Highlighting the progress it has made in innovation and technology, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region now ranks first in Asia, and seventh globally, in digital competitiveness, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Saturday.  

Speaking at the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference, Lee said the Hong Kong also ranks third in the world as an emerging start-up center.

“Our development is underpinned by the unique ‘one country, two systems’ principle, which makes Hong Kong the only world city with both the China advantage and the global advantage,” Lee said.

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He said the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was well on its way to becoming a leading international I&T hub.

“Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Guangzhou have ranked second, as a science and technology cluster, in the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index for the past five consecutive years – a testament both to the individual strengths we bring to our interconnected region, and our collective commitment to excellence,” Lee said. 

He noted that Hong Kong boasts of five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, providing world-class research and development (R&D) expertise.

“Add to that our established tradition of the rule of law, a common law regime that dovetails with many of the world's financial centers, and a robust intellectual property protection regime, Hong Kong is built to succeed as an international I&T center,” Lee said. 

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He said Hong Kong is committed to the development of artificial intelligence and health technology with its InnoHK research clusters driving the city's R&D collaboration with world-renowned universities and research institutions.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we stand at the consequential crossroads in human history – a moment where artificial intelligence and health technology converge not just as tools, but the architects of our evolution into the next era of development,” Lee said.

“Our first two clusters focus on healthcare technology, artificial intelligence and robotics technologies. Our third cluster will specialize in four research areas: Sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials,” he added.

He said the city was also making more land available for I&T development through the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, with the Hong Kong Park in the zone becoming operational this year.

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And as long-standing champion of multilateralism, and a rules-based global economy, the Hong Kong SAR is deeply committed to building collaboration among governments, businesses and academic institutions, Lee said.

“Rest assured, we will continue to advocate for free trade, economic openness and cross-border investment. That will ensure that technology serves as a bridge, rather than a barrier to cooperation, and the economic flourishing and societal well-being it can bring us all,” he added.