Hong Kong is rapidly rising as a global hub for research collaboration as it continues to welcome more strategic technology companies, professionals and talented graduates from around the world, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Sunday.

In a speech at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiangjiang Nobel Forum 2026, Lee said the motherland’s unwavering support is fundamental to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's thriving development as a global innovation and technology (I&T) hub.

"Thanks to the 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong has long served as the world's 'super connector' and 'super value-adder,'" Lee said.

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“Last month, China launched its 15th Five-Year Plan, which continues to champion Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology center."

He said InnoHK, the city’s flagship research and development initiative, is tangible proof of Hong Kong’s commitment to I&T and collaboration on a global scale.

“InnoHK..is a good example to showcase how our city is rapidly rising as a hub for global research collaboration,” Lee said.  

He said the city’s two existing InnoHK research clusters on healthcare technology, and on AI and robotics were built with the collaboration of more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, bridging together around 3,000 researchers to conduct ground-breaking research.

“A third InnoHK research cluster, focusing on sustainable development, energy and advanced manufacturing and materials, is in the works,” Lee said.

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He said eight proposals have already been approved, and the R&D centers under this cluster will be set up in phases in the coming months.

“I'm pleased to inform you that, like the original two, it will serve as a center for international research collaboration, linking local research institutions with prominent universities and research institutes around the world,” Lee said.

The Innovation and Technology Commission announced last month that the eight proposals for the third cluster will get HK$2.5 billion ($310 million) in funding support from the HKSAR government.

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The science conference and Nobel forum, part of Hong Kong’s Business of Innovation and Technology Week, brings together winners of the Nobel Prize and Turing Award, leading entrepreneurs, academicians, students and representatives of international organizations and I&T enterprises from the mainland and over 30 countries and regions.