union (IAU) Meeting 2026 today (May 4):
Differentiated visitors, respected researchers and astronomers, girls and gentlemen,
Excellent early morning. It is an unique honour to join you today for the opening event of the Asia-Pacific Regional International Astronomical Union Meeting. To our good friends who have actually taken a trip from throughout the area and around the world, a hot welcome to Hong Kong. And to regional researchers and astronomers, I make certain that you are as delighted as I am to join this star-studded conference here.
When individuals mention Hong Kong, they frequently picture our renowned horizon, our busy Victoria Harbour, and our status as a premier center for financing and trade. Today, I have to welcome you to look beyond our high-rise buildings – all the method to the stars. Hong Kong is not simply a viewer in the universes. We are figured out, well geared up and well placed to taking a special specific niche in area innovation.
Our country China has actually set a visionary tactical instructions, and it is speeding up the journey towards ending up being a worldwide aerospace powerhouse. Under the special “one country, two systems” concept, Hong Kong stands as the only city worldwide that perfectly incorporates the “China advantage” with an unique “global advantage”The National 15th Five-Year Plan reveals steadfast assistance for Hong Kong’s advancement into a global development and innovation (I&T) centre. This makes us the perfect host for this prominent IAU event, to name a few popular global clinical conferences.
Our self-confidence to be the worldwide I&T centre, along with aerospace designer, is rooted in a bedrock of first-rate quality. Hong Kong is home to 5 universities ranked amongst the world’s leading 100, producing an open and lively research study community. The Government is unfaltering in its dedication to supporting our researchers in taking part in nationwide area objective tasks, leveraging our strengths in standard research study to fix the secrets of deep space.
In regards to concrete financial investment, our Innovation and Technology Support Programme supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission, has actually introduced the Special Call on Aerospace Technology, assigning over $100 million to support 6 flagship R&D (research study and advancement) tasks. This consists of pioneering work led by our hosts today, the University of Hong Kong (HKU). We will continue to work together with the scholastic sector to promote a sustainable and growing aerospace research study environment.
We are likewise happy with the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre (HKSREC), developed under the InnoHK research study clusters. In cooperation with regional universities consisting of HKU and other well-regarded partners, the HKSREC is presently establishing a multifunctional lunar surface area operation robotic. This is not a simple scholastic workout; this innovation will be straight used to the Chang’e-8 (嫦娥八號) lunar expedition program, making it possible for clinical expedition, instrument implementation, and collective operations in the moon’s tough environment. Envision Hong Kong is now on the moon’s surface area.
Structure on this momentum, I am likewise pleased to share that the freshly developed SEAM@InnoHK – our 3rd InnoHK research study cluster concentrating on sustainable advancement, energy, advanced production and products – has actually confessed 8 advanced R&D labs. Amongst them there is the Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology, which will even more reinforce Hong Kong’s function ahead of time aerospace development and add to the long-lasting vision of sustainable area expedition, which is among the crucial subjects of this conference too.
Similarly amazing is the involvement of an HKU research study group in the nation’s Tianwen-3 (天問三號) planetary objective. The Short-Wavelength Infrared Spectrometer, established right here at HKU, has actually been formally chosen as a payload for the objective. This instrument will be essential for forecasting Martian dust storms and looking for biosignatures. These accomplishments highlight the Hong Kong Government’s tactical effort to cultivate a regional aerospace market by leveraging our unique, special geographical and institutional benefits.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong might be little in landmass, however our clinical aspiration is limitless. With robust federal government support, first-rate skill, and deep cross-boundary synergy, we are not simply experiencing the country’s and the world’s area journey – we are assisting to craft its future.
Might I want the IAU Asia-Pacific Meeting every success and hope you all have a fulfilling exchange of concepts over these couple of days.
Thank you quite.