The Hong Kong Innovation Foundation hosts the inaugural Hong Kong Science Fair in 2022, which attracted more than 11,000 visitors. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong will host its first-ever summit for young scientists on Dec 4, with the goal of bringing together the world’s best young researchers to flex their muscles in scientific research and development, as well as attracting more talents and investment to the city’s innovation sector.

Speaking at a media conference on Monday, Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, president of the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK) — the summit’s organizer, said he hopes the event can enhance cross-regional scientific cooperation, help Hong Kong young scientists match up with investors, and expand their field of research.

The event will also hold three seminars next year, in March, May and July, inviting young scientists and scholars to exchange ideas on different areas of research

The summit will feature talks and seminars on artificial intelligence, new energy technology and other innovation topics given by scientists and professionals from all over the world, including Yang Tong, a mathematics professor and member of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK), Felix Moronta, a Venezuelan biologist and co-chairman of the Global Young Academy, and David Ai, Head of Innovation at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

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The experts will discuss transformation and commercialization of college students’ scientific and technological solutions, and support for the popularization of science in schools, Shum said, adding that the summit will also showcase Hong Kong’s prowess in innovation technology, which is conducive for the city to attract talents and investment in the future.

The event will also hold three seminars next year, in March, May and July, inviting young scientists and scholars to exchange ideas on different areas of research.

Founded in 2018, YASHK, a chapter of ASHK, aims to promote the development of science and technology among young scientists in Hong Kong.

“It’s our duty to guide young scientists in their growth. Scientific and innovation achievements are often carried out by older and experienced scientists. But this time, we are focusing on young scientists,” said Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, a renowned molecular biologist and president of the ASHK. 

“We have a responsibility to assist these creative scientists to take the lead.” Lo emphasized. He said he believes that the summit can promote communication among young scientists from different countries and broaden their academic horizons.

Lo also pointed out that many global challenges, such as climate change and infectious diseases, can only be solved with worldwide cooperation, which is another highlight of the summit.

Apart from YASHK, the summit has two co-organizers — the Greater Bay Area Homeland Investment Limited and the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation. 

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At the press conference, representatives from the two co-organizers said they believe young scientists can take the summit as an opportunity to establish networking and collaboration platforms, which can help pave the way for future research.

Last Wednesday, Paul Chan Mo-po, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, underscored Hong Kong’s competitiveness in scientific research during his visit to San Francisco. 

Chan said the city has rolled out a series of policy measures to attract innovation enterprises and talents. Hong Kong’s strong scientific research, good intellectual property protection, positive systems for start-up and venture capitalists, and the government’s new industrialization policy are particularly conducive to the development of the innovation industry, he said.