Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok today (October 21):
      
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Hello everyone. Sah wah dee khrap. Welcome to the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok. We are excited to bring to Bangkok the first ever overseas edition of our flagship Hong Kong Week events, to showcase Hong Kong’s unique culture of artistry and creativity.
      
     Under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is where the China advantage and the global advantage converge in a single city.
      
     As a pluralistic metropolis blending Chinese and Western cultures, Hong Kong is a strong believer of the promotion of mutual understanding among peoples of different places through cultural exchange.
      
     We are eager to share the artistic achievements of our Asia’s world city with audiences from every part of the world. We also endeavour to bring quality artworks encompassing rich Chinese culture to more overseas cities, giving play to our unique strengths as a conduit between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world.
      
     With a long and vibrant history, Thailand is fast becoming a cultural centre of the region. From mesmerising folklore and legends, to the vivid development of modern and contemporary art, Thailand’s cultural scenes continue to fascinate the world.
      
     This year, we are glad to hold our first overseas Hong Kong Week in Bangkok to further enhance the exchanges and collaboration in arts and culture, and creative industries between our two cities.
      
     The Hong Kong Week features diverse programmes, from music, dance and film, to fashion and intangible cultural heritage events. The eventful programme provides lots of opportunities for artists in Hong Kong and Bangkok to collaborate and exchange ideas.
      
     With the passion of our artists, I am confident that this three-week festival will be filled with colours and sparks. Confident, as well, that it will bolster cultural appreciation and ties between our peoples.
      
     Looking ahead, I hope more of our friends from Thailand would come to Hong Kong, to see for yourselves the unparalleled and plentiful opportunities, and feel the energy of our dynamic city. We welcome all of you in Hong Kong, for travel, for work, for studies, or even for investment.
      
     I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all our dedicated partners, in particular the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Mahidol University, for giving your tremendous support to this Hong Kong Week.
      
     I wish Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok a great success, and everyone an enjoyable afternoon at the reception and the opening concert. Thank you.
      

     ​Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of 2023 Future Science Prize Week today (October 14):

Dennis (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week, Professor Dennis Lo), Professor Yang Xueming (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week), Mr Richard Liu (Rotating Chairman of Council of the Future Forum 2023), Professor Gregory Winter (2018 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry), Professor Shankar Balasubramanian (2022 Breakthrough Prize Laureate in Life Science), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am delighted to be here today for the opening ceremony of the Future Science Prize Week 2023. First of all, on behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the scientists and speakers coming to Hong Kong.

     When I heard last year that the Future Science Prize Week including the award ceremony would be moving to Hong Kong for the very first time, I could not hide my excitement and immediately expressed my strong support. Two months ago, I attended the press conference of the Future Science Prize 2023 and witnessed the heartfelt sharing from the winners. With the official launch of the Future Science Prize Week today, I finally have the opportunity to meet the winners and congratulate them in person!

     As the Chief Executive has just said, the location of today’s opening ceremony at the Hong Kong Science Park, is symbolic and meaningful. In particular, the landmark auditorium where we gather here is named after Professor Charles Kao, 高錕教授, the “Father of Fiber Optic Communications”, with whom we are all very familiar. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009 and had spent much of his life in Hong Kong, contributing to science and education, as well as nurturing Hong Kong’s next generation. We are very fortunate to have so many great world-class scientists in our city, which shows that Hong Kong has an excellent soil for nurturing I&T talent. I am of full confidence that the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong will continue to be increasingly vibrant.

     With the staunch support from our motherland, Hong Kong is fully committed to the I&T development and is working at full steam to become an international innovation and technology centre. We all continue to give full play to our important role as a bridge connecting the Mainland and rest of the world, and leverage Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city to foster global I&T collaboration by supporting more world-class academic exchanges in Hong Kong, just like today. I am confident that the Future Science Prize Week programmes will help further enhance the awareness and interest in science and technology among the younger generation, and create a stronger scientific atmosphere in the community.

     Today’s opening ceremony marks the official start of the four-day Future Science Prize Week programmes, kicked off by the Life Science session, where heavyweight scientists will soon lead us on an exploration of mysteries of life and health. Please stay tuned for more exciting programmes in the coming days and join us on this amazing I&T journey.

     Science and technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, and that is our mission to popularise science for the future and to build a better and brighter future for our next generation. In the face of various challenges around the world, science and technology will continue to unlock more for the benefit of humanity.

     Before I close, I would like to thank Dennis and the Organising Committee for all their excellent efforts to make this possible. I am also most grateful to have the top-tier and renowned speakers for their generous sharing of knowledge and insight. May I wish you all a fruitful and enjoyable experience at the Future Science Prize Week in Hong Kong. Thank you very much!

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of 2023 Future Science Prize Week today (October 14):
      
Professor Dennis Lo (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week), Professor Yang Xueming (Co-Chair of the Program Committee of 2023 Future Science Prize Week), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     It is my great pleasure to virtually join the opening of the 2023 Future Science Prize Week. I would like to start by extending my sincere congratulations to the eight awardees of the 2023 Future Science Prize.
      
     Since its inception in 2016, the Future Science Prize has awarded 35 distinguished scientists who have made outstanding achievements in science and technology in the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan. This eminent award has given the global community a better understanding of the scientific development in the country and the impact of our scientists to the world.
      
     I am delighted to note that for the very first time in the prize’s history, this year’s Prize Week is being held here in Hong Kong. The opening ceremony today takes place in the Hong Kong Science Park, a flagship I&T (innovation and technology) facility that is home to over 1 000 thriving tech firms.
      
     As for the award ceremony, it will be held in one of our newest and most spectacular landmarks – the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which showcases national treasures from the Forbidden City in Beijing, and is part of our blossoming West Kowloon Cultural District. I surely hope that our guests will have an extraordinary and memorable experience there, as you marvel at the synergy between science and culture, in this dynamic Asia’s world city of Hong Kong.
      
     Over 100 outstanding scientists coming from all over the world will take part in a two-day Science Symposium today and tomorrow, as you participate in a series of thought-provoking panel discussions.
      
     These world-class scientific events and exchanges will certainly inspire our young and budding scientists to pursue excellence in their careers, and go a long way towards consolidating Hong Kong’s strategic position in developing into an international I&T centre.
      
     I&T development is a top policy priority of the Hong Kong SAR Government. We are committed to promoting societal progress and economic development through I&T. Throughout the years, we have already invested more than HK$200 billion in such measures as developing infrastructure, promoting research and development, nurturing talents and supporting the industry.
      
     We are now moving at full steam along the strategies as set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint. And I can assure you that more targeted measures in boosting our I&T prowess will be announced in my upcoming Policy Address later this month.
      
     Before I close, I would like to take the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Program Committee and Steering Committee of the Future Science Prize Week, as well as the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences for organising this prestigious event.
      
     I am sure you will have an insightful experience here. My congratulations again to all the laureates. Thank you very much.